25. Tristan Clark, Forward, Baylor, Junior
When Clark suffered a season-ending knee injury in January, he was leading the nation with a 73.7 field-goal percentage. The 6-foot-10 Clark, who was also averaging 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds in 2018-19, is certainly someone to watch this season. The talent is there, the hope is that he can remain healthy.
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24. Kira Lewis Jr., Guard, Alabama, Sophomore
It was a big deal when Lewis announced he would return to Alabama for his sophomore season. New coach Nate Oats likes things to go through his guards, which would seem to bode well for Lewis. As a 17-year-old freshman, Lewis averaged 13.5 points and made 35.8 percent of his 3-pointers.
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23. Xavier Tillman, Forward, Michigan State, Junior
The Spartans are the preseason favorite to win it all, and Tillman is a key component to their squad. While also balancing classwork, marriage and a family, Tillman is expected to be rock of the Spartans’ frontcourt after averaging 10.0 points and 7.3 boards last year (while coming off the bench for a majority of the season).
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22. Ashton Hagans, Guard, Kentucky, Sophomore
Hagans is one of the most complete point guards in the country. His numbers as a freshman weren’t eye-popping (7.7 ppg, 4.3 apg), but he is a stellar defender. His value without being too flashy or drawing attention to himself is what makes Hagans worthy of a spot on our list.
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21. Nico Mannion, Guard, Arizona, Freshman
There is a lot of cautious hype surrounding Mannion. There’s no doubt the 6-3 McDonald’s All-American guard – who was born in Italy and a Phoenix high school star – has plenty of raw talent. Mannion can shoot from anywhere on the floor and is an elite passer. However, the pressure for him to lead Arizona back to the NCAA Tournament after missing out in 2019 comes with plenty of pressure for him to dominate now.
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20. Kaleb Wesson, Center, Ohio State, Junior
Wesson has lost more than 30 pounds, and though his eye is on the NBA, he seems ready to help the Buckeyes to big things in 2019-20. Ohio State could contend for a Big Ten title, especially if the 6-9 Wesson continues to produce and even better his game after leading the team with 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds as a sophomore.
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19. Isaiah Stewart, Forward, Washington, Freshman
There are some who believe the 6-9, 240-pound Stewart could end up having the most notable season among all incoming freshman. He certainly has the frame to be a force. Though he’s no Zion Williamson, Stewart is plenty capable of taking over games. The Huskies will need to feed the youngster early and often.
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18. Jalen Smith, Forward, Maryland, Sophomore
Smith is the first of two Terrapins among college basketball’s elite. He may not be Maryland’s first option on the offensive end, but the 6-10 Smith tends to make the most of things when the ball is in his hands. He averaged 11.7 points on 49.2 percent shooting and 6.8 rebounds. Smith might have the best next-level future of any Maryland player.
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17. Killian Tillie, Forward, Gonzaga, Senior
With Tillie, it’s all about staying healthy. A pair of injuries limited him to just 15 games in 2019-20, and now he recently had a knee procedure that Zags coach Mark Few claims will help Tillie make it through the season. If Gonzaga can get anywhere near the 12.9 points and 5.9 boards he averaged over 36 games as a sophomore two seasons ago, that would be a gift.
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16. Lamar Stevens, Forward, Penn State, Senior
Stevens ranked second in the Big Ten last season in scoring (19.9 ppg) while shooting 42.2 percent. The Nittany Lion has gotten better every season in Happy Valley, and also averaged a career-high 7.7 rebounds in 2018-19. Penn State still remains a bottom-half team in the league, but Stevens is a top-tier talent.
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15. Anthony Cowan Jr., Guard, Maryland, Senior
Cowan dealt with a concussion early in preseason practice, but he’s expected to make a full recovery and lead the Terrapins in 2019-20. While Cowan is an overly sound player, he can be inconsistent on the offensive end. A unanimous preseason all-Big Ten team selection, Cowan still is a major talent that averaged a team-high 15.6 points, plus 4.4 assists, last season.
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14. Sam Merrill, Guard, Utah State, Senior
The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year, Merrill would seem in line to do it again as a senior. Though his shooting numbers in 2018-19 were down from the season prior, he averaged a career-high 20.9 points as a junior and shot a solid 46.1 percent from the field. He might be the best collegiate player out West.
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13. Udoka Azubuike, Center, Kansas, Senior
Like Gonzaga’s Killian Tillie, Azubuike needs to be healthy for Kansas to achieve its full potential. Injuries have bothered the 7-foot Nigerian during his career with the Jayhawks, and a wrist issue kept him out for all but nine games in 2018-19. When he’s been on the floor the past two seasons, Azubuike has averaged 13.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 45 games.
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12. Anthony Edwards, Guard, Georgia, Freshman
There’s plenty of hype surrounding the uber-talented Edwards. A top-five national prospect and McDonald’s All-American from Atlanta, Edwards’ presence in his home state really cannot be overstated. He can do it all on the floor, but provides the Bulldogs with an elite scorer that the team needs to be a factor on the national scene.
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11. Jarron Cumberland, Guard, Cincinnati, Senior
Cumberland was the player of the year in the American Athletic Conference after he averaged 18.8 points last season. The senior captain showed a development of his all-around game last, posting career highs in rebounds (4.4) and assists (3.6). It will be interesting to see if his production gets more of a boost in new coach John Brannen’s up-tempo system.
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10. Ayo Dosunmu, Guard, Illinois, Sophomore
Dosunmu’s return after he averaged 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists as a freshman makes the Illini an intriguing team this season. It also can’t be understated what Dosunmu, a Chicago kid, can do for the future of the Illinois program. He’s likely going pro after this season, but should he and the Illini do well, the pipeline to elite Chicago talent could open up once again.
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9. James Wiseman, Center, Memphis, Freshman
Considered the No. 1 prospect last season, Wiseman made a big splash when he decided to stay home and play for coach Penny Hardaway at Memphis. At 7-1, 240 pounds, Wiseman averaged nearly 26.0 points and 15.0 rebounds, plus 5.5 blocks, as a senior in high school. He has the ability to be an immediate game-changer at both ends of the floor and restore the luster at Memphis.
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8. Tre Jones, Guard, Duke, Sophomore
Jones is the lone member of Duke’s vaunted 2018 recruiting class to not enter last April’s NBA Draft. His presence this season should be beneficial to both player and team. Expect Jones to improve on his average of 9.4 points while he undertakers a bigger offensive workload.
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7. Kerry Blackshear Jr., Forward, Virginia Tech, Senior
Blackshear was the best of the lot among graduate transfers this year, and felt Florida is the place to finish his career. He’s coming off a career season from 2018-19 at Virginia Tech, averaging 14.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. The 6-10 Blackshear makes Florida a top-10 team and also gives him an opportunity to elevate his draft stock.
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6. Cole Anthony, Guard, North Carolina, Freshman
Last season, Duke’s group of gifted freshman took the college basketball world by storm. This year, it’s the Tar Heels’ turn. Cole Anthony is arguably the biggest name in college basketball entering the year. Anthony, the preseason ACC Freshman of the Year, could end up being the top scorer in the league and the No. 1 overall draft pick by season’s end.
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5. Jordan Nwora, Forward, Louisville, Junior
Following a serviceable season off the bench as a freshman, Nwora broke out last year as a sophomore while averaging 17.0 points and 7.6 rebounds on 44.6 percent shooting. The Cardinals are expected to be a major player in the ACC and nationally this season, and it begins and ends with Nwora.
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4. Devon Dotson, Guard, Kansas, Sophomore
In addition to averaging 12.3 points and in the neighborhood of 4.0 rebounds and assists as a freshman, Dotson showed some genuine leadership for a team that desperately needed it. Dotson is a legit National Player of the Year candidate. He boasts the flair and poise needed to lead Kansas to a Final Four appearance.
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3. Myles Powell, Guard, Seton Hall, Senior
As the preseason Big East favorites, the hype around the Pirates is legitimate. Returning senior Myles Powell set career highs of 23.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season. He’s a gifted scorer who can fill it up from all three levels. Seton Hall is a different team offensively when Powell is healthy. This potentially has the making of a special season for Powell and Seton Hall.
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2. Markus Howard, Guard, Marquette, Senior
At 25.0 points per game, Howard led the Big East in scoring last season and could top the entire country in that department in 2019-20. Howard took more shots than the Marquette staff probably would have liked last season, but that’s partially because he had an inconsistent supporting group. At the moment, the Golden Eagles are still a one-man show.
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1. Cassius Winston, Guard, Michigan State, Senior
No doubt, Winston is the best player in college basketball entering this season and the key to Michigan State making a Final Four run. The Associated Press All-American averaged 18.8 points while shooting 46 percent overall and 39.8 percent from 3-point range. He also averaged 7.5 assists, which is another sign that Winston can do it all at this level – and perhaps the next.
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