Welcome to “The March To April” inaugural column: my newest, weekly conceptual college basketball article breaking down the biggest stories, names and games in college basketball.
It’ll serve as the “ying” to The Bucket List’s “yang,” the other weekly column I built on an analytical bedrock last spring – which will continue to be published every Friday.
“The March To April” will be much more discussion-based than its Friday counterpart. I want to engage you all with mailbag editions, leaving the comments open for feedback, questions or debate depending on the topic.
For the column’s pilot edition: a top 25 list with a brief explanation for each squad. Simple, straightforward and to the point — and sure to not stir any controversy.
*ALL transfer portal and recruiting data uses On3/Rivals ratings*
The Top 25
1. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers bring back their top five scorers from last year, including the excellent inside-out duo of Braden Smith (15.8) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.8). Matt Painter used the transfer portal to snag All-Summit League Oscar Cluff to round out the lineup.
2. Houston Cougars
Milos Uzan, Emmanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler all return after starting the bulk of last season. They’ll be supplemented by the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class (On3), which includes blue-chippers Chris Cenac and Isiah Harwell.
3. Florida Gators
Todd Golden rebuilt his backcourt with two highly coveted transfers in Xaivian Lee (Princeton) and Boogie Fland (Arkansas). They’ll pair alongside a frontcourt that returns Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu and a now-healthy Micah Handlogten.
4. St. John’s Red Storm
Rick Pitino’s transfer haul was the most talked-about topic on the east coast this off season. He’ll welcome seven new faces to Queens, headed by former Providence forward Bryce Hopkins and North Carolina guard Ian Jackson. Zuby Ejiofor returns down low.
5. Michigan Wolverines
Dusty Maye replaced Danny Wolf and Vlad Golden with Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and Aday Mara (UCLA) – a combined 31.1 points and 22.1 rebounds per game. He’ll have the pass-first Elliot Cadeau running the offense from the point.
6. Kentucky Wildcats
The nation’s No. 2 transfer portal class and No. 17 freshman class gives the Wildcats a bevy of talent at every spot on the court. The frontcourt will also see an extreme defensive upgrade when Jayden Quaintance returns to full strength.
7. Duke Blue Devils
Jon Scheyer brought three freshmen starters within seconds of the national championship game last season. He’ll stick to his guns, bringing in the nation’s. No. 1 recruiting class. Is the talent level of this group on par with last year’s? To be determined.
8. Connecticut Huskies
See Sam Calhoun’s work on The Daily Campus website for exclusive coverage of UConn men’s basketball!
9. BYU Cougars
The Cougars signed top-recruit AJ Dybansta and coveted transfer guard Robert Wright III (Baylor) on top of returning four players who saw meaningful minutes last season. It’ll be one of the most experienced squads in the country, with eight players having at least three years of experience at the collegiate level.
10. Auburn Tigers
Four transfers are slated to start alongside Tahaad Pettiford, who jumped out of the NBA Draft in the 11 hour. Keyshawn Hall and KeShawn Murphy will anchor the frontcourt scoring, with depth being provided by the nation’s No. 28 freshmen class.
11. Arkansas Razorbacks
It’ll be a question of depth for the Razorbacks. Its starting lineup comprises three returning starters from last year, including DJ Wagner and Karter Knox, a true freshman five star point guard and Florida State transfer center Malique Ewin. Its bench needs to produce — early and often.
12. Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinal backcourt is brimming with NBA talent after it was rebuilt this off season. Louisville should be an elite three-point shooting team with Mikel Brown Jr., Ryan Conwell, Isaac McKneely and Adrian Wooley all sharing minutes at the one and two, respectively.
13. Iowa State Cyclones
The return of Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic gives the Cyclones one of the country’s sturdiest foundations. TJ Otzelberger bolstered his depth with a top 25 portal class and top 40 recruiting class.
14. Illinois Fighting Illini
Freshly extended Brad Underwood retooled his roster after the loss of several impact players to the NBA Draft. Alongside returners Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic, transfers Andrej Stojakovic (Cal) and Zvonimir Ivisic (Arkansas) look to shoulder the bulk of the team’s scoring.
15. Michigan State Spartans
Despite the loss of top-rated transfer Kaleb Glenn (FAU), the Spartans remain a formidable threat in a deepening Big 10. Trey Fort (Samford), Jeremy Fears Jr., Jaxon Kohler and Coen Carr form an excellent starting nucleus, but can the Spartans find depth?
The rest of the list (in order): Texas Tech Red Raiders (16), Creighton Blue Jays (17), Arizona Wildcats (18), Oklahoma Sooners (19), Tennessee Volunteers (20), Southern California Trojans (21), Wisconsin Badgers (22), UCLA Bruins (23), Oregon Ducks (24), North Carolina Tar Heels (25).