McDonald's Nuggets: Two top 25 teams that could really surprise
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This week’s edition of McDonald's Nuggets includes thoughts on a couple teams that could outperform preseason rankings, an under-the-radar recruiting class, a visitor to watch and the Commit of the Week.
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2020 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Position
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WHAT’S ON MY MIND: Two under-the-radar teams heading into 2019-20 season
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College hoops is just a few days away, and I CANNOT WAIT!
As we all get ready for what should be a really fun season, I want to call out a couple teams that could outplay their preseason ranking in the AP poll. All the talk in Waco right now centers around Matt Rhule’s undefeated football team, and rightfully so, but once again Scott Drew has a team at Baylor that will contend for the top spot in the Big 12. Tristan Clark is back to lead the way after averaging 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last year, but it’s two newcomers that lead me to believe Baylor could surprise. Auburn transfer Davion Mitchell and UNC-Asheville transfer MaCio Teague join sophomore guard Jared Butler to give the Bears a lot of firepower in the backcourt to complement Clark in the post. Don’t be surprised if this Baylor team makes a deep run come NCAA Tournament time.
Xavier is the other team that I really like coming into this season. The Musketeers lost a ton of production off the 2017-18 team that earned a No. 1 seed and also lost head coach Chris Mack to Louisville. Last year was a rebuilding year as Travis Steele was a first-year head coach with a roster with very little returning experience. After a slow start, Xavier played really well down the stretch in Big East play to the point where they were considered a “bubble team” on Selection Sunday. Fast forward to year two for Steele and he returns four of his five starters from last year and brings in an impressive recruiting class that should help the Musketeers compete for a Big East title and more. Being an older, experienced team is a huge deal in college hoops, and Xavier has about as much coming back as any team in the Top 25.
