Many Americans will tell you this is the best time of the year to be a sports fan.
We’re in the heart of both the NFL and college football seasons, mixed in with the beginning of the NBA and NHL. The only thing missing was college basketball, until now.
As you get yourself ready for the madness, it’s important to note that college basketball is introducing a plethora of new rules this year, with the most notable one being the reduction of the 35 second shot clock to 30 seconds.
To get familiar with more of the major rule changes, check out the following video:
Will this be the year of the ‘blue bloods’?
After losing Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor, it’s hard to imagine Duke repeating, but folks didn’t expect for that crop of freshmen to win a season ago.
North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas and Duke are all ranked in the AP Preseason top five.
In this preview, we’ll look at the power five conferences, Naismith Player of the Year candidates, the most intriguing non-conference games and my final four predictions.
ACC:
1. North Carolina Tar Heels – More often than not, to win a National Championship, it takes a healthy blend of experience and talent, which is exactly what the Heels have.
The sharpshooting point guard, Marcus Paige, will once again be the go-to-guy, but he shouldn’t have to shoulder the load again.
Upperclassmen Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks provide great versatility for UNC down low, while athletic swingman, Theo Pinson, is due to breakout.
The only thing standing in UNC’s way of their sixth title is defense. Too often last year, the Heels blew second half leads.
2. Duke Blue Devils – Despite losing their top three scorers from a season ago, Coach K and company reloaded as usual.
The Blue Devils have three five-star freshmen, Brandon Ingram, Chase Jeter and Derryck Thornton.
Now, it’s unfair to expect for this group to the same thing as last year’s freshmen class, however, who’s going to doubt Coach K?
Not to mention, Duke has tough minded veterans in the paint, Marshall Plumlee and Amile Jefferson, who will help on the defensive end tremendously.
Grayson Allen is another returning guy who seems poised to make a huge leap in year two. The dynamic wingman illustrated what he’s capable of in the title game against Wisconsin. He’ll have to take pressure off Thornton in the backcourt.
3. Virginia Cavaliers – Losing Justin Anderson to the NBA is obviously a major blow to the Cavaliers. At least they’re returning their core lineup for the most part.
Just a season ago, Virginia ranked first in the entire nation in opponents points allowed per game and there’s no reason to believe their defense won’t be great again.
The only thing is, can they score?
On paper, the answer is no.
Big Ten:
1. Maryland Terrapins – Before every year, there’s that ‘sexy pick’, a team the media and fans hype up because of all of the intriguing talent assembled.
This year, that team is the Maryland Terrapins.
The Terps have All-American, Melo Trimble, who is expected to compete for the Naismith Player of the Year award.
Oh, but it doesn’t stop there.
Head coach Mark Turgeon was also able to bring in Duke transfer, Rasheed Sulaimon and the highly coveted freshmen center, Diamond Stone, who is the 6th ranked prospect of his class, according to 247.
Unfortunately, Maryland will be without guard Dion Wiley, who tore his meniscus. But it’s not the end of the world since they have a proven Sulaimon and 6-foot-7 swingman Jared Nickens.
Maryland has only been to the final four twice, with their last appearance coming in 2002, when they won their lone National title against the Indiana Hoosiers.
2. Michigan State Spartans – Tom Izzo is the Gregg Popovich of college basketball.
Izzo can pick up five guys from your local park and make them look compatible as an unit. While other prestigious programs such as Kentucky, Kansas and Duke receive majority of the blue chippers, Izzo is left with the more overlooked prospects, but he turns them into gold.
Which is why every single year, you have to include Sparty.
The Spartans will be without two of their top scorers from a year ago, in Travis Trice and Branden Dawson, but this year’s team has more guys capable of knocking down the outside shot.
Their senior backcourt of Bryn Forbes and Denzel Valentine will be the backbone of the team and they’ll go as far as they take them.
3. Indiana Hoosiers – Head coach Tom Crean hasn’t had trouble bringing talent to Bloomington. Just look at the lottery picks he’s produced, Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh.
The problem has been underachieving as a team.
Hoosiers fans have been waiting nearly 30 years for a championship.
If freshman big man, Thomas Bryant, who stands at 6-foot-10, 245 pounds, can develop sooner than expected, this year’s team will have a shot with their already explosive backcourt duo of Yogi Ferrell and James Blackmon Jr.
Big 12:
1. Kansas Jayhawks – The safest bet in all of sports outside of Floyd Mayweather may be banking on the Kansas Jayhawks winning the Big 12.
Kansas has won the conference 11 straight seasons, which ties Gonzaga for the second longest streak ever. If the Jayhawks win the conference the next two years, they’ll tie John Wooden’s UCLA teams at 13.
While the Big 12 titles are cool and all, fans in Lawrence are craving another National Title.
Over the past two seasons, Kansas has dealt with super young teams, who weren’t able to fully grasp the Bill Self way.
Now, Kansas returns majority of their team from a year ago to go along with highly coveted freshmen bigs, Carlton Bragg and Cheick Diallo, however, top 10 prospect, Diallo, hasn’t been cleared by the NCAA yet.
Diallo brings a high motor and more importantly, he gives Kansas much needed rim protection. They have enough depth in the frontcourt to survive without him, but with him, Kansas’ chances of winning it all increase drastically.
2. Oklahoma Sooners – When it comes to quality teams, the Big 12 doesn’t come up short, but can anyone actually dethrone Kansas?
On paper, it may be the Sooners.
Not only is Buddy Hield the best player in the conference, he’s also one of the best players in America. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 17.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last year.
In order for Oklahoma to reach their full potential, head coach Lon Kruger will need his inexperienced bigs to produce.
The backcourt of Jordan Woodward and Isaiah Cousins shouldn’t be the issue.
3. Iowa State Cyclones – Despite losing former head coach Fred Hoiberg to the NBA, the Clyclones are still a consensus top 10 team.
It helps when you’re top two leaders scorers, Georges Niang and Monte Morris are back.
In recent memory, Iowa State has been the Jayhawks biggest competition in the Big 12, as their fast attacking offensive attack causes nightmares for opponents.
The talent is there, but you just can’t ignore the impact of having a new coach.
Steve Prohm is hailing from Murray State and he understands this team must focus on their defense in order to take the next step.
Pac-12:
1. Arizona Wildcats – For whatever reason, the Wildcats are flying under the radar, but that’s probably a good thing for Sean Miller’s ball club.
Miller has quickly risen up the charts as one of the premier coaches in the country. While UCLA is still in the midst of finding themselves, the boys in Tuscon have took the title of being the most feared program on the west coast.
Arizona has won the Pac 12 three of the past five seasons, while winning the last two years.
Wildcats fans have been privileged to see top talents like Aaron Gordon, Stanley Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson grace the hardwood at the McKale Center.
The only thing missing of late has been a final four appearance.
Miller has been to the elite eight four times as a head coach, but he’s failed to reach the next round each time.
If this is the year, veterans Kaleb Tarczewski, Kadeem Allen and Gabe York will have to lead their talented crop of freshmen.
2. California Bears – From a pure talent standpoint, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more talented group than the one in Berkeley.
To a lesser extent, Cal is the Maryland of the west coast. Cal has two top 10 freshmen, in Ivan Rabb and Jaylen Brown.
Also, returning are three of their top four scorers from a season ago.
The question is, will there be enough balls for everyone?
3. Utah Utes – If there was ever a year for Utah to hold claim to the Pac 12 title, this would be the year.
The Utes are a veteran led team with eight upperclassmen on their roster.
However, their leading scorer from a year ago, Delon Wright, is currently on the Toronto Raptors roster.
Seniors Brandon Taylor and Jordan Loveridge are expected to do majority of the heavy lifting offensively this year.
For Utah to be considered an elite team, it’ll deeply depend on the growth of 7-foot sophomore, Jakob Poeltl.
He averaged 9.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game last season.
SEC:
1. Kentucky Wildcats – Time to reload.
After falling two games short of the historical 40-0 mark, the Wildcats are looking to redeem themselves. Now, don’t be expecting this group to start off 38-0 or anything even close to that, however, this team has all of the tools to be special.
There’s no reason why Tyler Ulis shouldn’t be one of the premier point guards in the country. Sure, he’s small, but the guy is so quick with the ball and he has play making ability that’ll make life easier for star freshmen, Skal Labissiere and Jamal Murray.
Oh yeah, don’t forget about veteran Alex Poythress.
Poythress is back after missing majority of last season. His presence alone will be huge for this young team.
Things may start off a little slower than ‘Big Blue Nation’ would like, but come March, this team will be as good as anyone.
2. LSU Tigers – The SEC is going to be a lot more competitive this year. Yes, Kentucky should be the clear favorite, but teams like Texas A&M, who have a top ten class and Vanberbilt, who possess future NBA talent, in 7-foot Damian Jones are two teams to be wary of.
However, the hype machine is in Baton Rogue and deservedly so.
The Tigers have freshman megastar, Ben Simmons, who some are comparing to the one and only LeBron James.
Simmons stands at 6-foot-9, 225 pounds.
The Australian can make all of the passes on the floor, he has a soft left handed shooting touch and with his dribbling ability, he’s able to play point forward.
Not to mention, LSU was also able to grab Antonio Blakeney, who is another McDonald’s All-American.
Alongside these two super freshmen are seven upperclassmen.
3. Vanderbilt Commodores – Anytime you have a 7-footer, who’s a NBA talent, your team is to be respected.
That’s exactly what Vandy has in Damian Jones.
In fact, Jones is so confident in his abilities that he’s already declared for the NBA Draft.
“This is my last go-around,” said Jones, who was voted to the preseason All-SEC first team on Wednesday. “But all that means is that I want to give it all I’ve got. I want to push this team and get to that next step while I’m here.”
Jones will be surrounded by shooters like Riley LaChance and Matthew Fisher-Davis, which will make them very difficult to defend.
With the conference talk out of the way, let’s shift our focus to non-conference play. Over the next couple of months, programs will be facing unfamiliar and in some cases, familiar foes.
Here are the must see non-conference matchups:
Duke vs. Kentucky – Champions Classic in Chicago – Nov. 17 (7:30 ET)
Kansas vs. Michigan State – Champions Classic – Nov. 17 (10:00 ET)
Georgetown at Maryland – Nov. 17 (9:00 ET)
Maryland at North Carolina – Dec. 1 (9;30 ET)
Indiana at Duke – Dec. 2 (9:15 ET)
Arizona at Gonzaga – Dec. 5 (TBD)
Oklahoma vs. Villanova – Honolulu – Dec. 19 (TBD)
Notre Dame vs. Indiana – Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis – Dec. 19 (2:00 ET)
Louisville at Kentucky – Dec. 26 – (TBD)
Kentucky at Kansas – Jan.30 (TBD)
Last year, Frank Kaminsky took home the Naismith Player of the Year Award. This year, it appears to be a lot more open with multiple guys capable of taking the hardware.
Let’s take a look at the potential candidates:
UNC – Marcus Paige.
Kentucky – Tyler Ulis.
Iowa State – Georges Niang.
LSU – Ben Simmons.
Oklahoma – Buddy Hield.
Kansas – Perry Ellis.
Wichita State – Fred Van Vleet.
Maryland- Melo Trimble.
Duke – Grayson Allen.
To the moment you’ve been waiting for, who will be represented in Houston next April?
Obviously, it’s difficult to say because we don’t know which region every team will be, but who cares, right?
Final Four: North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky and Duke.
National Champion: North Carolina Tar Heels.