After an NCAA tournament that featured a 15-seed in the Elite Eight, a Duke-North Carolina rivalry game with unprecedented stakes, and the final game of Mike Krzyzewski's legendary career, we all need a minute. Done? Good. It is time to look ahead to the 2022-23 college basketball season. Let's get a couple of ground rules out of the way. Any player projected to be selected in the June NBA draft will be considered a departure for now. We will adjust in the future if that player returns to school. Unless there is enough reliable information pointing to a certain departure, players not projected to be picked will be included as returnees. Unless they announce they are returning to school for another year, we will project them as departures. We will adjust as players decide to stay in college. We had to draw a line in the sand at this point because both things are subject to change. There are only 219 days until the season starts, so it is time to dive in! Anthony Black's commitment to Arkansas in late March gives the Razorbacks the edge. Eric Musselman, who has established himself as one of the best transfer recruiters and coaches in the country, is bringing the nation's second-best high school recruiting class to a program coming off back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. Nick Smith and Jordan Walsh are both five-star prospects who could start right away. If one of the two return, I think this is the best team in the country. The starting lineup is projected. Nick Smith is in the 100.
Devo Davis (8.3 PPG)
Au'Diese Toney (10.5 PPG)
1. Arkansas Razorbacks
Houston came one step short of back-to-back Final Fours, but it is clear that the team has found something that works and has turned it into one of the most bankable teams over the past several seasons. Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark had their seasons cut short due to injury, but they should be back healthy. Jarace Walker adds some serious talent to Houston's frontcourt, and I believe that fellow incoming freshman Terrance Arceneaux is one of the best pure scorers in the class. The team will have more scoring options than ever before because of its defensive and offensive prowess. The Final Four will be held in Houston in 2023.
The starting lineup is projected.
Jamal Shead (10.0 PPG) Marcus Sasser (17.7 PPG) Tramon Mark (10.1 PPG) Jarace Walker (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
J'Wan Roberts (3.2 PPG)
Johnny Juzang, Jamie Jaquez Jr., and Peyton Watson are all projected to return to Westwood, even though none of them are currently in the top 60 of the NBA draft. It is difficult to figure out at this point, but that actually happening feels like a stretch. Mick Cronin's team could potentially have a case to be the top team in the preseason. The best guard in the class of 2022, as well as a five-star center, will be joining the Bruins. The Bruins are off to a good start, but there is a lot left to play out.
The starting lineup is projected.
Tyger Campbell (11.9 PPG) Amari Bailey (No. 2 in ESPN 100) Johnny Juzang (15.6 PPG) Jaime Jaquez Jr. (13.9 PPG)
Adem Bona (No. 13 in ESPN 100)
Kansas was able to get to Monday night for the first time in 10 years, and finish the job with its fourth national championship, after seeing its national championship dreams get canceled in 2020. It will be in Houston next year, but the Jayhawks could get there again. There will be some continuity with Dajuan Harris Jr. and Jalen Wilson expected to return. Gradey Dick and M.J. Rice are two of Bill Self's elite recruits. Ernest Udeh will help replace the frontcourt talent, but returnees K.J. Adams and Zach Clemence will also help.
The starting lineup is projected.
Dajuan Harris Jr. (5.4 PPG) Gradey Dick (No. 8 in ESPN 100) MJ Rice (No. 19 in ESPN 100) Jalen Wilson (11.0 PPG)
Ernest Udeh (No. 23 in ESPN 100)
It is highly unlikely that Carolina would have been at this spot prior to the NCAA tournament. The thing that worked with his stars and proved his coaching chops was found by Hubert Davis. The national runners-up might have been negatively affected by the fact that Love might have played himself out of a job. It's possible that Bacot was already headed in that direction. Love and R.J. Davis are included in this projection, and they would be as good as it gets in college basketball next season. Davis will have a lot of talent again with the development of some returnees and the addition of two top-50 recruits.
The starting lineup is projected.
Love has a 15.2 PPG.
Seth Trimble (No. 45 in ESPN 100)
R.J. Davis (13.4 PPG)Dontrez Styles (2.0 PPG)
Armando Bacot (16.5 PPG)
Mike Krzyzewski has not been a part of the Duke program since 1980. It will lead to more uncertainty for the Blue Dukes. Three top-five prospects are leading the way in the first recruiting class of Jon Scheyer. Due to the fact that up to six of Duke's top seven players are leaving the program after this season, it's possible that Scheyer will have to start four of them. A first-year head coach with a starting lineup of rookies? There will be some growing pains. There is going to be a lot of talent on the roster, with Jeremy Roach returning as the point guard.
The starting lineup is projected.
Jeremy Roach averaged 8.6 points per game.
Dariq Whitehead (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
Mark Mitchell (No. 31 in ESPN 100)
Kyle Filipowski (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
Dereck Lively (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
If Oscar Tshiebwe or Shaedon Sharpe return to Kentucky, the Cats would move into contention for the No. 1 spot. Either way, John Calipari will have a talented group next season. The addition of five-star recruits Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace will add more playmaking to the lineup. Daimion Collins, Jacob Toppin, or someone else will have to be a star up front, but there are other options. One of the elite shooters in college basketball, who missed last season with a hamstring injury, is a former Iowa transfer named CJ Fredrick.
The starting lineup is projected.
Sahvir Wheeler (10.1 PPG) Cason Wallace (No. 14 in ESPN 100) Chris Livingston (No. 12 in ESPN 100) Keion Brooks Jr. (10.8 PPG)
Daimion Collins (2.9 PPG)
Two seniors and two potential first-round picks will leave the Bears next season. There is always a chance that Matthew will return for another season. Keyonte George, one of the best offensive players in the class, will likely be in Scott Drew's lineup next season. The frontcourt has some questions about Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua. He had an injury in February. Flo Thamba's decision to take advantage of his extra year of eligibility is huge for Drew.
The starting lineup is projected.
Dillon Hunter (No. 54 in ESPN 100) Keyonte George (No. 3 in ESPN 100) Adam Flagler (13.8 PPG) LJ Cryer (13.5 PPG)
Flo Thamba (6.2 PPG)
It is hard to argue against the fact that the Bluejays were playing well late in the season and that they were the Big East favorites. They won 10 of their final 14 games, including an NCAA tournament victory over San Diego State and a Big East tournament win over Providence. Ryan Nembhard and Ryan Kalkbrenner are both expected to be healthy for the season, as are Arthur Kaluma and Trey Alexander. The portal is open, but Greg McDermott might need to find a little more scoring pop.
The starting lineup is projected.
Ryan Nembhard had 11.3 points.
Rati Andronikashvili (1.8 PPG)
Trey Alexander (7.4 PPG) Arthur Kaluma (10.4 PPG)Ryan Kalkbrenner (13.1 PPG)
This ranking can change a lot in the coming weeks. We are assuming that Bennedict Mathurin is gone, and that Christian Koloko and Jalen Terry are also going to be picked. This ranking might look a little high if Tommy Lloyd loses all three players. We could see the rise of the Wildcats if either Terry or Koloko came back. Arizona was not the same team without a fully healthy Kerr Kriisa, but he and Pelle Larsson should form a quality backcourt, while Azuolas Tubelis and Oumar Ballo will continue to give Arizona a size advantage over most teams up front. There is a question on the wing, where Adama Bal could be poised for a huge step forward.
The starting lineup is projected.
Kerr Kriisa (9.7 PPG) Pelle Larsson (7.2 PPG) Adama Bal (1.5 PPG) Azuolas Tubelis (13.9 PPG)
Oumar Ballo (6.8 PPG)
There is a chance that Juwan Howard will get Hunter Dickinson for another campaign, because the latest projections have him going to the NBA draft. If he does return, Michigan will once again have one of the biggest frontcourts in the country, with Howard hoping that Houstan can become more consistent on the wing. It will be interesting to see how the Michigan replacements replace DeVante Jones and Eli Brooks, as well as the freshman who is entering the fold. Kobe Bufkin, a former McDonald's All American, will return on the perimeter.
The starting lineup is projected.
Dug McDaniel (No. 60 in ESPN 100) Frankie Collins (2.8 PPG)
Caleb Houstan (10.1 PPG)
Moussa Diabate (9.0 PPG)
Hunter Dickinson (18.6 PPG)
Drew Timme will be the biggest NBA draft decision to have an impact on the rankings. Timme was one of the best players in college basketball. He is projected to be a late second-round pick, but he could return and try to set a lot of records. Mark Few will have his least proven roster in a long time if he leaves. Nolan Hickman and Hunter Sallis, both former five-star recruits, should get their chance to shine in the backcourt. If Timme doesn't return, where does Few turn? He is likely to pursue a number of transfer bigs.
The starting lineup is projected.
Nolan Hickman (5.1 PPG) Hunter Sallis (4.3 PPG) Julian Strawther (11.8 PPG) Anton Watson (7.3 PPG)
Ben Gregg (2.4 PPG)
There isn't a lot of proven talent ready to go next season. Who are we to stop counting out Jay Wright? The man is coming off another Final Four appearance and has won two of the past six national titles. There are some questions. Unless Brandon Slater comes back for another year, the only returning starters are Justin Moore and Eric Dixon. As a tough, physical, high-motor frontcourt player, it's easy to see why he's a perfect fit for Villanova. The backcourt is in the air. Is Mark ready to make a difference? Does Bryan Antoine or Chris Arcidiacono show consistency?
The starting lineup is projected.
Mark Armstrong (No. 63 in ESPN 100) Jordan Longino (1.8 PPG) Justin Moore (14.8 PPG) Cameron Whitmore (No. 29 in ESPN 100)
Eric Dixon (9.1 PPG)
Tennessee's season ended with a loss to Michigan in the second round of the SEC tournament after the Volunteers looked like one of the best teams in the country. Kennedy Chandler, one of the best rookies in the country last season, is the only starter left. It will put more pressure on Zaigler, who was a key part of the team. Santiago Vescovi, Jordan James, Uros Plavsic, and Olivier Nkamhoua are all back. Tennessee had some stretches early in the season where the offense disappeared for long periods of time, and without him, the Vols will need someone to step up to provide scoring pop.
The starting lineup is projected.
Zakai Zeigler (8.8 PPG) Santiago Vescovi (13.3 PPG) Josiah-Jordan James (10.3 PPG) Olivier Nkamhoua (8.6 PPG)
Uros Plavsic (4.2 PPG)
I had the Tide ranked inside the top 10 before Jaden Shackelford decided to enter the NBA draft. They dropped several spots, but I still like their team. Quinerly is one of the key pieces of the Alabama rotation. Five-star prospects Jaden Bradley and Brandon Miller are two of the top recruits in the class, along with other top recruits such as Rylan Griffen and Noah Clowney. We have to wait and see if the two projected draft picks return to Tuscaloosa for another season.
The starting lineup is projected.
Jahvon Quinerly (13.8 PPG) Jaden Bradley (No. 15 in ESPN 100)
Darius Miles (5.8 PPG)
Brandon Miller (No. 18 in ESPN 100)Charles Bediako (6.7 PPG)
Replacing future first-round picks Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith will be Bruce Pearl's biggest task, as they were arguably the best frontcourt duo in the country at both ends of the floor. After former LSU commit Yohan Traore picked auburn, Pearl took a big step towards finding reinforcements. The key for them will be decision-making and shot selection. It will be interesting to see if Allen can return to his previous form. He missed the first half of the season due to injury and was a projected first-round pick.
The starting lineup is projected.
Wendell Green Jr. (12.0 PPG) K.D. Johnson (12.3 PPG) Allen Flanigan (6.3 PPG) Jaylin Williams (5.6 PPG)
Yohan Traore (No. 36 in ESPN 100)
If Kofi Cockburn comes back to Champaign for another go-round, that will be a key pivot point in the preseason rankings. We have him returning because he is not projected to be selected, which is the sole reason Illinois is ranked in the Top 25. Cockburn made his NBA decision late in the process over the past couple of years, so he might decide it is time to move on regardless of draft status. If that happens, Brad Underwood could potentially have a huge rebuild on his hands with seniors Alfonso Plummer, Trent Frazier, DaMonte Williams, and Jacob Grandison. The Fighting Illini are in the mix for several remaining high schoolers and transfer targets.
The starting lineup is projected.
There is a No. 90 in the ESPN 100.
RJ Melendez (3.8 PPG)
Luke Goode (2.0 PPG)
Coleman Hawkins (5.9 PPG)
Kofi Cockburn (20.9 PPG)
After falling just short of the NCAA tournament, Anthony Grant should not have to worry about Selection Sunday in the future. It could be the start of a very successful run for Grant if Dayton returns all five starters from a team that beat Kansas, Miami, Virginia Tech and Davidson. One of the best freshman point guards in the country was Malachi Smith, while the other future NBA player was DaRon Holmes II. Dayton had a top-40 defense for most of the season and was an elite shooting team. The young core could be very good if they take the expected step forward.
The starting lineup is projected.
Malachi Smith had 9.3 points.
Kobe Elvis (8.9 PPG)
R.J. Blakney (6.5 PPG)
Toumani Camara (10.9 PPG)
DaRon Holmes II (12.8 PPG)
I backfired on myself this past season when I gave Dana Altman-coached teams the benefit of the doubt, as the Ducks missed the NCAA tournament after being ranked inside the top 20 in the preseason. The outlier will be 2021-22. The Ducks are bringing in high-level recruits, while the other team is bringing back some of their players. Ware and Johnson both have the potential to make an immediate impact in the class of 2022, but Ware will be ready to make an impact immediately.
The starting lineup is projected.
De'Vion Harmon (10.8 PPG) Dior Johnson (No. 28 in ESPN 100) Quincy Guerrier (10.1 PPG) Kel'el Ware (No. 16 in ESPN 100)
N'Faly Dante (8.1 PPG)
I had the Musketeers ranked inside the top 15 before Dwon Odom entered the transfer portal Monday morning, and without him, a lot will be put on the shoulders of incoming freshman Desmond Claude at the point guard spot. The portal could be hit by the Musketeers. They just hit a wall in February and couldn't get out of it before Selection Sunday. They made a run and won the NIT championship. Sean Miller was one of the most successful coaches in the country during his time at Arizona and Xavier. Three double-figure scorers are back from this past season, and Kam Craft should make an immediate impact as a scorer. The Musketeers are looking to add more pieces this month.
The starting lineup is projected.
Desmond Claude (four-star) Kam Craft (No. 59 in ESPN 100)
Colby Jones (11.6 PPG)
Jack Nunge (13.4 PPG)
Zach Freemantle (10.4 PPG)
The UNC and UCLA players are not projected to be drafted in 2022, but Trayce Jackson-Davis could choose to leave. Indiana will return most of the core pieces that got the Hoosiers back to the NCAA tournament if Mike Woodson gets Jackson-Davis back. Miller Kopp is likely to return for another year. Woodson had other options in Jordan Geronimo, Race Thompson, and others. Hood-Schifino is a top 25 recruit, and I am very high on Banks.
The starting lineup is projected.
Xavier Johnson (12.1 PPG) Jalen Hood-Schifino (No. 24 in ESPN 100) Miller Kopp (6.0 PPG) Race Thompson (11.1 PPG)
Trayce Jackson-Davis (18.3 PPG)
It is difficult to project what Texas will look like next season. Timmy Allen, Marcus Carr, Andrew Jones,Courtney Ramey, and Jase Febres are all seniors. The only projected returnee who averaged more than 3 points per game was Christian Bishop. There is some optimism in Austin. Chris Beard will hope Dylan Disu returns to his former form after he was a double-double threat every night at Commodores. The Longhorns have two five-star recruits on the perimeter in Arterio Morris and Dillon Mitchell. Mitchell is a one-and-done prospect who makes his biggest impact defensively and in transition.
The starting lineup is projected.
Arterio Morris is in the 100.
Devin Askew (2.1 PPG)
Dillon Mitchell (No. 7 in ESPN 100) Dylan Disu (3.7 PPG)Christian Bishop (7.0 PPG)
Outside of Duke, the toughest loss to swallow in the NCAA tournament might have been by the Boilermakers. The Boilermakers lost to Saint Peter's in the Sweet 16 after the top two seeds lost in the first weekend. All-American Jaden Ivey and four other players who started at least 19 games have to be replaced by Matt Painter. The frontcourt should be okay with Mason, but the backcourt has major questions. Brandon Newman and Brandon Morton have seen some time on the perimeter, but are they ready for a major role?
The starting lineup is projected.
Ethan Morton (2.4 PPG) Fletcher Loyer (No. 94 in ESPN 100) Mason Gillis (6.4 PPG) Caleb Furst (4.1 PPG)
Zach Edey (14.4 PPG)
Does Mark Adams get the benefit of the doubt already? At this point last season, we had no idea what the Red Raiders were going to look like, and Adams only built a team that took Duke to the wire in the Sweet 16. This spring it is more of the same. Three rotation pieces are back in the fold, as well as former top-50 recruit Jaylon Tyson, who left Texas after eight games. We know that Tech is going to be one of the best defensive teams in the country, and we know that they are going to hit the portal for players. The Red Raiders are in the top 25 for now.
The starting lineup is projected.
Mylik Wilson had 2.5 points.
Clarence Nadolny (3.5 PPG)
Jaylon Tyson (1.8 PPG at Texas) Kevin McCullar (10.1 PPG)Daniel Batcho (2.2 PPG)
This could be my pick for the Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25. I had Virginia Tech in the top 10 last year, but it didn't work out, and I had Creighton in the top 2 in 2020. Sorry, Saint Louis. I like the Billikens roster for next season. The nation's assist leader, and an elite 3-point shooter, are among the top seven scorers from this past season. Saint Louis is getting back Javonte Perkins, a second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection in 2021, who missed all of last season with a tornACL. They have the ability to compete with anyone and will have to make strides defensively.
The starting lineup is projected.
Yuri Collins (11.1 PPG) Javonte Perkins (17.1 PPG in 2020-21) Gibson Jimerson (16.1 PPG)
Jordan Nesbitt (8.2 PPG)
Francis Okoro (10.8 PPG)
Next in line.
The Virginia Cavaliers are a team.
Ohio State Buckeyes
USC Trojans
Texas A&M Aggies
Michigan State Spartans
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