1.Indiana - Yes, Indiana Basketball is back. Tom Crean rebuilt Indiana the right way and the Hoosiers should be here for years to come. The Hoosiers return all five of their starters from last season plus they bring in a top three recruiting class. Cody Zeller and Christian Watford will be one of the best frontcourts in the country if not the best. Sharp shooting Jordan Hulls returns as well as versatile guards Victor Oaldipo and Will Sheehey. Crean brings in five very talented freshmen. Guard Yogi Ferrell is the best of the bunch by far. Hanner Perea and Jeremy Hollowell will also compete for playing time.
2.Louisville – The Cardinals were on quite a run to finish the season before losing to Kentucky in the Final Four. Leading Louisville will be point guard Peyton Siva. Siva really improved a s a point guard over the season. Russ Smith is back to join Siva in the backcourt. The Cardinals will have the best frontcourt in the Big East with Chane Behanan and Gorgui Deng. Deng was the most improved player in the country this season and Behanan was a star in the NCAA tournament. Louisville also gets back Mike Marra and Rakeem Buckles from injury. Also, in the mix is talented George Mason Transfer Luke Hancock. Wayne Blackshaer is primed for a breakout season.
3. Kentucky – Even after winning this year’s National Championship and likely losing their top six players the Wildcats are still a top team. They just reload; not rebuild. This is John Calipari’s system to just keep on recruiting a bunch of one and dones. Kyle Wiltjer will be the lone returning player from this year’s team. Kentucky adds former NC State point guard Ryan Harrow. As of right now Kentucky is bringing in four recruits but that could change. Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress are both talented wings. Nerlens Noel is the number 1 player in the country. He is an elite shot blocker just like Anthony Davis. The Wildcats are still in the hunt for some talented players.
4. Kansas – The Jayhawks lose their two best players but they bring everyone else back plus a ton of talented freshmen. Leading the way will be Elijah Johnson, who played his best in the NCAA Tournament. Wing Travis Releford and center Jeff Withey return as the Big 12 Defensive player of the Year. Kansas will have a ton of young talent led by freshmen Ben McLemore and Perry Ellis. Also, watch out for Naadir Tharpe, Jamari Traylor, and Mervyn Lindsay. One thing is for sure, Bill Self will always have his teams at the top of the Big 12.
5. Baylor - The Bears lose two of their top three scorers thanks to Perry Jones III heading to the NBA. Baylor got good news when stud freshman Quincy Miller announced he was coming back to school. Speedy quick point guard Pierre Jackson returns as the Bears leading scorer. Brady Heslip returns as one of the best shooters in the country. Freshmen Isaiah Austin and Ricardo Gathers will lead the Baylor frontcourt. Austin is one of the best recruits in the country. Also watch out for freshman guard L.J. Rose. Solid role players Gary Franklin, Duce Bello, A.J. Walton and Cory Jefferson also return.
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