With the decisions of Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels to use their extra years of eligibility, Villanova once again finds itself as a national title contender. The loss of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will hurt, particularly offensively, but Jay Wright's system and the bevy of skilled perimeter players make Nova the clear Big East favorite.
Read more#4 Kentucky 2021-22 Preview
Following an extremely disappointing campaign in Lexington, John Calipari loaded up the roster this offseason. Four high-level transfers and two 5-star recruits give the Cats a tantalizing ceiling, but will all of these pieces come together?
Read more#5 Texas 2021-22 Preview
Chris Beard throwing the hook ‘em sign doesn’t sit well with a particular west Texas town but it’s time to face the music. The Horns are flushed with top tier transfer talent, with Big-12 and national title goals well within reach.
Read more#6 Purdue 2021-22 Preview
Purdue brings back an All-American and four rising young Big Ten stars. Matt Painter has a talented squad capable of winning the league and pushing for the school’s first Final Four since 1980.
Read more#7 Michigan 2021-22 Preview
Juwan Howard returns an All-American and brings in the #1 recruiting class in the country. Michigan appears poised to compete for another 1-seed in the Big Dance and add to its cupboard of Big Ten championships.
Read more#8 Alabama 2021-22 Preview
After Alabama burst onto the scene and won both the SEC regular season and tournament champioships, what will Nate Oats and the Tide do as an encore? Might we see even more success come March on the shoulders of a frighteningly dynamic perimeter group?
Read more#9 UCLA 2021-22 Preview
UCLA looks to prove its 2021 Final Four run was no fluke. A wealth of talent, a big man from Rutgers, and a coach named Mick lead the way.
Read more#10 Duke 2021-22 Preview
A trio of 5-star blue chippers carry a heavy burden in the wake of Duke’s first tournament miss since 1995. Can the Blue Devils restore order in K’s farewell tour?
Read more#11 Baylor 2021-22 Preview
The defending national champs will carry a big target on their back in 2022, but Scott Drew’s war chest remains well supplied, even in the wake of Jared Butler, Davion Mitchell, MaCio Teague and Mark Vital’s departures.
Read more#12 Ohio State 2021-22 Preview
Ohio State brings back a stacked roster headlined by All-American candidate EJ Liddell. Can Chris Holtmann finally reach the second weekend with his talented Buckeyes?
Read more#13 Tennessee 2021-22 Preview
Tennessee’s stuck-in-the-mud offense undermined an elite defense last year, sending the Vols home in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. With another intriguing roster that blends productive experience and exciting young talent, can Rick Barnes strike a better balance this time around?
Read more#14 North Carolina 2021-22 Preview
Hubert Davis now mans the helm of the UNC Death Star. He aims to re-cement the Tar Heels as a perennial ACC title contender in the wake of two forgettable campaigns.
Read more#15 Oregon 2021-22 Preview
Talent oozes from a Duck roster rebuilt with high-level HS talent and scintillating skill from the transfer portal. A healthy Will Richardson looks to lead Oregon to its third straight Pac 12 title and another trip to the Dance.
Read more#16 Houston 2021-22 Preview
The Cougars lose two key pieces from their first Final Four squad since 1984, but Kelvin Sampson and the fellas are not going anywhere. The physical identity remains, and Sampson has elevated Houston to “perennial American favorite” over the past five years.
Read more#17 Illinois 2021-22 Preview
Illinois looks to get back to the top seed line with All-American Kofi Cockburn back in the fold. Can Andre Curbelo ascend to alpha status and lead the Illini to the top of the Big Ten standings?
Read more#18 Florida State 2021-22 Preview
How ‘Sweet’ it is… The ‘Noles advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year. Can Leonard Hamilton and his forest of bigs keep that streak alive in 2022?
Read more#19 Memphis 2021-22 Preview
Losing to Tulsa twice may have doomed the Tigers’ NCAA chances, but they rebounded to win the NIT in emphatic fashion. With gobs of talent once again, can Penny Hardaway finally get Memphis dancing?
Read more#20 Indiana 2021-22 Preview
Mike Woodson takes over in Bloomington for the fired Archie Miller looking to bring his Hoosiers back to the top of the Big Ten standings.
Read more#21 Louisville 2021-22 Preview
The sour taste from a tumultuous season lingers in Louisville but Chris Mack is ready for a reset. Stocked with stud newcomers from all over, the Cardinals should be in the thick of the ACC title hunt in 2022.
Read more#22 Auburn 2021-22 Preview
A roller coaster season (especially at the point guard position) coupled with a postseason ban left Auburn in a strange college hoops netherworld last year. After Bruce Pearl restocked the roster this offseason, can the Tigers regain national relevance?
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