With tipoff today, powers face high expectations
North Carolina closed out the 2016-17 season by holding off upstart Gonzaga for its sixth national championship.
College basketball has undergone a major shift since the Tar Heels cut down the nets, most notably a federal probe into shady recruiting practices that ensnared several prominent programs.
The changes have come on the court, too. To get you ready for the season, which starts today, here’s a rundown:
Top teams
Duke. No. 1 with another oneand-done in Marvin Bagley III joining Grayson Allen.
Michigan State. Could be Tom Izzo’s most talented team with Miles Bridges back.
Arizona. Allonzo Trier and freshman big man Deandre Ayton headline what could be Sean Miller’s best shot at the Final Four.
Kansas. Rebuild is not in the vocabulary in Lawrence.
Kentucky. Coach Cal has another batch of budding pros, even if they will be the youngest he’s had in Lexington.
Top players
Bridges, Michigan State. Was one of the best last season. Should be better after skipping out on a shot at the NBA.
Bonzie Colson, Notre Dame. Double-double machine will carry the Irish far.
Trier, Arizona. One of the nation’s best clutch players.
Jalen Brunson, Villanova. Scores, shoots, dishes, leads. Can’t ask for much more.
Joel Berry II, North Carolina. Last season’s Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four will miss the start of the season after punching a wall and breaking his hand.
Key nonleague games
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 2 Michigan State, Tuesday in Chicago. A 1-2 matchup this early is a great way to get the season rolling.
No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 5 Kentucky, Tuesday in Chicago. Talk about a marquee doubleheader.
No. 1 Duke at Indiana, Nov. 29. Blueblood battle in Bloomington.
No. 14 Notre Dame at No. 2 Michigan State, Nov. 30. Bonzie Colson vs. Miles Bridges.
No. 16 Louisville at No. 5 Kentucky, Dec. 29. Always epic.
The freshmen
Michael Porter Jr., Missouri. He’s 6-foot-10, scores, shoots, gets to the rim, has NBA scouts following his every move.
Bagley, Duke. Graduated early to start college.
Ayton, Arizona. He’s 7-1, 260 pounds and an NBA-ready game.
Mohamed Bamba, Texas. Opposing shooters will need to be wary when the Longhorns’ big man is around the basket.
Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky. Enrolled last January in hopes of joining the Wildcats for the second half of the season. The extra practice time should help him have a huge impact.