PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 20: RG Melendez #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs into a dunk during the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The basket was waved when Melendez was called in for a technical foul for hanging over the edge. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
The college basketball season is scheduled to begin on Monday. North Carolina and Gonzaga top the top 25 pre-season rankings by FanSided.
After waiting for nearly seven months, college basketball is back. The 2022-23 campaign kicks off Monday as Kansas looks to defend its national championship while North Carolina, Gonzaga and Houston load teams looking to cut the net next April.
The The first polls of this season So it’s time for FanSided’s Top 25 Pre-Season release. Let’s break down the top 25 country teams entering the campaign from the bottom up.
College Basketball Rankings: Top 25 Preparation by Fans
25. UConn Huskies
Head coach Dan Hurley has imported two intriguing crossovers under guard as Tristin Newton and Nahim Allen look to add some serious firepower to the backcourt. UConn will also be looking to take a big leap forward from striker Jordan Hawkins, who was a spark off the bench last season and will now have an expanded role as a sophomore.
The most popular name for Huskies fans is Big Man Adama Sanogo, who is the first contestant for this year’s Big East Player of the Year awards. Sanogo is UConn’s biggest low-level threat and his health will be key to their chances of a deep rally in March.
24. Illinois Fighting Illini
Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo may be gone but coach Brad Underwood has used the transfer window very effectively to bolster his squad. Seniors Terrence Shannon and Matthew Mayer bring a lot of experience from their time in Big 12, allowing them to serve as leaders on a younger team.
Fighting Illini also has an exciting guard spot in freshman Skyy Clark, who was originally committed to Kentucky before moving to Illinois late in the process. The highest return is RJ Melendez, who could become one of the best bowlers in the Big Ten.
23. Dayton Flyers
Arguably the most egregious thing in the 2022 NCAA Championship, Dayton is on a mission to prove their affiliation with Field 68 this season. Anthony Grant brings back his top seven scorers from last year, giving the Flyers tremendous experience in the world of college basketball that rewards them in spades.
Dayton’s five starting bet is topped by second-year guard Malachi Smith, a star in the making, and second-year striker Daron Holmes. The A-10 will be a challenge this season, but the Flyers should be a favorite thanks to their combination of talent and experience.
22. Oregon Ducks
It has been an uncharacteristically low year for Ducks, who faltered after a strong start to a non-conference season and missed the NCAA Championship. Head coach Dana Altman managed to win 20 games and climbed to the transfer window to gain some veteran weight, adding Jermaine Quesnard and Quincy Gerrier to bolster the starting lineup.
The Ducks will also have superstar Will Richardson once again in NCAA Championship glory. A true sniper, Richardson will be the public speaker for the seasoned Oregon team that must start four seniors.
21. Virginia Cavaliers
Like Oregon, Virginia struggled all season and ended up missing the NCAA Championship for the first time since 2013 (except for the canceled tournament from 2020). There’s reason to be optimistic with the Cavaliers this season, starting with the return of young Keihe Clark, who was a member of the Virginia National Championship team as a freshman.
Clark is the experienced Virginia team captain with all five prospective starters on the roster last season. Young teammate Rhys Beckman is poised to take on a bigger role in attack, and coach Tony Bennett’s patented linebacker is ready to give the rest of the ACC bouts.
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