Thomas Bryant was one of two unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team selections last season (Getty)
15. Arizona
The preseason has been incredibly tough on the Wildcats, beginning with five-star guard Terrance Ferguson’s decision to turn pro and play in Australia for a season instead of join Sean Miller’s program. Then there was the eligibility questions surrounding guard Allonzo Trier, who sat out both exhibition games and isn’t expected to play in the season opener against Michigan State, and the suspension of forward Chance Comanche. Add to that ACL tears suffered by Talbot Denny and Ray Smith (his third ACL tear in as many years, Smith has retired from the sport), and Arizona doesn’t have much room for error. What they do have is talent, with freshmen Lauri Markkanen, Rawle Alkins and Kobi Simmons joining the likes of Dusan Ristic (7.1 ppg, 3.8 apg), Kadeem Allen (8.4 ppg, 3.6 apg), and Parker Jackson-Cartwright (5.2 ppg, 3.4 apg) in the rotation. Are the Oregon’s biggest threat in the Pac-12? That’s certainly possible, but Arizona will need good fortune when it comes to injuries in order to make that happen.
14. Indiana
The Hoosiers do have some key personnel losses to account for, most notably point guard Yogi Ferrell with wing Troy Williams moving on as well. But Tom Crean won’t lack for talent from which to choose this season, with guard James Blackmon Jr. (15.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), center Thomas Bryant (11.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and forward O.G. Anunoby (4.9 ppg) about those expected to lead the way. Crean and his staff have done a good job with player development, one reason why NBA scouts are so high on Anunoby. The question for Indiana is how they handle Ferrell’s graduation, with Pitt transfer Josh Newkirk the likely choice to start the season at the point. With the top of the Big Ten boasting multiple teams capable of winning the league, Indiana will be right in the mix all season long.
13. Purdue
A 26-win season came to a screeching halt in the first round of the NCAA tournament, where turnovers and shaky point guard play resulted in the Boilermakers being eliminated by Little Rock in overtime. And with that Purdue head coach Matt Painter had to account for the departure of two of the nation’s best defenders in Rapheal Davis and A.J. Hammons. Purdue has options, with Vince Edwards (11.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Caleb Swanigan (10.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and Isaac Haas (9.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg) forming one of the best front courts in the country, and players such as P.J. Thompson (5.7 ppg, 2.7 apg), Dakota Mathias (5.3 ppg) and grad student Spike Albrecht will contribute on the perimeter. The play of Thompson, Albrecht and freshman Carsen Edwards will be key for this group, because with consistent play at the point Purdue could potentially go a long way come March.
12. Gonzaga
Leading scorers Kyle Wiltjer, Domantas Sabonis and Eric McClellan have moved on from a team that won the WCC regular season and tournament titles and reached the Sweet 16, but head coach Mark Few has a roster that’s loaded. The much-maligned guards that improved throughout the course of WCC play, including Josh Perkins (10.1 ppg, 4.1 apg) and Silas Melson (6.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg), have an added year of experience under their belts and reinforcements have arrived as well. Two Pac-12 transfers, Nigel Williams-Goss (Washington) and Jordan Mathews (California) will figure prominently in the perimeter rotation, and freshman Zach Norvell Jr. is a very good perimeter shooter. Inside the Bulldogs welcome back 7-footer Przemek Karnowski, who missed all but five games last season with a back injury, and he’ll be joined by quality transfers (Jonathan Williams III by way of Missouri and Jeremy Jones by way of Rice) and talented newcomers (Zach Collins, Killian Tillie and Rui Hachimura) alike.
11. Xavier
Speaking of key front court departures, the Musketeers also have some holes to fill with Jalen Reynolds and James Farr now playing playing professionally. But the cupboard isn’t bare, with Norfolk State transfer RaShid Gaston eligible after sitting out last season, and 6-foot-8 sophomore Kaiser Gates and 6-foot-10 forward/center Sean O’Mara in the mix as well. The perimeter is where the Musketeers’ strength lies, with Edmond Sumner (11.0 ppg, 3.6 apg) once again running the point with J.P. Macura (9.4 ppg) and the versatile Trevon Bluiett (15.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg) on the wings. Xavier has a talented four-player freshman class that will battle for minutes, and there’s also the possibility of suspended senior guard Myles Davis returning if he gets back on track away from the court. Adding Davis would be a bonus for Xavier, but it wouldn’t be a crippling blow if he can’t do what needs to be done to ensure a return to the court.
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