After a college basketball season like we have never seen, we are now entering a college basketball season like we have never seen. In addition to the usual NBA draft picks, the transfer window is filling up at an unprecedented rate, as every player in the country is entitled to an extra year of transfers if they so choose. Add in a one-time transfer loss and today’s teams will look very different in three months.
But that’s not enough to stop the Way-TooEarly Top 25!
A few basic rules before we go any further. For the most part, we’re going by ESPN’s NBA Draft rankings. If a player is in the top 60, we project him. There are a few exceptions. As for the extra year, we still expect the vast majority of seniors to leave school; again, some exceptions. These rankings will change and evolve over the course of the season, but here’s our first estimate of the landscape in 2021-22.
Hurry up and take the plunge: there are only about 220 days left until the 2021 Classic.
In 2020-21. Gonzaga just hasn’t been convincing, but they deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the early rankings. Over thirty wins in five consecutive seasons and six NCAA Tournament appearances for the second straight week are usually the result. Mark Few’s team loses at least three starters with lots Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert and likely draft pick Joel Ayahy, while Drew Timme and Andrew Nembhard get a chance to fumble. But if Timme and Nembhard return, they will form the nucleus of a new national title contender, with Timme considered the big favorite for the Wooden Award. Anton Watson has been a key member of the rotation, and the team is confident that young players – including Julian Strawser and Dominic Harris – will step up. The Bulldogs also selected five-star guard Hunter Sallis and are heavy favorites to take on number one pick Chet Holmgren. The Zags are also likely to enter the transfer market and are the likely favorites for North Carolina’s Walker Kessler. There will be plenty of talent again in Spokane, Washington.
Intended composition for start-up
Andrew Nembhard (9.1 PPG)
Hunter Sallis (#13 in ESPN 100)
Dominic Harris (3.1 PPG)
Anton Watson (7.1 PPG)
Drew Timme (19.0 PPG)
Whether it’s a banger or a 40-footer for a potential national championship, I’m counting on UCLA’s momentum in March for next season. However, this expectation depends heavily on what Johnny Juzang plans to do. The March basketball star stood out more than any other college basketball player the past three weeks and could be on her way to the NBA. But when Juzang returns, Mick Cronin must bring back all the standout players from the Final Four team. Jaime Jaquez has emerged as an excellent scorer and Tiger Campbell is the ideal playmaker for Cronin. The Bruins should also benefit from the eventual healthy return of Chris Smith and the arrival of five-star winger Peyton Watson. The question will be whether UCLA looks like a team that won five games in 12 days to reach the Final Four, or a team that lost four games in a row to finish at 17-9 before qualifying Sunday.
Intended composition for start-up
Tiger Campbell (10.2 PPG)
Johnny Juzang (15.5 PPG)
Jaime Jaquez (12.1 PPG)
Chris Smith (12.6 PPG)
Cody Riley (9.8 PPG)
Matt Painter has done an excellent job with the Boilermakers this season. They finished the season 13-6 in the Big Ten before losing in overtime in the Big Ten and the NCAA Tournament. But there are no seniors on the roster, and only a few reserve frontcourt players have dropped out so far. So all five starters should return for Purdue. It starts with Trevion Williams, a season-long MVP candidate who can dominate late in games. Painter has a deep and versatile perimeter group, and Jaden Ivey is a breakthrough candidate as a sophomore. Ivey started the final 12 games of the season, scoring in double figures in all but two games and scoring 26 points in the NCAA tournament. Painter can play big with the 6-foot-9 Zach Eady, he can play a more traditional line with Mason Gillis as the striker, or he can play small with four players on the perimeter.
Intended composition for start-up
Eric Hunter (8.5 PPG)
Brandon Newman (8.0 PPG)
Jayden Ivey (11.1 PPG)
Sasha Stefanovich (9.3 PPG)
Trevion Williams (15.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG)
The Buckeyes were in the top five for most of the season before losing four games at the end of the regular season and then making it to the Big Ten title game before losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to 15th-seeded Oral Roberts. Three key players from that group return: potential All-American E.J. Liddell and starters Dwayne Washington Jr. and Justice Susing. Chris Holtmann solved his point guard problem by picking up Penn State transfer Jamari Wheeler, while Zed K will see his minutes increase due to the likely departure of Kyle Young. Ohio State was one of the best offensive teams in the country last season, but the defense was lacking. The Buckeyes rank 10th in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency, allowing eight of their last 10 opponents to score more than one point per possession. That has to change.
Intended composition for start-up
Jamari Wheeler (6.8 PPG at Penn State)
Dwayne Washington Jr. (16.4 PPG)
Trial (10.7 PPG)
EJ. Liddell (16.2 PPG)
Zed K (5.2 PPG)
One of the best teams in the country in the final month of the season, Kansas should celebrate Bill Self’s lifetime contract with a much more consistent group. The Jayhawks will likely lose senior Marcus Garrett, but most players should return. Jaylen Wilson and David McCormack had long stretches where they looked like stars, while Christian Brown and Ochai Agbaji performed well. The big question might be the point guard without Garrett. But DaJuan Harris showed the ability to play across two directions last season, while former Louisville player Bobby Pettiford was a top-100 player in high school. Self also has Bryce Thompson, who came to school with a reputation as a top scorer but struggled with injuries as a freshman. However, Kansas’ front line should be well-stocked with aspirants Zach Clemens and K.J. Adams.
Intended composition for start-up
Dajuan Harris Jr. (2.0 PPG)
Christian Brown (9.8 PPG)
Ochai Agbaji (14.2 PPG)
Jalen Wilson (12.1 PPG)
David McCormack (13.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG)
Mark Turgeon struck early in the transfer market by releasing Rhode Island guard Fatts Russell and Georgetown big man Qudus Wahab within hours. Russell and Wahab must answer two big questions at the Terps: point guard and consistent inside presence. I expect senior Darryl Morsell to leave the team, but Turgeon gets three full-time starters back in Eric Ayala, Aaron Wiggins and Donta Scott, as well as Hakeem Hart, who was a key player and started 10 of Maryland’s 11 games. There is a lot of talent on this team, and Turgeon did an impressive job with the Terps last season, leading them to the NCAA Tournament despite limited preseason expectations. If Russell can regain his form for 2019-20 and Wahab adjusts quickly to the Big Ten, Maryland has a potential Final Four contender.
Intended composition for start-up
Fatts Russell (14.7 PPG at Rhode Island)
Eric Ayala (15.1 PPG)
Aaron Wiggins (14.5 PPG)
Donta Scott (11.0 PPG)
Kudus Wahab (12.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG at Georgetown)
These rankings are heavily influenced by Collin Gillespie. The All-American point guard is a senior and may think his career at Villanova is over, but after tearing his medial collateral ligament and missing the NCAA finals, many rumors indicate Gillespie could use an extra year and return to the Wildcats. The fact that he will be in rehab for the next few months and may not be able to work for NBA teams at all could also be a factor. If Gillespie comes back, it’s a top 10 team. If not, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl turns pro as expected, Jay Wright could be in trouble. But Justin Moore is back, Caleb Daniels is back, and Brandon Slater and Brian Antoine showed some promise during the season. Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree should also provide more physicality after he sat out last season injured. In addition, Villanova is bringing in a highly regarded recruiting class with three top-100 candidates.
Intended composition for start-up
Collin Gillespie (14.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG)
Justin Moore (12.9 PPG)
Caleb Daniels (9.6 PPG)
Brandon Slater (3.8 PPG)
Damir Cosby-Roundtree (1.5 PPG in 2019-20)
If I had told you two years ago that Alabama would lose three starters and another key player while ranked 10th, you would have thought I was crazy. But that’s the impact Nate Oats has had on the Tuscaloosa program. Herb Jones, John Petty, Jordan Bruner and Alex Reese are likely gone, but Jahvon Quinerly should slide into the starting lineup and Jaden Shackelford and Joshua Primo should excel with some extra shots. The Crimson Tide also features five-star guard J.D. Davison, one of the most explosive players in college basketball in recent years. Davison should be a great scorer and playmaker from the start. A potential weakness is in, where James Rojas and Juwan Gary, who transferred to Langton Wilson Junior College, will need to step up.
Intended composition for start-up
Javon Quinerly (12.9 PPG, 3.2 APG)
J.D. Davison (#11 in ESPN 100)
Jaden Shackelford (14.0 PPG)
Joshua Primo (8.1 PPG)
James Rojas (2.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG)
Are we still going to do this? You know how we underestimated Leonard Hamilton and Florida State in the preseason, then they won 25 games, competed for the ACC title, and won a few games in March? The Seminoles have made it to the first weekend of three consecutive NCAA Tournaments and probably could have made it to four had 2020 ball not been canceled. I expect them to lose M.J. Walker and Scottie Barnes, while Ryquan Gray also tests the NBA draft waters. But Anthony Polite is back, Balsa Koprivica is back and Hamilton will have its usual assortment of 7-footers. He also brings with him a deep and talented recruiting class led by Houston transfer Caleb Mills, last season’s AAC Player of the Year. Freshmen Matthew Cleveland and Jalen Worley should be key contributors in the search for points on the perimeter.
Intended composition for start-up
Caleb Mills (9.8 PPG at Houston)
Jalen Worley (#46 in ESPN 100)
Matt Cleveland (#30 in ESPN 100)
Anthony Polit (10.1 PPG)
Balsa Koprivica (9.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG)
COVID-19 affected the Hokies’ end of the season more than most stronger conference teams, as they missed 17 days in February, then played two games and then missed the rest of the regular season before returning to the ACC and NCAA tournaments. Before the break, Mike Young’s team stood at 13-4 with wins over Virginia and Villanova. And most of the key players in that group should be back for another year in Blacksburg. Big Cave Aluma, who is All-ACC, is the man on the line, and Young will complement him again with Tyrese Radford, Nahim Alley, Hunter Cat and Justin Matts. Storm Murphy will play the point guard position. Murphy played for Young at Wofford and was a first Team All-SoCon selection last season before deciding to reunite with Young at Tech. He is a very different player than outgoing point guard Wabis Bede, but he will make a better shot. I’m happy with this team.
Intended composition for start-up
Stormy Murphy (17.8 PPG, 4.3 APG)
Tyers Radford (12.2 PPG)
Nahiem Alley (11.1 PPG)
Justin Matts (9.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG)
Kevi Aluma (15.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG)
There’s a good chance Scott Drew will lose four of his five starters for the national championship, but it’s hard to set low expectations for a team that has won 54 games in two seasons. Macio Teague and Mark Vital are seniors, while Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell are destined to enter the first round of the NBA Draft. That’s a lot of talent and experience leaving Waco, Texas. But we’ve seen how impressive the Bears’ bench can be this season, with Adam Flagler on the perimeter and Matthew Meyer and Jonathan Chatchowa leading the way. Flo Tamba is also expected to return as the lone starter. Drew still has a backup ready to go, and next season will be no different. Kendall Brown and Langston Love are both five-star prospects, while the Bears are actively looking for gatekeepers. I don’t think Baylor will be a top 5 team all season like the last two campaigns, but I also don’t expect a huge decline from the champions.
Intended composition for start-up
Adam Flagler (9.0 PPG)
Langston Love (#23 in ESPN 100)
Kendall Brown (#20 in ESPN 100)
Matthew Meyer (8.2 PPG)
Jonathan Chumwa Chatchowa (6.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG)
I don’t expect this team to be the Razorbacks on opening night. Eric Musselman has worked the passing game better than probably any other college basketball coach in recent years, and Arkansas is again very active on the passing game. They have already secured Pittsburgh transfer Au’diese Toney and are on a number of perimeter players. The point guard is at the top of the Razorbacks’ list. If they find a successful player to run the show, those chances seem slim. Devo Davis made a partial entrance into the NCAA Tournament by blocking the defense and hitting the game-winning shot against Oral Roberts. J.D. Note is perfect as an instant offense from the bench, while Jaylin Williams looks to be a gem on both ends of the floor for the Razorbacks. I don’t expect Moses Moody or seniors Justin Smith and Jalyn Tate to be included in the lottery, but I’m sure Arkansas will add backups.
Intended composition for start-up
KK Robinson (2.6 PPG)
Devo Davis (8.5 PPG)
JD Notae (12.8 PPG)
Au’diese Toney (14.4 PPG at Pittsburgh)
Jaylin Williams (3.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG)
Here’s one of the two teams I really don’t know what to do with, and I’m sure you guys can guess the other one too. But Duke is coming off a 13-11 season and losing its two best players in the NBA, Matthew Hurt and DJ Stewart. While I’m a big fan of top 5 candidate Paolo Banchero and think he’s the most college ready in this class, you can hardly expect him to replace Hurts 18 and 6 from day one. The same goes for five-star aspirants Trevor Keels and A.J. Griffin, who replace Stewart. On the positive side, guys like Jeremy Roach and Mark Williams have a year behind them and Wendell Moore brings leadership qualities. The Blue Devils are expected to bring in a few more players. Despite a generally disappointing season, they have won six of their last nine games and are optimistic for next season.
Intended composition for start-up
Jeremy Roach (8.7 PPG)
Wendell Moore (9.7 PPG)
A.J. Griffin (#14 in ESPN 100)
Paolo Banchero (#3 in ESPN 100)
Mark Williams (7.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG)
Also, I may have overestimated this team based on their performance in March, but the Orange’s performance in March makes me think they won’t be bad a year from now. Buddy Boeheim has become a true star and Boeheim, Alan Griffin and Quincy Guerrier are one of the best offensive trios in the ACC. The loss of Kadari Richmond is notable, as he is a top level point guard and likely an NBA contender. Jim Boeheim will play point guard with Joe Girard to give him another shooter. Villanova’s pass to Cole Swider provides the shot and can send Boeheim to the extension with five points. But Boeheim tends to prefer a larger body in the mid-range, which now appears to be a weakness. Jesse Edwards and Frank Anelem could have played that role had Marek Dolezaj left the team and Syracuse not scored a field goal.
Intended composition for start-up
Joseph Girard III (9.8 PPG)
Buddy Boeheim (17.8 PPG)
Alan Griffin (13.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
Quincy Guerrier (13.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG)
Jesse Edwards (1.9 PPG, 2.6 RPG)
It’s not easy to judge how good the Bonnies were last season. They played just two non-conference games, against Akron and Hofstra, and then narrowly defeated LSU in the NCAA tournament. But for the most part, they made it into the Atlantic 10 with a few bumps along the way and were dominant in the conference tournament. And Mark Schmidt brought back everyone on that team. Kyle Lofton is a star in the backcourt, and the five starters – Lofton, Jaren Holmes, Dominic Welch, Jalen Adaway, Osun Osunniy – are averaging double-digit scoring. One of the problems Schmidt has faced is the lack of production outside of his starting five. The Bonnies did some early business in the transfer market by signing top transfers Quadri Adams (Wake Forest) and Kareem Coulibaly (Pittsburgh). Neither is expected to make a big impact, but if they can provide depth and versatility, that’s all Schmidt needs.
Intended composition for start-up
Kyle Lofton (14.4 PPG, 5.5 APG)
Jaren Holmes (13.8 PPG)
Dominic Welch (11.4 PPG)
Jalen Adaway (12.2 PPG)
Osun Osunni (10.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG)
The most overlooked team of last season, Arizona was probably an NCAA Tournament team for most of the campaign, despite having nothing to play for due to a self-imposed suspension. It’s unclear if the Wildcats can make the NCAA Tournament next season (and if Sean Miller is still the coach), but until a penalty is handed down, I see them as a potential Week 2 team. Miller’s teams have been known for their defense in the past, but this version was surprisingly aggressive. James Akinjo is a great playmaker at the point of attack, and the Wildcats have an assortment of versatile players in the frontcourt that can get a team into trouble. Benedict Mathurin, Kerr Krijsa, Dalen Terry, Azuolas Tubelis and Jordan Brown have already made a name for themselves in their first year in Tucson, and Miller has also recruited a solid batch of players with top-100 aspirant Shane Novell at the helm. Expect Arizona to come into the gate as well.
Intended composition for start-up
James Akinjo (15.6 PPG)
Dalen Terry (4.6 PPG)
Bennedict Maturin (10.8 PPG)
Azuolas Tubelis (12.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG)
Jordan Brown (9.4 PPG)
That’s a hard thing to read. The Wolverines have five seniors in the top 7 and Franz Wagner is a potential lottery pick and should also leave. Can any of these seniors return to Ann Arbor for another year? Isaiah Livers suffered an injury that ended the season and missed the NCAA tournament. This puts him in a similar situation to Collin Gillespie, although Livers has a higher NBA draft stock and felt on the court last season. Juwan Howard will be built around Hunter Dickinson next season, which isn’t a bad premise, but outside of the big man, there are very few returners. Brandon Jones was outstanding in the NCAA Tournament, while Terrance Williams and Zeb Jackson were exciting recruits who played very little last season. Michigan State has the best recruiting class in the country, led by Caleb Hostan and Moussa Diabate, along with guards Frankie Collins and Kobe Bafkin. Collins could be the key. There’s not much around.
Intended composition for start-up
Frankie Collins (#40 in ESPN 100)
Zeb Jackson (1.0 PPG)
Caleb Hostan (#7 in ESPN 100)
Brandon Jones (4.9 PPG)
Hunter Dickinson (14.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG)
With Hubert Davis at the helm of UNC, not many will be leaving Chapel Hill. If so, the Tar Heels should do well in a post-Roy Williams year. Caleb Love needs to become more consistent and make fewer mistakes at the point guard position, but R.J. Davis and Kerwin Walton have provided good perimeter leadership and Leaky Black is a versatile player. It’s not yet clear what the frontcourt will look like after Day’Ron Sharpe’s departure to the NBA, Walker Kessler’s transfer and the expected release of Harrison Brooks. But Davis could also walk away from the two main formations that have been Williams’ mainstays. Armando Bako is still back, for now, and he should be a pretty good anchor at the position.
Intended composition for start-up
Caleb Love (10.5 PPG, 3.6 APG)
R.J. Davis (8.4 PPG)
Kerwin Walton (8.2 PPG)
Leaking Black (5.6 PPG)
Armando Baco (12.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG)
Here’s the second team: I don’t really know where I fit in; I just assume John Calipari can’t have a bad season for the second time in a row. But they went 9-16 last season and have already given up B.J. Boston, Isaiah Jackson and Terrence Clark for the NBA Draft (though Jackson has made it clear he’s leaving the door open for a return to Lexington), while rookies Devin Askew and Cam’ron Fletcher have entered the transfer gate. It’s unclear what will happen to seniors Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz, but Mintz has talked about a possible return. So far, we’re assuming both will leave. Calipari’s spring reboot is nothing new, and I don’t think Davidson’s transfer to Kellan Grady will be the last addition to the team. Grady and Oscar Chibwe should bring more shooting and toughness next season respectively. Five-star Daimion Collins will take down a player. Two key elements will be an improvement at the point guard position – whether by freshman Nolan Hickman or a player out of the gate – and a more consistent outside shot; will Dontay Allen play a bigger role?
Intended composition for start-up
Nolan Hickman (#28 in ESPN 100)
Kellan Grady (17.1 RPG at Davidson)
Dontay Allen (5.4 RPG)
Keion Brooks (10.3 RPG, 6.8 RPG)
Oscar Chibwe (8.5 RPG, 7.8 RPG at West Virginia)
Like Arkansas and some other programs, Oregon is another situation where I assume they will find players to fill the roster in the spring. Dana Altman does it every year, and he gets the team going in the second half of the season. And he’ll probably do it again in 2021-22. Eugene Omoruyi, Chris Duarte, L.J. Figueroa and Amauri Hardy are all seniors, while Chandler Lawson is a transfer. But Will Richardson leads all returners, including double-digit scorer Eric Williams. N’Faly Dante played just six games last season before tearing his ACL, while Frank Kepnang had some impressive moments in the NCAA Tournament. The Ducks also brought in a top-10 aspirant with Nate Bittle, who will bring versatility to the frontcourt. With all that production potentially gone, Oregon could use a branded wing upgrade. Whether it’s through the return of Aaron Estrada or in the transfer market, this should be Eugene’s No. 1 priority.
Intended composition for start-up
Will Richardson (11.3 PPG)
Aaron Estrada (3.1 PPG)
Eric Williams (10.0 PPG)
Nate Bittle (#9 in ESPN 100)
N’Faly Dante (8.2 PPG)
The season didn’t end perfectly for the Nico Bears: They stumbled in the season finale against Nevada, lost to Utah State in the Mountain West semifinals and were one of the last teams eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. But the Rams didn’t have any seniors, and he needs to bring back every player from this season’s group. Isaiah Stevens and David Roddy form one of the best tandems in the Mountain West, while Kendle Moore and Adam Thistlewood return as experienced starters. Colorado State had the best offense in the league in conference play, but when the Rams struggled in that area late in the season and in the NIT, the defense wasn’t good enough to win. We need to get a better look at the inside of the arc and get back to that level. But I think Colorado State will take the next step in the NCAA Tournament.
Intended composition for start-up
Kendle Moore (10.5 PPG)
Isaiah Stevens (15.3 PPG, 5.4 APG)
Adam Thistlewood (9.1 PPG)
David Roddy (15.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG)
James Morse (5.9 PPG)
Despite beating Illinois, Ohio State and Michigan State in the final two weeks of the season and sneaking into the NCAA tournament, it has been a relatively disappointing season in East Lansing after starting the season with high hopes. Tom Izzo will also have some departures. The Watts Rockets have already traded up, Josh Langford is out of playing time and Aaron Henry is an NBA draft prospect. But the Spartans went for Northeastern transfer Tyson Walker. Walker, along with five-star Max Christie, will provide a much-needed addition to the backfield. A big key is the status of Emony Bates. Bates is a generational talent and has long been considered a candidate to reclassify in the 2021 class. He could still decide to do it and go to college in the fall – although it was always said that he was also considering not going to college. When Bates arrives in East Lansing next fall, he will take this team to the next level.
Intended composition for start-up
Tyson Walker (18.8 Northeastern PPG)
Max Christie (#15 in ESPN 100)
Gabe Brown (7.2 PPG)
Malik Hall (5.0 PPG)
Joey Hauser (9.7 PPG)
A 21-game winning streak from December through February was interrupted when the Bruins lost their final two regular season games and were eliminated in the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, hosted by Morehead State. But Casey Alexander got almost everyone on that team back, including all five starters and the top seven scorers. Nick Muszynski, who missed the last few games of the season due to injury, is the team’s leader, while Luke Smith is an excellent shooter and Grayson Murphy sets the tone at the point guard position. Belmont had one of the most efficient offenses in the country last season, third in the country in two-point percentage and hitting over 35 percent of the three-point shots in the league. But then they have to win in the non-conference games, otherwise they have to walk the same tightrope as they have this season in the league, where they need one win and one or two losses to earn an automatic berth.
Intended composition for start-up
Grayson Murphy (10.9 PPG)
Luke Smith (12.7 PPG)
Ben Sheppard (10.5 PPG)
Caleb Hollander (9.3 PPG)
Nick Muszynski (15.0 PPG)
Another, like West Virginia and Baylor, and a few others, file with full confidence that Calvin Sampson will figure it out. Houston had four seniors this season, including DeJohn Jarreau, and Quentin Grimes might decide to capitalize on his momentum from last season and apply for the NBA draft. Marcus Sasser is back, but he’s the only starter. Tramon Mark has been a consistent bench player and Reggie Chaney is one of the four big men in the rotation and both should add minutes. But Houston has won at least one game in each of the last three NCAA Tournaments and has won at least 21 games in each of the last six seasons, and I find it hard to believe that a team led by Sampson wouldn’t be the favorite in the American Athletic Conference. Grimes or Fabian White returning next season would be a big win.
Intended composition for start-up
Marcus Sasser (13.5 PPG)
Tramon Mark (8.0 PPG)
Cameron Tyson (6.5 PPG)
Jamal Shead (3.3 PPG)
Reggie Cheney (4.6 PPG)
I don’t doubt Bob Huggins given the success he’s had regardless of talent, but with the emergence of Miles McBride in the NBA Draft, Taz Sherman as a senior, Emmitt Matthews, and Jordan McCabe, there isn’t much proven offensive production in Morgantown right now. Sean McNeil is a shooter and Derek Culver is one of the best offensive players in college basketball. I assume Jalen Bridges will play a bigger role and become a more consistent scorer, but the Mountaineers’ fourth top scorer is Gabe Osabuohien at 1.7 points per game. So Huggins will have to find a weapon – and a new point guard if McBride decides to stay on the roster. Kedrian Johnson is back, and four-star recruit Seth Wilson will be another option. There are several problems in Morgantown.
Intended composition for start-up
Kedrian Johnson (1.3 PPG)
Sean McNeil (12.2 PPG)
Jalen Bridges (5.9 PPG)
Gabe Osabuohien (1.7 PPG)
Derek Culver (14.3 PPG, 9.4 RPG)
Next in line:
Tennessee State Volunteers
Wichita State Shockers
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Virginia State Cavaliers
UConn Huskies
