We are less than 40 days away from the tip of another great College Basketball season. 362 teams, 68 head coaching changes, nearly 2,000 Division 1 transfers, and a wave of conference realignment set the stage for one of the most unpredictable and competitive seasons in recent memory. Having trouble keeping up with it all? We are here to help catch you up on some of the major storylines from the sport.
Can Incoming Superstar Freshman Cooper Flagg Live Up to the Hype and Get Duke Over the Hump?
The arrival of Cooper Flagg at Duke has generated tremendous buzz across the country. As the top-ranked recruit in the 2024 class, Flagg is expected to make an immediate impact for the Blue Devils. At 6’8”, with a rare blend of athleticism, skill, and basketball IQ, Flagg is being hailed as a generational pro-prospect. There is going to be tremendous pressure on the youngster and Head Coach Jon Scheyer to get this thing done. Although Flagg will be a focal point, he won’t be alone. Duke has the #1 recruiting class, along with a very good transfer portal haul. Regardless, this season will be defined by Flagg’s play and Scheyer’s ability to make the most of this opportunity.
Which New Coach Will Thrive Early at Their New Program?
Big names were on the move this offseason. Calipari to Arkansas, Pope to Kentucky, Dusty May to Michigan, and Pat Kelsey to Louisville top the list. All four coaches are stepping into challenging yet exciting situations, but Calipari seems to be in the best position to thrive immediately. At Arkansas, Calipari has built his roster through a strong portal (Johnell Davis, Jonas Aidoo), a couple of former players (Zvonimir Ivisic, DJ Wagner), and some 5-star high school talent (Karter Knox, Boogie Fland, Billy Richmond). That’s not to say that Pope, May, and Kelsey won’t live up to the hype. But most eyes will be on Calipari’s squad as he’s one of the more polarizing figures in the sport over the last two decades.
Kansas Bounce Back?
“For the last month, I’ve been thinking about next season, to be honest.” That was Coach Bill Self after Kansas’s Round of 32 exit from the NCAA Tournament. The depth, outside shooting, and defense were not up to Jayhawk standard and ultimately reared its face late in the year. All of those issues seem to be resolved on paper. The core of Hunter Dickinson, Dejuan Harris, and KJ Adams are back. Self brings in one of the best transfer portal classes in the nation, headlined by AJ Storr (Wisconsin), Rylan Griffen (Alabama), and Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State). There will be no excuses for Kansas fans, as this has all the makings of a dominant club.
Does the Big Ten have an Elite Team?
There are now 18 teams in the B1G, but there are major questions as to whether any team will rise to the ranks of the elite in the country. You won’t find many publications with a Big Ten school inside its Top 10 or possibly Top 15. Purdue lost Zach Edey. Michigan State lost its core from the past two years. Illinois lost their Big 3. Indiana won the portal, but there are big time concerns with fit. UCLA/Michigan have talent but lack game changers. The one thing you will be able to say about this conference is that this might be the most competitive league in the country from top to bottom. Teams like Minnesota and Washington will be picked near the bottom, but you shouldn’t be surprised if they end up in the hunt at the end of the year.