MSU Will Rule the Big 10 Look for familiar names to dominate college basketball this year
MSU Will Rule the Big 10 Look for familiar names to dominate college basketball this year
By Matthew McKay Chieftain Staff
Big 10 Top teams : No . 2 Michigan State , No . 15 Minnesota , No . 19 Northwestern , Michigan Outlook : This is Michigan State ’ s conference to lose . With returning Sophomores Miles Bridges , Nick Ward , Joshua Langford , and Cassius Winston and Freshmen Xavier Tillman and Jaren Jackson Jr ., expect them to make noise in March . With a backcourt of Nate Mason and Isaiah “ Jelly Fam ” Washington , Minnesota looks strong . Northwestern will be back strong and build on its first tournament win in program history . Although it is not returning three out of the four top scorers last season , Michigan could make another Cinderella run behind four-star Freshmen , Jordan Poole and Isaiah Livers . MVP : Bridges Top Freshman : Washington
Atlantic Coast Conference Top teams : No . 1 Duke , No . 9 North Carolina , No . 14 Notre Dame , No . 16 Louisville Outlook : The ACC has the potential to send the most teams to the tournament in March . Duke ’ s outstanding recruiting class , led by Marvin Bagley III and Trevon Duval , combined with Senior Grayson Allen , will make the Blue Devils a force . North Carolina will rely more on the leadership of Senior Joel Berry II and Coach Roy Williams . Notre Dame will be back with Seniors Bonzie Colson ( 17.8 ppg , 10.1 rpg , and 1.4 bpg ) and and Matt Farrell . Without longtime coach Rick Pitino , Louisville will have some growing pains , but the Cardinals will be prepared for the Madness behind Freshman Brian Bowen . MVP : Colson Top Freshman : Duval
Southeastern Conference Top teams : No . 5 Kentucky , No . 8
Florida , Missouri Outlook : The SEC could very likely feature two No . 1 overall draft picks in three years : LSU ’ s Ben Simmons in 2016 and Michael Porter , Jr . of Missouri next
Miles Bridges ( Michigan State ) dunks against Rutgers
Michael Porter , Jr . ( Missouri )
summer . Initially , Porter was going to play at Washington but decided to join his dad and brother , Jontay , at Missouri . The Porter brothers aren ’ t alone , as they also acquired Jeremiah Tilmon . Although Missouri ’ s 2017 recruiting class was fourth in the nation , it was second in the SEC . Kentucky has an unprecedented six five-star recruits , a lot even for John Calipari . Still , College Basketball Power Index gives Florida the best chances of winning the SEC . MVP : Yante Maten , Georgia Top Freshman : Porter
Pac-12 Top teams : No . 3 Arizona , No . 10 USC , No . 21 UCLA Outlook : Watch out for Arizona and their 7-foot Freshman Deandre Ayton , who will provide a scary duo alongside Ayton and Allonzo Trier . Chimezie Metu and De ’ Anthony Melton will lead USC , which opens the season with its highest preseason ranking since 1974 . UCLA has another stacked Freshman class . Freshman Li ’ Angelo Ball is by no means as good as his older brother , Lonzo , but combine him with Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes , and UCLA will be a fun team to watch . MVP : Reid Travis , Stanford Top Freshman : Ayton
Big East Top teams : No . 6 Villanova , No . 17 Xavier , Georgetown Outlook : After a disappointing second-round exit in the tournament , Villanova will return to glory behind F Jermaine Samuels and G Jalen Brunson . Xavier ’ s well-rounded team will be highlighted by Trevon Bluiett and Paul Scruggs . Georgetown , with new head coach Patrick Ewing and Freshman standout Jarmarko Pickett , is rebuilding but the potential is already there . MVP : Angel Delgado , Seton Hall Top Freshman : Pickett
Big 12 Top teams : No . 4 Kansas , No . 11 West Virginia , Texas Outlook : With an outstanding recruiting class of Mohamed Bamba , Matt Coleman , and Jericho Sims , Texas is going to turn some heads in a conference usually dominated by Kansas . Speaking of Kansas , they are recovering from losing Frank Manson and Josh Jackson , but Billy Preston and Devonte ’ Graham will fill in their roles nicely . West Virginia , a . k . a . “ Press Virginia ,” will heavily depend on the duo Jevon Carter and Esa Ahmad and their great team defense . MVP : Carter Top Freshman : Bamba
Mid-Majors to Watch Wichita State , Oakland University , Middle Tennessee State
BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL CHIEFTAIN PAGE 7 NOVEMBER 2017