College Basketball Rankings
The NCAA Men’s Basketball Season is upon us and so are the college basketball rankings. 2017-18 will be a critical season for the association. After an offseason mired in scandal and controversy, the NCAA needs to find a silver lining to cut through those dark clouds of negative news. Basically, it needs a magical season like no other. Players, fans, and coaches need to exude a glowing love for the game, and that love and passion needs to be manifested on the court.
With Louisville sacking coach Rick Pitino after his coming under investigation by the F.B.I. over charges of fraud and corruption, it will be a different college basketball landscape for sure. They will also be without All American Brian Bowen, who has been suspended by the school.
So what do we have to look forward to?
The preseason College Basketball Rankings are in. Head and shoulders ahead of the pack is Duke Basketball. The team is not only showcasing a veteran talent in Grayson Allen, who now has another year of maturity under his belt, but they got a huge infusion of young talent in Marvin Bagley III. The 5-star prospect reclassified for the class of 2017 and committed to Duke back in August. With talent, depth, and a seasoned basketball program led by coach Mike Krzyzewski, Duke is poised to top NCAA basketball predictions to come away with another title. In fact, Duke are 4/1 favorites to win it all this year.
The Duke Blue Devils are not runaway favorites though. The Michigan State Spartans are bringing to the table some solid depth and experience of their own. They may not have a 5-star haul like Bagley III, but boast of an improving Miles Bridges. He will be supported by talented scorers Nick Ward and Josh Langford. Coach Tom Izzo will have a wide array of weapons at his disposal.
The Arizona Wildcats are also in the discussion. They, however, have the disadvantage of missing star Rawle Atkins (broken foot) to begin the season. The sophomore guard is expected to be fully healed and ready to make an impact in time for the key games in March. The Wildcats have enough returning talent to get them to the brackets. Once they are there in full force, they will be a dangerous opponent to contend with.
Rounding out the top 10 schools in the college basketball rankings are Kansas, Wichita State, USC, Kentucky, Villanova, Cincinnati, and Minnesota.
While predictions, college basketball rankings, and NCAA betting odds can be laid out on a velvet carpet as early as now, come March Madness mad runs, unlikely upsets, and amazing surprises are sure to shake up the NCAA Tournament brackets. The point is, fans will have November to usher in another season of college hoops. It’s about the ride, the journey, and hopefully, NCAA Season 94 will be one to remember for the right reasons.