The men’s college basketball offseason is less than a month before its finish line, and rosters have settled, giving ESPN’s Jeff Borzello time to roll out his final preseason rankings.
The Big 12 is well-represented, with six teams in the top 25 and the Arizona Wildcats right in the mix for what’s again expected to be a compelling hoops conference.
Arizona comes in at No. 13 in Borzello’s preseason rankings, and it’s clear that fresh faces will have a strong say in whether the Wildcats can meet the expectations. Writes Borzello:
Other than Duke, Arizona might be relying on freshmen more than any other team in the top 15. Tommy Lloyd could start two incoming recruits in Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, both of whom are physically ready for the college game and shouldn’t be unfamiliar with high-usage roles. Jaden Bradley will likely shoulder more offensive responsibility at the point guard spot. Things to monitor are shooting (freshman Dwayne Aristode will be key) and who starts at center (Tobe Awaka or Motiejus Krivas).
Projected starting lineup
Jaden Bradley (12.1 PPG)
Brayden Burries (No. 12 in ESPN 100)
Anthony Dell’Orso (7.2 PPG)
Koa Peat (No. 10 in ESPN 100)
Tobe Awaka (8.0 PPG)
Burries steps into a scoring guard slot vacated by the volatile Caleb Love, while Peat’s upside adds a new dynamic at power forward. They and Bradley will be leaned on from a scoring perspective.
Despite the Wildcats losing backup center Henri Veesaar to North Carolina in a mild transfer portal surprise, the Awaka/Krivas duo will provide options there if Arizona does not go small with the physical Peat at the 5.
A foot injury tanked Krivas’ season before conference play last year, when Arizona made it to the Big 12 title game without arguably one of its best players. They then reached the Sweet 16, where Lloyd’s team fell victim to a Duke squad led by top NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg.
This season, there is presumably depth behind a core group of starters, but a few of Harvard transfer and backup point guard Evan Nelson, Aristode and fellow freshman Bryce James, Ivan Kharchenkov, Sidi Gueye and Mabil Mawut must find their way into rotation roles.
Familiar faces in Jeff Borzello’s preseason men’s basketball top 25
No. 5 St. John’s Red Storm — SG Joson Sanon: The former Arizona State Sun Devil will begin his sophomore season as a projected starting shooting guard on a team with four transfers in the starting lineup.
No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats — F/C Jayden Quaintance: The top-ranked recruit ever landed by ASU is not listed as a starter on a deep Kentucky Wildcats squad that comes in ranked No. 9.
No. 20 Gonzaga Bulldogs — G Adam Miller and F Tyon Grant-Foster: Arizona State’s former shooting guard, Miller, is projected to start alongside former Grand Canyon star Grant-Foster.
No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels — C Henri Veesaar: Arizona’s former big man, who flashed NBA potential last season, is predicted to start at center.
Arizona Wildcats joined by Big 12 teams in Borzello’s top 25
Houston – No. 3
BYU – No. 7
Texas Tech – No. 11
Arizona – No. 13
Iowa State – No. 15
Kansas – No. 22
from Arizona Sports https://ift.tt/HUafYQy
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