A much-improved Joel Berry II leads the way for North Carolina (Getty)
10. Indiana
Record: 7-1
The Hoosiers have just one loss thus far, a three-point overtime loss at Fort Wayne scheduled to get junior guard James Blackmon Jr. a game close to his hometown of Marion, Indiana. Other than that it’s been smooth sailing for Tom Crean’s team, which has wins over Kansas and North Carolina to its credit. Faced with the question of how they would account for the graduation of point guard Yogi Ferrell, the position’s been filled by committee. Blackmon, Josh Newkirk and Robert Johnson are all getting opportunities to initiate things offensively, and they’ve been good thus far.
In the front court OG Anunoby’s currently out with an ankle injury, but while on the floor he’s shown the athleticism and skills that have made his name a popular one amongst NBA Draft types. And in sophomore Thomas Bryant the Hoosiers have a big man who can get them a basket in the post when needed, and he can also step away from the basket to help the team in ball-screen situations. Also of note is that Indiana, which was much-maligned for its defensive effort early last season, has continued to make strides on that end of the floor. We know the Hoosiers can score; if they can continue to grow defensively that could be what propels them to another Big Ten title.
9. Creighton
Record: 8-0
After missing out on the NCAA tournament in each of the last two seasons, the Creighton Bluejays entered this season with a roster that many felt was ready to not only compete in the Big East but excel. So far, so good for Greg McDermott’s team, which is off to an 8-0 start with wins over Wisconsin and NC State to its credit. Kansas State transfer Marcus Foster has been as good as advertised alongside Maurice Watson Jr. in the backcourt, and in the front court redshirt freshman Justin Patton and fifth-year senior Cole Huff have led the way. One must not overlook guard Khyri Thomas either, as he’s second on the team in both points and assists through eight games. Creighton takes care of the basketball and doesn’t settle offensively, which is why they’re ranked ninth in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom.com. But if they’re to make a run at Villanova in the Big East, the Bluejays will need to continue to grow defensively.
8. Gonzaga
Record: 8-0
With a combination of talented newcomers and returnees, the Bulldogs have the look of a group that, when it’s all said an done could go down as Mark Few’s best team. While Washington transfer Nigel Williams-Goss has been a major addition to the perimeter rotation, his arrival hasn’t overshadowed the presence of Josh Perkins. Perkins is leading the Bulldogs in scoring with 13.1 points per night, and the two have worked well together with Williams-Goss second on the team at 12.5 ppg. In total Gonzaga has five double-digit scorers, which included senior center Przemek Karnowski and forwards Zach Collins and Jonathan Williams. Add in freshman Killian Tillie (Collins is also a freshman), and the quartet Gonzaga can call upon in the post is as good as any in the country.
They also added grad transfer Jordan Mathews, who provides quality perimeter shooting, and the combination of depth and talent puts Gonzaga in the conversation for being at minimum the best team out west (UCLA being the other option right now). With wins over Florida, Iowa State and Arizona to their credit, Gonzaga’s got an early résumé that should help them seeding-wise come Selection Sunday.
7. Kentucky
Record: 7-1
Ranked in the top ten in both adjusted offensive (sixth) and defensive (fourth) efficiency, John Calipari’s Wildcats have been very good this season. But in their 97-92 home loss to UCLA Saturday, ending a 42-game home win streak at Rupp Arena, the perimeter shooting issue some swore wouldn’t be a problem was just that. Kentucky shot 8-for-24 from three on the afternoon, with Malik Monk (4-for-8) and Derek Willis (2-for-4) responsible for six of those makes. Isaiah Briscoe may have become a more willing perimeter shooter during the offseason, but he’s shooting just 21 percent from three this season.
In most games Kentucky will be able to use its athleticism to overwhelm opponents, getting out in passing lanes and forcing odd-man situations where they can score in the open court as opposed to having to do so in the half-court. But in games where they can’t, as was the case Saturday against a very good UCLA team that despite committing 18 turnovers refused to be rattled, what will Kentucky’s counter be? There’s no need to panic over Saturday’s loss, especially given how young Kentucky is with Monk, De’Aaron Fox, Wenyen Gabriel and Bam Adebayo all getting major minutes as freshmen. But Saturday’s loss brought to the forefront some key questions that need to be addressed, which is exactly why coaches play games of that magnitude during the non-conference portion of their schedules.
6. North Carolina
Record: 8-1
Roy Williams’ Tar Heels won their first seven games before losing 76-67 at Indiana Wednesday night, and through nine games this group has shown itself to have the one ingredient last year’s national runners-up lacked. That would be consistent perimeter shooting. Marcus Paige was the man in that department in each of his final two seasons in Chapel Hill, with the question being who else would show themselves to be a credible threat from deep. Kenny Williams (50.0 percent) and Joel Berry II (41.9) have both done well in this area through nine games, and Justin Jackson has the potential to be better than a 34.9 percent shooter.
That isn’t to say that Carolina doesn’t miss Paige; even with Berry playing as well as he has thus far, that’s a major loss (as was forward Brice Johnson). But the added experience has helped the likes of Berry and big men Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks, making UNC a threat to once again play deep into the NCAA tournament. They’re also ranked fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom.com, and even though the competition will get even tougher in ACC play that’s something the Tar Heels can build upon moving forward.
Click on the “next page” graphic below for teams 5-1