Excitement abounds as the season begins
The 2017-18 college basketball season had everything. Standout performances, a No. 1 seed finally falling in the first game of the NCAA Tournament and Villanova cutting down the nets for the second time in three seasons.
Oh, and Sister Jean and Loyola-Chicago giving hope to underdogs everywhere by reaching the Final Four.
A new season starts Tuesday, and it has been a long seven months to wait for a sport that seems to top itself every year.
To get you ready, we’ve got a guide to the top teams and players and other tidbits to look for in 2018-19: Top teams Kansas: Bill Self has another strong recruiting class, a preseason All-American in Memphis transfer Dedric Lawson and a No. 1 ranking. Kentucky: John Calipari has another roster full of future pros. He also has Reid Travis, a grad transfer from Stanford who also happens to be one of the nation’s top players. Gonzaga: The Zags reached the Final Four two seasons ago. They could be even better this season. Duke: Mike Krzyzewski outdid himself with this year’s recruiting class with what could be three of the top five picks in the NBA draft. Virginia: OK, so that firstround NCAA Tournament loss to UMBC was ugly and historymaking — but the Cavaliers have nearly everyone back and plenty of motivation. Tennessee: The Vols have not been to the Final Four. That could change this season — they’re that good. Top players Carsen Edwards, Purdue: He was super productive as a sophomore last season. Expect even more from him now that the Boilermakers need him even more. Luke Maye, North Carolina: The player who hit the shot to send the Tar Heels to the Final Four in 2017 averaged a doubledouble last season and will be expected to do more this season. R.J. Barrett, Duke: The freshman already has created a buzz and could be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NBA draft. Dedric Lawson, Kansas: The former Memphis forward gives the Jayhawks plenty of production and experience on an otherwise young roster. Ethan Happ, Wisconsin: The Badgers sure are glad this multifaceted big man decided to withdraw from the NBA draft. Opponents will not be. Caleb Martin, Nevada: The do-everything forward decided to return, and he and twin brother Cody are a big reason the Wolf Pack are being mentioned as a Final Four contender. Mid-major contenders Nevada: Eric Musselman’s team is driving toward what could be the best season in program history. Loyola-Chicago: No way the Ramblers and Sister Jean will be overlooked again. Western Kentucky: Top recruit Charles Bassey will push the Hilltoppers up the big hill. Buffalo: Bulls have five of their top six scorers back from a team that knocked off Arizona in the opening round of the NCAAs. Marshall: The Thundering Herd and head coach Dan D’Antoni are looking for an even deeper March run after knocking off Wichita State in last season’s opening round. Freshmen to watch Zion Williamson, Duke: Basket supports beware, one of the nation’s top freshmen is a known rim wrecker. Cam Reddish, Duke: Doesn’t get the pub Barrett and Williamson get, but he’s a legit top-five NBA prospect. Romeo Langford, Indiana: Landing the state of Indiana’s best player was a huge get for head coach Archie Miller as he tries getting the Hoosiers back to prominence. Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky: He eschewed the Power Five programs to stay in-state and could dominate Conference USA. Bol Bol, Oregon: Manute’s son can shoot inside, outside and swat shots, just like his dad.