2019-20 Top 144 Previews Men's Basketball

[Shocker1976]

Shocks come in at #56.

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17784

Very fair evaluation IMO; appears they have the same reservations I have about the coming season. Major difference is my belief and confidence in HC3G is greater than theirs. If the coaching staff over-performs as I anticipate, the coming season will make Shocker fans happy as the Shockers receive an invitation to dance in April!

[WuShock Reaper]

Wichita State Shockers

2019-2020 Overall Rank: #56
Conference Rank: #5 American

"Wichita State has been a dominant basketball program under Gregg Marshall. The Shockers made every NCAA Tournament from 2012 through 2018 before failing to dance last season. The 2018-19 campaign was the first Wichita State lost double-digit games since 2009-10. With that kind of sustained success, it’s not difficult to envision the Shockers bouncing back in 2019-20. Even with their top two scorers gone, Wichita State should be competitive in the AAC....

Projection:
Top scorers Markis McDuffie and Samajae Haynes-Jones are graduated, but seven rotation players including three full-time starters are back for this season. Jaime Echenique is the only senior on the roster and the top returning scorer for the Shockers. Echenique averaged 9.2 points last season while leading the team in rebounding (6.0 per game) and blocks (1.4 per game). Last year was Echenique’s first of Division-I basketball, so he should have an even better season as a senior. Dexter Dennis started 25 games as a freshman and earned AAC All-Freshman Team honors. Dennis averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 40% from three on 3.9 attempts per game. Jamarius Burton started 28 games as a freshman, averaging 6.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and a team-high 3.4 assists. Burton played just 24 minutes per game and spent most of his time next to Haynes-Jones, but he should be handed the keys to the point guard spot this season. Erik Stevenson is a do-it-all sophomore guard who started 11 games last year. Stevenson averaged 6.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a freshman. Seven-footer Asbjorn Midtgaard is the only Shocker that has been with program for more than two seasons. Midtgaard was much improved as a sophomore and continued getting better as the season progressed. Midtgaard could possibly start next to Echenique, forming a twin towers lineup for the Shockers. Reserve big men Morris Udeze and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler are back and will provide frontcourt depth. Junior college transfer Trey Wade is the only non-freshman newcomer for Wichita State. Wade averaged 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, and he will be a key player for Gregg Marshall as an experienced, versatile forward. Wichita State will welcome five freshmen to the team this season. None of the recruits are rated higher than three-stars, but Tyson Etienne and Grant Sherfield are both top-200 prospects. With a relatively young roster, all the incoming freshmen should have an opportunity for minutes this season. Wichita State’s roster isn’t particularly daunting on paper, but with Gregg Marshall as coach there is always potential for a strong season. Coming off a down year, it would be tough to bet against Marshall and the Shockers in 2019-20.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT (I'm guessing this would be in the 3-4 seed range)..."

[WuShock Reaper]

I have always enjoyed the countdown of the Top 144 rankings of College Sports Madness, but I recommend you don't take it as the gospel of what will happen. Here is how he did last year:

Top 10 rankings, 10 of 10 (100%) made the tourney.
Top 20 rankings, 17 of 20 (85%) made the tourney.
Top 30 rankings, 24 of 30 (80%) made the tourney.
Top 40 rankings, 28 of 40 (70%) made the tourney.
Top 50 rankings, 31 of 50 (62%) made the tourney.

[abdullah_sharif]

so what you’re saying reaper is that 7 out of the teams ranked 31-50 make the tourney. not too good for sure. i like the shox chances

[WuShock Reaper]

abdullah_sharif, that is correct . Only 7 teams made the NCAA tourney ranked 31 thru 50. Here are the teams that did not make it:

#32 - North Carolina State
#35 - Butler
#36 - Miami (FL)
#38 - USC
#39 - Nebraska
#40 - Vanderbilt
#41 - Oklahoma State
#44 - Missouri
#45 - Arizona
#46 - Wichita State
#47 - Texas A&M
#48 - New Mexico
#50 - Texas

[WuDrWu]

Looking at those numbers, and not meaning to over-simplify things, this team needs to take better shots and make more of them. And those goals start and end with getting the ball successfully into the post. Every time Jamie fires up a 3 as the trail in transition he should run 10 miles. There is such a positive cumulative effect from getting the ball to the block it's not even funny. Pound the post. Jamie and Asbjorn should both average 12+ a game. Pound the post. Do that and every other shot, most importantly the 3s, become much easier.

[Topshock]

While that may be the best formula for this team to be successful other teams have certainly proved that there are other ways to win besides pounding the post.

[Kel Varnsen]

Looking at those numbers, and not meaning to over-simplify things, this team needs to take better shots and make more of them. And those goals start and end with getting the ball successfully into the post. Every time Jamie fires up a 3 as the trail in transition he should run 10 miles. There is such a positive cumulative effect from getting the ball to the block it's not even funny. Pound the post. Jamie and Asbjorn should both average 12+ a game. Pound the post. Do that and every other shot, most importantly the 3s, become much easier.

I was curious about the quantitative evidence for this claim. Sure enough, you're correct: https://shottracker.com/articles/bal...-paint-touches

[ShockBand]

I was curious about the quantitative evidence for this claim. Sure enough, you're correct: https://shottracker.com/articles/bal...-paint-touches

Makes sense to me. The whole goal of a good offensive flow should be aimed at getting defenders out of position, and ball reversals and working inside-out certainly do that. Defenders have to commit (or fail to commit) somewhere, causing spots to open for shots. Good ball movement and well selected drive and dishes can sure create a lot of good things!

[Dan]

And we probably have the best post tandem in the league. These guys should feast this year.

[TheShocktocles]

And we probably have the best post tandem in the league. These guys should feast this year.

I think we do, but they will have to prove it. I know a lot of us have concerns about the 4 position, but if IPBC has lost all that weight and is moving quicker I think he and Tre Wade can handle the 4. The thing I like about the guys competing for time at the 4 positions is that all of them have good skills. T. W. IPBC, DG, and JB can all shoot the 3, they all can dribble, they all go to the cup with strength, and they all can shoot the midrange. If these guys can learn to play defense and rebound the way Coach requires this team could be special.

[WuShock Reaper]

Connecticut Huskies

2019-2020 Overall Rank: #53
Conference Rank: #4 American

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17790

"Coach Dan Hurley had a tough debut season at Connecticut. The Huskies went just 16-17 overall and finished 6-12 in American Athletic Conference action. Jalen Adams is a big loss after leading the team with 16.9 points per game, but the other four starters are back. That was a young UConn team that Coach Hurley had to deal with last season. Now they are growing up and ready to make a big push up the conference pecking order. A return trip to the NCAA Tournament may be another year away, but expect the Huskies to make big strides in 2019-2020 and head into life back in the Big East on an upward trajectory....

Projection:
Alterique Gilbert and Christian Vital return to lead the backcourt. Gilbert dished out 3.6 assists and 12.6 points per game. If he can finally stay healthy for an entire season, Gilbert should be an All-AAC caliber point guard. Vital has been known for his streakiness, but last year he connected on 40.9 percent of his three-point attempts and averaged 14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Another season like that and the Huskies will have a very dynamic backcourt duo. With sophomores Sidney Wilson and Brendan Adams gaining a year of experience and freshmen Jalen Gaffney and James Bouknight ready to at least add quality depth right away, Connecticut has plenty of options on the perimeter. The frontcourt should not be an issue either with Josh Carlton and Tyler Polley leading the way. Carlton had a great sophomore season, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. Polley is more of a big guard who stretches the defense with his outside shooting ability. The Huskies do need to find a backup for Carlton in the paint and the hope is redshirt freshman Akok Akok is ready to at least provide some defense and rebounding off the bench. If that happens, UConn should have the depth they need to end their three year postseason drought.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT (I'm guessing this would be in the 2-3 seed range)..."

[WuShock Reaper]

Houston Cougars

2019-2020 Overall Rank: #48
Conference Rank: #3 American

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17803

"Houston will look to continue their momentum. Two years ago the Cougars went to the NCAA Tournament and won a game. Last year they reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1984 and won the outright American Athletic Conference title. Four starters are gone, but Coach Kelvin Sampson has the talent and experience he needs to get the Cougars back towards the top of the conference standings and perhaps the NCAA Tournament....

Projection:
Despite the loss of four starters, Houston returns six players who were in Coach Sampson’s regular rotation last year. Junior guard DeJon Jarreau is the team’s top returning scorer at 8.7 points per game. The 6-5 junior will take over the point guard duties and proved last season that he can handle the ball and score by attacking the basket. Nate Hinton had a fine freshman campaign, averaging 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds. He is another big 6-5 guard, but like Jarreau, Hinton will need to be more consistent knocking down outside shots. Fabian White, Cedrick Alley, Brison Gresham and Chris Harris are all experienced frontcourt players. White was the starter last season, averaging 6.3 and 4.0 rebounds per game. Justin Gorham is eligible this season after transferring in from Towson where he averaged 9.8 points and 6.7 rebounds as a sophomore. But perhaps the most important newcomer will be redshirt freshman Caleb Mills. Houston needs him to add a perimeter shooting threat to the team. If he can do that, Houston will score plenty of points. However, this is not a big team in the frontcourt and Houston will attempt to win games by playing small ball using their athleticism. Against certain opposition that could hurt the Cougars, but they do have the pieces to have another very good season.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT (I'm guessing about a 2-seed, perhaps a 1-seed)..."

[WuShock Reaper]

West Virginia Mountaineers (Cancun Challenge Potential Opponent)

2019-2020 Overall Rank: #46
Conference Rank: #6 Big 12

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17806

"The 2018-19 season could not have gone much worse for West Virginia. The Mountaineers were ranked 13th to start the season but lost their first game to Buffalo and only went downhill from there. It was an injury and suspension plagued year that resulted in the lowest win total since 2012-13. This year, Bob Huggins and West Virginia will hope for better results with a younger, new-look roster....

Projection:
West Virginia loses four of their top five scorers from last year, but many of those players were suspended or injured throughout the season. Derek Culver is the top returning scorer after a strong freshman campaign. Culver was a member of the All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Freshman Team. He started just 14 of his 26 games and averaged 11.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Culver has a good chance to become a first team all-conference player this year. Jermaine Haley returns after starting 24 games in his first year with the Mountaineers. Haley started 24 games and averaged 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals in those 24 starts. Jordan McCabe, Chase Harler, Emmitt Matthews and Brandon Knapper are all back this season. All four players started multiple games last year and played bigger roles as the season went along and players ahead of them missed time. As sophomores, McCabe, Matthews and Knapper especially should see increased usage this season. Logan Routt also returns to provide frontcourt depth behind Culver. Two junior college transfers will join the Mountaineers this year. Taz Sherman is a combo guard who filled up the stat sheet in JuCo, averaging 25.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and shot 39% from three. Sam McNeil also put up big numbers at the junior college level, averaging 29.7 points and shooting 43% from three. The NCAA is obviously a different level of competition, but both players provide potential high-scoring ability for a West Virginia team that was lacking in that department last season. Three freshmen also join the roster, headlined by top-35 prospect Oscar Tshiebwe. Tshiebwe is the highest ranked recruit ever for West Virginia and just the second McDonald’s All-American in school history. Also joining the team is four-star, top-100 prospect Jalen Bridges and three-star prospect Miles McBride. After last season, almost anything would seem like an upgrade for West Virginia in 2019-20. However, Bob Huggins once again has a talented roster that should not only improve but contend for an NCAA Tournament bid.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA (they are one of the Last Four In)..."

[WuShock Reaper]

Oklahoma Sooners

2019-2020 Overall Rank: #43
Conference Rank: #5 Big 12

#43 Oklahoma Men's Basketball 2019-2020 Preview

"Oklahoma has not really lived up to their expectations after reaching the Final Four in 2016. But despite the disappointment, the Sooners have reached the NCAA Tournament the last two years. Now the expectations are lower, but this is still an Oklahoma team that has the talent to reach the NCAA Tournament. In order to do that though, Coach Lon Kruger will have to get the most out of his large group of newcomers....

Projection:
Three of the newcomers have some experience. Austin Reaves was a part-time starter at Wichita State and adds another outside shooting threat to the roster. Alondes Williams and Corbin Merritt come from the junior college ranks, but the freshmen that will likely make a larger impact on the program sooner or later. De’Vion Harmon is the highest regarded of the bunch and the 6-1 point guard will make a big splash from day one. With fellow top 150 recruits Victor Iwuakor and Jalen Hill, Coach Kruger has some nice pieces to fill around his three returning starters. Brady Manek and Kristian Doolittle will be the stars of the team. The frontcourt duo combined to average 23.5 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. Manek is the more dynamic scorer who can step outside and knock down plenty of three-pointers, while Doolittle tends to stay in the paint. With that dynamic duo in the frontcourt and Jamal Bieniemy back to run the point, OU has a great group to build around. Bieniemy only averaged 4.9 points per game as a freshman, but he dished out 3.5 assists and turned the ball over just 1.4 times. If Bieniemy can keep that up and continue to play great defense, the Sooners will find other options on the perimeter to do the scoring. Fitting in so many new faces will take some time, but eventually this will be a very dangerous team. If it does not take too long for Coach Kruger to find the right rotation, Oklahoma will make another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA (11-seed)..."

[WuShock Reaper]

Ole Miss Rebels

2019-2020 Overall Rank: #41
Conference Rank: #9 SEC

https://shockernet.net/forum/wichita-state-athletics/wichita-state-men-s-basketball/1191329-2019-20-top-144-previews-men-s-basketball/page2

"Kermit Davis’ first year with at Mississippi was a big-time success as he led the school to their first NCAA Tournament since 2015 and won Coach of the Year in the SEC. Picked to finish last in the conference, Ole Miss started the year 13-2 and were ranked as high as 18 in the AP Poll. The Rebels would earn an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament and should be in a similar position this year. Despite Terence Davis’ departure, Ole Miss returns three full-time starters and has a strong group of newcomers for 2019-20....

Projection:
The core of the excitement around Ole Miss basketball this season is the return of Breein Tyree for his senior season. As a junior, Tyree earned First Team All-SEC honors and ranked third in the conference in points per game. Tyree averaged 17.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game. With his running mate Terence Davis gone, Tyree could be in line for an even bigger senior campaign. Devontae Shuler’s return should help ease the burden for Tyree. Shuler looks like a star in the making as he averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and a team-high 1.7 steals as a sophomore. Shuler also shot 40.2% from three and could be one of the top second options in the SEC. Blake Hinson had a strong freshman season, starting 31 games and playing 24 minutes per outing. Hinson averaged 8.3 points and 2.9 rebounds and should have a bigger role as a sophomore. KJ Buffen wasn’t a starter as a freshman, but he showed impressive flashes in his 21 minutes per game. With Bruce Stevens and Dominik Olejniczak gone, Buffen should see a full-time role in the frontcourt. Luis Rodriguez is also back after playing sparingly as a freshman. Ole Miss has a big group of newcomers joining the team this season. Khadim Sy and Bryce Williams are both junior college transfers with two years of eligibility remaining. Sy started his career at Virginia Tech where he started 28 games and averaged 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds before spending a season in the JuCo ranks. Williams is a 6-foot-3 guard that should seamlessly fit Ole Miss’ style of play. The Rebels also add six freshmen, two of which redshirted a year ago. The headliner of the group is four-star guard Austin Crowley. Crowley is a 6-foot-5 guard who is another player that should easily find a role in Kermit Davis’ system. Sammy Hunter and Antavion Collum are both three-star true freshmen while Carlos Curry and Franco Miller both redshirted last year. Shon Robinson was a 2020 recruit but decided to reclassify to this year’s class. Kermit Davis and Mississippi shocked the SEC last season, but that won’t be the case this year. The Rebels return a strong roster that is primed to make consecutive NCAA Tournaments.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA (11-seed)..."

[WuShock Reaper]

Cincinnati Bearcats

2019-2020 Overall Rank: #32
Conference Rank: #2 American

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/17854

"After 13 successful seasons, Cincinnati has to replace Coach Mick Cronin, who left for UCLA. The Bearcats went out and nabbed John Brannen from Northern Kentucky. Coach Brannen did a magnificent job at NKU and should continue the success at Cincinnati. Cincinnati may have lost their coach, but they did not lose Jarron Cumberland, who opted to return for his senior season. Cumberland was the AAC Player of the Year last season after averaging 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. With Cumberland leading the way, the Bearcats should be able to reach their tenth straight NCAA Tournament....

Projection:
Jarron Cumberland will not be the only Cumberland on the roster. His cousin Jaevin Cumberland has transferred in from Oakland where he averaged 17.2 points per game last season. Fellow grad transfers Chris McNeal and Jaume Sorolla bring in some experienced options to fill in some of the depth concerns. Keith Williams figures to return to his starting role on the perimeter beside Jarron Cumberland. Williams was second on the team in scoring last season with 9.9 points per game and the big 6-5, 215 pound guard is quite potent when inside the arc. Tre Scott, a 6-8 senior, does a lot of the hard work for this team. He averaged 9.3 points and a team high 6.9 rebounds last season and will be the leader of the new look frontcourt. If the newcomers can live up to their expectations, Coach Brannen has a solid trio of Cumberland, Williams and Scott to build around. The graduate transfers and a freshman or two will need to crack the regular rotation in order for the Bearcats to have enough depth to remain competitive for an AAC title, but there are some very good options and by March this will be a team nobody wants to see in their portion of the bracket.

Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA (8-seed)..."