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Top teams this year if everyone stayed 4 years?

WeAreDePaul

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calling @dukedevilz this is the thread for you.

Who would be the top teams if everyone stayed all 4 years?

For purpose of this discussion ASSUME EVERYONE WOULD STILL GO TO THE SCHOOL THEY ENDED UP AT.

Obviously, if this was real guys would not be choosing schools if there was a superstar underclassman already there at your position. But, for the sake of fantasy, lets assume they do. Otherwise it would be impossible to have this discussion unless we were to assume that everyone's second choice school was DePaul.

I think the top two teams are clearly Duke and Kentucky, right?

Duke:
G: Tre Jones/Stanley
G: Barrett/Reddish
F: Trent Jr/Hurt
F: Zion/Jalen Johnson/Carey
G: Bagley/Carter Jr


Kentucky:
G: SGA/Quickley
G: Herro/Maxey
F: Keldon Johnson/Boston
F: Knox
C: PJ Washington/Vanderbilt

Who else would be top 10?

Alabama adds Sexton and Kira Lewis to their already really solid team.

Arizona would have Ayton and the 3 guys drafted in 2020.

FSU would add Williams, Vasel, Kabengele, Mann. Damn they'd be loaded as well.
 
this year would've also had a senior Trae Young on Oklahoma hoisting from college 3 point line. Unlike his freshman year he would've had some actual talent around him, but not much in the way of NBA talent. Either way, would've been a lot tougher for teams to double team him at half court.
 
@WeAreDePaul I don't know. It's tough. I'll keep it to one team, per school. As Kentucky-Duke could have several. I'd like to think the 2001 Duke team with Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and William Avery would have been pretty darn special, too (Battier-Jason Williams-Boozer-Dunleavy were already on the team). But, hard to overlook that ridiculous talent for 2020. The 2017 Kentucky team would take the cake. Looks like 5 NBA All-Stars to me.

#1 Kentucky, 2017
Starters
De'Aaron Fox, Fr
Jamal Murray, So
Devin Booker, Jr
Julius Randle, Sr
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jr

Bench
Tyler Ulis, Jr
Malik Monk, So
Isaiah Briscoe, So
Aaron Harrison, Sr
Andrew Harrison, Sr
James Young, Sr
Charles Matthews, So
Trey Lyles, Jr
Skal Labissiere, So
Dakari Johnson, Sr

#2 Duke, 2020
Starters
Tre Jones, So
RJ Barrett, So
Jayson Tatum, Sr
Zion Williamson, So
Marvin Bagley, Jr

Bench
Frank Jackson, Sr
Trevon Duval, Jr
Cassius Stanley, Fr
Gary Trent, Jr
Matthew Hurt, Fr
Harry Giles, Sr
Wendell Carter, Jr
Vernon Carey, Fr

#3 Texas, 2007
Starters
DJ Augustin, Fr
Daniel Gibson, Jr
Kevin Durant, Fr
PJ Tucker, Sr
LaMarcus Aldridge, Jr

Bench
AJ Abrams, So
Damion James, Fr
Dexter Pittman, Fr

#4 UNC, 2006
Starters
Raymond Felton, Sr
Rashad McCants, Sr
Marvin Williams, So
Tyler Hansbrough, Fr
Sean May, Sr

Bench
Danny Green, Fr
David Noel, Sr
Reyshawn Terry, Jr

^Maybe 2009 with Brandan Wright, or 2013 with Barnes, Marshall, and Henson back?

#5 UCLA, 2009
Starters
Darren Collison, Sr
Russell Westbrook, Jr
Jrue Holiday, Fr
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Sr
Kevin Love, Jr

Bench
Malcolm Lee, Fr
Josh Shipp, Sr
Alfred Aboya, Sr
Drew Gordon, Fr

#6 Kansas, 2009
Starters
Sherron Collins, Jr
Mario Chalmers, Sr
Brandon Rush, Sr
Darrell Arthur, Jr
Cole Aldrich, So

Bench
Tyshawn Taylor, Fr
Marcus Morris, Fr
Markieff Morris, Fr

Could be other years, maybe '12 KU with Xavier Henry and the Morris twins?

#7 Ohio State 2010
Starters
Mike Conley, Sr
Daequan Cook, Sr
Evan Turner, Jr
Kosta Koufos, Jr
Greg Oden, Sr

Bench
William Buford, So
Jon Diebler, Jr
David Lighty, Jr
BJ Mullens, So
 
@WeAreDePaul I don't know. It's tough. I'll keep it to one team, per school. As Kentucky-Duke could have several. I'd like to think the 2001 Duke team with Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and William Avery would have been pretty darn special, too (Battier-Jason Williams-Boozer-Dunleavy were already on the team). But, hard to overlook that ridiculous talent for 2020. The 2017 Kentucky team would take the cake. Looks like 5 NBA All-Stars to me.

#1 Kentucky, 2017
Starters
De'Aaron Fox, Fr
Jamal Murray, So
Devin Booker, Jr
Julius Randle, Sr
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jr

Bench
Tyler Ulis, Jr
Malik Monk, So
Isaiah Briscoe, So
Aaron Harrison, Sr
Andrew Harrison, Sr
James Young, Sr
Charles Matthews, So
Trey Lyles, Jr
Skal Labissiere, So
Dakari Johnson, Sr

#2 Duke, 2020
Starters
Tre Jones, So
RJ Barrett, So
Jayson Tatum, Sr
Zion Williamson, So
Marvin Bagley, Jr

Bench
Frank Jackson, Sr
Trevon Duval, Jr
Cassius Stanley, Fr
Gary Trent, Jr
Matthew Hurt, Fr
Harry Giles, Sr
Wendell Carter, Jr
Vernon Carey, Fr

#3 Texas, 2007
Starters
DJ Augustin, Fr
Daniel Gibson, Jr
Kevin Durant, Fr
PJ Tucker, Sr
LaMarcus Aldridge, Jr

Bench
AJ Abrams, So
Damion James, Fr
Dexter Pittman, Fr

#4 UNC, 2006
Starters
Raymond Felton, Sr
Rashad McCants, Sr
Marvin Williams, So
Tyler Hansbrough, Fr
Sean May, Sr

Bench
Danny Green, Fr
David Noel, Sr
Reyshawn Terry, Jr

^Maybe 2009 with Brandan Wright, or 2013 with Barnes, Marshall, and Henson back?

#5 UCLA, 2009
Starters
Darren Collison, Sr
Russell Westbrook, Jr
Jrue Holiday, Fr
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Sr
Kevin Love, Jr

Bench
Malcolm Lee, Fr
Josh Shipp, Sr
Alfred Aboya, Sr
Drew Gordon, Fr

#6 Kansas, 2009
Starters
Sherron Collins, Jr
Mario Chalmers, Sr
Brandon Rush, Sr
Darrell Arthur, Jr
Cole Aldrich, So

Bench
Tyshawn Taylor, Fr
Marcus Morris, Fr
Markieff Morris, Fr

Could be other years, maybe '12 KU with Xavier Henry and the Morris twins?

#7 Ohio State 2010
Starters
Mike Conley, Sr
Daequan Cook, Sr
Evan Turner, Jr
Kosta Koufos, Jr
Greg Oden, Sr

Bench
William Buford, So
Jon Diebler, Jr
David Lighty, Jr
BJ Mullens, So


I'm just talking about this year. Who would the top 10 have been. You've got your homework now.
 
PG John Wall / Brandon Knight / Marquis Teague
SG Doron Lamb / Eric Bledsoe
SF Michael Kidd Gilchrist / Terrence Jones
PF Anthony Davis / Nerlens Noel
C Demarcus Cousins / Willie Cauley Stein
 
You could basically pick any UK team this decade and then start adding back all the draft picks from the 3 drafts prior.
 
Oh I missed the OP point too. You can Add Jackson, Sarr and Nick Richards to ur UK list, not sure they get any clock tho lol.
 
Oh I missed the OP point too. You can Add Jackson, Sarr and Nick Richards to ur UK list, not sure they get any clock tho lol.


Would Richards still be there? I thought he left as an upper classman?

Don't know who Jackson or Sarr TBH.
 
PG John Wall / Brandon Knight / Marquis Teague
SG Doron Lamb / Eric Bledsoe
SF Michael Kidd Gilchrist / Terrence Jones
PF Anthony Davis / Nerlens Noel
C Demarcus Cousins / Willie Cauley Stein

THIS YEAR.
 
THIS YEAR.

Kentucky gets like 9 new players a year you trying to make me think of who played 3 years ago? That's too hard.

Off the top of my head I'd pick Duke though because a junior Zion would be lol. Probably average 30/20 a game, but they'd lose in the final four because RJ Barrett goes hero ball.
 
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Would Richards still be there? I thought he left as an upper classman?

Don't know who Jackson or Sarr TBH.

Isaiah Jackson, big man frosh. Their best player this year imo. The second best imo, Sarr was their jr big man that transferred from wake last year.

Richards left last year as a soph (crazy that at UK that really does seem like an upperclassman lol). He came in with Quickley, herro, johnson, and Hagans iirc.
 
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Kentucky gets like 9 new players a year you trying to make me think of who played 3 years ago? That's too hard.

Off the top of my head I'd pick Duke though because a junior Zion would be lol. Probably average 30/20 a game, but they'd lose in the final four because RJ Barrett goes hero ball.


you don't need to think, I listed the UK team in the OP. I know who the dummies are here, don't worry.
 
So do teams get to have more than 13 scholarships? Or do we have to remove some lesser players who wouldn’t have been takes if a guy like Jon Isaac was still at FSU?
 
So do teams get to have more than 13 scholarships? Or do we have to remove some lesser players who wouldn’t have been takes if a guy like Jon Isaac was still at FSU?

Kick off the guys who aren't in your top 13. Wasn't Isaac 2017 draft? He'd be a senior last season.
 
Kick off the guys who aren't in your top 13. Wasn't Isaac 2017 draft? He'd be a senior last season.

Ahh you’re right. Forgot he wasn’t 2018.

So I guess something like this:

PG - Scottie Barnes, CJ Walker
SG - Devin Vassell, MJ Walker, Sardaar Calhoun
SF - Patrick Williams, Anthony Polite
PF - Mfiondu Kabengele, RaiQuan Gray
C - Balsa Koprivica, Ike Obiagu

I wasn’t sure what to do with transfers. But you said everyone stays four years, so I gave Malik Osborne back to Rice and allowed us to keep Obiagu and CJ Walker. CJ makes us MUCH better by giving us a real PG to run things in the half court sets and obviously Vassell and Williams make us better defensively and space the floor.
 
I would take Duke's roster a mile over anyone else. Kentucky is a very solid #2. Both rosters would look completely different.

TOP 25
#1 Duke
Tre Jones, Jr (2 ppg in the NBA; 18 ppg in G League)
Gary Trent, Sr (15 ppg in the NBA)
RJ Barrett, Jr (17 ppg in the NBA)
Zion Williamson, Jr (26.5 ppg in the NBA)
Marvin Bagley, Sr (14 ppg in the NBA)

Trevon Duval, Sr (G League)
Cassius Stanley, So (1 ppg in NBA; 13 ppg in G League)
Cam Reddish, Jr (11 pgg in NBA)
Wendell Carter, Sr (11 ppg in NBA)
Vernon Carey, So (0.6 ppg in NBA)

#2 Kentucky
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Sr (24 ppg in NBA)
Tyler Herro, Jr (16 ppg in NBA)
Keldon Johnson, Jr (13 ppg in NBA)
PJ Washington, Sr (12 ppg in NBA)
Nick Richards, Sr (1 ppg in NBA)

Immanuel Quickley, Jr (12 ppg in NBA)
Tyrese Maxey, So (7 ppg in NBA)
Hamidou Diallo, Sr (12 ppg in NBA)
Kevin Knox, Sr (5 ppg in NBA)
Jarred Vanderbilt, Sr (5 ppg in NBA)

After that, wow. It's tough. Really tough. Most every team in my top 25 would see a significant improvement in talent. Not counting guys that transferred out of the program.

#3 Baylor
Add: Tristan Clark (healthy)

#4 Gonzaga
Add: Filip Petrusev, Zach Norvell

#5 Michigan
Add: Jordan Poole, Ignas Brazdeikis,

#6 Alabama
Add: Collin Sexton, Kira Lewis

#7 UCLA
Add: Jaylen Hands, Kris Wilkes, Moses Brown

#8 Florida State
Add: Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, Mfiondu Kabengele

#9 Villanova
Add: Saddiq Bey, Omari Spellman

#10 Arkansas
Add: Mason Jones, Isaiah Joe, Daniel Gafford

#11 USC
Add: Kevin Porter, Onyeka Okongwu

#12 North Carolina
Add: Coby White, Cole Anthony, Nassir Little

#13 Arizona
Add: Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Ayton

#14 Texas Tech
Add: Zhaire Smith, Jarret Culver

#15 Oklahoma
Add: Trae Young

#16 Oregon
Add: Troy Brown, Louis King Bol Bol

#17 Virginia
Add: De'Andre Hunter

#18 Kansas
Add: Devon Dotson

#19 Illinois
No Additions

#20 Houston
Add: Nate Hinton

#21 Maryland
Add: Jalen Smith, Bruno Fernando

#22 San Diego State
Add: Malachi Flynn, Jalen McDaniels

#23 Auburn
Add: Isaac Okoro, Chuma Okeke

#24 Dayton
Add: Obi Toppin, Kostas Antetokounmpo

#25 Vanderbilt
Add: Darius Garland, Saben Lee, Aaron Nesmith, Semi Shittu


Honorable Mention
LSU

Add: Tremont Waters, Naz Reid

Washington
Add: Jaylen Nowell, Jaden McDaniels, Isaiah Stewart

Ohio State
Add: Kaleb Wesson

Missouri
Add: Michael Porter, Jontay Porter

Stanford
Add: Tyrell Terry, KZ Okpala

Michigan State
Add: Xavier Tillman, Jaren Jackson (injured for season)

Syracuse
Add: Elijah Hughes, Oshae Brissett

Louisville
Add: Jay Scrubb, Jordan Nwora

Georgia
Add: Anthony Edwards, Nicolas Claxton

Texas
Add: Jaxon Hayes, Mo Bamba

Iowa
No Additions

Creighton
Add: Ty-Shon Alexander

Colorado
Add: Tyler Bey
 
Last edited:
I'm a Kentucky fan and I don't know who played here three years ago, so don't feel bad.
 
'17 KU would have had:

SR Frank Mason
JR Devonte Graham
SR Andrew Wiggins
FR Josh Jackson
SR Joel Embiid

FR Udoka
JR Kelly Oubre
SR Wayne Selden
JR Svi
JR Cliff Alexander
SO Lagerald Vick
SR Brannen Greene

That's pretty tough to beat.
 
@dukedevilz list by Conference:

A10:
1. Dayton (24th nationally)

AAC:
1. Houston (20th nationally)

ACC:
1. Duke (1st nationally)
2. Florida State (8th nationally)
3. North Carolina (12th nationally)
4. Virginia (17th nationally)
5. Syracuse (HM)
6. Louisville (HM)

Big 12:
1. Baylor (3rd nationally)
2. Texas Tech (14th nationally)
3. Oklahoma (15th nationally)
4. Kansas (18th nationally)
5. Texas (HM)

Big East:
1. Villanova (9th nationally)
2. Creighton (HM)

Big Ten:
1. Michigan (5th nationally)
2. Illinois (19th nationally)
3. Maryland (21st nationally)
4. Ohio State (HM)
5. Michigan State (HM)
6. Iowa (HM)

MWC:
1. San Diego State (22nd nationally)

PAC 12:
1. UCLA (7th nationally)
2. USC (11th nationally)
3. Arizona (13th nationally)
4. Oregon (16th nationally)
5. Washington (HM)
6. Stanford (HM)
7. Colorado (HM)

SEC:
1. Kentucky (2nd nationally)
2. Alabama (6th nationally)
3. Arkansas (10th nationally)
4. Auburn (23rd nationally)
5. Vanderbilt (25th nationally)
6. LSU (HM)
7. Missouri (HM)
8. Georgia (HM)

WCC:
1. Gonzaga (4th nationally)
 
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'17 KU would have had:

SR Frank Mason
JR Devonte Graham
SR Andrew Wiggins
FR Josh Jackson
SR Joel Embiid

FR Udoka
JR Kelly Oubre
SR Wayne Selden
JR Svi
JR Cliff Alexander
SO Lagerald Vick
SR Brannen Greene

That's pretty tough to beat.
Yes, but Embiid had a season-ending injury in January 2017. So, if the rosters are reflective of how players performed in 2017, I would easily take Kentucky.

Kentucky
Starters
De'Aaron Fox, Fr,
Jamal Murray, So,
Devin Booker, Jr,
Julius Randle, Sr,
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jr,

Key Bench
Tyler Ulis, Jr,
Malik Monk, Fr,
Trey Lyles, Jr,
Bam Adebayo, Fr
 
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Good stuff @dukedevilz. Seeing you put UK's team out I actually think they have a better shot against Duke than I did originally. I forgot just how damn good SGA has been in the league. Could make a case he's the best player on the floor in that matchup (even though I wouldn't). Only real weak spot is the 5, but Richards was an All SEC player, think he and Jackson/Vanderbilt could hold their own.
 
Yes, but Embiid had a season-ending injury in January 2017. So, if the rosters are reflective of how players performed in 2017, I would easily take Kentucky.

Kentucky
Starters
De'Aaron Fox, Fr,
Jamal Murray, So,
Devin Booker, Jr,
Julius Randle, Sr,
Karl-Anthony Towns, Jr,

Key Bench
Tyler Ulis, Jr,
Malik Monk, Fr,
Trey Lyles, Jr,
Bam Adebayo, Fr
If he stayed in Lawrence, that injury may not happen.

If we're factoring in all injuries, then that's bad news for KU's frontcourt. Azubuike was injured that year too.

If healthy, I don't think it's even close. A senior trio of Embiid/Wiggins/Mason?

A lot of the key players on that Kentucky team would be freshmen/sophomores.
 
I would take Duke's roster a mile over anyone else. Kentucky is a very solid #2. Both rosters would look completely different.

TOP 25
#1 Duke
Tre Jones, Jr (2 ppg in the NBA; 18 ppg in G League)
Gary Trent, Sr (15 ppg in the NBA)
RJ Barrett, Jr (17 ppg in the NBA)
Zion Williamson, Jr (26.5 ppg in the NBA)
Marvin Bagley, Sr (14 ppg in the NBA)

Trevon Duval, Sr (G League)
Cassius Stanley, So (1 ppg in NBA; 13 ppg in G League)
Cam Reddish, Jr (11 pgg in NBA)
Wendell Carter, Sr (11 ppg in NBA)
Vernon Carey, So (0.6 ppg in NBA)

#2 Kentucky
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Sr (24 ppg in NBA)
Tyler Herro, Jr (16 ppg in NBA)
Keldon Johnson, Jr (13 ppg in NBA)
PJ Washington, Sr (12 ppg in NBA)
Nick Richards, Sr (1 ppg in NBA)

Immanuel Quickley, Jr (12 ppg in NBA)
Tyrese Maxey, So (7 ppg in NBA)
Hamidou Diallo, Sr (12 ppg in NBA)
Kevin Knox, Sr (5 ppg in NBA)
Jarred Vanderbilt, Sr (5 ppg in NBA)

After that, wow. It's tough. Really tough. Most every team in my top 25 would see a significant improvement in talent. Not counting guys that transferred out of the program.

#3 Baylor
Add: Tristan Clark (healthy)

#4 Gonzaga
Add: Filip Petrusev, Zach Norvell

#5 Michigan
Add: Jordan Poole, Ignas Brazdeikis,

#6 Alabama
Add: Collin Sexton, Kira Lewis

#7 UCLA
Add: Jaylen Hands, Kris Wilkes, Moses Brown

#8 Florida State
Add: Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, Mfiondu Kabengele

#9 Villanova
Add: Saddiq Bey, Omari Spellman

#10 Arkansas
Add: Mason Jones, Isaiah Joe, Daniel Gafford

#11 USC
Add: Kevin Porter, Onyeka Okongwu

#12 North Carolina
Add: Coby White, Cole Anthony, Nassir Little

#13 Arizona
Add: Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Ayton

#14 Texas Tech
Add: Zhaire Smith, Jarret Culver

#15 Oklahoma
Add: Trae Young

#16 Oregon
Add: Troy Brown, Louis King Bol Bol

#17 Virginia
Add: De'Andre Hunter

#18 Kansas
Add: Devon Dotson

#19 Illinois
No Additions

#20 Houston
Add: Nate Hinton

#21 Maryland
Add: Jalen Smith, Bruno Fernando

#22 San Diego State
Add: Malachi Flynn, Jalen McDaniels

#23 Auburn
Add: Isaac Okoro, Chuma Okeke

#24 Dayton
Add: Obi Toppin, Kostas Antetokounmpo

#25 Vanderbilt
Add: Darius Garland, Saben Lee, Aaron Nesmith, Semi Shittu


Honorable Mention
LSU

Add: Tremont Waters, Naz Reid

Washington
Add: Jaylen Nowell, Jaden McDaniels, Isaiah Stewart

Ohio State
Add: Kaleb Wesson

Missouri
Add: Michael Porter, Jontay Porter

Stanford
Add: Tyrell Terry, KZ Okpala

Michigan State
Add: Xavier Tillman, Jaren Jackson (injured for season)

Syracuse
Add: Elijah Hughes, Oshae Brissett

Louisville
Add: Jay Scrubb, Jordan Nwora

Georgia
Add: Anthony Edwards, Nicolas Claxton

Texas
Add: Jaxon Hayes, Mo Bamba

Iowa
No Additions

Creighton
Add: Ty-Shon Alexander

Colorado
Add: Tyler Bey
Could you imagine how amazing the tournament would be with all these guys?
 
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I would take Duke's roster a mile over anyone else. Kentucky is a very solid #2. Both rosters would look completely different.

TOP 25
#1 Duke
Tre Jones, Jr (2 ppg in the NBA; 18 ppg in G League)
Gary Trent, Sr (15 ppg in the NBA)
RJ Barrett, Jr (17 ppg in the NBA)
Zion Williamson, Jr (26.5 ppg in the NBA)
Marvin Bagley, Sr (14 ppg in the NBA)

Trevon Duval, Sr (G League)
Cassius Stanley, So (1 ppg in NBA; 13 ppg in G League)
Cam Reddish, Jr (11 pgg in NBA)
Wendell Carter, Sr (11 ppg in NBA)
Vernon Carey, So (0.6 ppg in NBA)

#2 Kentucky
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Sr (24 ppg in NBA)
Tyler Herro, Jr (16 ppg in NBA)
Keldon Johnson, Jr (13 ppg in NBA)
PJ Washington, Sr (12 ppg in NBA)
Nick Richards, Sr (1 ppg in NBA)

Immanuel Quickley, Jr (12 ppg in NBA)
Tyrese Maxey, So (7 ppg in NBA)
Hamidou Diallo, Sr (12 ppg in NBA)
Kevin Knox, Sr (5 ppg in NBA)
Jarred Vanderbilt, Sr (5 ppg in NBA)

After that, wow. It's tough. Really tough. Most every team in my top 25 would see a significant improvement in talent. Not counting guys that transferred out of the program.

#3 Baylor
Add: Tristan Clark (healthy)

#4 Gonzaga
Add: Filip Petrusev, Zach Norvell

#5 Michigan
Add: Jordan Poole, Ignas Brazdeikis,

#6 Alabama
Add: Collin Sexton, Kira Lewis

#7 UCLA
Add: Jaylen Hands, Kris Wilkes, Moses Brown

#8 Florida State
Add: Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams, Mfiondu Kabengele

#9 Villanova
Add: Saddiq Bey, Omari Spellman

#10 Arkansas
Add: Mason Jones, Isaiah Joe, Daniel Gafford

#11 USC
Add: Kevin Porter, Onyeka Okongwu

#12 North Carolina
Add: Coby White, Cole Anthony, Nassir Little

#13 Arizona
Add: Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji, DeAndre Ayton

#14 Texas Tech
Add: Zhaire Smith, Jarret Culver

#15 Oklahoma
Add: Trae Young

#16 Oregon
Add: Troy Brown, Louis King Bol Bol

#17 Virginia
Add: De'Andre Hunter

#18 Kansas
Add: Devon Dotson

#19 Illinois
No Additions

#20 Houston
Add: Nate Hinton

#21 Maryland
Add: Jalen Smith, Bruno Fernando

#22 San Diego State
Add: Malachi Flynn, Jalen McDaniels

#23 Auburn
Add: Isaac Okoro, Chuma Okeke

#24 Dayton
Add: Obi Toppin, Kostas Antetokounmpo

#25 Vanderbilt
Add: Darius Garland, Saben Lee, Aaron Nesmith, Semi Shittu


Honorable Mention
LSU

Add: Tremont Waters, Naz Reid

Washington
Add: Jaylen Nowell, Jaden McDaniels, Isaiah Stewart

Ohio State
Add: Kaleb Wesson

Missouri
Add: Michael Porter, Jontay Porter

Stanford
Add: Tyrell Terry, KZ Okpala

Michigan State
Add: Xavier Tillman, Jaren Jackson (injured for season)

Syracuse
Add: Elijah Hughes, Oshae Brissett

Louisville
Add: Jay Scrubb, Jordan Nwora

Georgia
Add: Anthony Edwards, Nicolas Claxton

Texas
Add: Jaxon Hayes, Mo Bamba

Iowa
No Additions

Creighton
Add: Ty-Shon Alexander

Colorado
Add: Tyler Bey


I think LSU would be better than just an honorable mention. You forgot Emmitt Williams who was a helluva player.

Stud PG in Tremont Waters
Stud 2G in Cam Thomas
SF: Trendon Watford
PF: Emmitt Williams
C: Naz Reid

Bench: Smart, Days

Not too deep, but that starting lineup has to be better than several teams in the top 25.
 
Good stuff @dukedevilz. Seeing you put UK's team out I actually think they have a better shot against Duke than I did originally. I forgot just how damn good SGA has been in the league. Could make a case he's the best player on the floor in that matchup (even though I wouldn't). Only real weak spot is the 5, but Richards was an All SEC player, think he and Jackson/Vanderbilt could hold their own.

Those two rosters could win a fair amount of games in the NBA. It is interesting to see how players progress. SGA has obviously blown up, performing at an all-star level. Herro is solid. Knox, not so much. There were higher expectations for him. And for Duke, Zion is about what we expected. Bagley has been a little disappointing, while Gary Trent has been a pleasant surprise. Kentucky could definitely win this battle, it would be close. I'd still give a slight edge to Duke.
 
Could you imagine how amazing the tournament would be with all these guys?

Would be incredible! Although Duke and Kentucky may not make it fun for most teams. Huge upgrades in talent across the board, though. Illinois, with no improvements, is reduced to a 5 seed. Maybe that was a little harsh? Seeing how they lost in the 2nd Round, I'm okay with that ranking.
I think LSU would be better than just an honorable mention. You forgot Emmitt Williams who was a helluva player.

Stud PG in Tremont Waters
Stud 2G in Cam Thomas
SF: Trendon Watford
PF: Emmitt Williams
C: Naz Reid

Bench: Smart, Days

Not too deep, but that starting lineup has to be better than several teams in the top 25.

I did leave off Williams, you're right. Probably forgot a few other teams and players. That potential LSU team could be pretty solid. Not sure you want Trendon Watford at the 3 spot, though. Maybe slide him to the 4 and have Williams come off the bench. I had LSU at 26, so they were the first team to miss. But yeah, that team would have a lot of talent and could easily be in the top 15.
 
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Would be incredible! Although Duke and Kentucky may not make it fun for most teams. Huge upgrades in talent across the board, though. Illinois, with no improvements, is reduced to a 5 seed. Maybe that was a little harsh? Seeing how they lost in the 2nd Round, I'm okay with that ranking.


I did leave off Williams, you're right. Probably forgot a few other teams and players. That potential LSU team could be pretty solid. Not sure you want Trendon Watford at the 3 spot, though. Maybe slide him to the 4 and have Williams come off the bench. I had LSU at 26, so they were the first team to miss. But yeah, that team would have a lot of talent and could easily be in the top 15.
you're right about bringing Williams off the bench. I guess they'd go with a 3 guard lineup with Smart/Waters/Thomas. That's pretty deadly as long as they convince Smart he's the 3rd guard option.
 
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Those two rosters could win a fair amount of games in the NBA. It is interesting to see how players progress. SGA has obviously blown up, performing at an all-star level. Herro is solid. Knox, not so much. There were higher expectations for him. And for Duke, Zion is about what we expected. Bagley has been a little disappointing, while Gary Trent has been a pleasant surprise. Kentucky could definitely win this battle, it would be close. I'd still give a slight edge to Duke.

Oh I absolutely agree. Like I originally said Zion is the best player so I give them the edge. But I think I'd feel better about UK's bigs at least slowing him down than Jones trying to slow SGA. Herro has had a 30 point game in the playoffs already and averaged like 15 in the finals. Keldon Johnson has become really good for San Antonio and Quickley was the best player in the SEC last year. I think that guard room is a huge upgrade compared to Duke's like their frontcourt is to UK's. Would be a fun game.
 
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Just adding onto my previous post- from Sam Vecenie's 50 young talent rankings. UK/Duke have 11 of the top 50 eligible for this exercise, and that's not counting Tatum/Fox/Bam who are top 10 guys in that ranking. Nuts.

Duke has-
#3 Zion
#19 RJ Barrett
#37 Wendell Carter
#41 Gary Trent Jr
#45 Marvin Bagley
#46 Cam Reddish

UK has-
#6 SGA
#16 Tyler Herro
#27 Keldon Johnson
#36 PJ Washington
#50 Immanuel Quickley
 
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