The absence of Allonzo Trier (L) hasn’t helped matters for Arizona (Getty)
25. Arizona
Record: 6-2
So, who is Arizona? That’s a tough question to answer right now thanks to a combination of injuries and the mysterious absence of Allonzo Trier from the lineup. In their loss to Gonzaga Saturday the Wildcats were without both Trier, who has yet to play this season, and starting point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (high ankle sprain). Add in forward Ray Smith, who called it a career after suffering a third torn ACL in as many years, and Sean Miller’s working with less than a full deck.
Guards Kadeem Allen and Kobi Simmons struggled in Saturday’s 69-62 loss to Gonzaga in Los Angeles, and Arizona simply does not have the depth to overcome off nights from critical players. Freshman forward Lauri Markkanen (17.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg) has lived up to the preseason hype, and Simmons, Rawle Alkins and Keanu Pinder have also chipped in as newcomers. But the longer the Trier issue hovers over Arizona, the tougher it will be to truly identify their ceiling. Can they still be a factor in the Pac-12? Yes, but given their rotation the margin for error is slim.
24. Iowa State
Record: 5-2
Steve Prohm’s Cyclones have lost their last two games by a total of three points, losing by two to Gonzaga in the title game of the AdvoCare Invitational and by one at home Cincinnati Thursday night. But the positives far outweigh the negatives for a team that lost a lot from last year’s Sweet 16 squad. Point guard Monté Morris has led the way as expected, with fellow veterans Deonte Burton, Naz Mitrou-Long and Matt Thomas all averaging at least 11.7 points per game. Iowa State doesn’t have as varied of an offensive attack this season, which is to be expected when you lose the likes of a Georges Niang or Abdel Nader, but they have been better defensively.
After ranking 99th in adjusted defensive efficiency last season, the Cyclones are currently 26th in that category according to KenPom.com. Iowa State wouldn’t be categorized as an “elite” defensive team, but the improvement on that end of the floor when it comes to forcing opponents to make tough shots and taking care of the defensive glass to end those possessions have been noticeable. Provided Burton and Merrill Holden avoid foul trouble in the front court, that improvement will help the Cyclones in a Big 12 race that outside of the favorite (Kansas) looks to be wide open.
23. Maryland
Record: 8-1
After a sophomore season in which he appeared to play at times with the weight of the world on his shoulders, point guard Melo Trimble’s averaging 19.3 points per game for Mark Turgeon’s Terrapins. While Trimble still has the ball in his hands plenty, he’s got more leeway to simply go out and make plays as a result of the talent around him. Last season there was the juggling act of getting the ball to experienced teammates who needed their touches and scoring himself, and Trimble struggled with that at times. This year, thanks in large part to the presence of freshman point guard Anthony Cowan, Trimble has been both more aggressive in finding his looks and more relaxed within Maryland’s offense (there was no such secondary ball-handler last season). Cowan’s one of three true freshmen who’ve had an immediate impact for Maryland this season, with wings Kevin Huerter and Justin Jackson both stepping forward. And given the continued struggles of veterans Jared Nickens and Dion Wiley, two players Maryland needs to get going before Big Ten play begins, it’s a good thing that Huerter and Jackson have shown themselves ready to contribute.
22. Cincinnati
Record: 7-1
Few transfers in college basketball have had the impact that Kyle Washington has on Cincinnati thus far. Washington, who began his career at NC State, leads the Bearcats in both scoring and rebounding with averages of 17.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Add in junior Gary Clark, and the Bearcats have a front court tandem that may not only be the best in the American Athletic Conference but also one of the better ones in the country. Senior point guard Troy Caupain is a very good leader for Mick Cronin’s team, and guard Jacob Evans has been much improved as a sophomore. After averaging 8.4 points per game last season, Evans is up to 15.6 points per night in just seven more minutes of action. Cincinnati’s ranked tenth in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom.com, and they’ve been better offensively to this point in the season. Whether or not the offensive improvements carry over into conference play remains to be seen, but at minimum this is a team that knows it can depend on getting stops if the situation calls for it.
21. South Carolina
Record: 8-0
Frank Martin’s Gamecocks are off to an 8-0 start, which includes a home win over Michigan and a win over Syracuse in Brooklyn. Senior Sindarius Thornwell has led the way offensively for South Carolina, but his suspension prior to the team’s win over FIU Sunday leaves a noticeable hole in the Gamecocks’ offensive attack. Duane Notice and P.J. Dozier, South Carolina’s other double-digit scorers, combined to score 47 of South Carolina’s 70 points Sunday and that will likely be the offensive “formula” for the team until Thornwell returns.
What’s also key for South Carolina: defense. They get after teams for the full 40 minutes, ranking second in the country in effective defensive field goal percentage and 28th in turnover percentage. Add in the fact that South Carolina is ranked in the top ten in both two-point (sixth) and three-point (eighth) percentage defense, and it’s easy to see why this is a top ten defense according to KenPom.com. It’s unknown how long Thornwell will be suspended for, but as long as South Carolina continues to defend as they have through eight games they’ll be fine.
Click on the “next page” graphic below for teams 20-16