NCAA Basketball: Best program in every state for 2018-19
By Pan Karalis
Kentucky – Kentucky
The Wildcats come into 2018-19 with one of the most talented rosters in the country, and although Louisville looks to have another decent team assembled, they probably won’t be better than Kentucky. Western Kentucky also has a nice squad together, welcoming 5-star recruit Charles Bassey, so keep an eye on the Hilltoppers as a Bluegrass State sleeper.
Game of the year – Kentucky @ Louisville; Saturday, December 29th
Louisiana – LSU
After the theatrics of last year’s NIT, the case of who was the best team in Louisiana became a front-page question in the college basketball world. Despite the loss to their power conference neighbor LSU, the recently re-branded Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns made a statement, both on the court and in the media room, about their place in Louisiana hoops. The Cajuns do lose quite a bit from last years team that probably would have hosted the game against the Tigers if not for the power conference bias, and Will Wade’s cowardice (he refuses to schedule the Cajuns) wins him the day. LSU should be the best team in Louisiana, at least next year, and Bob Marlin probably won’t have the opportunity to dispute it.
Game of the year – Louisiana Tech @ LSU; Friday, November 16th
Maine – Maine
Maine is the only state in the country where a non-division one program can lay reasonable claim to the best-in-state title over a division one school. The last time the University of Maine met its satellite campus from the French-speaking border town of Fort Kent, a school of fewer than 1,500 students which competes at the junior college level, on the basketball court, Fort Kent came away with the victory in an exhibition. The University of Maine is the only division one program in the state, but they’ve been largely irrelevant since Dr. John Giannini left in 2004. They’re losing their leading scorer from a 6 win team from a season ago, so don’t expect that to change soon.
Maryland – Maryland
The Terps, perhaps for the first time in a long time, could not claim the title of the best basketball team in Maryland for the 2017-18 season. Mark Turgeon’s team missed the tournament for the first time in 4 seasons, while UMBC was toppling America East juggernaut Vermont and becoming the first 16 seed to beat a 1. Jairus Lyles has moved on to the greener pastures of professional ball (despite being cut from the Jazz the day before I wrote this section), and the Terps are welcoming the 7th best recruiting class in the nation. Mount St. Mary’s will have their say, taking on Maryland in November, but it looks like it’s back to business as usual in the Old Line State.
Game of the year – Towson @ UMBC; Tuesday, December 11th
Massachusetts – UMass
UMass hasn’t had a .500 season since 2014-15 and has made a single tournament appearance since 1999, but watch out for the Minutemen to take-off this year. Junior Luwane Pipkins averaged over 21 points a season ago, and Matt McCall’s group is set to add a number of contributors to this year’s squad, including a few impact transfers and a 4-star freshman. They’re far from a lock in Mass, however, as BC, despite losing Jerome Robinson to the first round of the NBA draft, returns a lot of production, and Northeastern has an improved squad from the one that won 14 games in CAA play a year ago.