The 2021-22 college basketball season has been a year of recovery for some of the sport’s biggest programs. Arizona, duke, kentucky When Indiana It was one of the notable brands to host the NCAA Tournament in March after missing out on 2021.
In the modern age of college basketball, getting things off the ground can be accomplished quickly, even if you’re a freshman coach. Tommy Lloyd’s immediate turnaround in Arizona is a good example. The former Gonzaga assistant led the Wildcats to his Pac-12 Championship and earned the No. 1 seed in his 2022 NCAA Tournament. Sure, the Wildcats have racked up talent since Sean Miller’s tenure and were banned from the 2021 NCAA Tournament, but it was still a monumental bounce-back season.
At the other end of the spectrum was Duke, who made a huge turnaround under 42nd year coach Mike Klusevski to reach the Final Four after missing the tournament entirely in 2021.
Some recovery teams have also come from outside the hardliners. Notre Dame When richmond They put a disappointing 2020-21 result behind them and won a game in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
As the 2022-23 season approaches, which team is in store for you?
Texas A&M has had a compelling case of being a big team, winning 11-2 in the final 13 games leading up to the 2022 NCAA Tournament Selection Show. However, the Aggies were unable to make the bracket. This is mainly because before a great run he suffered an eight-game losing streak, taking a toll on his résumé.they are over However on the other side of the bubble. While admittedly disappointing, I don’t think Buzz Williams’ program needs to sweat this season’s Selection Sunday. Because seven of the team’s top nine scorers last season are back.
Aggie should be fine.i have them 18th CBS Sports Top 25 and 1which equates to fifth place in the SEC (Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee When auburn). So, if no surprises, Williams should soon join the list of coaches who have taken three different schools to his NCAA Tournament.he did it before Marquette When Virginia TechHe plans to do it at Texas A&M in March. — Gary Parrish
There are many candidates to consider.I have seen Virginia When Dayton closely. But I’ll go with X-Men. chance To take the Big East throne and become the top Big East team after Jay Wright. If anything, this is his 2023 Big East dark horse. Xavier went 23-13 last season and was upset in the second half, falling out of the dance after it was casually revealed for much of the season that Travis Steele would bring the program back into the tournament. As such, the program is facing his longest NCAA Tournament drought in over 40 years. The last time Xavier was elected to the NCAA was in his 2018. Fans are desperate for a return to form.
Sean Miller is back where he was from 2004-2009, inheriting two great big players: 7-foot Jack Nunge and 6-foot-9 power forward Zach Fremantle. Junior guard Colby He loves Jones’ leap potential and I think the same will happen to KyKy Tandy. His seven of Miller’s top eight competitors are likely juniors and seniors. Most of those players are Xavier players from the jump (i.e. not transferred) which is significant. He has size, speed, rebounds, and I think he has a top 25 offense lurking. Not only will he return to the NCAA Tournament, but the X will play out with the top 4 seeds and make the biggest comeback of the season he thinks he’ll be one of the stories. — Matt Norlander
Florida is speculated to be the most likely of all non-tournament teams to return to the big dance next season.Gators have some uncertainty — Mike White has moved on Georgia So the University of Florida has recruited 37-year-old Todd Golden, but is confident about that uncertainty. golden is a rising star A profession known for its analytical bent, San FranciscoIt should be a long term upgrade in philosophy from the old coaching staff.
Florida has already assembled an incredibly fun roster for next season, too. All four transfers of Will Richards, Alex Fudge, Kyle Lofton and Trey Bonham could contribute from day one. Especially Richard BelmontFactoring in the Gators’ return (including Colin Castleton), we now have a roster ready to put the program back into the national spotlight where it belongs as an NCAA Tournament team. — Kyle Boone
Florida State’s rough run with injuries played a big part in last season’s 17-14 (10-10 ACC) finish and four straight NCAA Tournament appearances for the Seminoles. After a string of bad luck in the past, FSU is ready to return to the big dance.
Leading scorers Caleb Mills and Matthew Cleveland are back, and Knowles just added the 18th-ranked recruit class in the nation. Mills appeared in 26 games last season, averaging 12.7 points, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. houston The transfer was also unaffected by the injury. Cleveland is averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds as a true freshman, poised to take a big step alongside his sophomore fellow Jaren Worley. According to 247Sports, Cleveland and Wally are each top 35 prospects in his 2021 class and both appear to be breakout candidates for his ACC.
Another breakout candidate is Cam’Ron Fletcher, a versatile forward who played some of his best basketball in the stretch last season after moving from Kentucky. 21 Going into his second season, coach Leonard Hamilton has built a strong and stable program that appears to have the foundation needed to quickly bounce back to his typical 20-win floor. — David Cobb
