Just like the rest of the world of sports, men’s college basketball is still undergoing change thanks to COVID-19. Usually, games start in early November, but now the season will start around Thanksgiving. The number of non-conference games is inconsistent, particularly involving “buy” games for mid-major and low-major conference schools, which will make it more difficult for them to get the quality games they would need to make a case to enter the 68-team tournament in March.
Let’s take a look at some of the top early contenders as you plan your college basketball betting for the winter.
NCAA News: Early College Basketball Predictions
Gonzaga returns with a loaded roster, especially after Joel Ayai and Corey Kispert withdrew from the draft and came back to school. Kispert is the top player in the West Coast Conference, and Jalen Suggs is the top recruit, on the nation’s top 10 prospect list according to ESPN. Drew Timme and Anton Watson are ready to bang inside. Can Gonzaga finally overcome the handicap of playing almost three months of mostly non-competitive basketball in their conference before entering March Madness and win a title?
Villanova looks to return to the game’s elite after a year in the wilderness. Collin Gillespie should appear on All-America rosters before the season starts. Jermaine Samuels and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored in double figures each game last year, and they’ll be even better. Bryan Antoine was a blue-chip recruit who missed a lot of time with injuries last year, and if he has recovered, he should be terrific. Caleb Daniels has transferred from Tulane, and he can pour the points in as well.
Virginia led the nation in fewest points permitted with 52.4 a year ago, and they also were second in field goal percentage defense (36.9%). Sam Hauser transferred in from Marquette, where he scored 15 points per game in his last season. Jay Huff is a terrific big man, and Kihei Clark is a shutdown perimeter defender and a spectacular passer.
Wisconsin finished in a tie for the regular-season title in the Big Ten last year and brings back tons of experience. Nate Reuvers is a solid scorer in the paint, putting up 13 a game. Micah Potter, Aleem Ford, D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison round out the starting five, which could push through a tough Big Ten to emerge atop the conference.
Kansas has the best defender in the nation in Marcus Garrett. Ochai Agbaji has established himself as a scorer, and he’ll have more of the offense on his shoulders this season. Recruit Bryce Thompson should add plenty to the stat sheets. Can Kansas fend off Baylor in the Big 12?
Michigan State looks to put the controversies of the past off-season behind them and win. Cassius Winston is gone, but Rocket Watts should be ready to lead the Spartan attack. Aaron Henry pulled out of the draft and will be expected to contribute on offense. Joey Hauser transferred in from Marquette and should score in double figures.
Texas Tech has reloaded off the transfer portal. Mac McClung came in from Georgetown, and if the NCAA grants him eligibility, he could post huge numbers. Marcus Santos-Silva transferred from VCU and could average a double-double. Jamarius Burton transferred from Wichita State and was granted a waiver, so he can play from day one. Joel Ntambwe was a double-figure scorer for Nevada-Las Vegas. Getting all of these players to form chemistry will be coach Chris Beard’s biggest challenge.
Tennessee brings back John Fulkerson in the middle, one of the top players in the SEC. E.J. Anosike was one of the best rebounders in the nation at Sacred Heart and has transferred in. Yves Pons scored in double figures last year for the Vols and pulled out of the draft to return. The Volunteers will push Kentucky hard in the SEC this year.
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