Villanova’s Josh Hart is on the short list of the best players in college basketball (Getty)
5. Duke
Record: 8-1
Even with their injury issues, the Blue Devils are three points away from being undefeated as a result of their two-point loss to Kansas in the Champions Classic. Five-star freshmen Marques Bolden and Jayson Tatum made their regular season debuts on Saturday, and fellow freshman Harry Giles is still out of the lineup due to injury. But thanks to players such as junior guard Grayson Allen and senior forward Amile Jefferson, Mike Krzyzewski’s team continues to rate among the best in the country.
And Duke also has one of the nation’s most improved players in sophomore guard Luke Kennard, who’s averaging a team-best 19.4 points per game while also accounting for 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists. With Tatum out Kennard took full advantage of the opportunity, which is why Duke’s play has not slipped while other teams have struggled to account for personnel losses. When everyone’s healthy and accounted for, Duke will return to the perch of favorites to win the national title. But as they’ve shown through their first nine games, the Blue Devils aren’t to be overlooked if they’re without a couple players, either.
4. Kansas
Record: 7-1
The backcourt has led the way for Kansas thus far, with senior Frank Mason II and junior Devonté Graham being two of the nation’s best. Add in highly regarded freshman Josh Jackson and improved sophomore LaGerald Vick, and Kansas’ has a perimeter quartet that gives opponents fits. All four of those players are averaging at least 10.4 points per game, with another wing in junior in Svi Mykhailiuk not far off at 9.6 points per night. The question for Kansas is who will step forward to provide consistent production in the post. And that doesn’t necessarily mean scoring either. Carlton Bragg Jr., Landen Lucas and freshman Udoka Azubuike are the three competing for quality minutes in the paint, with head coach Bill Self expressing his disappointment in the post play following their win over Long Beach State last week. In Kansas’ 89-74 win over Stanford Saturday, that trio combined to score 19 points and grab 15 rebounds. They’ll all need to be productive rebounders and defenders if Kansas is to make a run at its second national title under Self.
3. UCLA
Record: 9-0
After a bad 2015-16 season the Bruins look to be well on their way to redemption, as they’re off to a 9-0 start following Saturday’s win at then-No. 1 Kentucky. Freshman point guard Lonzo Ball didn’t have his best game, committing eight turnovers, but he was a much better player in the second half and others stepped forward as well. Fellow freshmen T.J. Leaf (17 points, 13 rebounds, five assists) and Ike Anigbogu (six points, six rebounds, two blocks) played well in the front court with Thomas Welsh in foul trouble, and guards Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton and Aaron Holiday all stepped forward as well. The end result was not only UCLA beating a top-ranked Kentucky squad for a second consecutive season, but also announcing their return to the national scene.
With a player like Ball, for as impressive as his assist numbers can be at times you can’t just look at the numbers. Last season UCLA, for all its individual offensive talents, lacked cohesion and more often that not guys would shoot because of the fear that it may be awhile before they get their next opportunity. No such issues this season, with 67.3 percent of the Bruins’ made field goals being assisted (54.9 percent last season) and the team playing at the tenth-fastest adjusted tempo in the country per KenPom.com. The question now is how this group will deal with success and praise, because if done right UCLA can go a long way.
2. Baylor
Record: 8-0
With three wins over teams ranked in the Top 10, Baylor has a good argument that it should be ranked atop any power rankings or polls that you may find. Ranked in the top 15 nationally in both adjusted offensive (14th) and defensive (12th) efficiency, Scott Drew’s Bears currently have the best overall résumé of any team in college basketball. Forward Johnathan Motley continues to make strides in his game, leading the Bears in scoring and rebounding with averages of 16.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Fellow big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. has made his presence known as well, blocking more than four shots per game in the middle of Baylor’s active matchup zone.
And on the perimeter Miami transfer Manu Lecomte has been the best transfer in the country, grabbing the reins at the point and showing himself to be capable as both a scorer and a distributor. Players such as guard Al Freeman, forward Terry Maston and guard/forward (and team leader) Ishmail Wainright have also chipped in, resulting in Baylor having the look of a team capable of ending Kansas’ 12-year run as Big 12 regular season champions. And even if Baylor can’t do that, their work in non-conference play puts them in good position for a high seed come Selection Sunday.
1. Villanova
Record: 8-0
The reigning national champions take the top spot, as they’re off to an 8-0 start that includes a win at Purdue. Jay Wright’s Wildcats, who were faced with the question of how they’d account for the losses of Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu, really haven’t missed a beat and that’s due to their senior class. Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins and Darryl Reynolds are the team leaders, with Hart being a skilled wing who will be in national player of the year conversations all season long. Add in sophomore point guard Jalen Brunson, junior wing Mikal Bridges and reserves Eric Paschall and Donte DiVincenzo and you’ve got a rotation that lacks neither talent nor toughness. The one issue right now is the health of guard Phil Booth, who’s missed the last five games due to tendinitis in his right knee. Ranked in the top ten in both adjusted offensive (2nd) and defensive (9th) efficiency, Villanova should be a fixture at or near the top of the polls all season long.
