KU comes in at #7. Houston #9. Texas #18. Baylor #20. KSU "next in line".
1. UConn Huskies
The Huskies will enter the 2023-24 college basketball season with hopes of going back-to-back. Adama Sanogo could opt to leave, but Donovan Clingan -- if he returns -- is waiting in the wings and would immediately get preseason All-America attention despite coming off the bench this season. We can expect Jordan Hawkins to leave given his rise to a borderline lottery pick, but Andre Jackson Jr. could come back for another season. Either way, Dan Hurley is bringing in an elite recruiting class led by five-star Stephon Castle. ESPN 100 wings Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart are also high-ceiling prospects.
Projected starting lineup:
Stephon Castle (No. 15 in ESPN 100)
Solomon Ball (No. 55 in ESPN 100)
Jaylin Stewart (No. 84 in ESPN 100)
Alex Karaban (9.5 PPG)
Adama Sanogo (17.1 PPG)
2. Marquette Golden Eagles
Marquette's season ended with a disappointing second-round loss to Michigan State, but given that the Golden Eagles won the Big East regular season and conference tournament titles after being picked ninth in the preseason, there should be plenty of optimism in Milwaukee. Shaka Smart's entire starting five could return, led by All-American Tyler Kolek.Projected starting lineup:
Tyler Kolek (12.9 PPG)
Stevie Mitchell (7.1 PPG)
Kam Jones (15.1 PPG)
Olivier Maxence-Prosper (12.5 PPG)
Oso Ighodaro (11.4 PPG)
3. Duke Blue Devils
Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell have announced their intentions to return to Durham, while Dariq Whitehead is leaving. Kyle Filipowski and Dereck Lively II could follow Whitehead out the door to the NBA. But Jon Scheyer is bringing in a terrific recruiting class, a group that includes three five-star prospects and five players ranked in the top 35. Jeremy Roach's status will be key.Projected starting lineup:
Jeremy Roach (13.6 PPG)
Tyrese Proctor (9.4 PPG)
Mackenzie Mgbako (No. 8 in ESPN 100)
Mark Mitchell (9.1 PPG)
Sean Stewart (No. 16 in ESPN 100)
4. Kentucky Wildcats
John Calipari is back with the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, and a potential starting lineup with at least three or four of those freshmen penciled in from day one. D.J. Wagner and Robert Dillingham should form one of the most dynamic backcourts in the sport, while Justin Edwards is the No. 1 recruit. The biggest question is what Oscar Tshiebwe opts to do. Will he come back for another year?Projected starting lineup:
Robert Dillingham (No. 11 in ESPN 100)
D.J. Wagner (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
Justin Edwards (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
Chris Livingston (6.3 PPG)
Aaron Bradshaw (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
5. Florida Atlantic Owls
The Owls aren't going anywhere, people. This year's NCAA tournament darlings are well equipped to make another run even if it doesn't end with 35 wins and a Final Four appearance again. All five starters from the tournament will be back, with reserve guard Michael Forrest the lone expected departure from the rotation. As long as nobody enters the transfer portal or makes an ill-advised NBA draft decision, Dusty May and FAU will be back.Projected starting lineup:
Bryan Greenlee (7.4 PPG)
Nick Boyd (8.9 PPG)
Johnell Davis (13.9 PPG)
Alijah Martin (13.1 PPG)
Vladislav Goldin (10.3 PPG)
6. Michigan State Spartans
There should be a nice mix of incoming talent and experienced returnees in East Lansing next season. A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins return on the perimeter, while Tyson Walker still has another year of eligibility if he chooses to exercise the option. Tom Izzo also brings in five-star point guard Jeremy Fears, who plays with aggressiveness and toughness. Top-10 prospect Xavier Booker is a future lottery pick if he can find consistency.Projected starting lineup:
Jeremy Fears (No. 20 in ESPN 100)
A.J. Hoggard (12.9 PPG)
Jaden Akins (9.8 PPG)
Xavier Booker (No. 7 in ESPN 100)
Mady Sissoko (5.1 PPG)
7. Kansas Jayhawks
Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick are out the door and Kevin McCullar Jr. could leave as well (although he has a year of eligibility left), but don't rank Kansas too low as long as Bill Self is in Lawrence. Dajuan Harris Jr. will be back running the show, while K.J. Adams will take on a bigger role up front. Top-40 recruits Elmarko Jackson and Chris Johnson will be counted on early to make an impact.Projected starting lineup:
Dajuan Harris Jr. (8.9 PPG)
Elmarko Jackson (No. 22 in ESPN 100)
Chris Johnson (No. 35 in ESPN 100)
K.J. Adams (10.6 PPG)
Ernest Udeh Jr. (2.6 PPG)
8. Arizona Wildcats
This ranking assumes Azuolas Tubelis returns to Tucson. If he's back in the fold, Tommy Lloyd will once again have arguably the best frontcourt duo in the country in Tubelis and Oumar Ballo. Besides Tubelis' status, we'll be closely watching whether the Wildcats can land enough perimeter pop. Kylan Boswell should be fine as Kerr Kriisa's replacement, while Pelle Larsson is also back. But expect more weapons.Projected starting lineup:
Kylan Boswell (4.6 PPG)
K.J. Lewis (four-star)
Pelle Larsson (9.9 PPG)
Azuolas Tubelis (19.8 PPG)
Oumar Ballo (14.2 PPG)
9. Houston Cougars
At least 28 wins in four of the past five seasons, advancing past the first weekend in four straight NCAA tournaments and 65 wins in the past two campaigns. Even with the losses of Marcus Sasser, Jarace Walker and Tramon Mark, Kelvin Sampson will have his team ready for the move to the Big 12. Jamal Shead is one of the best guards in the country, and Emanuel Sharp and Terrance Arceneaux are intriguing players.Projected starting lineup:
Jamal Shead (10.5 PPG)
Emanuel Sharp (5.9 PPG)
Terrance Arceneaux (3.7 PPG)
J'Wan Roberts (10.0 PPG)
Ja'Vier Francis (4.3 PPG)
10. Creighton Bluejays
Baylor Scheierman and Ryan Kalkbrenner are both projected to be selected in the NBA draft, so we'll consider them gone for now. Arthur Kaluma could also decide to leave. If Kaluma (or Scheierman or Kalkbrenner), Ryan Nembhard and Trey Alexander all return, Creighton will have one of the best trios in the country. Virginia transfer Isaac Traudt is also a former top-60 recruit who will help inside.Projected starting lineup:
Ryan Nembhard (12.1 PPG)
Trey Alexander (13.6 PPG)
Arthur Kaluma (11.8 PPG)
Isaac Traudt (redshirt at Virginia)
Fredrick King (3.4 PPG)
11. Alabama Crimson Tide
Projected starting lineup:
Jaden Bradley (6.4 PPG)
Mark Sears (12.5 PPG)
Jaykwon Walton (13.9 PPG at Wichita State)
Rylan Griffen (5.9 PPG)
Charles Bediako (6.4 PPG)
12. Arkansas Razorbacks
Projected starting lineup:
Devo Davis (10.9 PPG)
Layden Blocker (No. 26 in ESPN 100)
Joseph Pinion (2.4 PPG)
Trevon Brazile (11.8 PPG)
Baye Fall (No. 19 in ESPN 100)
13. Colorado Buffaloes
Projected starting lineup:
KJ Simpson (15.9 PPG)
Julian Hammond (6.9 PPG)
Cody Williams (No. 6 in ESPN 100)
Tristan da Silva (15.9 PPG)
Eddie Lampkin Jr. (6.3 PPG at TCU)
14. Miami Hurricanes
Projected starting lineup:
Nijel Pack (13.8 PPG)
Wooga Poplar (8.7 PPG)
Bensley Joseph (5.2 PPG)
Anthony Walker (2.9 PPG)
Norchad Omier (13.3 PPG)
15. Purdue Boilermakers
Projected starting lineup:
Braden Smith (9.7 PPG)
Fletcher Loyer (11.0 PPG)
Ethan Morton (3.8 PPG)
Mason Gillis (6.8 PPG)
Caleb Furst (5.5 PPG)
16. USC Trojans
Projected starting lineup:
Isaiah Collier (No. 3 in ESPN 100)
Kobe Johnson (9.2 PPG)
Tre White (9.0 PPG)
Joshua Morgan (7.0 PPG)
Vincent Iwuchukwu (5.4 PPG)
17. Texas A&M Aggies
Projected starting lineup:
Wade Taylor IV (16.3 PPG)
Manny Obaseki (5.2 PPG)
Andersson Garcia (3.2 PPG)
Henry Coleman (9.0 PPG)
Julius Marble (9.1 PPG)
18. Texas Longhorns
Rodney Terry's first offseason as the full-time head coach in Austin will be spent figuring out which of his players are coming back. There were six seniors among the Longhorns' top eight players, while Tyrese Hunter is testing the NBA draft waters and Dillon Mitchell is projected to be selected in the draft. Regardless, Terry will be able to lean on top-five recruit Ron Holland and top-40 recruit A.J. Johnson.Projected starting lineup:
Tyrese Hunter (10.3 PPG)
Arterio Morris (4.6 PPG)
A.J. Johnson (No. 39 in ESPN 100)
Ron Holland (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
Dylan Disu (8.8 PPG)
19. North Carolina Tar Heels
Projected starting lineup:
R.J. Davis (16.1 PPG)
Seth Trimble (1.8 PPG)
Simeon Wilcher (No. 27 in ESPN 100)
Jalen Washington (2.2 PPG)
Armando Bacot (15.9 PPG)
20. Baylor Bears
Projected starting lineup:
Langston Love (6.3 PPG)
Miro Little (No. 33 in ESPN 100)
Ja'Kobe Walter (No. 14 in ESPN 100)
Jalen Bridges (10.3 PPG)
Josh Ojianwuna (4.2 PPG)
21. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Projected starting lineup:
Nolan Hickman (7.7 PPG)
Malachi Smith (8.7 PPG)
Dusty Stromer (No. 40 in ESPN 100)
Ben Gregg (5.1 PPG)
Efton Reid (2.1 PPG)
22. San Diego State Aztecs
Projected starting lineup:
B.J. Davis (four-star)
Lamont Butler (8.7 PPG)
Micah Parrish (7.7 PPG)
Elijah Saunders (0.9 PPG)
Miles Heide (NR)
23. Tennessee Volunteers
Projected starting lineup:
Zakai Zeigler (10.7 PPG)
Jahmai Mashack (4.7 PPG)
Freddie Dilione (redshirt)
Tobe Awaka (3.2 PPG)
Jonas Aidoo (5.1 PPG)
24. Saint Mary's Gaels
Projected starting lineup:
Jordan Ross (No. 97 in ESPN 100)
Aidan Mahaney (13.9 PPG)
Augustas Marciulionis (5.9 PPG)
Mitchell Saxen (11.6 PPG)
Harry Wessels (2.6 PPG)
25. UCLA Bruins
Projected starting lineup:
Dylan Andrews (3.3 PPG)
Sebastian Mack (No. 49 in ESPN 100)
Will McClendon (1.0 PPG)
Devin Williams (No. 56 in ESPN 100)
Kenneth Nwuba (1.3 PPG)
Next in line:
Boise State Broncos
Ohio State Buckeyes
Wisconsin Badgers
Kansas State Wildcats
Auburn Tigers
UConn is No. 1 in the 2023-24 men's Way-Too-Early Top 25
The national champions are ESPN's early favorites to pull off in 2024 what hasn't happened since 2007: a back-to-back NCAA title.
www.espn.com
