Projecting the very best groups seven months from tipoff has by no means been extra futile, because of the mix of potential NBA Draft departures, switch portal chaos and the additional 12 months of eligibility ensuing from COVID.
And but, we feature on — unmoved, undaunted and undoubtedly ready to make vital modifications to the next rankings as soon as the rosters for 2022-23 are settled later this spring.
(The deadline for school gamers to declare for the NBA Draft is April 24. With the intention to protect eligibility, they have to withdraw by June 1.)
Additionally thought of: Auburn, Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Connecticut, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Miami, Michigan State, New Mexico State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Windfall, Rutgers, Saint Mary’s, St. Bonaventure, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
1. North Carolina: Of the Iron 5, solely ahead Brady Manek is out of eligibility. The comparatively modest NBA Draft projections for the likes of Caleb Love, RJ Davis and Armando Bacot enhance the chance (for now) that they are going to take goal at a repeat journey to the Remaining 4.
2. Kentucky: Our projections at the moment name for giant man Oscar Tshiebwe to enter the draft, check his worth and conclude that yet another season in Lexington is the very best path ahead. If he stays within the draft, the Wildcats received’t stay in our prime 10.
3. Michigan: The outlook for Juwan Howard’s fourth season hinges on three underclassmen with the potential to bolt for the NBA: sophomore Hunter Dickinson and freshmen Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabaté. If all three return, the Wolverines will stay proper right here in our post-spring rankings. If any of the three depart, Michigan will drop — and maybe precipitously.
4. Houston: The under-seeded Cougars received’t be under-ranked when November rolls round. The extra season obtainable for seniors like Fabian White and Kyler Edwards creates the potential for many of Kelvin Sampson’s rotation to return. And don’t overlook: The Cougars reached the Elite Eight with out two of their greatest gamers, Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark, who have been misplaced to accidents early within the season.
5. Duke: The primary 12 months in many years with out Mike Krzyzewski ought to resemble all these many years with Mike Krzyzewski. The highest recruiting class within the nation — the group options two 7-footers with five-star rankings — will be part of new coach John Scheyer to start out the brand new period.
6. UCLA: The Bruins may lose the majority of their rotation … or little or no of it. Jules Bernard, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell all have eligibility left, the recruiting class is loaded and gifted wing Peyton Watson may return. Two months from now, UCLA simply is perhaps atop these rankings … or within the backside half.
7. Arkansas: The Hogs are scheduled to lose a number of key items, together with star guard JD Notae, however a sensational recruiting class and the (potential) return of ahead Jaylin Williams present a basis for continued success underneath Eric Musselman, who owns back-to-back journeys to the Elite Eight.
8. Gonzaga: It’s simple to overlook that Drew Timme was solely a junior this season, however we aren’t able to assume he’s returning for ’23. The identical goes for wing Julian Strawther. (As for Chet Holmgren, it’s adios.) All in all, the Zags may get hit onerous by attrition. And if that’s the case, they could need to accept a spot within the backside half of the highest 10. The horror.
9. Villanova: As a result of Jay Wright.
10. Alabama: The basketball recruiting is starting to reflect the soccer recruiting in Tuscaloosa, with two five-star prospects as a consequence of be part of coach Nate Oats’ program. If level guard Jahvon Quinerly is wholesome — he suffered a torn ACL within the match — the Tide may problem Arkansas because the workforce to beat within the SEC.
11. Arizona: Expectations might be dramatically larger for Yr Two of the Tommy Lloyd period, and for good purpose. Even with the presumed departure of playmaking wing Benedict Mathurin and the potential exit of huge man Christian Koloko, the Wildcats have sufficient items to stay a pressure. We count on Tucson to be a well-liked vacation spot for transfers, as properly.
12. Creighton: The Bluejays have been a 12 months forward of schedule with their 23 wins and senior-light roster. Assuming Ryan Kalkbrenner, Ryan Nembhard and Arthur Kaluma decide to return — none of them are projected for the primary spherical of the draft — this is perhaps the very best workforce within the Huge East.
13. Kansas: The Jayhawks assuredly will lose Ochai Agbaji, however that may very well be the least of their issues. The NCAA sanctions are anticipated this 12 months and add an enormous unknown. For now, we've got KU in the midst of the rankings, with loads of house to ascend if the penalties aren’t crippling — the roster could have top-10 expertise — but additionally room to fall if the hammer is what we count on.
14. Baylor: For the second, we’re assuming Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer return to Waco to kind probably the greatest perimeter items within the nation. (Kendall Brown has already declared for the draft.) And since March is all concerning the perimeter, rely the Bears as a risk to return to the Remaining 4.
15. Davidson: We’re assuming guards Foster Loyer and Hyunjung Lee will return till there’s proof they received’t. Mix their 32 factors per recreation with a stout supporting solid, and Bob McKillop’s thirty fourth workforce may very well be certainly one of his greatest.
16. Memphis: One other workforce with a variety of trajectories, lots of them dependent upon the severity of NCAA sanctions. Penny Hardaway has corralled loads of expertise in latest recruiting cycles. If the Tigers dodge the hammer, they need to return to the match with the potential to trigger bracket havoc.
17. Oregon: A lot is dependent upon the guard play, as a result of the Geese must be loaded up entrance with a slew of 7-footers. If veteran Will Richardson doesn’t return, search for five-star level guard Dior Johnson to take management of the offense. (He may do it anyway.) One other deep run within the NCAAs for Dana Altman is dependent upon the emergence of constant perimeter scorer.
18. Tennessee: If level guard Kennedy Chandler eschews the NBA Draft, the Vols could have a top-10 roster. At this level, we’re projecting him to declare.
19. Wake Forest: Prime scorer Alondes Williams is out of eligibility, however Daivien Williamson and Jake LaRavia should not. In the event that they return (26 ppg mixed), the Demon Deacons ought to make their first journey to the NCAAs since 2017 — and solely their second because the subject expanded to 68.
20. Purdue: As a result of Matt Painter.
21. Texas: The veteran rotation that powered Chris Beard’s first season in Austin may get hit onerous by attrition. However even when that’s the case, the reinforcements, which embody two five-star recruits, ought to preserve the Longhorns on the highest tier of the Huge 12.
22. Xavier: The NIT championship has been a frequent launch level for groups. Sean Miller has been an everyday participant within the NCAAs. Mix the 2, and the Musketeers might be an element within the Huge East race.
23. San Diego State: The Aztecs’ presence in our rankings was secured final month when senior guard Matt Bradley (17 ppg) introduced he would return. This is perhaps the final workforce standing after what must be one other stable season for the Mountain West.
24. Seton Corridor: The place Shaheen Holloway goes, we observe.
25. Virginia: The Cavaliers haven’t missed the NCAAs in back-to-back seasons because the early years of Tony Bennett’s tenure. His greatest recruiting class will energy the restoration.
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