The best time is here yet again. Tuesday night the 2019-2020 NCAA Basketball season will be tipping off! Below you will find some info on teams, players, and a few potential surprises for the upcoming basketball season.
Power 5 Conferences + Big East Winners:
ACC:
Louisville- A legit national title contender that returns Jordan Nwora, a dynamic frontcourt, transfer guard Lamar Kimble, and a great coach in Chris Mack.
Big East
Villanova- Colin Gillespie. Sadiq Bey, and Jermaine Samuels return to a team that has the best recruiting class in the Jay Wright era. It might take some time to gel early, but come conference play this Nova team should be dangerous and firing on all cylinders.
Big Ten
Maryland- The duo of guard Anthony Cowan and forward Jalen Smith will give opposing defenses headaches all year. This star studded duo along with a group that is versatile on the defensive end will lead the Terps to a Big Ten title.
Big 12
Kansas- After not winning the Big 12 title for the first time in over a decade, Bill Self will have his players motivated to reclaim their crown this year. Sophomore guard Devon Doston will take a big step forward and be a force in the league this year.
SEC
Florida- Forward Kerry Blackshear, along with Florida's guards that can shoot the lights out and defend with the best of them will prevail over the youthful Kentucky this year. Watch out for freshman guard Scottie Lewis, a one and done prospect.
PAC 12
Washington- Mike Hopkins is building something special out west, and with the additions of transfer guard Quade Green and freshman big man Isiah Stewart, the Huskies are in for a big year.
3 Freshman to Watch:
G Anthony Edwards (Georgia)- The highest ranked recruit in the history of Georgia basketball is a talented scorer that is sure to rack up his fair share of highlights. Can he revamp a Georgia program and lead them back to the tournament? Check back in March.
G Cole Anthony (UNC)- A blur in the open court, Anthony will thrive in the Tar Heels fast break driven offense. Enjoy this season of him in college basketball, because he is a one and done prospect. A player of the year candidate.
F Vernon Carey Jr (Duke)- A versatile big man with a dominating low post game, and expanding mid range game should be the Blue Devils best overall player this year.
3 Returning Players to Watch:
G Cassius Winston (Michigan State)- A rock solid point guard who can score, distribute, and defend is in for a big senior year. He will look to lead the preseason number one team to a Final Four appearance. The coach on the court for Tom Izzo is always in command.
G Markus Howard (Marquette)- After the Hauser brothers transferred out of Marquette, Howard might average near 30 points per game. He is going to shoot a high volume of shots, and will showcase his deadly range throughout the season.
G Myles Powell (Seton Hall)- A three point assassin who can score from all levels, Powell is the bona fide leader and go-to guy for the Pirates this year. He is in range to score once he walks off the bus to walk into the arena. Lookout for Powell to have a career year and gain discussion as a lottery pick in next years draft.
Mid Major Darkhorse:
Harvard- Bryce Aiken leads a talented Crimson team this season, that also returns Seth Towns. This Harvard bunch will be able to score and can mix and match different lineups in order to defend against guard heavy Ivy teams or high major programs that throw major size at them. This roster features many high major caliber players and they can make a deep run come March.
Surprise Team:
Penn State- Last year down the stretch the Nittany Lions were one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball. Lamar Stevens, a walking double-double returns for his senior year along with a multitude of guards who can shoot and defend. Pat Chambers has a talented squad that could be a second weekend team come tourney time.
Most Entertaining Team:
Memphis Tigers- The number one recruiting class this year features a bevy of high flyers, shooters, slashers, and high level defenders. This team will get up and down and put up a lot of points. Can Penny Hardaway get them playing as one coherent unit though by March? That remains to be seen, because there is only one ball to go around. A fist, is stronger than an open hand.
Programs on the Rise:
Washington- Head coach Mike Hopkins will lead Washington back to the Big Dance for a second consecutive season. He brought in Kentucky transfer Quade Green, along with two top ten recruits and the Huskies will only continue to get better as time goes on.
Illinois- Brad Underwood has turned the Fighting Illini back into a Top 25 contender and has brought exciting basketball back to the orange and blue. As long as Underwood is at the helm in Champaign going forward success is imminent.
Arkansas- The hiring of Eric Musselman this offseason was a homerun for the Razorbacks. Give it a few years, with the additions of some transfers and recruits, and Arkansas will be a perennial Top 25 contender.
Final Four:
Louisville- Jordan Nwora will be one of the top players in the nation this season, and Chris Mack has a talented roster featuring a bulk of players returning from last years roster.
Seton Hall- Myles Powell is on a mission this year and he has a team around him that will be elite on defense leading the Hall to their first Final Four in decades.
UNC- Cole Anthony is a special player that will excel in Roy Williams fast break driven offense leading the Tar Heels to familiar territory.
Maryland- A great group of returning players, paired with a solid freshman class will lead the Terps to new heights under Mark Turgeon.
National Champs:
Louisville- Nobody in the country will be able to score and defend at a high level like this Louisville team. Chris Mack gets over the proverbial "hump" and becomes a top flight coach while leading the Cardinals to a title this year.
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