NCAA “WAY TOO EARLY” TOP 16

Well figured I would take a cue from DVG and see if I could come up with some analysis for NEXT year! I know I can’t even enjoy by title before I’m looking to next year, feel like Nick Saban sometimes!!!

So, with that being said, here is my WAY TOO EARLY TOP 16 for NCAA League. Used several data points, such as total returning roster; estimated starting lineup by current highest average; total 20+ scorers on rosters; draft value estimator; etc.

This will mainly be based off CURRENT players that are still on roster and not predicting whether they leave or not, this way when we get to that part of off-season, it can be updated and give us some talking for off-season, since college hoops literally has the LONGEST off-season of any major sport!!!!!!!!!!!!

RANK	TEAM	METRICS
1	T-N-T Youngsters	1.0
2-T	South Austin Horns	4.0
2-T	Tribe	4.0
4	Albuquerque Chickenhawks	4.8
5	Fore Sons & A Doctor	6.3
6	Independent George	7.5
7	Leathernecks	7.8
8-T	Cal Bears	8.0
8-T	The Walk Ons	8.0
10	The Ghosts of Pauley Pavilion	8.3
11	Pirate’s Raiders	9.0
12	The Prodigal Son	10.3
13	Gators	11.5
14	Hog Wild!	11.8
15	Yoder Dame Fighting Amish	13.0
16	Boeheim’s Army	14.5

Albuquerque Chickenhawks
• Front court loaded with 5 returning players at 20+fpts
• Back court needs much help with one returning player, Taran Armstrong who had sophomore slump but has potential
• Tough RS decision to make with Micah Handlogten and Baba Miller, if he keeps both one will take over 1st round draft spot
• Depending on the RS decision above, Chickenhawks will have picks in round 1,2,3,8 and 13
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Kyle Filipowski – only player I foresee leaving college early but if he returns it would make Chickenhawks a heavy favorite
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Taran Armstrong	11.4
G
F	Nelly Joseph	23.1
F	Johni Broome	22.0
C	Micah Handlogten	22.2
6TH	Kyle Filipowski	20.5

• Prediction: Top Tier which is par for the course for the Chickenhawks

Boeheim’s Army
• Only 4 current players possibly could return, however Nick Smith will definitely go pro and possibly Cam Whitmore
• Hopkins and Porter are good base to start with, but Boeheim will be very busy this coming October during draft, building a lineup
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Bryce Hopkins	22.1
G	Nick Smith	10.3
F	Jevon Porter	17.9
F	Cam Whitmore	14.3
C
6TH

• Prediction: Unknown with only two, maybe three, returning players and so many players to draft

Cal Bears
• Front court loaded with top-tier center (Kalbrenner) and several forward and center options, with potential to improve next season
• Back court has three guard returning, Hicks has great potential provided he can stay healthy. If Nembhard can have a junior year like his older brother had, Cal will be in good shape
• Currently open spots: 5,7,9,10
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Brandon Miller – this is guaranteed to happen but there are other players who could decide to leave. Others who could have decisions (Sanogo; Bona)
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Freddy Hicks	16.7
G	Ryan Nembhard	14.9
F	Brandon Miller	26.2
F	Adama Sanogo	22.7
C	Ryan Kalkbrenner	23.7
6TH	Bryant Selebangue	19.9

• Prediction: Top Tier, even removing Miller, he would be replaced with Bona or Garcia, either should be around 20+ next year. That’s about 250 per week not counting FR.

Fore Sons & A Doctor
• Front court loaded with lots of firepower
• Very late season pickup with Zeke Mayo should give FSD good starting backcourt, as well as Paveletzke should only improve in sophomore season
• Draft picks: 1,4,7,10,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Trayce Jackson-Davis & Hunter Dickinson – both would normally leave prior to NIL but now there’s outside shot at returning. If had to wage a guess, Dickinson stays and TJD departs to NBA
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Zeke Mayo	20.9
G	Jackson Paveletzke	15.9
F	Trayce Jackson-Davis	31.2
F	Essam Mostafa	21.0
C	Hunter Dickinson	23.8
6TH	Zach Austin	18.2

• Prediction: Always top 5 level team, this year should be no different

Gators

• Lots of youth, which means some potential, very good center, which is always a plus
• Drafts picks in 7 rounds
• Potential NBA Departures:
  • Dereck Lively – should NOT leave but probably will just because of his ‘potential’, as it’s hard coming in as #1 rated FR and not leaving after one year but if he can be convinced this is for his best, then he could have very good sophomore season as his numbers have improved over last part of season, averaging 19.0 over last 10-games
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Isaiah Wong	19.3
G	Will Richard	14.6
F	Mark Mitchell	12.0
F	Vincent Iwuchukwu	7.0
C	Oumar Ballo	22.1
6TH	Dereck Lively	13.4

• Prediction: A lot will depend on the draft and how well the returning players improve

Hog Wild!
• Lots of potential returning for good fantasy lineup, very strong in backcourt. Will need to upgrade center position
• Drafts picks in 7 rounds: 1,2,5,6,10,11,12
• Potential NBA Departures. All 3 should and could return, especially with NIL in the equation, but Mitchell would be my guess to depart:
o Dillon Mitchell
o Gradey Dick
o Jaylen Clark
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Jaylen Clark	19.6
G	Gradey Dick	18.7
F	Obinna Anochili-Killen	12.9
F	Dillon Mitchell	9.8
C	Elijah Hutchins-Everett	13.6
6TH	Brandin Podziemski	19.9

• Prediction: Heavy guard lineup could be potentially strong, as Podziemski has potential to move into 25+ area if he can be more consistent

Independent George
• Lots of players returning to already field a competitive lineup and with improvement should be very formidable. Well balanced.
• Potential NBA Departures, both AAC players could go but Walker has been different from the outset and Hendricks has come from unknown area to possible NBA 1st round pick:
o Jarace Walker
o Taylor Hendricks
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Curtis Jones	18.2
G	Daniss Jenkins	17.5
F	Dillon Jones	24.3
F	Taylor Hendricks	22.0
C	Payton Sparks	19.1
6TH	Josh Bannan	21.6

• Prediction: Very strong, current lineup that has great potential to improve and with depth. Even if Indy loses Hendricks or Walker, they would be replaced with Francis Nwaokorie.

Leathernecks
• Another annually strong team has a good starting lineup returning that I currently don’t see any early NBA entrants on, that doesn’t mean players are not good but they are just strong college players which is good thing for the Leathernecks
• Draft Picks: 2,3, 9,11
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Colby Jones	20.2
G	Dayvion McKnight	18.6
F	Enrique Freeman	25.8
F	Max Fiedler	23.8
C	Donovan Clingan	14.9
6TH	Harrison Ingram	14.9

• Prediction: Strong at forward spot, Clingan should only improve and very good guards. Very strong lineup.

Pirate’s Raiders
• Will be very busy draft season! Currently only 5 returning players, with Whitehead more than likely gone.
• Draft Picks: 2,6,8,9,10,11,12,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Dariq Whitehead – will more than likely leave just on potential plus having injury riddled FR year, he better go while money is there
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Dae Dae Grant	17.9
G	Jaden House	13.3
F	Cade Tyson	16.0
F	Dariq Whitehead	8.8
C	P.J. Hall	18.4
6TH

• Prediction: Pirate’s need to use the draft and build strong lineup, normally goes upper classmen, so drafting a lot is not out of his wheelhouse

South Austin Horns
• BIG factor will be whether Zach Edey returns or goes to NBA. In old days, he would be gone for sure but in NIL and the way NBA is played, I could see him returning.
• Good lineup returning coming off very good season
• Draft Picks: 2,3,6,7
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Zach Edey
o Jalen Wilson
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Chris Youngblood	19.6
G	Camren Hunter	19.1
F	Jalen Wilson	22.6
F	Tucker DeVries	21.8
C	Zach Edey	35.1
6TH	Yann Farell	15.2

• Prediction: Biggest X-Factor is Edey status, if he returns then Horns will be an extremely formidable lineup weekly to deal with, as he gives about a 15-20 point per week advantage. If his team returns intact, then with four picks he can focus on depth and freshman position.

The Ghosts of Pauley Pavilion
• Another possible strong returning lineup with really only one probably NBA departure in Kris Murray.
• Draft Picks: 1,3,8,12
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Kris Murray – probably following twin brother lead and leaving early
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Devontae Blanton	18.7
G	Brandon Murray	14.3
F	Kris Murray	26.8
F	Brice Sensabaugh	18.0
C	Rienk Mast	20.6
6TH	Jonathan Beagle	17.6

• Prediction: Good lineup in current state with Murray, without him still good but will need to upgrade at guard and depth. Sensabaugh could have huge breakout sophomore season.

The Prodigal Son
• Solid returning lineup with some question like Washington status with New Mexico State and whether or not Cason Wallace goes pro. Good starting center returning which is always good start.
• Draft Picks: 2,5,7,10,12,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Cason Wallace
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Aboubacar Traore	20.6
G	Tyler Robertson	17.5
F	Trey Townsend	21.4
F	Karim Coulibaly	19.0
C	Aziz Bandaogo	23.5
6TH	Cason Wallace	16.8

• Prediction: Nice lineup returning with enough picks to build the team depth that is needed.

The Walk Ons
• George probably goes to NBA but otherwise very potential returning lineup
• Draft Picks: 2,3,4,9,12,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Keyonte George
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Jordan Dingle	21.3
G	Steven Ashworth	20.3
F	Norchad Omier	24.3
F	Keyonte George	16.7
C	Clifford Omoruyi	21.1
6TH	Tytan Anderson	19.5

• Prediction: Very strong returning lineup with 5 potential 20+ scorers already on roster.

T-N-T Youngsters
• Reigning league champion loses Jake Stephens, but he’s been lost for last part of last two seasons, so this is something T-N-T has grown accustomed to.
• Returns most 20+ scorers on roster with five.
• Currently only 3 draft picks as team depth were its strength last year, luckily the picks are in earlier rounds so roster strategy was key. Draft Picks in: 2,4,5
• One hard possible RS decision is whether to give up 2nd round pick for either Brandon Noel or Joseph Hunter. Will more than likely drop Javon Small for next season, keeping Jameer Nelson
• Potential NBA Departures:
o G.G. Jackson – HOPE that he goes to NBA to open up 1st round pick but if he returns it would be expected that he’s finally worth the 1st round pick that was made last year
o Azuolas Tubelis – could stay because his game is not current NBA-style
o Grant Nelson – lots of NBA buzz on this one, as his game does fit currently NBA
o Maxwell Lewis– lots of NBA buzz on Lewis as well
o Terquavion Smith – surprised everyone by returning last year, doubt it happens two years in a row
• Depending on above NBA entrants, could increase T-N-T draft positioning and needs, otherwise returning lineup is very good, will need to upgrade guard spot potentially.
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Jameer Nelson	22.0
G	Nico Galette	18.8
F	Azuolas Tubelis	26.5
F	Grant Nelson	24.2
C	Josh Cohen	26.7
6TH	Brandon Noel	21.3

• Prediction: Lot of NBA decisions for roster but potentially another strong, top-5 team type lineup with lots of firepower if everyone returns.

Tribe
• Lost in title game but very good lineup returning, depending on NBA decisions
• Currently only 2 draft picks as team depth very strong, despite overall record, team was one of the hottest at the end. Draft Picks in: 6,7
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Emoni Bates – had very good, although inconsistent, sophomore season with new school. Will he really return for junior year?!?!
o Kel’el Ware – NBA potential is his calling card, should return, but maybe Nike can throw some NIL money his way
o Jalen Hood-Schifino – should return with NIL money and TJD gone to NBA, he would be the potential star
• Like his title game counterpart, a lot will ride on who leaves early and who does not.
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Elijah Pepper	22.9
G	Jalen Cook	21.2
F	Christian Shumate	20.2
F	Emoni Bates	18.9
C	Isaac Jones	25.0
6TH	Carson Towt	16.9

• Prediction: Very good returning lineup with possible best center (unless Edey returns) in Jones. X-factor is Graham Ike (Wyoming), who sat out last season, if he returns strong that makes his lineup as good as anyone.

Yoder Dame Fighting Amish
• Lots of picks to improve lineup both early and late. Only four returning players, however 3 of the 4 could go to NBA route.
• Draft Picks in: 1,2,4,5,6,7,10,11,13
• Potential NBA Departures:
o Jordan Brown – has been on NBA radar since being HS All-American but I could see him returning with NIL money
o Jett Howard – if he was not playing for dad, I would expect him to depart early but being that he doesn’t need NIL money and his dad is coach, I would expect to see him for at least his sophomore year
o Anthony Black – definite NBA potential
• Potential starting lineup (based off current roster):

G	Anthony Black	17.1
G	Jett Howard	14.8
F	Jordan Brown	23.4
F
C
6TH	Tyrese Hunter	10.5

• Prediction: Will be very busy draft season to improve his roster.