Cnotes Looking Ahead To 2017 College Hoops !

[CNOTES]

Oklahoma Preview Capsule
October 27, 2017


Oklahoma Preview Capsule


Oklahoma


Last season: 11-20


Nickname: Sooners.


Coach: Lon Kruger.


Conference: Big 12.


Who's gone: G Jordan Woodard. He was the team's leading scorer with 14.6 points per game in an injury-shortened senior campaign.


Who's back: G Kameron McGusty. He was the team's No. 2 scorer last season as a freshman; G Rashard Odomes, who averaged 10.1 points last season as a sophomore; F Khristian Doolittle, who was one of Oklahoma's best players in league play but is suspended for the fall semester; C Khadeem Lattin, a senior holdover from the team that reached the Final Four two years ago.


Who's new: G Trae Young. A McDonald's All-American who opted to stay in his hometown of Norman. He averaged 42.6 points per game as a senior at Norman North High School; F Brady Manek, who was a standout during Oklahoma's foreign tour this summer; C Hannes Polla, a freshman from Finland.


The Skinny: Oklahoma reached the Final Four two years ago with Buddy Hield, then rebuilt with young, talented players last season. The players who scraped and clawed through the Big 12 last season now have an elite point guard in Young to tie it all together. The Sooners should be exciting to watch and much improved. A return to the NCAA Tournament is a legitimate goal.

 

[CNOTES]

Oklahoma State Preview Capsule
October 27, 2017


Oklahoma State Preview Capsule


Oklahoma State


Last season: 20-13, lost in first round of the NCAA Tournament.


Nickname: Cowboys.


Coach: Mike Boynton.


Conference: Big 12.


Who's gone: G Jawun Evans. He was one of the nation's best point guards last season, averaging 19.2 points and 6.4 assists per game before leaving early for the NBA; G Phil Forte, who averaged 13.3 points per game and was one of the best 3-point shooters in school history; F Leyton Hammonds, who started 32 of Oklahoma State's 33 games last season.


Who's back: F Jeffrey Carroll. He considered leaving for the NBA after his junior season but chose to stay put. He averaged 17.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season and has been named preseason All-Big 12; G Lindy Waters III, who shot 44 percent from 3-point range as a freshman; C Mitchell Solomon, a steady senior who started 22 games last season; G Brandon Averette; G/F Davon Dillard.


Who's new: G Zack Dawson, a four-star recruit who averaged 26.5 points and 8.0 rebounds as a senior at South Miami High School; F/C Yankuba Sima, a junior transfer from St. John's who is expected to be eligible after the fall semester.


The Skinny: The Cowboys have distractions aplenty, with the bribery scandal already leading to assistant coach Lamont Evans' dismissal. Add the loss of Evans and the fact that new coach Mike Boynton faces so many issues beyond basketball, and it could be a rough season for the Cowboys.

 

[CNOTES]

Texas Tech Preview Capsule
October 27, 2017


Texas Tech Preview Capsule


Texas Tech


Last season: 18-14.


Nickname: Red Raiders.


Coach: Chris Beard.


Conference: Big 12.


Who's gone: F Anthony Livingston; F Aaron Ross; G Devon Thomas; F Matthew Temple; F Thomas Brandsma.


Who's back: G Keenan Evans, the team's top scorer at 15.4 points per game while shooting 43 percent on 3-pointers; F Zach Smith, who averaged 12.1 points and team-best 7.2 rebounds; F Justin Gray, who shot 53 percent from the field; G Niem Stevenson.


Who's new: Most of the team with 11 newcomers. Seven are true freshmen along with junior college transfer guards Josh Webster and Hyron Edwards, and two Division I transfers, Tommy Hamilton IV from DePaul and Brandone Francis from Florida.


The Skinny: With five seniors and seven freshmen, Beard was spot-on when he said the team's ''chemistry is a work in progress.'' When the former Red Raiders assistant returned to Texas Tech last year as head coach, he brought in three graduate transfers among six new players. Whether the Raiders can get back to their second NCAA Tournament in 11 seasons will depend on how the seasoned seniors and the youngsters come together on the court.

 

[CNOTES]

TCU Preview Capsule
October 27, 2017


TCU Preview Capsule


TCU


Last season: 24-15, NIT champions.


Nickname: Horned Frogs.


Coach: Jamie Dixon.


Conference: Big 12.


Who's gone: G Brandon Parrish, F Karviar Shepherd, F Chris Washburn, G Michael Williams.


Who's back: All five starters: F Vladimir Brodziansky, a preseason all-Big 12 pick after averaging team-high 14.1 points with 5.7 rebounds last season; PG Jaylen Fisher (9.9 points, 4.0 assists); F JD Miller; G Alex Robinson; F Kenrich Williams (11.4 points, 9.7 rebounds), who missed the 2016-17 opener before returning to the court after more than 600 days away from competition because of injuries.


Who's new: F Ahmed Hamdy, a graduate transfer from VCU, who is eligible to play immediately; Australian forwards Lat Mayen and Kouat Noi; G RJ Nembhard; JUCO transfer G Shawn Olden, a former top freshman at Pepperdine; C Kevin Samuel.


The Skinny: Dixon had an immediate impact at his alma mater after leaving Pittsburgh to return to Fort Worth. The Frogs won more than 20 games for the first time since 2004-05, and the NIT title. With all five starters back and some experienced newcomers, TCU is already getting noticed in the Big 12 - coaches picked them third in the preseason poll. They could make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998.

 

[CNOTES]

South Carolina Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina


Last season: 26-11, first Final Four appearance.


Nickname: Gamecocks.


Coach: Frank Martin.


Conference: Southeastern.


Who's gone: G Sindarius Thorwell (senior), G Duane Notice (senior), G Justin McKie (senior), G P.J. Dozier (left for NBA draft after sophomore season), G Rakym Felder (dismissed after second arrest on assault charges in less than year).


Who's back: F Chris Silva. The junior was a big part of the Final Four run, scoring in double figures in all five tournament games including a career-high 17 points in a win over Duke in the second round. F Maik Kotsar. The 6-foot-10 forward played 37 games as a freshman and added 15 pounds (up to 260) to better compete down low in the SEC.


Who's new: G Kory Holden. A junior who transferred from Delaware and averaged 17.7 points a game his final year with the Blue Hens. He sat out last season due to NCAA rules. G Frank Booker. A graduate transfer who spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma and last year at Florida Atlantic before coming to the Gamecocks. G David Beatty. A 6-2 freshman who has impressed coaches with his quick pickup of the defense.


The Skinny: Frank Martin signed a contract extension in the offseason instead of bailing at the first true sign of success. That says the sixth-year coach is looking at the long haul with the Gamecocks and believes the program can get further than just the Final Four.

 

[CNOTES]

Alabama season preview capsule
October 30, 2017


Alabama season preview capsule


Alabama


Last season: 19-15, lost in first round of NIT


Nickname: Crimson Tide


Coach: Avery Johnson


Conference: Southeastern


Who's gone: F Bola Olaniyan (6.4 rpg), G Corban Collins (7.0 ppg), F Jimmie Taylor (5.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg)


Who's back: G Braxton Key. Led Alabama in scoring as a freshman, averaging 12.0 ppg and 5.7 rpg. G Dazon Ingram averaged 10.5 ppg and led team in assists and 3-point percentage; only Tide player to start all 34 games. F Donta Hall provided size and rebounding inside, leading team in blocks and field goal percentage.


Who's new: G Collin Sexton is a consensus Top 10 recruit, and the freshman is a second-team preseason All-SEC pick. G John Petty is a two-time Alabama Mr. Basketball out of Huntsville. They were the centerpieces of the program's highest rated recruiting class, rated No. 5 by three major recruiting services. F/C Daniel Giddens sat out last season after transferring from Ohio State.


The Skinny: Appears to have a good shot at making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012 and second since 2006. A big reason for that is the arrival of Sexton and Petty, but there's a strong returning nucleus, too, led by Key and Ingram. Picked to finish fourth in the SEC, the highest projection under Johnson.

 

[CNOTES]

Georgia Preview-Capsule
October 30, 2017


Georgia Preview-Capsule


Georgia


Last season: 19-15, lost in first round of the NIT.


Nickname: Bulldogs.


Coach: Mark Fox.


Conference: Southeastern.


Who's gone: G J.J. Frazier, F Houston Kessler, F Kenny Paul Geno, G Brandon Young.


Who's back: F Yante Maten is SEC's active career leader in points (1,250), rebounds (606) and blocked shots (149). He averaged 18.2 points and 6.8 rebounds as a junior. F Derek Ogbeidi is team's leading returning rebounder (7.6). G Juwan Parker returns from his second Achilles tendon injury, one on each leg. Parker is second-leading returning scorer (9.3). The fifth-year senior is working on his second master's degree. Jordan Harris and William ''Turtle'' Jackson shared a starting job in backcourt.


Who's new: Five-man freshman class includes G Rayshaun Hammonds and F Nicolas Claxton, the 6-foot-11 son of former Georgia and NBA center Charles Claxton. Junior Christian Harrison is a walk-on transfer who was a backup for two years at Troy.


The Skinny: Frazier will be missed as a leader and 3-point scorer. Maten, Ogbeidi and Parker form a strong base. Once again, Fox is under pressure to take Bulldogs to NCAA tournament. Fox has an impressive string of five straight seasons with .500 or better SEC records and had a streak of three straight 20-win seasons snapped last year, but too often his teams have settled for NIT berths. Georgia has only two NCAA bids in Fox's eight seasons.

 

[CNOTES]

Auburn Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Auburn Preview Capsule


Auburn


Last season: 18-14, lost to Missouri in first round of SEC tournament


Nickname: Tigers


Coach: Bruce Pearl


Conference: Southeastern


Who's gone: G T.J. Dunans (8.2 ppg, 2nd in assists); G Ronnie Johnson (7.8 ppg, 3rd in assists).


Who's back: G Mustapha Heron led team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and rebounding (6.1 rpg) last season; F Danjel Purifoy averaged 11.5 points and led team with 59 3-pointers; C Austin Wiley (8.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg); G Jared Harper (11.4 ppg, team-high 95 assists).


Who's new: G Davion Mitchell is a four-star prospect and strong defender at the point. F Chuma Okeke, another four-star signee, averaged a double-double in points and rebounds during a four-game Italy tour.


The Skinny: The Tigers appeared poised to make a run at their first NCAA Tournament since 2003, but open with a cloud of uncertainty instead. Associate head coach Chuck Person has been arrested in a federal investigation for allegedly accepting bribes to steer Auburn pro prospects to a financial advisor after college. Part of that money allegedly went to families of two recruits, possibly leaving them ineligible. Auburn and investigators haven't disclosed the players' identity.

 

[CNOTES]

Kentucky Preview-Capsule
October 30, 2017


Kentucky Preview-Capsule


Kentucky


Last season: 32-6, reached NCAA Tournament South Region final.


Nickname: Wildcats.


Coach: John Calipari.


Conference: Southeastern.


Who's gone: G De'Aaron Fox, G Malik Monk, F Bam Adebayo (all NBA lottery picks); G Isaiah Briscoe, F Derek Willis, G Dominique Hawkins, G Mychal Mulder, F Isaac Humphries.


Who's back: F Wenyen Gabriel. The 6-foot-9 sophomore started 23 of 38 games before his minutes dwindled in the postseason but returns as the Wildcats' top scorer (4.6 points) and rebounder (4.8); Fs Sacha Killeya-Jones and Tai Wynyard, both 6-10, look for bigger roles this season.


Who's new: G Hamidou Diallo. The mid-year enrollee who dressed but didn't play flirted with entering the NBA Draft before deciding to return and get actual minutes. Calipari offset some of the departures with his usual crop of high school All-Americans: G Quade Green (6-0) and Fs Jarred Vanderbilt (6-9), Nick Richards (6-11), Kevin Knox (6-9) and P.J. Washington (6-7). Gs Jemarl Baker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were top-100 players as well.


The Skinny: The Wildcats' latest roster turnover has left Calipari with perhaps his youngest group since arriving in Lexington eight years ago. With no veteran upperclassmen, Gabriel, Wynyard and Killeya-Jones must provide leadership while competing with the newcomers for minutes. Calipari's immediate task is finding a floor general like John Wall and Tyler Ulis, but his history has shown things often work out. Having so much high-level talent is a problem any coach would love to have, though Calipari warns it might be ugly early on.

 

[CNOTES]

LSU Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


LSU Preview Capsule


LSU


Last season: 10-21; second straight season with no postseason appearance.


Nickname: Tigers.


Coach: Will Wade.


Conference: Southeastern


Who's gone: G Antonio Blakeney, G Jalyn Patterson, F Elbert Robinson III, G Kieran Hayward.


Who's back: F Duop Reath. The 6-11 senior is LSU's top returning scorer and interior defender. He averaged 12 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game last season. G Brandon Sampson. The 6-5 junior was LSU's third-leading scorer last season (11.6 points per game). He'll play on the wing. G Skylar Mays. Started 25 games as a freshman last season, averaging 8.3 points, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals. F Aaron Epps. The 6-10 senior started 19 games, averaged 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game.


Who's new: G Tremont Waters. The 5-11 freshman from New Haven, Connecticut, will start right away. The four-star prospect was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Connecticut last season and played in the Jordan Brand All-Star game. G Randy Onwuasor. The 6-3 graduate transfer was among the top scorers in the nation last season at Utah State, averaging 23.6 points. F Jeremy Combs. The 6-7 graduate transfer was injured much of his senior season at North Texas, where he played for current LSU assistant coach Tony Benford. In 14 games last season, Combs averaged 10.2 points and 6.4 rebounds.


The Skinny: The SEC preseason poll has LSU finishing last and Wade isn't promising miracles in his first season. But he is pledging that his team won't be outworked, will be fundamentally sound and have exceptional situational awareness. He also suggests that he has enough scoring to pull out games in which the Tigers keep it close.

 

[CNOTES]

Mississippi Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Mississippi Preview Capsule


Mississippi


Last season: 22-14, advanced to the NIT quarterfinals.


Nickname: Rebels.


Coach: Andy Kennedy.


Conference: Southeastern


Who's gone: G Cullen Neal (Transfer to St. Mary's), F Sebastian Saiz, G/F Rasheed Brooks.


Who's back: G Terence Davis. The 6-foot-4 guard emerged as arguably the Rebels' best all-around player last season, averaging 14.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. G Deandre Burnett. Led the Rebels with 16.5 ppg and made 73 3-pointers. G Breein Tyree. Turned into the team's starting point guard by the end of last season, averaging 7.3 ppg. F Justas Furmanavicius. A high-energy player who averaged 6.3 points and 5 rebounds.


Who's new: G Markel Crawford. The 6-4 guard is a graduate transfer who comes to the Rebels from Memphis. The 210-pounder can also move to forward and will play several positions for the Rebels. C Dominik Olejniczak. The 7-footer is a transfer from Drake and is expected to immediately contribute in the frontcourt.


The Skinny: Ole Miss has missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, but feels it has a chance to get back to the Big Dance thanks to a little more depth, better ballhandling and a true 7-footer in Olejniczak.

 

[CNOTES]

Mississippi State Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Mississippi State Preview Capsule


Mississippi State


Last season: 16-16, no postseason appearance


Nickname: Bulldogs


Coach: Ben Howland


Conference: Southeastern


Who's gone: F Mario Kegler (transfer to Baylor), G I.J. Ready


Who's back: G Quinndary Weatherspoon. The versatile player scored 16.5 points per game last season, which ranked seventh in the SEC. G Lamar Peters. Was one of the Bulldogs' best players as a freshman, averaging 10.7 points and finishing second on the team with 101 assists. F Aric Holman. The athletic 6-foot-10 junior averaged 8.4 points and 6.0 rebounds last season.


Who's new: G Nick Weatherspoon. The Bulldogs expect Quinndary's younger brother to immediately contribute after a stellar prep career. F Abdul Ado. The 6-11 redshirt freshman should give the Bulldogs even more size in the post, combining with 6-10 holdovers Holman, Schneider Herard and E.J. Datcher.


The Skinny: Mississippi State hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2009, but feels like it has enough talent to at least compete for 20-plus wins. Coach Ben Howland is in his third year with the Bulldogs, and at his previous jobs (Northern Arizona, Pittsburgh, UCLA) his programs have always made a big jump in the third season.

 

[CNOTES]

Tennessee Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Tennessee Preview Capsule


Tennessee


Last season: 16-16, hasn't reached NCAA Tournament since 2014.


Nickname: Volunteers


Coach: Rick Barnes


Conference: Southeastern


Who's gone: G Robert Hubbs III, G Kwe Parker (transfer to Cape Fear Community College), G Shembari Phillips (transfer to Georgia Tech).


Who's back: F Grant Williams earned freshman all-SEC honors from the league's coaches and is the Vols' top returning scorer (12.6) and rebounder (5.9); F Admiral Schofield averaged 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds last season; G Jordan Bone (7.2 ppg), G Lamonte' Turner (8.2) and G Jordan Bowden (7.9) all had their moments last season; F Kyle Alexander has started 34 games over the last two years.


Who's new: G James Daniel III averaged 27.1 points per game for Howard in 2015-16 to lead all Division I scorers before playing just two games last season due to an ankle injury; G Chris Darrington averaged 20.7 points and 5.1 assists last season at Vincennes (Ind.); F Derrick Walker (6-8), F Zach Kent (6-foot-10) and F Yves Pons (6-5) are freshmen who should add size and athleticism to Tennessee's frontcourt.


The skinny: Tennessee was in NCAA Tournament contention last season before fading down the stretch. The Vols are hoping their improved depth will help them avoid a similar fate this year. If Tennessee gets more consistent production from its backcourt and Williams builds off his impressive freshman season, the Vols have a chance to earn the NCAA or NIT bid that has eluded them the last three years.

 

[CNOTES]

Vanderbilt Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Vanderbilt Preview Capsule


Vanderbilt


Last season: 19-16, second straight NCAA Tournament berth.


Nickname: Commodores.


Coach: Bryce Drew.


Conference: Southeastern.


Who's gone: C Luke Kornet, the program's all-time shot blocker. G Nolan Cressler.


Who's back: G Matthew Fisher-Davis. He's the top returning scorer after averaging 13.9 points per game last season. F Jeff Roberson. Another senior, he averaged 10.8 points and 7 rebounds per game. G Riley LaChance. The third senior averaged 10.5 points per game while running the point starting all 35 games. G Joe Toye. He averaged 6.4 points and started 13 games.


Who's new: G Saben Lee. G Maxwell Evans. C Ejike Obinna. The Nigerian will help start replacing Kornet.


The Skinny: Drew coached the Commodores to the NCAA Tournament in his first season - the first coach ever to do that in his inaugural season at Vanderbilt. Now he's starting to get players onto the roster alongside those who know exactly how he's asking them to play.

 

[CNOTES]

Arkansas Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Arkansas Preview Capsule


Arkansas


Last season: 26-10.


Nickname: Razorbacks.


Coach: Mike Anderson.


Conference. Southeastern Conference.


Who's gone: C Moses Kingsley, G Dusty Hannahs.


Who's back: G Jaylen Barford. The senior averaged 12.8 points per game last season and showed an uncanny ability to finish around the rim; G Daryl Macon. The leading returning scorer for the Razorbacks, Macon averaged 13.4 points per game last year and connected on 39 percent of his 3-pointers; G Anton Beard. A defensive stalwart for the Razorbacks and also averaged more than a steal per game last season.


Who's new: F Daniel Gafford. Much is expected of the talented 6-foot-11 freshman, who has shown an ability to finish with force at the rim in the preseason and averaged 17.4 points and 16 rebounds as a senior in high school; G Khalil Garland. Out with an undisclosed medical condition to start the season but expected back at some point and averaged 12.9 points per game as a senior in high school; F Darious Hall. Averaged 14.8 points and eight rebounds as a senior at Little Rock Mills, defeating Garland's prep team in the state championship game.


The Skinny: Arkansas has reached the NCAA Tournament in two of the last three seasons. It expects more of the same this year with Barford and Macon having returned after briefly entering the NBA draft after last season. Gafford's progress will be key for a team that must replace the 12 points, 7.7 rebounds and nearly three blocks per game from Kingsley.

 

[CNOTES]

Utah Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Utah Preview Capsule


Utah


Last season: 20-12, lost to Boise State in first round of NIT


Nickname: Utes


Coach: Larry Krystkowiak


Conference: Pac-12


Who's gone: F Kyle Kuzma, G Lorenzo Bonam, G Devon Daniels, G JoJo Zamora


Who's back: F David Collette averaged 13.6 points, 5.1 rebounds last season; G Sedrick Barefield averaged 9.0 points and shot 39.3 percent from 3; F Tyler Rawson averaged 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds; G Parker Van Dyke averaged 4.6 points and shot 34.9 percent from 3; C Jayce Johnson averaged 4.0 points, 4.3 rebounds.


Who's new: G Justin Bibbins is a 5-foot-8 transfer from Long Beach State, where he was a two-time All-Big West selection; F Chris Seeley is a 6-8 redshirt freshman; F Donnie Tillman is a 6-7 athletic freshman from highly regarded Findlay Prep in Las Vegas; G Christian Popoola is a 6-4 freshman combo guard.


The Skinny: The Utes missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014 last season and now there's an influx of new bodies into the lineup. Utah lost four of its top six scorers, including first-round pick Kyle Kuzma, and Collette is the lone returning starter. There are currently more questions than answers with so much turnover in the rotation.

 

[CNOTES]

UCLA Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


UCLA Preview Capsule


UCLA


Last season: 31-5, lost to Kentucky in Sweet 16.


Nickname: Bruins.


Coach: Steve Alford.


Conference: Pac-12.


Who's gone: G Lonzo Ball, F TJ Leaf, G Isaac Hamilton, G Bryce Alford, F-C Ike Anigbogu.


Who's back: C Thomas Welsh. The senior led the team with 43 blocks while starting 32 games last season. G Aaron Holiday. He was a solid sixth man last season and will help replace Lonzo Ball's production. F G.G. Goloman. Now a senior, the veteran big man contributes off the bench. G Prince Ali. He redshirted as a freshman last year after left knee meniscus tear. F Alex Olesinski. Also redshirted last year with foot problems.


Who's new: G LiAngelo Ball. The freshman is Lonzo's middle brother and he averaged 33.8 points as a high school senior, so he's used to a boatload of attention. But following his big brother in Westwood and playing in the same city as Lonzo's Lakers team won't be easy. G Jaylen Hands. He averaged 29.2 points and 8.0 rebounds as a McDonald's All-American in his senior season. G Kris Wilkes. He was a McDonald's All-American and Indiana Mr. Basketball 24 years after Steve Alford earned the honor. F Cody Riley. Highly regarded national recruit. G Chris Smith. A top-100 recruit.


The Skinny: Alford has reloaded with another talented roster that will contend for the Pac-12 title and is capable of a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, which is the annual expectation for a school that owns 11 national championships.

 

[CNOTES]

Washington preview capsule
October 30, 2017


Washington preview capsule


Washington


Last season: 9-22


Nickname: Huskies.


Coach: Mike Hopkins.


Conference: Pac-12.


Who's gone: Coach Lorenzo Romar; G Markelle Fultz; F Malik Dime; F Matthew Atewe.


Who's back: G David Crisp was the Huskies' second-leading scorer last year at 13.8 points per game. Will need to take on an even greater scoring load this season; F Noah Dickerson averaged 12.5 points and 8.2 rebounds last season. Has lost weight and should be more athletic but must stay out of foul trouble; G Matisse Thybulle is Huskies' best defender but must improve offensively from last season's 10.5 points per game average.


Who's new: Almost everybody. The one prime recruit that stayed with the Huskies is Seattle native Jaylen Nowell. The swingman is expected to have a significant role immediately. Other newcomers include forward Hameir Wright, guard Michael Carter III and forward Nahziah Carter, the nephew of music mogul Jay Z.


The Skinny: It's all new for Washington this season after the firing of Lorenzo Romar after 15 seasons. The firing of Romar cost the Huskies arguably the most talented recruiting class in school history and left Hopkins scrambling to put together a complete roster. That means expectations are muted and a 10th-place selection in the preseason conference poll is probably correct. The Huskies could surprise if maximum potential is reached but it's unlikely this is the year Washington snaps its NCAA Tournament drought.


---

 

[CNOTES]

Southern California Preview Capsule
October 30, 2017


Southern California Preview Capsule


Southern California


Last season: 26-10.


Nickname: Trojans.


Coach: Andy Enfield.


Conference: Pac-12.


Who's gone: F Charles Buggs.


Who's back: F Bennie Boatwright. The junior was dominant after returning from a knee injury that cost him 17 games last season, averaging 15.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. G Jordan McLaughlin. He could break the school's career assists mark after finishing third in Pac-12 last year. F Chimezie Metu. Had a breakout sophomore year, averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. G Elijah Stewart. Had 23 games in double figures last year. G Shaqquan Aaron. The junior started 20 games last season, averaging 7.6 points. He had a career-high 23 in a home win over rival UCLA.


Who's new: G Charles O'Bannon Jr. The highly touted recruit from Las Vegas is the son of the former UCLA star who led the Bruins to the 1995 national championship. G-F Jordan Usher. He can help the team on offense and defense. F Victor Uyaelunmo helped lead his Miami high school to the Florida state title.


The Skinny: The Trojans have their top eight scorers back, making them a title threat to traditional Pac-12 powers Arizona and UCLA. Boatwright, Metu and Stewart all withdrew their names from the NBA draft to stay in school. The Trojans' 26 wins last season were a school record and they have serious potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, where they last appeared in the Sweet 16 in 2007. There's a cloud over the program, however, with associate head coach Tony Bland on administrative leave after being accused of accepting $13,000 to help steer two players to certain business representatives. USC is conducting an internal investigation.

 

[CNOTES]

Florida embraces lofty expectations after Elite Eight run
October 30, 2017


GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida guard Chris Chiozza hears about ''The Shot'' almost daily.


Friends, family members, teammates, classmates and social media sites provide constant reminders of Chiozza's running 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime that stunned Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament and sent the Gators to the Elite Eight.


Chiozza gets an earful from coach Mike White all the time, too.


''He makes a joke about it,'' Chiozza said. ''He just reminds me: `Don't let that play define you. Don't think just because you made that shot that that's the only thing people are going to remember you by.'


''I want them to remember me as a guy that was a part of a program and we brought the program back up. We went downhill for two years, and I want to be known as one of those guys that brought it back up to an elite team.''


The Gators have a chance to be special this season.


With Chiozza and shooting guard KeVaughn Allen back, and transfers Jalen Hudson and Egor Koulechov in the mix, Florida is a popular preseason pick to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Players and coaches are embracing the lofty expectations , too.


''I think it's good for our fans, it's good for recruiting, just adds a little bit more excitement around a program,'' White said. ''I just don't think it's got a big bearing on how we play. We're going to practice to a certain standard every day. We've got high-character guys. They want to be as good as they possibly can be as players and as a team.


The Gators finished 27-9 in White's second season, with the biggest of those wins coming on Chiozza's buzzer-beater against the Badgers at Madison Square Garden. Florida's season ended two nights later with a 77-70 loss to South Carolina.


Nonetheless, the run provided some measure of validation for White and a program that expects to be NCAA Tournament regulars and perennial Southeastern Conference contenders.


Even though Florida lost a lot - Kasey Hill, Devin Robinson, Justin Leon and Canyon Barry are gone - and center John Egbunu (knee) is out until January, White added two transfers and a freshman class that ranked 11th in the country.


Hudson (Virginia Tech) and Koulechov (Rice) are the most important newcomers.


The 6-foot-6 Hudson averaged 8.4 points a game as a sophomore with the Hokies. He sat out last year because of NCAA transfer rules and looked like Florida's best scorer at times in practice. He's likely to come off the bench, partly because of Koulechov.


The 6-5 graduate transfer averaged 18.2 points a game as a junior at Rice last season and shot 47 percent from 3-point range. He made at least 80 3-pointers in each of the last two seasons and is expected to give Florida its best outside threat since Michael Frazier (2012-15).


''I think we could be better potentially, and I could be eating my words in December,'' White said. ''But I think we could be better offensively. ... I think we have more weapons offensively. I think we'll shoot it better offensively.''


Here are some other things to know about Florida:


SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS: The Gators open the season Nov. 13 against Gardner-Webb and should get a decent gauge of where they're at in the Phil Knight Invitational a week later. The tournament includes Stanford, Ohio State, Gonzaga, Duke and Butler.


FRESH FOUR: Guard Mike Okauru and forwards Chase Johnson, Isaiah Stokes and Dontay Bassett make up Florida's freshman class, and a couple of them could be key contributors. Okauru will get minutes as Chiozza's backup, and Johnson and Bassett should get some minutes, too, especially with Egbunu sidelined. Stokes, though, could sit out the entire season while recovering from a knee injury.


THRE-EGOR: White says Koulechov, who already has been dubbed ''Threegor,'' has been even better than expected since enrolling over the summer. He made 44 consecutive 3-pointers in practice one day. ''Really consistent, plays with a tremendous motor and can make shots and sprint into them, and takes good ones,'' White said. ''Really pleased with him.''