Syracuse returns all five starters from a team that reached last year’s Sweet Sixteen. NBA prospect Tyus Battle’s return has given Boeheim his best roster in years, and a lock down defense makes the Orange an enticing ACC conference crown contender.
Read more#26 Marquette Preview 2018-19
Known for the last two years as a prolific three-point shooting offense but a sieve defense, can Marquette find a little more balance this year? And is Wojo’s seat sneaky-warm?
Read more#27 Iowa State Preview 2018-19
Last year’s 13-17 debacle marked an abrupt and sour end to a decorated 7-year run of success under Mr. Mayor Fred Hoiberg (2010 - 2015) and Steve Prohm (2015-2017). Now, with the return of Lindell Wigginton and a healthy Nick Weiler-Babb to spearhead a dynamic backcourt, the Clones are primed to restore the magic back to its rightful home in Hilton Coliseum.
Read more#28 Purdue Preview 2018-19
The Boilermakers were gutted this offseason with the graduation of four senior starters from last year’s 2nd-seeded squad in the NCAA tournament. But Matt Painter’s coaching chops and the return of POTY candidate Carsen Edwards should keep Purdue competitive atop the Big 10 once again in 2018-19.
Read more#29 UCLA Preview 2018-19
For a coach who has made three Sweet 16s in the past five years, Steve Alford’s seat appears to be heating up. Will a roster rife with talented underclassmen be enough to earn Mr. Alford some job security?
Read more#30 Indiana Preview 2018-19
The combination of Juwan Morgan’s withdrawal from the NBA draft and Romeo Langford’s decision to stay home for school has Hoosier Hysteria at an all-time high in Bloomington. Can Archie Miller put the pieces together for a run at a Big Ten title and end IU’s 2-year tournament drought?
Read more#31 Texas Preview 2018-19
No Mo, No problem? Only time will tell if that phrase holds true with the Longhorns losing their supreme shot-swatter to the NBA draft this summer. Texas should once again reload with a stable of athletic guards and wings back in the mix for Shaka Smart’s 4th full season as the leading man in Austin.
Read more#32 Nebraska Preview 2018-19
The basketball buzz is officially back in Lincoln as Timmy Miles and the boys are riding high off a 22-win season. So, with a top-4 of Glynn Watson, James Palmer, Isaac Copeland and Isaiah Roby all back in the mix, the Cornhuskers could be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten title race.
Read more#33 Maryland Preview 2018-19
After being gutted by early NBA Draft entrants this summer, Mark Turgeon must yet again re-stock the talent cupboard in College Park. He brings in another top-tier recruiting class, but must first address the turnover epidemic that plagued the Terrapins far too often last season.
Read more#34 Wisconsin Preview 2018-19
Wisconsin’s unrivaled consistency hit a bump in the road last season as the Badgers were absent from the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998 (!!!). Now, with a promising sophomore class returning to support low-post aficionado Ethan Happ, Greg Gard has all the pieces he needs to right the ship back on course.
Read more#35 Cincinnati Preview 2018-19
UC’s mega-meltdown against Nevada in the Round of 32 sent the Bearcats packing before the tournament’s 2nd weekend for the 6th year in a row. Cincy returns a talented perimeter core, but must now re-tool the interior with Gary Clark and Kyle Washington both graduating this summer.
Read more#36 Xavier Preview 2018-19
A great deal of change is afoot in Northeast Cincinnati, as the Musketeers wave goodbye to Chris Mack and Xavier legends Trevon Bluiett and JP Macura (among others). New coach Travis Steele hopes, Quentin Goodin, a promising group of sophomores, and a few grad transfers can maintain X’s streak of 6 straight tournaments…
Read more#37 Butler Preview 2018-19
With Kelan Martin’s departure, Butler is now officially Kamar Baldwin’s team. Is he ready for that responsibility? And who will emerge as his key sidekicks?
Read more#38 Providence Preview 2018-19
Three pillars of the Providence program depart (Kyron Cartwright, Rodney Bullock, Jalen Lindsey), but the Friars still have Ed Cooley and a bevy of young talent with which to work. The biggest question: how big of an impact can Emmitt Holt have in his return from injury?
Read more#39 Miami Preview 2018-19
Miami loses a significant amount of production from last season, but still returns a core featuring a dynamic point guard and an NBA-caliber big man. A Florida Gulf Coast transfer and Jim Larranaga’s always-great coaching ability should keep the Canes near the top of the ACC standings.
Read more#40 Arizona Preview 2018-19
Despite dealing with a mass exodus of his entire starting 5, Sean Miller has cobbled together enough talent to maintain respectability in Tucson. Will he be able to piece it all together in time to make a run in the vulnerable Pac 12?
Read moreNBA Draft Big Board 2018 - The Rest
Sneaking in the remainder of my Big Board before Thursday night’s draft, here’s prospects 17-50…
Read moreNBA Draft Big Board - Lottery 2018
Jim’s annual stab at an NBA Draft board kicks off with his lottery rankings. The only non-NCAA player resides atop the board, but how to rank everyone else was a massive headache…
Read moreCoaching Trees: A Family Affair
Ever wonder who the coach of your favorite school used to work for? Or how Frank Martin got his intense style of play? Well, wonder no more!
Read more2018-19 Bracket Outlook - Early Offseason
A Top 25 simply wasn't enough - I needed to go through the entire bracket to fill the sad, dark chasm in my heart now that the college hoops offseason has overtaken us…
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