WCBN SPORTS
  • Home
  • The Team
    • Charlie Brigham
    • Adam Bressler >
      • Articles
    • Joshua Tenzer >
      • Articles
    • Jared Greenspan >
      • Articles
    • Zachery Linfield
    • Zach Corsun
  • About Us
    • Notable Alumni
  • Blog
    • NFL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NHL
    • XFL
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • Sports Business
    • Sports Media
  • Media
    • Podcasts
    • Photos >
      • Michigan Football vs Rutgers (September 25, 2021)
      • Michigan Football vs Northwestern (October 23, 2021)
      • Michigan Football vs Indiana (November 6, 2021)
      • Michigan Football vs Iowa (December 4, 2021)
      • Michigan MBB vs Maryland (January 18, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Colorado State (September 3, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Connecticut (September 17, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Maryland (September 24, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Nebraska (November 12, 2022)
      • Michigan MBB vs Penn State (January 4, 2023)
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Home
  • The Team
    • Charlie Brigham
    • Adam Bressler >
      • Articles
    • Joshua Tenzer >
      • Articles
    • Jared Greenspan >
      • Articles
    • Zachery Linfield
    • Zach Corsun
  • About Us
    • Notable Alumni
  • Blog
    • NFL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NHL
    • XFL
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • Sports Business
    • Sports Media
  • Media
    • Podcasts
    • Photos >
      • Michigan Football vs Rutgers (September 25, 2021)
      • Michigan Football vs Northwestern (October 23, 2021)
      • Michigan Football vs Indiana (November 6, 2021)
      • Michigan Football vs Iowa (December 4, 2021)
      • Michigan MBB vs Maryland (January 18, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Colorado State (September 3, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Connecticut (September 17, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Maryland (September 24, 2022)
      • Michigan Football vs Nebraska (November 12, 2022)
      • Michigan MBB vs Penn State (January 4, 2023)
  • Contact
  • Donate

It’s October, So Let’s Start Thinking About March

10/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
By: Lucas Vargas

With the first week of college basketball official practice gone by across the country, it is never too early to start looking ahead to March; specifically all of the madness that comes along with it. But there wouldn’t be madness without star-studded teams at the top, of which only one can take home the title. So who are the lead title contenders before the year begins? Here’s my take, followed by a 68 team bracket and bubble:

1. Kansas Jayhawks

Key Additions: Dedric Lawson, K.J. Lawson, Charlie Moore, Quentin Grimes, Devon Dotson

Key Subtractions: Devonte’ Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, Malik Newman

Why They Are Ranked Here: The Jayhawks lose most of their sharpshooting backcourt following last year’s Final Four appearance. Luckily for Bill Self, his Jayhawks find themselves loading up with the addition of 3 key transfers, who have all proven themselves at the collegiate level. The Lawson twins supplement an already powerful frontcourt spearheaded by Udoka Azubuike, Silvio DeSouza, and Mitch Lightfoot. In the backcourt, Charlie Moore and Lagerald Vick are a formidable one-two punch with plenty of depth behind them. Bill Self has an experienced group that should be ready to compete.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Key Additions: Reid Travis, Immanuel Quickley, Tyler Hero, Keldon Johnson, Ashton Hagans, EJ Montgomery

Key Subtractions: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Knox, Hamidou Diallo, Wenyen Gabriel, Jarred Vanderbilt, Sacha Killeya-Jones

Why They Are Ranked Here: The Kentucky Wildcats finally have experience to work with thanks to the returns of P.J. Washington, Quade Green, and Nick Richards. And that’s before factoring in the graduate transfer of former Stanford star Reid Travis. Unsurprisingly, Kentucky also brought in several talented freshman, who will have for the first time in a long while capable upperclassmen to lead them

3. Duke Blue Devils

Key Additions: R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, Tre Jones, Joey Baker

Key Subtractions: Marvin Bagley III, Grayson Allen, Wendell Carter, Gary Trent Jr., Trevon Duval

Why They Are Ranked Here: The Blue Devils will replace their entire starting lineup with one of the most hyped freshman classes in recent memory, as they feature the top three recruits in the nation. The young stars will be coupled with  returning role players such as Marques Bolden, Alex O’Connell, and Javin Delaurier, who will need to set an example for the younger players. Talent won’t be what holds this team back.

4. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Key Additions: Brandon Clarke, Joel Ayayi, Filip Petrusev, Greg Foster Jr.

Key Subtractions: Jonathan Williams III, Silas Melson

Why They Are Ranked Here: The loss of Jonathan Williams is masked by the transfer of Brandon Clarke, who averaged 17.5 PPG at San Jose St. He will join versatile, first-round talents Killian Tillie and Rui Hachimura in the frontcourt. Gonzaga should dominate the WCC once again and be positioned for a deep run in March thanks to their experience and depth.

5. Virginia Cavaliers

Key Additions: Francisco Caffaro, Kody Stattman

Key Subtractions: Devon Hall, Isaiah Wilkins

Why They Are Ranked Here: Virginia has had an offseason to overcome the loss to UMBC. With Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome, and De’Andre Hunter all back, Tony Bennett returns the core of a team that defended at historically great levels. The bad taste left in their mouths by UMBC should leave this team playing with an added chip on their shoulders.

6. Tennessee Volunteers

Key Additions: D.J. Burns

Key Subtractions: James Daniel III

Why They Are Ranked Here: A year ago, Tennessee wasn’t expected to do very much. This year will be the opposite. Rick Barnes returns his entire rotation. Admiral Schofield, Grant Williams, Jordan Bone, Jordan Bowden, Lamonte’ Turner, and Kyle Alexander are set to defend their SEC regular season title in what will be a very competitive league.

7. Nevada Wolfpack

Key Additions: Tre’Shawn Thurman, Corey Henson, Jazz Johnson, Nisre’ Zouzoua, Trey Porter, Jordan Brown

Key Subtractions: Kendall Stevens, Josh Hall

Why They Are Ranked Here: Transfers. Eric Musselman has built a program by acquiring transfers who have bought into his culture. Caleb and Cody Martin along with Jordan Caroline are the stars who will lead the fast paced Wolfpack. Nevada also happens to add five more transfers who all averaged over 13 PPG at their previous schools, and a McDonald’s All-American in Jordan Brown. Nevada could have a 10 man rotation and run teams to death. The Wolfpack are legitimate threats to win it all.

8. North Carolina Tar Heels

Key Additions: Nassir Little, Colby White

Key Subtractions: Joel Berry, Theo Pinson, Jalek Felton

Why They Are Ranked Here: Luke Maye is a walking double-double with intriguing pieces around him. Little and White appear ready to contribute right away as freshman. Cam Johnson and Kenny Williams should be consistent scoring options. If guys like Seventh Woods, Sterling Manley, and Garrison Brooks can emerge, UNC will be right there.

9. Villanova Wildcats

Key Additions: Jahvon Quinerly, Cole Swider, Brandon Slater, Joe Cremo

Key Subtractions: Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Omari Spellman, Mikal Bridges

Why They Are Ranked Here: Jay Wright is finally faced with a rebuild. That isn’t so difficult when you have the culture in place with champions Eric Pascall and Phil Booth, plus three top 50 recruits. Albany transfer Joe Cremo will contribute right away and Connor Gillespie could breakout. Villanova isn’t going anywhere.

10. Kansas State Wildcats

Key Additions: Shaun Williams, Austin Trice

Key Subtractions: Amaad Wainright

Why They Are Ranked Here: Bruce Webber has all his starters back from his surprise Elite 8 team. The most frightening part for opponents? The WIldcats tore through the tournament without their best player, now senior Dean Wade. Barry Brown can score in a heartbeat and Xavier Snead showed an ability to handle a load during Wade’s absence. Another offseason of chemistry and development is dangerous for a team that grinds you out defensively and spreads it around on offense.


Picture
Bubble:

Oklahoma State
USC
Wichita State
Baylor
Arizona State
Seton Hall
Penn State

Conference Breakdown:

Big 10: 7
Big 12: 7
ACC: 11
Pac 12: 4
SEC: 6
Big East: 6
American: 2

​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All
    Adam Bressler
    Business
    Football
    Golf
    Jared Greenspan
    Joshua Tenzer
    Lacrosse
    Media
    Michigan Football
    MLB
    NBA
    NCAA Basketball
    NCAA Football
    NFL
    NHL
    Power Rankings
    Softball
    William Gregory
    XFL

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo from Mike Sinko