Isamu Haynes-Sunayama – Sea Of Blue
Pre-season Marchmageddon, as the season is right around the corner and starts Monday for a lot of teams. Pre-season Marchmagedon will give you a little insight into some teams and where they might end up coming toward the season as there are a lot of great teams. With a lot to prove so, we will see as the season progresses which teams live up to the hype and which teams don’t.
Cook’s Pre-season- West (Las Vagas)
1. Gonzaga
The Bulldogs are going to be great again this year with Drew Timme coming back this season this could be the year that the Bulldogs win it all.
2. Texas
There is no doubt the longhorns have a very talented roster this year adding top transfer Tyrese Hunter (Iowa State). And an elite freshman Dillon Mitchell, will it mesh together we have seen great longhorn teams in the past that haven’t meshed together. The talent is definitely there, but we shall see.
3. UCLA
Johnny Juzang moves on, but Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell are back for the Bruins. To give them one of the most experienced teams in the country, also adding freshman Adem Bona this will be a team to look out for this year.
4. TCU
The Hornfrogs are one of the most physical teams in the country, almost pulling in an upset last March against a very good Arizona team. Mike Miles Jr. headlines the returning class for the Hornfrogs as they could be a dangerous team.
5. Arizona
6. Oregon
7. Texas Tech
8. Miami (FL)
9. Texas Tech
10. Iowa
11. Oklahoma
12. Drake
13. Grand Canyon
14. Pennsylvania
15. Purdue Fort Wayne
16. Morehead State
Cook’s Pre-Season MidWest (Kansas City)
1. Tennessee
The only thing missing in the Rick Barnes era in Knoxville is a deep NCAA tournament run. This year the Vols are putting a very elite defensive team on the floor, and guard Santiago Vescovi is one of the most underrated basketball players this season. As he has comparisons to Luka Doncic, he is not as big as Doncic but their game is very similar.
2. Kansas
Defending champs lose a lot, but PF Jalen Wilson should be among the Big 12’s best players and the Jayhawks have their best incoming freshman class in some time. Bill Self knows how to win big games also there is no doubt about that. So expect the Jayhawks to make a big run.
3. Baylor
The guard play in Waco this season could be elite, with smooth playmaking freshman Keyonte George joining proven commodities Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer in the backcourt. Don’t expect much of a dropoff this season from the Bears as they are a very talented bunch again this season.
4. Crighton
There is belief in Omaha that this could be the best team in Bluejays history. This is a very talented group that loves to shoot the long ball and many people know if those shots fall like they do most of the time this team is very dangerous.
5. San Diego St
6. Alabama
7. Michigan State
8. Oklahoma State
9. Virginia Tech
10. Memphis
11. UAB (Out Of Alabama)
12. Florida State – Rutgers (Last Four In)
13. Toledo
14. Colgate
15. Vermont
16. Nicholls State – Howard
Cook’s Pre-Season East (New York)
1. North Carolina
The nucleus of the Tar Heels team that came up short in 2022 in the title game is back. Including dominant post player Armando Bacot and elite scorer Caleb Love. Northwestern transfer Pete Nance replaces Brady Manek and gives UNC the best starting lineup in the country.
2. Vilanova
Kyle Neptune has the unenviable task of following Jay Wright at Vilanova, though Wright left behind three impact players Caleb Daniels, Brandon Slater, and Eric Dixon to lay the foundation. And even though Vilanova and Jay Wright aren’t known for one-and-done players they may have one in Cam Whitmore.
3. Arkansas
Coming off consecutive Elite Eight appearances, Eric Musselman brings in the most talented roster he has had in Fayetteville so far in his tenure. Nick Smith Jr. will definitely help this roster as he was the top recruit in the country and he is definitely a lottery pick in the NBA.
4. Indiana
Experience is on the Hoosier’s side this season with four senior starters. Including star big man Trayce Jackson-Davis. This team could be really great this season with all of the experience.
5. Dayton
6. Illinois
7. Xavier
8. Florida
9. UCONN
10. Notre Dame
11. St. John’s – Saint Mary’s (Last Four)
12. Furman
13. Townson
14. Iona
15. Montana State
16. Winthrop
Cook’s Pre-Season South (Louisville)
1. Kentucky
The Wildcats are the first team to bring back a defending men’s National Player of the Year since Tyler Hansbrough returned to North Carolina in 2009. North Carolina won the National Title that season this Wildcat team can definitely do that with their talent but getting it to mesh together will be the key.
2. Houston
Any Kevin Sampson team will defend and rebound at an elite level, but what makes this group special is the elite guard play of Marcus Sasser and Jamal Shead. Plus the Cougars have two potential lottery NBA picks in Jarace Walker and Terrance Arceneaux.
3. Purdue
They may not be a harder player to guard in college basketball than, 7’4″ behemoth Zack Edey who is not the definite leader of the team with Jaden Ivey and Trevion Williams gone and off to the pros. Freshman Braden Smith is a very highly touted recruit, Purdue should be just fine this year and could make another big run.
4. Virginia
It is rare that a team returns all five starters, including star forward Jayden Gardner and fifth-year PG Kihei Clark. That is a strong recipe for success in Toney Bennett’s pack-line defense.
5. Auburn
6. Michigan
7. Ole Miss
8. Saint Louis
9. USC
10. Ohio State
11. Wyoming
12. Liberty
13. UC Santa Barbara
14. Oral Roberts
15. Louisiana
16. Southern – Wagner (First Four)
Check Out Our Shop
Check Out Our Newsletter
Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up
