I’m incredibly excited to be writing here at Student Union! I thought there would be no better way to make my debut on the site than talking college hoops. Usually around this time of year we would’ve just crowned a champion, and we’d all be ready to start hyping up next year already. Given the state of the world, and the developing COVID-19, I’m really ready to just talk about anything involving basketball, and figured this year might be better than any to look ahead. With that said, I’m happy to reveal my personal “Way-Too-Early Top 10!”
1. Villanova
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Saddiq Bey
Key Returners: Collin Gillespie, Cole Swider, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Bryan Antoine, Jermaine Samuels, Justin Moore, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Brandon Slater
Key Additions: Caleb Daniels
I was ready to put Nova in my Final Four this year, and with so many guys returning, they’re a clear favorite for next year. While I think they’ll lose leading scorer Saddiq Bey, the collection of players coming back, paired with Tulane transfer Caleb Daniels, is more than enough for the Wildcats to be tops in both the Big East and the nation.
2. Creighton
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Kelvin Jones, Davion Mintz
Key Returners: Marcus Zegarowski, Ty-Shon Alexander, Mitchell Ballock, Christian Bishop, Damien Jefferson, Denzel Mahoney, Jacob Epperson
Key Additions: Antwaan Jones, Ryan Kalkbrennery
Under the assumption that both Marcus Zegarowski and Ty-Shon Alexander return to school, Creighton should offer quite the challenge for Villanova all year long. Those two guards, plus Mitchell Ballock, should make for the best backcourt in the whole country. The experience of the rest of the group, plus a great coach in Greg McDermott, could make this the year Creighton finally heads to the Final Four.
3. Gonzaga
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Killian Tillie, Ryan Woolridge, Admon Gilder
Key Returners: Filip Petrusev, Corey Kispert, Joel Ajayi, Drew Timme, Anton Watson, Martynas Arlauskas, Pavel Zakharov
Key Additions: Jalen Suggs, Oumar Ballo, Julian Strawther, Domenick Harris
A current trend among my top ranked teams is returning depth. Losing Killian Tillie definitely hurts the Zags, but the core coming back, anchored by Wooden All-American Filip Petrusev should be enough on its own to make Gonzaga as dangerous as usual. Jalen Suggs might be the best recruit Mark Few has ever landed, should he stick with the Zags rather than head straight to the G-League, and could be the guy that elevates the Bulldogs from perennial Mid-Major power, to legitimate title contender.
4. Baylor
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Freddie Gillespie, Devonte Bandoo
Key Returners: Davion Mitchell, MaCio Teague, Jared Butler, Mark Vital, Tristan Clark, Matthew Mayer, Jordan Turner, Flo Thamba
Key Additions: Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer, Dain Dainja, Zach Loveday
Baylor honestly might have the most top-to-bottom complete roster in college basketball next year. I’m assuming Jared Butler and MaCio Teague will both choose to return to school, which keeps one of the country’s best backcourts together. Mark Vital and Davion Mitchell are two of the best defensive players in the nation. The key additions are exciting too, as Adam Flagler is a pure scorer coming over from Presbyterian, and LJ Cryer and Dain Dainja are both ESPN Top 100 recruits.
5. Kentucky
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Nate Sestina, Tyrese Maxey, Nick Richards, Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Johnny Juzang, E.J. Montgomery
Key Returners: Keion Brooks, Dontaie Allen
Key Additions: B.J. Boston, Terrance Clarke, Devin Askew, Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Davion Mintz
Bucking the trend of experience from my top teams is Kentucky. They’re losing an astounding 94% of their scoring from last season, but as they say: Kentucky doesn’t rebuild, they reload. B.J. Boston and Terrance Clarke are the true gems of this recruiting class, but Devin Askew, Isaiah Jackson and Lance Ware are all studs as well. Throw in Creighton transfer Davion Mintz to bring some experience to the table and the Wildcats should expect to run through the SEC this year.
6. Virginia
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key
Key Returners: Kihei Clark, Jay Huff, Casey Morsell, Tomas Woldetensae, Kody Stattman, Justin McCoy
Key Additions: Sam Hauser, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Carson McCorkle, Reece Beekman
Virginia’s slow start in conference play this year kept a lot of people from noticing that they got hot to end the year. The Cavs were peaking at the right time and are getting a significant amount of their contributors back next year. Both Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key will be tough to replace, but the addition of Marquette transfer Sam Hauser is a huge get for Tony Bennett. This year’s team was lacking just a bit of offensive firepower, and Hauser, as well as Carson McCorkle, are flamethrowers from the outside who should provide a lift in that area.
7. Kansas
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Udoka Azubuike, Devon Dotson, Isaiah Moss
Key Returners: Marcus Garrett, Ochai Agbaji, David McCormack, Christian Braun, Tristan Enaruna, Jalen Wilson, Mitch Lightfoot, Silvio DeSousa
Key Additions: Bryce Thompson, DaJaun Harris, Tyon Grant-Foster, Gethro Muscadin, Latrell Jossell
Anytime you lose a point guard like Devon Dotson, it sets a program back a little bit. Adding the loss of Udoka Azubuike down low creates another huge loss for Bill Self. Both will be remembered as all-time great Kansas Jayhawks. Nonetheless, this is still a roster stacked with talent. Marcus Garrett is the best defensive player in the country, Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun should each take steps forward on the wing, and Bryce Thompson is the crown jewell of the recruiting class. Tyon Grant-Foster is the top JUCO transfer in the country and DaJaun Harris will surprise people with his natural ability at the point guard spot.
8. Michigan State
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman
Key Returners: Joshua Langford, Rocket Watts, Aaron Henry, Gabe Brown, Malik Hall, Marcus Bingham, Julius Marble, Thomas Kithier
Key Additions: Joey Hauser, Mady Sissoko, A.J. Hoggard
It’s always challenging to replace a player who means so much to the culture of a college basketball program. Cassius Winston immortalized himself in Spartan history over the past four years and his absence on the court next year will almost feel odd. I think Xavier Tillman will also chose to keep his name in the draft. As a result, Tom Izzo will have yet another great player that he’ll have to live without. Even so, the Spartans should still be in good shape in the Big 10. Joshua Langford, Rocket Watts and Aaren Henry lead the group of returning players and will love to have the younger Hauser brother, Joey, joining their rotation. A.J. Hoggard very well could be next man up in a long line of legends to run the point for the green and white.
9. Iowa
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Ryan Kriener, Bakai Evelyn, Cordell Pemsl
Key Returners: Luka Garza, Joe Weiskamp, Connor McCaffery, Joe Toussiant, Jordan Bohannon, C.J. Fredrick, Patrick McCaffery, Jack Nunge
Key Additions: Ahron Ulis, Tony Perkins
Iowa has all of the makings of a team that will get a lot of preseason love. For starters, Luka Garza will likely be the consensus preseason national player of the year. The rest of Fran McCaffery’s starting five from this season also returns with Garza. The big difference for next year’s Hawkeye squad will be Jordan Bohannon. He has been one of the best shooters in Iowa history, and his medical redshirt will give him one last year to be the go-to guy in big moments.
10. Duke
Likely/Definite Subtractions: Tre Jones, Vernon Carey Jr., Cassius Stanley, Jack White, Alex O’Connell, Javin DeLaurier, Justin Robinson
Key Returners: Wendell Moore, Matthew Hurt, Jordan Goldwire, Joey Baker
Key Additions: Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, D.J. Steward, Mark Williams, Jaemyn Brakefield, Henry Coleman, Patrick Tape
Similar to Cassius Winston, it will be tough for Duke to replace a pure point guard like Tre Jones. In just two years, he certainly made his mark on one of the sport’s blue-bloods. Losing him as well as Vernon Carey and Cassius Stanley will cause some struggles, but there’s plenty of help on the way. Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, D.J. Steward, Jaemyn Brakefield and Mark Williams are all top 30 players in their class and will bolster the Blue Devils lineup immediately. Patrick Tape ultimately recommitting to Duke after a back-and-forth saga in his grad transfer decision is going to be a huge help as well. Assuming Wendell Moore returns, this Duke team could be scary.
