United States of College Basketball: Predicting the best team in each state for the 2022-23 season

With the 2022-23 school basketball season lower than every week away, one of the ultimate items of the CBS Sports annual preseason bundle is amongst the prettiest — and most hotly debated. As we at all times do proper round this time of 12 months, it is time to offer you a map of school basketball’s panorama. 

The 2022-23 model represents my forecast for which team will likely be the best in its state over the subsequent 5 months. Some states (Wyoming, Vermont, Maine, Hawaii) lack for drama, as they haven’t any competitors and get the similar brand yearly. Others (California, Texas, New York) are loaded with Division I applications and a aware of a map makeover each autumn. 

Since Alaska doesn’t have a Division I team, the best team in 49 states and the District of Columbia offers us 50 groups highlighted in these United States of College Basketball. (You might must squint for Delaware, Rhode Island and D.C.) Below, you may discover a pithy abstract on the state of each state and why the groups that received out have been chosen.

Each of the groups correspond to the place they land in my Top 100 And 1 rankings, which you can read here.

State of the state: For the first time in a very long time, the Yellowhammer State has a declare to 3 of the 40 best groups in males’s school basketball. Auburn, the state’s best team a season in the past, is ranked fifteenth in the preseason AP Top 25 ballot, whereas UAB obtained a vote. (All three are ranked in my top 40; UAB is my choose to win Conference USA.) It must be the Tide who emerge as the strongest basketball team this 12 months. Know the title Brandon Miller. The 6-foot-8 freshman could possibly be the key for a team with lots of juniors and seniors to take a leap and compete alongside Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas in the SEC.

State of the state: There’s solely 4 D-I applications in the Grand Canyon State, and in most years U of A has a cushty stranglehold on the prime spot. That will likely be the case once more in 2022-23, because of ASU projected to be middle-of-the-pack at best in the Pac-12. Arizona misplaced three first-round NBA Draft picks however brings again C Azuolas Tubelis, PG Kerr Kriisa, SG Pelle Larsson, in addition to Texas SG/longtime starter Courtney Ramey. Arizona will once more commerce jabs with UCLA for Pac-12 supremacy.

Arkansas: Arkansas Razorbacks

State of the state: Huge hole between the Hogs and Arkansas State, which ranks 273rd at KenPom.com. Eric Musselman’s obtained a younger team and a bunch of guys who’re nonetheless studying each different’s full names; 11 gamers joined the program in the offseason. Still, if the expertise jells, Arkansas goes to be scary-good, because of its trio of freshman five-star additions: SG Nick Smith Jr., PG Anthony Black and SF/PF Jordan Walsh.

California: UCLA Bruins

State of the state: The Golden State has extra Division I applications (26) than every other. The competitors for which team will likely be best this season could possibly be aggressive. UCLA wins out, however narrowly, over one other team I’ve rated larger in the preseason than every other mainstream outlet. I put San Diego State eighth in my Top 100 And 1, simply two spots behind Mick Cronin’s Bruins, who rightfully get prime billing because of returning two All American-level gamers (PG Tyger Campbell, SF Jaime Jaquez Jr.). UCLA enrolled two five-star freshmen (SG Amari Bailey, C Adem Bona) who will assist maintain the Bruins nationally related and in search of the program’s twentieth Final Four.

State of the state: Because level guard Isaiah Stevens is coping with a foot harm that may maintain him out till at the very least January, this looks like a toss-up between the Rams and Colorado Buffaloes. Niko Medved’s CSU squad is to not be underestimated and will nonetheless make noise in the Mountain West (an at-large bid appears doable, even when the climb will likely be steep). Meantime, Colorado will likely be led by 6-10 junior Tristan da Silva, who was voted as one of the 10 best gamers in the Pac-12 in the preseason.

Connecticut: UConn Huskies

State of the state: The different six D-I applications in the state (quickly to be 5; Hartford is on its approach to D-III) can solely hope to be in megaphone-shouting distance of UConn in most seasons, and that’ll virtually definitely be the case once more this season. Yale or Sacred Heart will most likely wind up being No. 2. UConn is one of 4 groups (Villanova, Creighton, Xavier) thought-about succesful of profitable the Big East. The Huskies could have harm points early however might develop right into a formidable and sturdy outfit with preseason Big East POY Adama Sanogo manning the center and 6-6 Andre Jackson being handed de facto level guard duties.

Delaware: Delaware Blue Hens

State of the state: Martin Inglesby’s UD crew made a run to the NCAAs after ending fourth in the CAA common season final season. They’re ranked third in the preseason and sit the similar in KenPom’s forecast (a hundred and seventy fifth general). The Diamond State’s solely different D-I program is Delaware State, which enters the season 362 out of 363 groups at KenPom.

Florida: Miami Hurricanes

State of the state: The tightest three-team race on the map. I’ve obtained The U barely forward of Florida and Florida State in my rankings — all of them in the prime of the 30s. They’re equally positioned in the preseason AP Top 25, the place none of the three cracked into the rankings. Jim Larrañaga, contemporary off the second Elite Eight journey of his profession, returns combo guard Isaiah Wong and introduced aboard one of the best shooters on the switch market, Nijel Pack. Florida will attempt to make an NCAA push below new coach Todd Golden. Florida State is in its third decade below Leonard Hamilton and obtained a current/pointless setback with the news that Spanish massive Baba Miller will have to sit the first 16 games of the season.

State of the state: Basketball in the Peach State has to get higher ASAP. The team I’ve obtained atop the pile received six video games final season, fired its coach and hasn’t received an NCAA Tournament sport since 2002. So take into consideration how unhealthy that makes Georgia Tech look! The Yellow Jackets aren’t anticipated to be aggressive for an NIT look, even. As for UGA, Mike White is now in cost and he may conceivably pull that program out of its canyon-sized rut in the subsequent half-decade.

Hawaii: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

State of the state: The solely D-I program in the center of the Pacific Ocean. For Hawaii (which may emerge as the Big West’s best team), it is all about ensuring you’ve got obtained the proper coach that not solely can win there however would not have designs on getting off the island as rapidly as attainable. Eran Ganot has guided this program since 2015, and in June, he signed a three-year extension by way of April 2026. He’s 114-77.

State of the state: As normal, a cushty lead on Idaho and Idaho State for BSU. The Broncos made the NCAAs in March, their third journey below Leon Rice. This team ought to have one of the best small forwards in mid-major basketball, 6-7 Tyson Degenhart (9.9 ppg, 41.7 3-pt%), enjoying alongside veteran level guard Marcus Shaver.

State of the state: Once thought to merely be a worthy Big Ten contender heading into the season, Brad Underwood’s team has grown into an elegant choose to win the league outright. Transfers Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech) and Matthew Mayer (Baylor) could have vital say in whether or not that turns into actuality. Illinois comfortably charges forward of all others in their state this season, with Loyola Chicago taking second and Northwestern third on the preseason podium. DePaul, Southern Illinois and Bradley may all be in for uplifting campaigns, too.

State of the state: Controversial alternative exterior of West Lafayette. Indiana is, at the very least, the extra in style choose to complete forward of Purdue in the Big Ten. I believe the margins are skinny. Between Purdue and IU, the Hoosiers have the higher participant (Trayce Jackson-Davis), however the less-proven coach. Ultimately, I’m trusting Matt Painter extra in Year 19 than I’m Mike Woodson in Year 2. Both groups have sights set on good NCAA Tournament seeds and second-weekend runs. (More can be found here at our Big Ten preview.) The team most probably to be No. 3 is Notre Dame, which has rather a lot of dependable producers returning and must be an element in the ACC.

State of the state: I is perhaps the greatest fader of ’22-23 Iowa on the market, however even in spite of that I do not suppose Drake or Iowa State are going to be ok to put declare to the state this season. Drake is the overwhelming favourite in the Missouri Valley, however Iowa has sufficient on the roster and has claimed an NCAA Tournament roster 4 years working. It must be the best team in this state. Have to belief Fran McCaffery will once more have a team that ranks prime 20 nationally in factors per possession, which has been the case the final 5 years.

State of the state: The reigning nationwide champions — and their Hall of Fame coach, who will not be on the sidelines for the first four games — reside right here. The Jayhawks did lose greater than 60% of their minutes from a season in the past, however Kansas State will begin anew below first-year coach Jerome Tang. Wichita State goes to attempt to maintain its head above water in the prime half of the American Athletic Conference. Kansas is ranked prime 10 in the preseason and can look to fend off Baylor and Texas atop the Big 12. 

Kentucky: Kentucky Wildcats

State of the state: John Calipari’s team is definitely the best in the Bluegrass State this season, however all the extra after Louisville misplaced by 10 in an exhibition towards a D-II program that did not have its two best gamers. Could be a frightful season for Cardinals followers. Even previous to that, I had Western Kentucky comfortably forward of U of L right here. Kentucky is a common preseason top-10 team in the minds of voters and algorithms of computer systems. The Cats are targeted on profitable the SEC, attending to the Final Four for the first time in eight years and trying to win a nationwide title for the first time in 11 years.

Louisiana: LSU Tigers

State of the state: Rare is the 12 months when LSU is not the apparent choose round these components, however there is a wholesome non-zero likelihood that this projection winds up being flawed. That’s as a result of Tulane, which returns 5 starters, may have its best team in greater than a decade. For now, I’ll latch my wagon to the solely power-conference program in the Sugar State. Matt McMahon replaces Will Wade. LSU did effectively for itself in the portal, too. Its NCAA Tournament possibilities won’t be nearly as good as Tulane’s, however it ought to have the (barely) higher team if the new faces pan out.

State of the state: Maine has a brand new coach, Chris Markwood, who at the very least is aware of the program and provides Maine an opportunity at some future success in the America East. Markwood performed for Maine and spent 5 seasons as an assistant there. Because of its distant location and hockey-school status, it is one of the hardest jobs in the sport.

State of the state: Seldom does the Old Line State have a aggressive race for its prime team. This season, Towson‘s inside arm’s attain. The Tigers are the massive preseason favorites in the CAA. Maryland, meantime, begins a brand new regime below Kevin Willard and is perhaps the toughest-to-peg team in the Big Ten. The Terps must be thought to be the strongest team in this state heading into the season, however their regular-season win whole feels prefer it may end anyplace between 14 and 24 wins.

State of the state: A 12 months in the past, BC ranked under Harvard, UMass and Northeastern on the Mass map. But I’m on the file as bullish over Boston College’s prospects in Earl Grant’s second season in Chestnut Hill. The Eagles most likely will not make the NCAAs, however they’re poised to maneuver north after a 13-win marketing campaign final season. On the small-school finish in the Old Colony State, Merrimack could possibly be the best team in the NEC.

State of the state: No assure Michigan winds up being higher than Michigan State, however as a result of the Wolverines have Hunter Dickinson they get the nod heading into the season. Juwan Howard’s program is wanting for extra consistency after solely having one three-game profitable streak final season, which nonetheless noticed UM get to the Sweet 16. Dickinson is a preseason All-America choice and will likely be one of the faces of the sport. Michigan State has the items and the teaching to emerge as a Big Ten contender, however Tom Izzo’s team could have rather a lot to show and a brutal schedule to show it towards in the first six weeks.

State of the state: Readers of this house will recall {that a} 12 months in the past Minnesota lastly grew to become a two-school state for Division I basketball. St. Thomas is now in the ranks and a member of the Summit League. Ben Johnson’s Gophers are anticipated to be in the cellar of the Big Ten, although the team could possibly be entertaining because of a pair of dynamic forwards: Dawson Garcia transferred to the place he grew up, and senior Jamison Battle got here again and will shine.

State of the state: Kermit Davis could have an outdoor shot at making the NCAA tourney for a second time with Mississippi as long as junior SG Matthew Murrell (12.1 ppg) turns into one of the best scorers in the SEC. The Rebels determine to have just a little room forward of Mississippi State this season, as the Bulldogs are projected to be a lower-tier SEC team in their first season below Chris Jans.

State of the state: For the second 12 months in a row, SLU will get its brand plastered throughout the Show Me State. That prognostication got here true final season, as the 23-12 Billikens completed forward of 12-21 Missouri in each metric. Travis Ford’s Saint Louis squad will get all-important wing Javonte Perkins again after lacking final season and can vie with Dayton to win the Atlantic 10, whereas Missouri begins anew with first-year coach Dennis Gates, who was employed from Cleveland State.

State of the state: We’ve obtained a altering of the guard in Big Sky nation. The Grizzlies of Montana have been the higher program for most of the previous 10 years, however Montana State is the preseason choose to win the Big Sky convention this season after Danny Sprinkle’s team received the league and the auto bid in March. If Montana State can meet preseason expectations, it is going to mark the first time in faculty historical past the Bobcats make the NCAAs in back-to-back seasons.

Nebraska: Creighton Bluejays

State of the state: Creighton and Nebraska are veering in reverse instructions. The Cornhuskers are mired in mediocrity below Fred Hoiberg and search a manner out and into the center half of the Big Ten. Creighton in the meantime is the projected favourite in the Big East and has an opportunity to discipline its best team in faculty historical past. The Bluejays have dimension, expertise, athleticism, protection, wanting passers and an skilled coach. An enormous 12 months seemingly awaits in Omaha.

Nevada : UNLV Runnin’ Rebels

State of the state: It’s at all times both UNLV or Nevada displayed on the map right here, as these are the solely two D-I applications in the Battle Born State. Last 12 months, Nevada had bragging rights, however I’m anticipating Vegas to narrowly nudge previous its rivals in Reno by the time we end up February. Because of Elijah Harkless and Jordan McCabe manning the backcourt, the Rebels narrowly broke by way of in my Top 100 And 1.

State of the state: We’ve been doing our annual map of the US of College Basketball since 2015 (making this our eighth cartographical endeavor) and this marks solely the second time the Big Green have outdated their solely Granite State competitor, the University of New Hampshire. That mentioned, occasions aren’t a-boomin’ up in NH. Dartmouth was picked seventh in the Ivy League and UNH was the similar in the America East.

State of the state: Saint Peter’s proved to be kings of the Garden State final season, making an unforgettable run to the Elite Eight as a No. 15 seed. As we flip to ’22-23, Steve Pikiell’s Rutgers team needs to be thought-about the strongest. RU’s Cliff Omoruyi is one of the most underrated bigs in the nation, and Caleb McConnell comfortably charges amongst the best defenders in the sport. With Shaheen Holloway going from Saint Peter’s to his alma mater, Seton Hall, the Pirates may have a 12 months to recalibrate. Rutgers has NCAA Tournament expectations and is the solely D-I faculty of the eight in New Jersey the place that’s objectively true this season.

State of the state: The drought is lastly set to finish. For the previous eight years, New Mexico State has laid a declare to having a superior team and/or season than their hated rivals three hours north. Richard Pitino’s program might be a 12 months away from being in the NCAA Tournament dialog, however I believe that is going to be a flip-it season. UNM went 13-19 final season; a 19-win push appears believable. NMSU will once more be an element in the WAC, however below a brand new head coach it ought to take a step again.

State of the state: Johnnies followers, right here is your second. This is a primary! In the previous seven years of making the United States of College Basketball, solely Syracuse or St. Bonaventure obtained their logos on show. But with Syracuse coming off the first sub-.500 season of Jim Boeheim’s life and with the Bonnies shedding vital items, Mike Anderson’s Red Storm are wanting like the Empire State’s best basketball outfit. Posh Alexander and Andre Curbelo will attempt to get the Johnnies into the NCAA Tournament, the place the program hasn’t received a sport since 2000. Team who may have the highest win whole by March: Colgate. Matt Langel’s Raiders received 23 or extra video games in the three most up-to-date seasons with a whole or principally full schedule.

State of the state: There are UNC followers who need me to place that ram brand on this state completely, contemplating what UNC did to finish Mike Krzyzewski’s profession. It’s a compelling argument; Carolina followers will ceaselessly have these ultimate two Ws over Okay to carry over Duke‘s head in perpetuity. For this 12 months at the very least, UNC is the straightforward choose. The Tar Heels are the preseason AP No. 1 for the tenth time, the most in historical past. Duke will get underway in the Jon Scheyer Era. We’re all curious to see what that is going to seem like. The state can be helped if a 3rd team may get inside shouting distance of these two, and perhaps that occurs by the mid-2020s, however for now NC State is third on the podium and would not mission as a top-70 team in superior metrics.

State of the state: This stays Bison nation. Dave Richman quietly has received 19 or extra video games in six of his eight seasons, and he’ll go seven-for-nine when NDSU wraps in March.

Ohio: Xavier Musketeers

State of the state: A enjoyable four-team race amongst the 4 greatest applications. Xavier, Dayton, Ohio State and Cincinnati all have designs on making the NCAAs in 2023. I’m considering at the very least one of these groups will come up brief, however at the very least the hoops are good in the Buckeye State as of late. Toledo and Kent State are 1-2 in the MAC (choose your order), and Akron‘s No. 3. Ohio and Wright State stay respectable (at the very least) mid-major outfits. But I’ll say Xavier makes strikes immediately below Sean Miller and edges out Dayton (barely) as the prime team. Ohio State has main questions and Cincinnati is a 12 months away from the massive bump.

State of the state: After a postseason ban handed down by the NCAA derailed OSU’s 2021-22 season, the Cowboys will likely be roaring out of the gate. Mike Boynton has little doubt used the ban as gasoline on a hearth all offseason, and I anticipate the Cowboys to work their manner into the 2023 Big Dance. Oklahoma should not be far behind, however Porter Moser in Year 2 and nonetheless figuring a couple of issues out, it is solely honest to fit Oklahoma State barely forward. Optimism will abound in this state, as the different two applications have one of the best scorers in the sport (Oral Roberts‘ Max Abmas) and a brand new coach (Eric Konkol takes over at Tulsa after averaging higher than 20 wins per 12 months at Louisiana Tech).

State of the state: The Ducks are clearly No. 1, however there is no assure Oregon State will likely be second-best of the 4 groups in the Beaver State. The team received three video games final season. Portland, in the meantime, received 19 and brings again extra of its roster than any team in the nation, according to BartTorvik.com (91.7% of its minutes). The Pilots are the mid-major sleeper no person is speaking about. Oregon’s ranked twenty first in the preseason AP ballot, a agency No. 3 in the Pac-12 pecking order behind UCLA and Arizona.

Pennsylvania: Villanova Wildcats

State of the state: Jay Wright’s retirement leaves a gap in school basketball, a gulf in the Big East and a void in Philadelphia basketball. Villanova is now coached by Kyle Neptune. It’s a banged up roster. And but, no person appears even near VU in this state. Penn State is bettering and Temple could possibly be difficult. But Pitt remains to be a large number and Saint Joseph’s nonetheless hasn’t discovered its manner below Billy Lange. Villanova’s had a grip on the Big East for virtually a decade, and now that will likely be challenged with Wright not stalking the sidelines.

Rhode Island: Providence Friars

State of the state: There could possibly be some battle traces redrawn in the years to return if Archie Miller can revive Rhode Island hoops, however that is nonetheless a Friars state. Ed Cooley has to determine rather a lot as a consequence of heavy turnover, however his team received the Big East common season (for the first time) and is forecast as a bubble candidate. Down at Bryant, the Bulldogs will attempt to be the troublemakers in their new convention, the America East.

South Carolina: Clemson Tigers

State of the state: My prime three listed below are unchanged from a 12 months in the past: Clemson, then Furman, then South Carolina. That mentioned, as a result of Furman is the preseason favourite in the SoCon, the Paladins have the best shot at March happiness. Clemson will attempt to overcome modest preseason expectations and save Brad Brownell’s job in a vital 12 months. South Carolina could have the must-see participant in the state, former five-star prospect GG Jackson. In the Big South, Winthrop must be a drive.

State of the state: The Jackrabbits have been picked second in the Summit League, behind Oral Roberts, but in addition a spot forward of the South Dakota Coyotes. Eric Henderson’s SDSU team has rather a lot of expertise and can attempt to win back-to-back convention championships.

Tennessee : Tennessee Volunteers

State of the state: Calling the state of Tennessee for Memphis final season was a misfire. The Vols have been definitively the best team in their state and possibly will do it once more. Rick Barnes’ team regarded prepared for primetime in their current exhibition runaway towards Gonzaga. That’s a program doing rather a lot proper — it simply must win extra video games in March. Memphis units up as the No. 2 team in the American to Houston and can dance once more if its protection might be A-level. Vanderbilt will most likely edge Belmont as the third-best team in the state this season.

Texas: Houston Cougars

State of the state: The Lone Star State has a basketball pedigree that nonetheless would not get its due. Houston, Baylor, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and North Texas will all earn NCAA Tournament bids this season in the event that they play as much as assumptions from the media and even the coaches in these leagues. The best of the bunch — narrowly — is Houston, which has elevated to a standing of nationwide title contender. Considering what the program was by way of the Nineteen Nineties, 2000s and the first half of the 2010s, it is a miraculous factor Kelvin Sampson’s pulled off. Baylor is my choose to win the Big 12, and I believe Texas edges Kansas for second. TCU’s by no means been ranked so extremely in the preseason, whereas Texas A&M was the best team to overlook the NCAAs final season. Texas Tech is coming off a Sweet 16 look, and North Texas may take C-USA.

Utah: BYU Cougars

State of the state: It’s BYU as the face of the Beehive State for the fourth 12 months in a row, but when Utah can discover a groove below Craig Smith in Year 2, it is going to have a shot to reclaim this area in 2023. Mark Pope’s Cougars have been picked third in the WCC and can most likely be a bubble team. Elsewhere, Utah State looks as if the clear-cut third-best team in the state and will end in the prime half of the Mountain West.

State of the state: No in-state competitors for UVM, which but once more is the favourite in the America East. Vermont is understandably being given the profit of the doubt after shedding greater than half of its roster to commencement or switch.

State of the state: The Hokies of Virginia Tech have been the higher team final season in the Old Dominion, however the expectation inside the ACC is Tony Bennett getting the Cavaliers again to their typical spot because of a bounty of returning juniors, seniors and redshirt seniors. Virginia Tech, VCU, Liberty, Longwood and Norfolk State all have hopes of dancing in March because of the place they’re projected to finish up in their respective leagues.

Washington: Gonzaga Bulldogs

State of the state: The final time a team not named Gonzaga was the best program right here was 2011, and it was Washington. The Zags personal the Pacific Northwest and will proceed to take action till Mark Few retires. With Drew Timme again for his senior season, the Bulldogs have intentions on one other 30-plus win season and a Final Four run. In the Pac-12, Washington State is a tempting NCAA Tournament candidate, and Washington could possibly be the sleeper alternative in the convention if that protection molds correctly.

Washington, D.C.: Georgetown Hoyas

State of the District: Even if Georgetown is not thought to be a top-100 team by any mainstream metric, the Hoyas nonetheless are simply forward of D.C.’s three different groups inside that territory: George Washington, American and Howard. Question is that if Patrick Ewing can maintain his job and get Georgetown to be an element in the Big East this season a 12 months after an abysmal six-win marketing campaign.

State of the state: The Mountaineers made noise over the weekend, touchdown Manhattan switch Jose Perez, who was the MAAC preseason Player of the Year. Then Manhattan fired its coach lower than two weeks earlier than the season, Perez transferred, and including him may give WVU a nudge up in the Big 12 hierarchy. Over at Marshall, the Thundering Herd are half of a new-look Sun Belt that has 14 groups. Marshall seems to be to be amongst the three or 4 best in that one-bid league.

State of the state: Rare is the 12 months when neither Wisconsin or Marquette make the NCAA Tournament, however that appears believable in 2023. Marquette was picked ninth in the Big East preseason ballot and can look for somebody to step right into a starring position. Wisconsin units up as a greater team, although labeling Bucky as something higher than, say, sixth in the Big Ten this season is a tricky promote. That mentioned, Greg Gard’s managed to exceed expectations in years previous, and Shaka Smart obtained Marquette into the NCAAs in his first 12 months. Underestimate at your individual danger.

State of the state: Despite the sport bloating to 363 groups this 12 months, Wyoming stays one of one in D-I in the Equality State. Jeff Linder took a team predicted to be eighth in the Mountain West final season and made the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys could possibly be top-two good in the league this 12 months, led by Hunter Maldonado and Graham Ike.

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