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Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

Oct 19, 2018

Jeff BorzelloESPN Staff Writer

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• The college basketball preseason is just a little bit better when there's a debate for
No. 1, isn't it?

Last year, the preseason favorite heading into the season was pretty clear. Arizona and
Michigan State had strong cases, but once Marvin Bagley III decided in August to join
Duke, the Blue Devils became the front-runners nationally.

1. Kansas Jayhawks: It's a close call between Kansas and Kentucky, but as
mentioned above, the Jayhawks get the edge for now. We'll get an early look at the
Jayhawks, as they'll potentially face top-25 teams Michigan State, Marquette, Tennessee
and Villanova within the first six weeks of the season. The freshman backcourt of
Dotson and Grimes will be thrown into the fire.

2. Kentucky Wildcats: The buzz coming out of Lexington is through the roof
heading into the season. One source said this year's team is more balanced -- not better,
but more balanced -- than the 38-1 team from 2015. John Calipari's teams tend to hit
their stride late in the season, but this one should be ready to compete for the No. 1 spot
from day one.

3. Gonzaga Bulldogs: With North Dakota graduate transfer Geno Crandall


getting cleared to play earlier this month, Mark Few might have his best shot at a
national championship this season. Rui Hachimura, Killian Tillie and Zach Norvell Jr.
are all poised to take the next step -- but the biggest factor will be Josh Perkins. Is he a
national title point guard? If he's consistent, look out.

4. Nevada Wolf Pack: There might not be a team in the country with more
college-proven depth than Nevada. Eric Musselman brings back three all-conference
players, while adding six transfers who averaged at least 13 points last season -- along
with top-40 freshman Jordan Brown. Chemistry and playing time might be the only
questions heading into the season.

5. Duke Blue Devils: Five starters gone, four five-star prospects entering the
program. The highest-scoring returnee is Marques Bolden, who averaged under four
points per game last season. So this season will come down to how quickly the freshmen
acclimate themselves -- primarily the top-three incoming frosh: RJ Barrett, Zion
Williamson and Cam Reddish.

6. North Carolina Tar Heels: If Roy Williams totally buys into playing small-
ball basketball, North Carolina will have one of the more dangerous lineups in the
country. Coby White will be counted on to replace Joel Berry, and incoming freshman
Nassir Little is a future top-five pick. Luke Maye is a preseason All-American but will
need to step up against elite competition.

7. Auburn Tigers: Bruce Pearl could have brought back his entire starting five,
but Mustapha Heron and Desean Murray both transferred after last season. He'll
survive. Jared Harper and Bryce Brown form a terrific backcourt, and the Tigers get
back Danjel Purifoy and Austin Wiley after sitting out last season. Kentucky might be a
cut above in the SEC this season, but Auburn could still be improved from its SEC title
run.
8. Tennessee Volunteers: After shockingly winning a share of the SEC
regular-season title last season, Tennessee brings back all five starters and the SEC sixth
man of the year. Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield are unorthodox forwards, but
they create numerous matchup issues. Don't expect another first-weekend exit from the
Volunteers this season.

9. Villanova Wildcats: Jay Wright is in an unfamiliar spot. Villanova being the


favorite in the Big East is not unusual, of course, but the Wildcats needing to replace
four NBA draft picks is not an every-year occurrence. Coming off two national
championships in three seasons, Villanova is now one of the elite programs in college
basketball -- even if it takes a step back this season.

10. Michigan State Spartans: Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson leaving early
for the NBA will be difficult to replace, but Tom Izzo might have a group that fits a bit
better this season. Cassius Winston, Josh Langford and Nick Ward are all ready to
become the leaders on this team, and a deep and balanced freshman class provides
depth. They're the clear Big Ten favorite.

11. Oregon Ducks: The talent level in Eugene this season is on another level --
despite losing three starters. Payton Pritchard is an All-Pac-12-caliber player returning
at point guard, but everyone is excited about the freshmen, specifically five-star Bol Bol
and high-scoring blue-chip wing Louis King. Throw in a potential breakout performer in
Kenny Wooten, and Dana Altman has all the pieces.

12. Virginia Cavaliers: On paper, this team has plenty of questions. There are
three stalwarts in Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy and De'Andre Hunter -- but what will Tony
Bennett do in the frontcourt? And where is the depth going to come from? In reality,
how far are we really dropping the Cavaliers? They've won at least 29 games in four of
the past five seasons. They'll figure it out.

13. Syracuse Orange: Hopefully Jim Boeheim and the Orange get it going a
little bit earlier in the season in 2018-19 -- because they could be a sneaky factor in the
ACC race. Tyus Battle is one of the best scorers in the country, and Frank Howard and
underrated Oshae Brissett are also back. Those three need help on the offensive end,
though; Syracuse finished sub-300th nationally in 3-point and 2-point percentage.

14. Virginia Tech Hokies: This could be the season Buzz Williams puts it
together in Blacksburg and reaches the second weekend after getting bounced in Round
1 each of the past two seasons. Four starters are back as well as one of the most versatile
players in the ACC in Chris Clarke. The Hokies have to improve defensively after giving
up more than one point per possession in 14 of their final 17 games.

15. Kansas State Wildcats: How good is Bruce Weber's team? The Wildcats
were inconsistent en route to a 22-11 regular-season record, avoided Virginia in the
NCAA tournament, beat Kentucky by three in the Sweet 16 and then lost by 16 to
Loyola-Chicago. But they do bring back Barry Brown and Dean Wade, and should enter
the Big 12 campaign with no more than one loss.

16. LSU Tigers: In terms of talent, Will Wade has enough to stay in the top four
of the SEC. Tremont Waters is one of the nation's best point guards, and Wade brings in
three high-level recruits in Ja'vonte Smart, Emmitt Williams and Naz Reid. This is a
team that showed flashes last season and has now given Waters a lot more help at both
ends of the floor.

17. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Another SEC team that should make the
jump to the NCAA tournament, the Bulldogs have four starters back and also add five-
star recruit Reggie Perry and ESPN 100 wing Robert Woodard II. Both players will bring
toughness to Ben Howland's squad. Last year's group had a gaudy record with minimal
substance; this team will be tested a little sooner with nonconference games against
Arizona State, Clemson and Cincinnati.

18. Washington Huskies: Mike Hopkins has things rolling in the Pacific
Northwest quicker than expected, and even has the Huskies competing for five-star
talents on the recruiting trail. On the court, Washington brings back all five starters --
and it's time for elite defender Matisse Thybulle and sophomore scorer Jaylen Nowell to
become household names.

19. Florida State Seminoles: This is another team that's tough to figure out.
The Seminoles were thoroughly average during most of the regular season but got it
going in March and advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to Michigan by four.
Terance Mann and Phil Cofer are the top returnees but look for former five-star recruit
M.J. Walker to provide a lift offensively.

20. UCLA Bruins: It hasn't been a great fall for UCLA, as incoming freshmen
Shareef O'Neal (heart) and Tyger Campbell (ACL) were both ruled out for the season,
and Alex Olesinski (foot) is out for a couple of months. The cupboard isn't bare for Steve
Alford, though, and Kris Wilkes could project for an All-American season. Newcomers
up front will be the key.

21. West Virginia Mountaineers: At this point, we just assume Bob Huggins
will churn out a 25-win team regardless of personnel. The past few seasons, though,
Jevon Carter has been able to single-handedly paper over the cracks -- and he's no
longer around. How Huggins replaces him is a major question. The Mountaineers will
rely more heavily on their frontcourt than in recent years.

22. Marquette Golden Eagles: A top-25 ranking for Marquette banks heavily
on the idea the Golden Eagles will improve on the defensive end. After ranking in or
near the bottom half nationally each of the past two seasons in defensive efficiency,
that's not a sure thing. But Steve Wojciechowski has Markus Howard and Sam Hauser
back for scoring, and transfers Joseph Chartouny and Ed Morrow should bring
toughness.

23. NC State Wolfpack: Kevin Keatts surprised many people last season by
leading the Wolfpack to an NCAA tournament appearance -- and now he has five
transfers in the rotation to make it two in a row. C.J. Bryce, who played for Keatts at
UNCW, is the headliner of the group, and returnee Torin Dorn is one of the most
underrated players in the ACC.
24. Alabama Crimson Tide: Even with Collin Sexton at the point of attack,
Avery Johnson's team ranked outside the top 100 nationally in offensive efficiency. That
will need to improve without Sexton, but Johnson brought in some reinforcements in
ESPN 100 prospect Kira Lewis and Texas transfer Tevin Mack. Returnees John Petty
and Herbert Jones are poised for steps forward.

25. St. John's Red Storm: This spot originally came down to Florida, Clemson
and TCU, but with St. John's getting a waiver for Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron to
play immediately, the Red Storm get the nod heading into the season. The personnel is
not in question. Heron and Shamorie Ponds form one of the elite backcourts nationally,
but remember, this team has had talent in recent years and consistently disappointed.
This is the year for Chris Mullin to put it together.

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