The men’s college basketball season begins on Monday evening, featuring 20 teams from the Associated Press’s preseason Top 25. To mark this significant moment in sports, a list of 68 bold predictions has emerged, capturing the excitement and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming season.
One prediction emphasizes that while Cinderella stories are still possible in March Madness, they could be increasingly rare. With the growing wealth disparity due to NIL payments and the ease of player transfers, top talent is gravitating toward power-conference programs. This trend has shifted the competitive balance, as evidenced by Evan Miyakawa’s preseason rankings, which reveal a significant drop-off in conference strength beyond the Big East.
Given this landscape, filling NCAA tournament brackets heavily with favorites may be a wise strategy. Last year’s tournament saw every Sweet 16 team hailing from power conferences, suggesting a continued trend this season.
In terms of individual players, several transfers are anticipated to make significant impacts. ACC’s Darrion Williams (from Texas Tech to NC State), Big East’s Josh Dix (from Iowa to Creighton), and Big Ten’s Bennett Stirtz (from Drake to Iowa) are highlighted among others as players to watch.
San Diego State, outside the AP preseason Top 25, is expected to be a dark horse, returning eight players from an NCAA tournament squad and adding experienced transfers and promising freshmen. Conversely, Creighton may face challenges, having to compensate for significant graduation losses, including three leading scorers.
BYU is positioned for a potential breakthrough season, buoyed by a strong recruitment strategy and the arrival of freshman AJ Dybantsa alongside other key transfers. Kansas will also be formidable, bolstered by freshman Darryn Peterson, who is already generating buzz as a top prospect for the 2024 NBA draft.
The season will not be without its controversies as discussions about the NCAA’s player eligibility rules emerge, particularly about those with professional experience. This year, players like Santa Clara’s Thierry Darlan, who has G League experience, illustrate the changing dynamics in college basketball recruitment.
The article also anticipates coaching changes and pressures within the landscape. North Carolina’s Hubert Davis and Syracuse’s Adrian Autry are noted as coaches under significant scrutiny to perform this season. Meanwhile, the demand for innovative coaching talent is ever-present, with rising names likely to attract attention next spring.
As the season unfolds, exciting developments are expected, from UCLA’s investment in players like Donovan Dent to potent newcomers like Aiden Mahaney at UC Santa Barbara. These shifts indicate a critical junction for college basketball, blending tradition with fresh challenges and opportunities.
The predictions encompass a range of insights, from potential upsets and standout players to the impact of NIL deals and coaching strategies that could shape the trajectory of teams and players. With the season starting, the thrill of basketball promises to deliver unexpected twists and turns, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.