Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated
The college basketball regular season is just over a week away! Enjoy my preview of the entire college basketball landscape entering what should be an entertaining 2023-2024 season.
ACC
1.Duke
2.Miami
3.North Carolina
4.North Carolina State
5.Clemson
6.Virginia
7.Virginia Tech
8.Wake Forest
9.Pittsburgh
10.Syracuse
11.Florida State
12.Louisville
13.Notre Dame
14.Georgia Tech
15.Boston College
The ACC should run through Durham, North Carolina once again during the upcoming 2023-2024 season. The combination of forward Kyle Filipowski and guard Tyrese Proctor returning plus having second year head coach Jon Scheyer on the sideline will make them tough to beat. But it is the Miami Hurricanes who went to the national championship game back in April. Even though they fell short against Connecticut, and lose guard Isaiah Wong and wing Jordan Miller to the NBA, they return talented guard Nijel Packer and grity forward Norchad Omier inside. Jim Larranga’s team should be in good standing to be at the top of the ACC. Elsewhere in the ACC, North Carolina looks to bounce back after being ranked number one in the pre-season AP Poll before last season began and not even being able to make the NCAA Tournament. Clemson, NC State, Pittsburgh, and Virginia also look like contenders in the conference’s final season before it expands westward to California, Southern Methodist, and Stanford.
Best Non-Conference Games
1.Duke vs. Michigan State (November 14) (Chicago; Champions Classic)
2.Arizona @ Duke (November 10)
3.Duke @ Arkansas (November 29) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
4.North Carolina vs. Connecticut (December 5) (Jimmy V Classic)
5.Miami @ Kentucky (November 28) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
6.Tennessee @ North Carolina (November 29) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7.Kentucky vs. North Carolina (December 16) (Atlanta; CBS Sports Classic)
8.Baylor vs. Duke (December 20) (New York City)
9.Clemson @ Alabama (November 28) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
10.Clemson @ Memphis (December 16)
Best Conference Games
1.Duke vs. North Carolina (February 3, March 9)
2.Duke @ Miami (February 21)
3.Miami vs. North Carolina (February 10, February 26)
4.Virginia @ Duke (March 2)
5.Clemson vs. North Carolina (January 2, February 6)
6.North Carolina vs. North Carolina State (January 10, March 2)
7.Clemson vs. Pittsburgh (December 3, February 27)
8.North Carolina @ Virginia (February 24)
9.North Carolina State @ Clemson (February 17)
10.Syracuse @ Duke (January 2)
Awards
MVP: Kyle Filipowski, Forward, Duke (Sophomore)
2022-2023 Stats: 15.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game
Defensive Player of the Year: Norchad Omier, Forward, Miami (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 13.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game
Most Improved Player: Harrison Ingram, Forward, North Carolina
2022-2023 Stats: 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game
Coach of the Year: Jim Larranaga, Miami Hurricanes
Conference Tournament Champ: North Carolina State Wolfpack
Big 12
1.Kansas
2.Houston
3.Texas
4.Baylor
5.Kansas State
6.TCU
7.Iowa State
8.Texas Tech
9.West Virginia
1o.Oklahoma State
11.Cincinnati
12.Oklahoma
13.BYU
14.Central Florida
With Bill Self back as head coach and Michigan transfer big man Hunter Dickinson in Lawrence now, the Kansas Jayhawks look like the favorite to not only win the Big 12 but to contend for a national title. With veteran guard Dajuan Harris and wing Kevin McCullar back to join the transfer Dickinson, they will look to dominate the conference following an early exit to the Big Dance last season when they lost to Arkansas in the Sweet 16. The Big 12 added four teams entering the 2023-2024 athletic year in BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, and Houston. Most notably, Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars enter as the only team that looks like they can truly compete in college basketball’s best conference a season ago. Sampson is back in the Big 12 after he was previously with Oklahoma from 1994-2006. His Houston roster will look to compete with Kansas, Texas, and Baylor at the top of the conference this season. With the depth the Cougars, Knights, and Bearcats add to the Big 12 will again push to be the sport’s best conference. A huge season looms in the Big 12 with Texas and Oklahoma on the way out next summer and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah coming in.
Best Non-Conference Games
1.Connecticut @ Kansas (December 1) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
2.Texas @ Marquette (December 5) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
3.Texas A&M vs. Houston (December 16) (Houston; Toyota Center)
3.Baylor vs. Duke (December 20) (New York City)
4.Baylor vs. Michigan State (Detroit; December 16)
6.Kansas State vs. USC (November 6) (Las Vegas)
7.Kansas @ Indiana (December 16)
8.Houston @ Xavier (December 1) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
9.Missouri @ Kansas (December 9)
10.Clemson vs. TCU (December 9) (Toronto)
Best Conference Games
1.Kansas-Houston (February 3, March 9)
2.Baylor-Kansas (February 10, March 2)
3.Kansas-Kansas State (February 5, March 5)
4.Houston-Texas (January 29, February 17)
5.Texas @ Kansas (February 24)
6.Houston @ Baylor (February 24)
7.Texas @ TCU (February 3)
8.Baylor-TCU (January 27, February 26)
9.Iowa State-Kansas (January 27)
10.Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (February 10, February 24)
Awards
MVP: Hunter Dickinson, Center, Kansas (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game
Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin McCullar, Guard/Forward, Kansas (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 10.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game
Most Improved Player: Langston Love, Guard, Baylor (Junior)
2022-2023 Stats: 6.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game
Coach of the Year: Grant McCasland, Texas Tech
Conference Tournament Champ: Houston Cougars
Big East
1.Marquette
2.Creighton
3.Connecticut
4.Villanova
5.St. John’s
6.Providence
7.Seton Hall
8.Xavier
9.Butler
10.Georgetown
11.Seton Hall
Following Connecticut’s win the National Championship Game in April, the Huskies lost Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo to the NBA however they were able to sign head coach Dan Hurley to a new contract extension for six years worth over $30 million. The Huskies returned guard Tristen Newton and forwards Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban while adding five-star guard Stephon Castle to the roster. 2022-2023 Big East regular season champion Marquette and a Creighton team that was a bucket away from also going to the Final Four in April join the Huskies as the main competitors in the conference this season. Kyle Neptune’s Villanova roster is healthy and ready to compete as well as a rejuvenated St . John’s program with Rick Pitino taking over for Mike Anderson and totally revitalizing the roster in Queens. Elsewhere, Ed Cooley’s departure from Providence and his move to stay in the conference and replace Patrick Ewing at Georgetown surprised everyone. His first appearance back in Friar Town will be must see TV on Saturday, January 27. A great regular season is coming up in the Big East that will culminate in Madison Square Garden before at least six or seven teams head to the Big Dance to compete for another national championship trophy.
Best Non-Conference Games
1.Connecticut @ Kansas (December 1) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
2.Texas @ Marquette (December 5) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
3.Connecticut vs. Gonzaga (December 15) (Seattle)
4.North Carolina vs. Connecticut (December 5) (Jimmy V Classic)
5.Villanova @ Kansas State (December 5) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
6.Marquette @ Illinois (November 14) (Gavitt Games)
7.Xavier @ Purdue (November 13) (Gavitt Games)
8.Houston @ Xavier (December 1) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
9.Maryland @ Villanova (November 17) (Gavitt Games)
10.Michigan @ St. John’s (November 13) (Gavitt Games)
Best Conference Games
1.Connecticut-Marquette (February 17, March 6)
2.Connecticut-Creighton (January 17, February 20)
3.Creighton-Marquette (December 30, March 2)
4.Connecticut-Villanova (January 20, February 24)
5.Connecticut-St. John’s (December 23, February 3)
6.Creighton-Villanova (December 20, March 9)
7.Marquette-St. John’s (January 20, February 10)
8.Connecticut-Xavier (January 10, January 28)
9.St. John’s-Villanova (January 6, January 24)
10.Georgetown-Providence (January 27, March 5)
Awards
MVP: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Center, Creighton (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game
Defensive Player of the Year: Donovan Clingan, Center, Connecticut (Sophomore)
2022-2023 Stats: 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game
Most Improved Player: Alex Karaban, Forward, Connecticut (Sophomore)
2022-2023 Stats: 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game
Coach of the Year: Rick Pitino, St. John’s
Conference Tournament Champ: Creighton Bluejays
Big Ten
1.Purdue
2.Michigan State
3.Illinois
4.Wisconsin
5.Maryland
6.Indiana
7.Ohio State
8.Northwestern
9.Iowa
10.Rutgers
11.Michigan
12.Penn State
13.Nebraska
14.Minnesota
Ahead of adding Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington for the 2024-2025 academic athletic year, Purdue and Michigan State were ranked third and fourth in the pre-season AP Top 25 as both look to win the Big Ten and make a run at the national title. Purdue returns reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey and the rest of their roster from a team that was the third overall one seed in the NCAA Tournament. Following their loss to Farleigh Dickinson in the Round of 64, Purdue has refocus and will look to have another successful season under Matt Painter. Michigan State’s guards AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker are fantastic and will pose many problems for the Boilermakers. Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Northwestern also look like contenders to win the Big Ten and make a run in March Madness.
Best Non-Conference Games
1.Duke vs. Michigan State (November 14) (Chicago; Champions Classic)
2.Arizona vs. Michigan State (November 14) (Palm Springs; Acrisure Classic)
3.Arizona vs. Purdue (December 16) (Indianapolis; Indy Classic)
4.Alabama vs. Purdue (December 9) (Toronto)
5.Marquette @ Illinois (November 14) (Gavitt Games)
6.Kansas @ Indiana (December 16)
7.Baylor vs. Michigan State (Detroit; December 16)
8.Maryland @ Villanova (November 17) (Gavitt Games)
9.Maryland @ UCLA (December 22)
10.Indiana vs. Auburn (December 9) (Atlanta)
Xavier @ Purdue (November 13) (Gavitt Games)
Michigan @ St. John’s (November 13) (Gavitt Games)
Best Conference Games
1.Michigan State @ Purdue (March 2)
2.Indiana-Purdue (January 16, February 10)
3.Illinois-Purdue (January 5, March 5)
4.Illinois-Michigan State (January 11, February 10)
5.Purdue @ Maryland (January 2)
6.Illinois-Maryland (January 14, February 17)
7.Ohio State @ Michigan State (February 25)
8.Purdue-Wisconsin (February 4, March 10)
9.Michigan-Michigan State (January 30, February 17)
10.Northwestern-Purdue (December 1, January 31)
Awards
MVP: Zach Edey, Center, Purdue (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game
Defensive Player of the Year: Zach Edey, Center, Purdue (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: See Above
Most Improved Player: Jaden Akins, Guard, Michigan State (Junior)
2022-2023 Stats: 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game
Coach of the Year: Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Conference Tournament Champ: Wisconsin Badgers
Pac-12
1.Arizona
2.USC
3.UCLA
4.Colorado
5.Oregon
6.Arizona State
7.Stanford
8.Utah
9.Washington
10.California
11.Oregon State
12.Washington State
The Pac-12 has been blown up due to conference commissioner George Kliavkoff’s mismanagement of obtaining a new media rights deal for the conference. That has not mattered for the Pac-12 in its last ride in football. There are multiple title contenders; Washington, Oregon, and USC. The same could be said about the hardwood in the Pac-12 if Arizona, USC, and UCLA are as good as advertised. The Wildcats reloaded with transfers Caleb Love (North Carolina), Jaden Bradley (Alabama), and Keshad Johnson (San Diego State) after losing leading score Azuolas Tubelis to the pros and starting guard Kerr Krisa to West Virginia. UCLA loses a ton of experience including starting point guard Tyer Campbell and starting small forward Jaime Jaquez, who led the Bruins to the Final Four in 2021. USC probably has the most confidence going into the season with former Memphis transfer Boggie Ellis coming back to pair with a high school class that includes Isaiah Collier and the son LeBron James, Bronny. Positive updates have come from LeBron since Bronny’s cardiac arrest in Trojan practice in late September. Assuming he will return at some point before Pac-12 play begins, the Trojans will contend for the final regualr season title in league history. Dana Altman’s Oregon Ducks and Tad Boyles’ Colorado Buffaloes also look to be in the race for not only a conference title but potentially runs in March.
Best Non-Conference Games
1.Arizona @ Duke (November 10)
2.Arizona vs. Purdue (December 16) (Indianapolis; Indy Classic)
3.Arizona vs. Michigan State (November 23) (Palm Springs; Acrisure Classic)
4.Florida Atlantic vs. Arizona (December 23) (Las Vegas)
5.Gonzaga vs. USC (December 2) (Las Vegas)
6.UCLA @ Villanova (December 9)
7.Alabama vs. Arizona (December 20) (Phoenix; Jerry Colangelo’s Hall of Fame Series)
8.Kansas State vs. USC (November 6) (Las Vegas)
9.Maryland @ UCLA (December 22)
10.USC @ Auburn (December 17)
Best Conference Games
1.Arizona-UCLA (January 20, March 7)
2.UCLA-USC (January 27, February 24)
3.Arizona-USC (January 17, March 9)
4.Arizona-Colorado (January 4, February 10)
5.Arizona-Arizona State (February 17, February 28)
6.Oregon-UCLA (December 30; February 3)
7.Colorado-USC (January 13, February 17)
8.Oregon-USC (December 28, February 3)
9.Colorado-USC (January 13, February 17)
10.Arizona State @ Oregon (January 25)
Awards
MVP: Boogie Ellis, Guard, USC (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game
Defensive Player of the Year: Adem Bona, UCLA (Sophomore)
2022-2023 Stats: 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 0.6 steals per game
Most Improved Player: Keshad Johnson, Forward, Arizona (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 7.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game
Coach of the Year: Andy Enfield, USC
Conference Tournament Champ: USC Trojans
SEC
1.Tennessee
2.Kentucky
3.Arkansas (separate from my Arkansas basketball preview, which will go live on Sunday, November 5)
4.Texas A&M
5.Alabama
6.Mississippi State
7.Auburn
8.Ole Miss
9.Missouri
10.Florida
11.Vanderbilt
12.Georgia
13.LSU
14.South Carolina
In the final season before Texas and Oklahoma join the SEC, Kentucky has reloaded with multiple five stars while Tennessee added talented forward Dalton Knecht through the transfer portal. Knecht’s offensive play should help Tennessee’s defensive minded team in March if they get there. Eric Musselman added a group of great guards including El Ellis from Louisville. Arkansas should again be able to make a run deep in the postseason with his veteran roster. It is Texas A&M, though, with phenomenal guard Wade Taylor IV, who return the most talent of every team in the conference. His head coach, Buzz Williams, has done a terrific job in College Station. Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Florida look like March Madness contenders as well.
Best Non-Conference Games
1.Duke @ Arkansas (November 29) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
2.Gonzaga @ Kentucky (February 10)
3.Miami @ Kentucky (November 28) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
4.Texas A&M vs. Houston (December 16) (Houston; Toyota Center)
5.Alabama vs. Purdue (December 9) (Toronto)
6.Tennessee @ North Carolina (November 29) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7.Alabama @ Creighton (December 16)
8.Alabama vs. Arizona (December 20) (Phoenix; Jerry Colangelo’s Hall of Fame Series)
9.Kentucky vs. North Carolina (December 16) (Atlanta; CBS Sports Classic)
10.Clemson @ Alabama (November 28) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
Best Conference Games
1.Kentucky-Tennessee (February 3, March 9)
2.Arkansas-Kentucky (January 27, March 2)
3.Tennessee-Texas A&M (February 10, February 24)
4.Alabama-Tennessee (January 20, March 2)
5.Kentucky @ Texas A&M (January 13)
6.Texas A&M @ Alabama (February 17)
7.Texas A&M @ Alabama (February 17)
8.Alabama-Auburn (January 24, February 7)
9.Ole Miss-Mississippi State (January 30, February 21)
10.Florida-Kentucky (January 6, January 31)
Awards
MVP: Wade Taylor, Guard, Texas A&M (Junior)
2022-2023 Stats: 16.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game
Defensive Player of the Year: Zakai Ziegler, Guard, Tennessee (Junior)
2022-2023 Stats: 10.7 points, 5.4 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game
Most Improved Player: Makhi Mitchell, Forward, Arkansas (Senior)
2022-2023 Stats: 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game
Coach of the Year: Rick Barnes, Tennessee
Conference Tournament Champ: Arkansas Razorbacks
Best Non-Power 6 Teams
2023 Final Four participant Florida Atlantic, UAB, Charlotte, North Texas, Rice and UTSA all joined the American Athletic Conference ahead of this athletic season. The Owls and Blazers are primed to make the conference more competitive. Elsewhere, fellow national championship runner up San Diego State is the favorite in a good Mountain West Conference that also includes tournament hopefuls Boise State and New Mexico. Also out west, Gonzaga was not ranked in the pre-season AP Top 10 for the first time since 2017. The Bulldogs were ranked 11th while their conference rival Saint Mary’s sits at 23 in the pre-season. Both of those teams look like they can compete and make runs in March with roster moves they made in the off-season. In addition, FAU, Memphis, and San Diego State prove why the talent gap in college hoops has gotten a lot smaller between the Power 6 and other conferences.
Best Non-Conference Games
1.Gonzaga @ Kentucky (February 10)
2.Connecticut vs. Gonzaga (December 15) (Seattle)
3.Florida Atlantic vs. Arizona (December 23) (Las Vegas)
4.San Diego State @ Gonzaga (December 29)
5.Gonzaga vs. USC (December 2) (Las Vegas)
6.Memphis @ Texas A&M (December 10)
7.Memphis @ Missouri (November 10)
8.Clemson @ Memphis (December 16)
9.Virginia @ Memphis (December 19)
10.Gonzaga @ Washington (December 9)
Best Conference Games
1.Gonzaga-Saint Mary’s (February 3, March 2)
2.Florida Atlantic-Memphis (February 25, March 9)
3.Boise State-San Diego State (January 20, March 8)
4.Dayton-VCU (February 9, March 8)
5.New Mexico-San Diego State (January 13, February 13)
6.Florida Atlantic-Tulane (January 11, March 2)
7.Memphis-Tulane (January 21, February 11)
8.Gonzaga-Loyola Marymount (January 30, February 15)
9.Loyola-Marymount-Saint Mary’s (January 6, January 27)
10.Gonzaga-Portland (February 7, February 22)
Awards (Picking the best from every team above)
MVP: Aidan Mahaney, Guard, Saint Mary’s (Sophomore)
2022-2023 Stats: 13.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game
Defensive Player of the Year: Johnell Davis, Guard, Florida Atlantic (Junior)
2022-2023 Stats: 13.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game
Most Improved Player: Nolan Hickman, Guard, Gonzaga (Junior)
2022-2023 Stats:
Coach of the Year: Randy Bennett, Saint Mary’s
Conference Tournament Champs: Gonzaga (West Coast), Memphis (American Athletic), and San Diego State (Mountain West)
National Preview:
Top 10 Non-Conference Games
1.Duke vs. Michigan State (November 14) (Chicago; Champions Classic)
2.Connecticut @ Kansas (December 1) (Big 12/Big East Battle)
3.Arizona @ Duke (November 10)
4.Gonzaga @ Kentucky (February 10)
5.Duke @ Arkansas (November 29) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
6.Texas A&M vs. Houston (December 16) (Houston; Toyota Center)
7.North Carolina vs. Connecticut (December 5) (Jimmy V Classic)
8.Miami @ Kentucky (November 28) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9.Arizona vs. Michigan State (November 14) (Palm Springs; Acrisure Classic)
10.Arizona vs. Purdue (December 16) (Indianapolis; Indy Classic)
Top 10 Conference Games
1.Michigan State @ Purdue (March 2)
2.Connecticut-Marquette (February 17, March 6)
3.Kansas-Houston (February 3, March 9)
4.Kentucky-Tennessee (February 3, March 9)
5.Connecticut-Creighton (January 17, February 20)
6.Creighton-Marquette (December 30, March 2)
7.Duke @ Miami (February 21)
8.Texas @ Kansas (February 24)
9.Arkansas-Kentucky (January 27, March 2)
10.Duke vs. North Carolina (February 3, March 9)
Bracketology:
South Region (Dallas)
1.Kansas
2.Creighton
3.Miami
4.Arkansas
West Region (Los Angeles)
1.Michigan State
2.Houston
3.Arizona
4.San Diego State
East Region (Boston)
1.Duke
2.Tennessee
3.Connecticut
4.Kentucky
Midwest Region (Detroit)
1.Purdue
2.Marquette
3.Gonzaga
4.Texas A&M
Final Four Picks: Creighton, Kansas, Marquette, Michigan State
National Champion Pick: Michigan State Spartans
National Player of the Year: Kyle Filipowski, Forward, Duke (Sophomore)