With the NCAA regular season beginning this past weekend, four of the top five teams will compete in the Champion’s Classic in Chicago this Tuesday night as Duke plays Michigan State and Kansas battles Kentucky. All four teams are top contenders to win the big dance and I am beyond anxious to see them go at it with one another. So lets quit dicking around, get down to business, and list these four teams (and Arizona, spoiler alert) for my top five men’s college basketball teams for the 2017-2018 season.
1. Duke Blue Devils
I want to throw up listing them at #1, but I have to give credit where credit is due. Coach K has leadership in returning senior Grayson Allen and has reloaded the Blue Devils with potential first round NBA talent, including Marvin Bagley III, who is an absolute monster. The 6’11” freshman is a dominant force no matter where he is at on the court. Shit, the guy was the #1 recruit for the 2017 season, and after watching Duke’s first two games, I can see why. Even though the Blue Devils have played smaller, no-name teams, Bagley has averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds per game. Coach K has had numerous incredible teams over his 37 year career at Duke, but this team, on paper and through the first two games, has the potential to be one of the best. God, I hate it so much.
2. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans are favorites to win out the Big 10, and with experience on their side, they have a very good chance of winning it all April 2nd in San Antonio. Sophomore guard Miles Bridges returns, who averaged 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game last season. Oh, the kid also shot 48.6% last season, he’s an all around beast that will be the leader this team needs. They also have two seniors returning who sat out last season due to injuries and several big men who can get it done down low. Also, it’s Tom Izzo’s team, never count them out.
3. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona has some incredible players coming into the 2017-2018 season. They have the #3 top overall recruit, who is also the #1 center, Deandre Ayton ready to dominate the college basketball world. The 7-foot freshman had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and three swats in his opening game. With his 7’6” wingspan, I would bet a pretty penny that those numbers will increase throughout the season. The Wildcats are going to have some trouble in the PAC 12 with USC and UCLA (well maybe not now that LiAss Ball, and two other teammates got caught shoplifting in China, good luck with that), but should come out on top with the talent they have returning and recruited in the off season.
4. Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self has an all around team combined of a few athletic freshman and several experienced upperclassman, which he thrives on. In the past, Self has relied on building players throughout their college careers, evolving them into incredible leaders to get them to the top (Frank Mason). He will continue to do that this season leaning heavily on junior Lagerald Vick and seniors Devonte’ Graham and Sviatoslav Mykhailuik (don’t ask me to pronounce that, because I will butcher it) to lead the way. They will need big men Billy Preston, a 6’10” freshman, and Udoka Azubuike, a 7’0”, 200 and fu****g 80 pound sophomore, to be dominant forces down low and smack back any balls that come their way. If they can succeed at that, Self will succeed at bringing the trophy back to Allen Fieldhouse.
5. Kentucky Wildcats
I bleed blue and wish I could put the Cats at number one, but I have to be honest with myself, this team is not number one material. 12 out of the 14 players on the roster are underclassmen, extremely talented, but still very young. Coach Cal is used to having young teams but he lost 96% of his scoring from last season. The only returning player with somewhat legitimate experience is sophomore Wenyen Gabriel who only averaged 4.6 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Why in the hell would he put this team at number 5 with all this inexperience?” I get it. But, i’m going to need you to quit being stupid and just continue reading because here comes the good stuff.
This offseason Cal did what Cal does best, which is recruit the shit out of the best players in the country. Cal landed six incredible five-star recruits and two very talented four-star recruits. Five of these young studs are in the top 25 of ESPN’s top 100 players. Cal is not only an incredible recruiter, but also an incredible coach. He motivates the players to not only believe in themselves, but also the team as a whole. That results in excellent team chemistry and a bond that will stick with these guys forever.
This team will have their ups and downs, as shown in their first two games where they let Utah Valley (a team Duke demolished the next day) and Vermont stay within striking distance throughout both games. But, come SEC tourney and March Madness, UK will be one of the top teams predicted to win it all. I know I will have them as the champions in my bracket no matter what.
Wes Calhoun covers the NBA and NCAA basketball for The SoBros Network. He drinks beer and bourbon while cursing at the TV watching games which will most likely lead to a heart attack. Go Cats! Follow on Twitter: @WesCalhoun1229
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