CBB: Way-too-early rankings for 2021
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs: Gonzaga should be the clear favorite heading into next season as they return three out of five starters in Joel Ayayi, Corey Kispert, and Filip Petrušev, while welcoming in the #5 overall recruit according to ESPN 100: Jalen Suggs from Minnesota. Drew Timme will be the fifth starter as he'll fill in for the graduating Killian Tillie. This team can score at all five positions and we project them to finish the regular season with a 28-2 record.
2. Villanova Wildcats: Villanova will be back in national title contention after a couple of years of being outside the top-10 rankings. The Wildcats are bringing back starters Collin Gillespie, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Jermaine Samuels, while Jay Wright awaits an NBA decision from Saddiq Bey, who could be Big East Player of the Year if he returns. Bryan Antoine will probably be the starting two as we think Villanova will go 26-5.
3. Kentucky Wildcats: Kentucky has already announced that Ashton Hagans and Tyrese Maxey are NBA-bound, but they have three potential lottery picks coming in Devin Askew (#25), BJ Boston (#8), and Terrence Clarke (#6). EJ Montgomery will likely be the only returning player in the starting five, while an underrated Isaiah Jackson will look to carve out playing time. We expect John Calipari's team to finish 25-6.
4. Virginia Cavaliers: Virginia really got a going towards the end of the year and I think they can keep that momentum going as starting point guard Kihei Clark will be back as a junior. Jay Huff and Francisco Caffaro will return down low for Tony Bennett, and Sam Hauser will probably grab a starting spot as he transfers in from Marquette. Jabri Abdur-Rahim (#33) will have a chance to make his mark as a freshman. Virginia is projected to go 25-6.
5. Kansas Jayhawks: Kansas is losing Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike, who were arguably the two best players in the Big 12. With that said, though, Bill Self will have his guys ready to go and they will compete for a conference title as we have them finishing 24-7. Christian Braun will take on a much larger role as a sophomore, while Marcus Garrett, Ochai Agbaji, and David McCormack will out the front court. Bryce Thompson (#27) should start as a freshman.
6. Baylor Bears: Baylor was just a couple games away from winning the Big 12 regular season championship and they will be in the running again next year as the backcourt trio of Jared Butler, Davion Mitchell, and MaCio Teague are back. Dain Dainja (#47) and Zach Loveday are favorites to fill in for Mark Vital and Freddie Gillespie. The Bears went 26-4 this past season, so we expect them to take a sight step back, also finishing at 24-7.
7. Creighton Bluejays: Creighton is the second Big East team on this list, joining Villanova, and they should have the best back court in the conference with returners Ty-Shon Alexander and Marcus Zegarowski. We have them finishing with the same record as last year at 24-7, just two games behind the Wildcats. The other starters are looking like Denzel Mahoney, Christian Bishop, and Ryan Kalkbrenner (#99).
8. Michigan Wolverines: Michigan has a ton of questions as Juwan Howard awaits draft decisions from Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner. Meanwhile, Josh Christopher (#10) and Isaiah Todd (#13) are still up in the air and it remains to be seen whether or not they'll ever play for the Wolverines. Eli Brooks and Hunter Dickinson (#36) should also start on a team that could compete for a national title if things go their way. We're projecting 23-8.
9. Duke Blue Devils: Duke went 25-6 this past year but that seems unrealistic considering the roster overhaul that will happen as Tre Jones, Cassius Stanley, and Vernon Carey will likely depart as the first two have already announced it. It looks like Jordan Goldwire and Wendell Moore will move into the starting lineup, while Matthew Hurt returns. A couple of freshman in Jeremy Roach (#18) and Jalen Johnson (#15) will make impacts. Duke should go about 22-9.
10. Dayton Flyers: Dayton is losing the National Player of the Year Obi Toppin to the NBA Draft but they will be bringing back a pair of double digit scorers in Jalen Crutcher and Ibi Watson. Crutcher should be considered the favorite to win the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and I think Anthony Grant will have his team ready to go, as we project a 21-10 record. The other three starters will likely be Rodney Chatman, Moulaye Sissoko, and Florida transfer Chase Johnson.
Wooden Award Rankings:
1. Corey Kispert (Gonzaga)
2. Ty-Shon Alexander (Creighton)
3. Matthew Hurt (Duke)
4. Saddiq Bey (Villanova)
5. BJ Boston (Kentucky)
6. Isaiah Livers (Michigan)
7. Jared Butler (Baylor)
8. Marcus Garrett (Kansas)
9. Jalen Crutcher (Dayton)
10. Kihei Clark (Virginia)
Photo Credit: Yahoo! Sports.
