NCAA Basketball: Where will top 2018 prospect Jordan Brown end up?

California Bears

Despite winning just eight games (two in Pac-12 play) last season, there is hope for the Bears. There bring back a good set of guards on the perimeter, including Boise State transfer Paris Austin and Darius McNeil, who averaged double figures in scoring.

What will be missing is the starting frontcourt of Marcus Lee and Kingsley Okoroh, who graduates and will move on. Size will be a big weakness for Cal, with no true center at the moment.

That would change big-time with the acquisition of Brown, who would slide in at the five-spot for the Bears. It would create a somewhat undersized – yet very athletic lineup with 6-7 leading scorer Justice Sueing playing the four-spot. This wouldn’t win the Pac-12 but should be a much more competitive team than the product on the court a year prior.

Cal has the “home school advantage” because of its location, and ability to play in front of a very friendly crowd. And unlike the other two finalists, there would be no expectations for the Bears next season.

The biggest negatives playing here would be that there would be a slim-to-none-chance of making the NCAA Tournament, as well as concerns about whether the supporting cast will help Brown’s development in college. But never underestimate the power of staying home.