Slam

CALL IT

MEN’S TOP 10

10. SYRACUSE ORANGE

While Syracuse is typically ravaged by early exits, this time the Orange return every major contributor from last year’s Elite 8 team. Tyus Battle, Oshae Brissett and that vexing zone defense should be enough to have Jim Boeheim’s crew pushing for the ACC crown and a Final Four berth.

9. MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

The Spartans lost two lottery picks but return the elite inside-out duo of point guard and big man . They give Tom Izzo the Big Ten’s best team and one that should clear the NCAA Tournament first weekend hurdle that has tripped them

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Slam

Slam3 min read
Energy
IT WAS ABOUT MIDWAY through the first half of the girls game at the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 4 when Rucker Park absolutely EXPLODED. We’re talking to the point where you heard it blocks away. What caused the commotion? Hannah Hidalgo hitting an Eastb
Slam9 min read
The Franchise
IT WAS IN NOVEMBER, THE day before the Toronto Raptors were set to play the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, that the then-20-year-old deemed to be the future of the team and the man who helped set the foundation for the franchise in the mid-’90s coincid
Slam2 min read
The Opening Tip
BILL RUSSELL WAS A TEAM player. I think that’s probably the most important thing to remember about the tall man who won 11 NBA championships, was a 12-time All-Star, five-time MVP and averaged 22.5 rebounds per game for his career. The defensive expe

Related Books & Audiobooks