A way-too-early look at the 2015-16 season's top 20 teams
INDIANAPOLIS – The layer of confetti on the floor at Lucas Oil Stadium hadn't even been cleared yet Monday night when speculation about next year's college basketball season began.
A clear-headed look at next season is difficult at this point since nine Rivals top 20 recruits have yet to choose a school, transfer season is only just beginning and we don't know which NBA draft prospects will stay in school and which will leave. Nonetheless, based on my best guesses for who's staying and who's going, here's a way-too-early look at the best teams for the 2015-16 season.
1. Virginia
Key losses: F Darion Atkins
Key returners: G Malcolm Brogdon, F Anthony Gill, G Justin Anderson, C Mike Tobey, G London Perrantes, G Marial Shayok, F Evan Nolte
Notable newcomers: F Jarred Reuter
Outlook: For most of this past season, Virginia was a fixture in the top five in the polls because of an elite defense and a methodical but highly efficient offense. Then the Cavaliers lost wing Justin Anderson to a fractured pinkie in February and never really recovered. With Anderson either not on the floor or not at full strength, Virginia lacked enough outside shooters and became too reliant on Malcolm Brogdon to create off the dribble. They missed more shots and committed more turnovers, creating more transition opportunities for their opponents and reducing the effectiveness of their formidable defense. The fate of Virginia’s 2014-15 season illustrates the importance of whether Anderson decides to return for his senior season or turn pro. If Anderson returns, Virginia brings back every key player from last season besides forward Darion Atkins and has a great chance to begin the season atop the polls, contend for a third straight ACC title and finally make that elusive deep NCAA tournament run. If Anderson leaves, the Cavs need other perimeter scorers to emerge in support of Brogdon to avoid a repeat of the final month of this past season.
2. North Carolina
Key losses: None
Key returners: G Marcus Paige, F Justin Jackson, F Kennedy Meeks, F Brice Johnson, G Nate Britt, F J.P. Tokoto, C Joel James, G Joel Berry II, F Isaiah Hicks, G Theo Pinson, F Desmond Hubert
Notable newcomers: F Luke Maye
Outlook: Justin Jackson’s announcement last week that he’s returning for his sophomore season could go a long way toward propelling North Carolina into contention in the ACC and nationally. The highly touted 6-foot-8 forward peaked late in the season, lighting up Virginia’s vaunted defense for 22 points in the ACC tournament and averaging 15 points in the Tar Heels’ three NCAA tournament games. If he blossoms into a star and North Carolina returns the rest of its rotation from a 26-win team, it won’t matter that the Tar Heels aren’t adding their usual array of elite recruits. They’ll have enough returning talent to make a championship push for the first time since 2012. Jackson and leading returning scorer Marcus Paige provide perimeter shooting and an ability to score off the dribble. Ultra-athletic J.P. Tokoto is a dynamo in transition with the length and athleticism to become a good defender. Kennedy Meeks is an elite back-to-the-basket scorer and Brice Johnson is exceptional running the floor and gobbling up offensive rebounds.
3. Kentucky
Key losses: F Karl-Anthony Towns (Projected to leave), G Aaron Harrison (Projected to leave), G Andrew Harrison (Projected to leave), F Trey Lyles (Projected to leave), G Devin Booker (Projected to leave), C Dakari Johnson (Projected to leave), C Willie Cauley-Stein (Projected to leave)
Key returners: G Tyler Ulis, F Alex Poythress, F Marcus Lee
Notable newcomers: F Skal Labissiere, G Isaiah Briscoe, G Charles Matthews
Outlook: Though Kentucky could lose as many as seven players to the NBA draft from a team that won its first 38 games this past season, the Wildcats will still reload rather than rebuild. John Calipari has already signed three top incoming freshmen — skilled forward Skal Labissiere, lead guard Isaiah Briscoe and wing Charles Matthews — and he has the Wildcats in the mix for a handful of others. Elite wing Jaylen Brown, scoring guard Malik Newman and forward Thon Maker are each among those waiting to see who from the current roster stays and goes. Karl Anthony-Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein will almost certainly enter the NBA draft and Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson and the Harrison twins could all join them. Only Johnson seems a coin flip bet to return. Among those who will almost certainly be back are Tyler Ulis, Marcus Lee and Alex Poythress. Ulis and Briscoe will share playing time at point guard, Lee could finally inherit a greater role in the frontcourt and Poythress will likely be a key frontcourt contributor too if he regains his explosiveness after knee surgery.
4. Iowa State:
Key losses: F Dustin Hogue, G Bryce Dejean-Jones
Key returners: G Monte Morris, F Georges Niang, F Jameel McKay, G Abdel Nader, G Matt Thomas, G Naz Long
Notable newcomers: G Deonte Burton, G Hallice Cooke
Outlook: The one silver lining to Iowa State’s stunning opening-round NCAA tournament loss to 14th-seeded UAB is that it will surely drive the Cyclones this offseason. That gives the reigning Big 12 tournament champs a good chance to be even better next season when they return every rotation player besides shooting guard Bryce Dejean-Jones and forward Dustin Hogue. Offense will undoubtedly be Iowa State’s hallmark again with jet-quick point guard Monte Morris, potential preseason All-American forward Georges Niang and blossoming big man Jameel McKay spearheading a fast-paced, free-flowing attack. Returners Naz Long and Matt Thomas and transfer guards Hallice Cooke (Oregon State) and Deonte Burton (Marquette) will also bolster the perimeter offense. What the Cyclones must improve is their defense, which surrendered the most points per game and the third most points per possession in the Big 12. Scoring in the high 70s and low 80s was typically enough to overcome that this past season, but Iowa State often couldn’t string together enough stops to win games when their transition game got bogged down and their jump shots weren’t falling.
5. Maryland
Key losses: G/F Dez Wells, F Evan Smotrycz, G Richaud Pack
Key returners: G Melo Trimble, F Jake Layman, G Dion Wliey, G/F Jared Nickens, F Damonte Dodd, F Michal Cekovsky
Notable newcomers: C Diamond Stone, F Robert Carter, G Jaylen Brantley
Outlook: The two things Maryland needed to make the jump from good to elite happened within days of one another in late March. Elite big man recruit Diamond Stone committed to the Terps and star lead guard Melo Trimble revealed he will return to school for his sophomore year, ensuring Maryland will have one of the nation’s best inside-outside duos. The graduation of Dez Wells is certainly a blow for Maryland, but the Terps should have other complementary scorers capable of supporting Trimble and Stone. Power forward Robert Carter is a former top 100 recruit who anchored Georgia Tech’s frontcourt before transferring last spring. The presence of him and Stone would allow Jake Layman to transition back to his more natural wing position assuming he does not turn pro. Maryland had to overachieve a bit and win more than its share of close games to give Mark Turgeon a breakthrough season and finish second in the Big Ten behind Wisconsin. If Stone is as good as advertised and the newcomers and returners jell quickly, the Terps could take another step forward next season.
6. Kansas:
Key losses: F Kelly Oubre, F Cliff Alexander (projected to leave)
Key returners: G Frank Mason, G Wayne Selden, F Perry Ellis, G Devonte Graham, F Jamari Traylor, F Landen Lucas, G Brannen Greene G Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Notable newcomers: F Carlton Bragg
Outlook: Thanks to the anticipated return of point guards Frank Mason and Devonte Graham and wings Wayne Selden, Brannen Greene and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Kansas appears pretty loaded on the perimeter. What will determine whether the Jayhawks extend their Big 12 title streak and make a deeper NCAA tournament run next March is how they address a series of questions about their frontcourt. Will all-conference forward Perry Ellis return for his senior season? Can heralded incoming freshman Carlton Bragg make an immediate impact? Will Kansas further bolster its frontcourt by landing spring targets Stephen Zimmerman, Cheick Diallo or Thon Maker? The return of Ellis would be critical because he was Kansas’ lone low-post scoring threat this past season. Undersized forward Jamari Traylor and reserves Landen Lucas and Hunter Mickelson are all back too, but each are better suited for backup roles. If Ellis returns and Kansas adds another big man to its class, the Jayhawks could be poised for a special season. If Ellis unexpectedly turns pro, there will be pressure on Bragg and any other incoming freshmen to develop a college-ready low-post game quickly.
7. Gonzaga
Key losses: G Kevin Pangos, G Gary Bell, G Byron Wesley, F Angel Nunez
Key returners: F Kyle Wiltjer, F Domantas Sabonis, C Przemek Karnowski, G Silas Melson, G Josh Perkins, G Kyle Dranginis, C Ryan Edwards, G Eric McClellan
Notable newcomers: None
Outlook: Domantas Sabonis' announcement that he is returning to Gonzaga answered one of the major questions about the Zags entering the offseason. The second is whether last year’s reserve guards will be able to handle increased roles now that four-year starters Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell are graduating and fellow senior starter Byron Wesley is gone too. Josh Perkins showed flashes of ability as a pass-first point guard before suffering a season-ending broken jaw in December. Sophomore Silas Melson, senior Kyle Dranginis and Vanderbilt transfer Eric McClellan will likely share playing time at wing. What should help Gonzaga's guards is there won't be any pressure to carry the offense with a frontcourt the caliber of the Zags'. Sabonis intrigued NBA scouts with his athleticism, Kyle Wiltjer is as skilled as any player his size in the nation and Przemek Karnowski is a mammoth center with a strong back-to-the-basket game. That trio helped propel Gonzaga to the Elite Eight this past season for the first time under Mark Few, and it could get the Zags at least that far next season too.
8. Oklahoma
Key losses: F TaShawn Thomas, G Frank Booker
Key returners: F Ryan Spangler, G Isaiah Cousins, G Jordan Woodard, G Buddy Hield, F Khadeem Latin
Notable newcomers: C Akolda Manyang, G Christian James, G Rashard Odomes
Outlook: Will the Sooners be good enough to challenge Iowa State and Kansas for the Big 12 crown? The answer to that question probably depends on whether Big 12 player of the year Buddy Hield opts to stay in school. The projected second-round pick is still gathering information about his stock and mulling his options. A big selling point for Oklahoma has to be the amount of returning talent he’d have around him next season. Put him on a team with returning guards Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard, returning forwards Ryan Spangler and Khadeem Lattin and a talented group of newcomers, and Oklahoma becomes a contender in the Big 12 and a threat to go even deeper than it did in this year’s NCAA tournament. Remove Hield from that group, and the Sooners more resemble a second-tier Big 12 program with a good chance to make the NCAA tournament but less hope of accomplishing something memorable.
9. Michigan State:
Key losses: G Travis Trice, F Banden Dawson
Key returners: G/F Denzel Valentine, G LouRawls Nairn, G Javon Bess, F Marvin Clark Jr., C Matt Costello, C Gavin Schilling, G Bryn Forbes
Notable newcomers: G Eron Harris, F Deyonta Davis, G Matt McQuaid, G Kyle Ahrens
Outlook: Even though Michigan State graduates stars Travis Trice and Branden Dawson, there’s reason to believe the Spartans could enjoy a better regular season next year than this past season’s surprise Final Four team did. The optimism stems from the debut of coveted West Virginia transfer Eron Harris, the return of last year’s top recruit Javon Bess and the arrival of another potentially strong class. Harris, a slashing combo guard who averaged 17.2 points as a sophomore for the Mountaineers, should emerge as a perimeter scoring threat capable of easing the burden on returning standout Denzel Valentine. They’ll likely be joined in the starting lineup by pass-first point guard LouRawls “Tum Tum” Nairns, with Bess attacking the rim off the bench and incoming freshman Matt McQuaid providing outside shooting. Marvin Clark Jr. could be the heir apparent to Branden Dawson at power forward, while Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling both made strides last year at center. The Spartans will also welcome promising 6-foot-9 McDonald’s All-American Deyonta Davis and are considered one of the favorites to land 6-foot-8 five-star recruit Caleb Swanigan this spring.
10. Villanova
Key losses: G Dylan Ennis, G Darrun Hilliard, F JayVaughn Pinkston
Key returners: G Ryan Arcidiacono, G Phil Booth, C Daniel Ochefu, G Josh Hart, F Kris Jenkins
Notable newcomers: G Jaylen Brunson, G Donte Divincenzo, F Tim Delaney
Outlook: Three starters depart from a 33-win team that crashed out of the NCAA tournament in the round of 32, but Villanova could still be the class of the Big East again next season. Point guard Ryan Arcidiacono and center Daniel Ochefu are both expected back and the Wildcats have some wings and forwards ready to assume greater roles to help replace Darrun Hilliard, Dylan Ennis and JayVaughn Pinkston. Six-foot-5 rising junior Josh Hart, who averaged an efficient 10.1 points per game off the bench last season, should take over for Hilliard as Villanova’s top scoring threat. Joining him in the starting lineup will likely be forward Kris Jenkins and promising rising sophomore guard Phil Booth. The X factor for Villanova will be how big an impact highly touted freshman point guard Jalen Brunson is ready to make. He’ll likely start the season coming off the bench behind Arcidiacono, but his polished offensive game may demand ample playing time if he can pick up Villanova’s defensive concepts quickly enough.
11. N.C. State
Key losses: G Ralston Turner
Key returners: G Cat Barber, G Trevor Lacey, F Kyle Washington, F Abdul-Malik Abu, F BeeJay Anya, G Cody Martin, G Caleb Martin, F Lennard Freeman
Notable newcomers: G Terry Henderson
Outlook: If N.C. State returns to the Sweet 16 next March, it probably won’t be as a surprise team like this past season. Seven of the Wolfpack’s top eight scorers are projected to return from a 22-win team and they add a transfer who should more than make up for the loss of sharpshooter Ralston Turner. The backcourt should be N.C. State’s biggest strength again assuming point guard Anthony “Cat” Barber and high-scoring shooting guard Trevor Lacey both return as expected. Lacey led the Wolfpack in scoring at 15.7 points per game this past season and should be one of the ACC’s best players next season. Barber averaged 12.1 points per game and was a threat to create for himself or his teammates off the dribble. West Virginia transfer Terry Henderson is nearly the shooter that Turner was and is also a more versatile scoring threat. N.C. State’s frontcourt consists of role players, but Kyle Washington (scoring), BeeJay Anya (defense) and Lennard Freeman (rebounding) complement one another well. In other words, the Wolfpack will begin next season amid high expectations, something that has traditionally not always been easy for them.
12. Wichita State:
Key losses: G Tekele Cotton, F Darius Carter
Key returners: G Ron Baker, G Fred VanVleet, F Rashard Kelly, F Shaquille Morris, G/F Evan Wessel
Notable newcomers: G Conner Frankamp, F Markus McDuffie, G Landry Shamet, F Eric Hamilton, G Tyrone Taylor
Outlook: This ranking is a gamble based on the idea that Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet join Gregg Marshall in returning to Wichita State. Both are exploring their NBA stock, but Baker is unlikely to be taken in the first round and VanVleet could go undrafted altogether. If both return to join sharpshooting Kansas transfer Conner Frankamp and Rivals top 100 freshman Landry Shamet, the Shockers would again have one of the best offensive backcourts in the nation. They would be the clear favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference and a threat to make another deep NCAA tournament run. If one or both leave, Wichita State could be in jeopardy of taking a step backward next season. The perimeter scoring of VanVleet and Baker is a must for a team that loses perimeter stopper Tekele Cotton and will lack a proven low-post scorer with Darius Carter also set to graduate. Freshman center Shaq Morris is probably the heir apparent at the position after making the Valley’s All-freshman team, but he needs to improve his conditioning and strength to fully tap into his potential.
13. Duke
Key losses: G Quinn Cook, F Justise Winslow (projected to leave), C Jahlil Okafor (projected to leave), G Tyus Jones (projected to leave)
Key returners: G Matt Jones, G Grayson Allen, F Amile Jefferson, C Marshall Plumlee
Notable newcomers: G Luke Kennard, F Chase Jeter
Outlook: The Blue Devils team that takes the floor next November will likely bear little resemblance to the one that captured the national title on Monday night. Senior guard Quinn Cook is graduating, projected lottery picks Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow will almost certainly enter the draft and fellow freshman Tyus Jones could be tempted to join them. If Jones stays, Duke would have a great chance to still contend in the ACC and nationally. He’d be the starting point guard and leader of a perimeter corps that would also include returners Matt Jones and Grayson Allen and highly touted freshman Luke Kennard. Amile Jefferson, Marshall Plumlee, Rice transfer Sean Obi and incoming freshman Chase Jeter will all be part of next year’s frontcourt and there’s still a good chance Duke adds top prospects Brandon Ingram or Caleb Swanigan this spring. If Jones leaves, the point guard position would become a huge question mark. Allen might be best suited to fill the void unless Mike Krzyzewski adds a transfer or a late signee. Jones and Kennard are quality wings, but there still wouldn’t be much perimeter depth on that team, nor would there be any proven low-post scoring threats. Jones is projected as a late first-round pick by DraftExpress.com. He’d benefit from another year to get stronger, but it certainly wouldn’t be a shock to see him follow close friends Okafor and Winslow to the NBA.
14. Arizona
Key losses: G T.J. McConnell, G/F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (projected to enter NBA Draft), G Stanley Johnson (projected to enter NBA Draft), F Brandon Ashley (projected to enter NBA Draft)
Key returners: C Kaleb Tarczewski (projected to return to school), G Gabe York, C Dusan Ristic, G Elliott Pitts, G Parker Jackson-Cartwright
Notable newcomers: F Ryan Anderson, G Kadeem Allen, G Allonzo Trier, G Justin Simon, F Ray Smith, F Chance Comanche
Outlook: Arizona won’t duplicate this past season’s 34 wins if it loses four or five starters to graduation or the NBA draft, but the Wildcats welcome enough talented newcomers to still contend for the Pac-12 crown. Highly touted freshmen Allonzo Trier and Justin Simon and high-scoring redshirt Kadeem Allen should immediately push returning guards Gabe York, Elliott Pitts and Parker Jackson-Cartwright for playing time. Boston College transfer Ryan Anderson is the likely starter at power forward unless Brandon Ashley unexpectedly returns to school and Chance Comanche and Dusan Ristic would vie for minutes alongside him if center Kaleb Tarczewski turns pro. Arizona’s outlook could change dramatically if a couple of this past year’s starters do return. Sean Miller was already referring to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the past tense after the team’s Elite Eight loss to Wisconsin and Ashley reportedly is leaning toward entering the draft. But Tarczewski isn’t projected as a first-round pick and potential lottery pick Stanley Johnson did not leave a good impression in the NCAA tournament.
15. Indiana:
Key losses: G Stanford Robinson, F Max Hoetzel
Key returners: G Yogi Ferrell, G James Blackmon, F Troy Williams, C Hanner Mosquera-Perea, G Nick Zeisloft, F Emmitt Holt
Notable newcomers: C Thomas Bryant, F Juwan Morgan, F Ogugua Anunoby
Outlook: The addition of five-star big man Thomas Bryant could go a long way to shoring up the frontcourt issues that plagued Indiana this past season. The 6-foot-10 big man chose the Hoosiers over Syracuse, Kentucky and Missouri, among others, giving Tom Crean the quality interior presence he lacked last season when he had no backup plan after Noah Vonleh turned pro. The presence of Bryant could give perimeter standouts Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon and Troy Williams more reason to return to school. Bryant runs the floor well, commands defensive attention in the paint and protects the rim, all of which creates opportunities for Indiana’s talented perimeter corps at one end and eases the pressure on them defensively at the other. Should Indiana return Ferrell, Blackmon and Williams to pair with a bolstered frontcourt, the Hoosiers should be poised for a big jump after barely sneaking into the NCAA tournament this past season. They’d likely enter the season viewed as one of the top challengers to Maryland in the Big Ten title chase.
16. Butler
Key losses: G Alex Barlow, F Kameron Woods, G Jackson Aldridge
Key returners: G Kellen Dunham, F Roosevelt Jones, F Andrew Chrabascz, F Kelan Martin, F Tyler Wideman, F Austin Etherington
Notable newcomers: G Tyler Lewis, C Nate Fowler, G Sean McDermott
Outlook: Few Big East teams return a duo as talented or experienced as rising seniors Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones. Dunham averaged 16.5 points per game this past season and shot 41 percent from behind the arc as Butler won 23 games and nearly reached the Sweet 16. Jones averaged 12.7 points by aggressively attacking the rim in his return after missing the entire previous season due to injury. By the end of the season, forward Andrew Chrabascz had emerged as a capable third scoring threat, and he too is back. So is rising sophomore Kelan Martin, who flashed the potential to be a big-time scorer down the road. Butler will miss point guard Alex Barlow’s toughness and leadership and forward Kameron Woods’ defense and rebounding, but they’re pretty well-equipped to replace both. N.C. State transfer Tyler Lewis figures to inherit Barlow’s starting point guard job, while forward Tyler Wideman or incoming freshman Nate Fowler could take over for Woods. Butler will also benefit from having the same coach for back-to-back seasons for the first time in a while. In short, the Bulldogs have endured a couple years of instability and appear poised to contend for the Big East title.
17. Cincinnati:
Key losses: F Jermaine Sanders
Key returners: F Octavius Ellis, F Shaquille Thomas, F Gary Clark, G Troy Caupain, G Farad Cobb, F Quadri Moore, C Coreontae DeBerry, G Deshaun Morman, G Kevin Johnson
Notable newcomers: G Justin Jennifer, G Justin Evans
Outlook: Whereas 23 wins and an opening-round NCAA tournament victory was a pleasant surprise from Cincinnati this past season, that will be the bare minimum expected of the Bearcats next season. Cincinnati’s top six scorers are all expected to return and the only member of the rotation departing is senior forward Jermaine Sanders, who averaged 4.6 points per game. The Bearcats will also have Mick Cronin back on the bench after he did not coach most of the 2014-15 season as a result of a non-life threatening vascular condition known as arterial dissection. This year’s Cincinnati team was a poor outside shooting squad that made up for it by attacking the offensive glass and defending with fervor. The Bearcats should again be a defensive and rebounding menace next season, but for Cincinnati to outduel SMU and UConn in the American Athletic Conference and advance deeper in the NCAA tournament, they need more offense. Rising junior guard Troy Caupain and rising sophomore forward Gary Clark might be the best suited to make big leaps next season.
18. SMU
Key losses: F Yanick Moreira, F Cannen Cunningham, G Ryan Manuel
Key returners: G Nic Moore, F Markus Kennedy, F Ben Moore, G Sterling Brown
Notable newcomers: F Semi Ojeleye, G Sedrick Barefield, G Shake Milton
Outlook: Having narrowly missed the NCAA tournament last year and suffered a heartbreaking first-round upset this past March, SMU enters the offseason still hungry for postseason success. Next season could be the year it happens for the Mustangs thanks to an intriguing combination of proven returners and talented newcomers. SMU's best returning player is combo guard Nic Moore, a volume scorer who could move off ball next season to make room for top freshman Sedrick Barefield at point guard. Sterling Brown and Ben Moore are likely to begin the season in the lineup at the forward spots, but look for Moore to give way to Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye once the former top 100 recruit becomes eligible in mid-December. While Ojeleye couldn't crack Duke's rotation behind Justise Winslow and Amile Jefferson, he should be an impact player for SMU. The last remaining starter figures to be Markus Kennedy, assuming he doesn't run into academic issues again. He'll be SMU's top low-post threat. While it could take time for the new and returning talent to mesh, SMU could be at least as good as it was this past season when it won the league and earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament. It should be a duel between the Mustangs and Cincinnati for the American Athletic Conference crown.
19. Wisconsin:
Key losses: G Josh Gassser, F Sam Dekker (projected to leave), C Frank Kaminsky, F Duje Dukan, G Traevon Jackson
Key returners: F Nigel Hayes, G Bronson Koenig, G Zak Showalter, F Ethan Happ, F Vitto Brown
Notable newcomers: G Brevin Pritzl, F Alex Illikainen, F Charlie Thomas, F Khalil Iverson
Outlook: One of the biggest reasons Wisconsin's title game loss has to sting so much is that the Badgers aren't likely to get another championship shot anytime soon. Unless Sam Dekker unexpectedly opts to pass on NBA riches for another year, Wisconsin will lose at least five members of its seven-man rotation this offseason. The two key players expected to return are promising point guard Bronson Koenig and versatile forward Nigel Hayes, though there's a chance Hayes could turn pro too. If both those guys are back, those are two pretty good building blocks. It's unclear who Wisconsin's other starters will be, but athletic guard Zak Showalter had some nice moments off the bench late in the season and 6-foot-9 redshirt Ethan Happ looked like a future standout in practices. Is that nucleus enough for Wisconsin to crack the top 20 nationally and finish in the top four in the Big Ten? Maybe, maybe not, but as long as Bo Ryan is still coaching the Badgers, it's probably not wise to bet against them.
20. Michigan
Key losses: F Max Bielfeldt
Key returners: G Caris LeVert, G Derrick Walton, G Zak Irvin, G Spike Albrecht, G Aubrey Dawkins, F Kameron Chatman, F Mark Donnal, F Ricky Doyle
Notable newcomers: F Moritz Wagner
Outlook: How high expectations will be for Michigan next season depend largely on whether standout shooting guard Caris LeVert returns. All signs had been pointing toward the projected late first-round pick forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the NBA draft, but the foot injury he suffered in mid-January complicates his decision. A returning LeVert would give Michigan quite a perimeter corps. Point guard Derrick Walton Jr. will be healthy again and Zak Irvin, Spike Albrecht and rapidly blossoming Aubrey Dawkins would all be back. There’s also a chance Michigan could land elite recruit Jaylen Brown, though that’s probably only a possibility if LeVert turns pro and still a long shot even in that scenario. The frontcourt will be a bigger question for Michigan no matter what LeVert decides, but there’s reason to be optimistic. Forward Kameron Chatman and big men Mark Donnal and Ricky Doyle should all be much further along after a year of playing time.
Others worthy of consideration: Notre Dame, Oregon, LSU, VCU, Purdue, Louisville, Texas A&M, Utah, Baylor, Miami, West Virginia, San Diego State, Dayton, Florida State
- - - - - - -
Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
