At the onset, Tom Izzo has a little of everything on this season’s Michigan State roster. MSU has College Basketball odds experience, elite guards, and depth. Also, the Spartans have explosiveness in the form of talented newcomers. Tyson Walker and Malik Hall opted to take advantage of their extra year of eligibility.
In comparison, A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins decided to return to East Lansing. Instead of turning pro. And Izzo is adding a high-level recruiting class that includes top-30 recruits Xavier Booker, Jeremy Fears, and Coen Carr.
UConn Has Enough for a Repeat
On the whole, the reigning national champion Connecticut Huskies are entering the season with expectations of another deep NCAA tournament sportsbook run. Despite losing Adama Sanogo, Andre Jackson Jr., Jordan Hawkins, and others. Donovan Clingan should recover from his foot injury in time for the season. At the same time, Alex Karaban and Tristen Newton are back as starters.
Head coach Dan Hurley also brings in a top-five recruiting class led by Stephon Castle. Furthermore, the addition of Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer provides big-time shooting ability.
Sampson’s Houston Cougars Due for Breakthrough
Houston’s transition from the AAC to the Big 12 might be the biggest question mark for Kelvin Sampson’s team this season. AAC football teams in that situation have not fared well. Still, there are very few holes on the roster.
Sampson replaced Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark with transfers LJ Cryer and Damian Dunn. And then double-figure scorers Jamal Shead and J’Wan Roberts are both back. The key is that Emanuel Sharp or Terrance Arceneaux become a reliable wing scorer. In addition to Houston continuing its dominant rebounding and defense.
A Golden Season for Marquette Beckons
At the beginning of the NCAABB betting offseason, it looked like Shaka Smart could run his entire team back for another season. But Olivier-Maxence Prosper blew away scouts, and NBA teams at the draft combine. Hence, he opted to stay in the draft rather than return to the Golden Eagles. Every other key player is back, though. Including All-American Tyler Kolek and three other starters. In addition to sixth man David Joplin. Joplin should slot right into the lineup for Prosper.
Big Orange Set for Big Year
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes entered the offseason knowing his team needed to improve on the offensive end. Previously an elite defensive team for the past three years, the Volunteers were too often let down by scoring droughts. So Barnes brought in Dalton Knecht (Northern Colorado) and Jordan Gainey (South Carolina Upstate) to boost the perimeter shooting and scoring.
At the same time, the early buzz about freshman Freddie Dilione is hugely positive. All-SEC guard Santiago Vescovi and veteran starter Josiah-Jordan James are both back. But Zakai Zeigler’s health and availability will be the key.
Blue Jays Set to Fly High
It was an up-and-down offseason for Greg McDermott, who lost starters Ryan Nembhard and Arthur Kaluma to the transfer portal but convinced Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, and Ryan Kalkbrenner to withdraw their names from the NBA draft and return to Omaha. Then there’s Utah State transfer Steven Ashworth, who should fill Nembhard’s shoes. Mason Miller and Virginia transfer Isaac Traudt should help offset Kaluma’s departure.
Tom Izzo will be a sentimental public choice to lead Michigan State to a big year.