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NCAA Basketball: 8 bold predictions for the 2018-19 season

By Brian Rauf

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: The North Carolina Tar Heels mascot celebrates in the confetti after defeatin ghte Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tar Heels defeated the Bulldogs 71-65. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 03: The North Carolina Tar Heels mascot celebrates in the confetti after defeatin ghte Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tar Heels defeated the Bulldogs 71-65. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 21: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers tries to aviod Temple ‘T.J.’ Gibbs Jr. #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as he shoots during the second half of their game during the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2017 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 21: Tremont Waters #3 of the LSU Tigers tries to aviod Temple ‘T.J.’ Gibbs Jr. #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as he shoots during the second half of their game during the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 21, 2017 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

4) LSU will be co-champs of the SEC

Now to the positives. LSU is going to be good. Like, really good.

The Tigers return a bona fide star in Tremont Waters (15.9 ppg, 6.0 apg, 2.0 spg), have a superstar freshman in versatile forward Naz Reid, a great young coach in Will Wade and have quality depth for the first time in what feels like forever.

From a pure talent standpoint, LSU has what it takes to be a top 25 team all season long. However, they’ll be co-SEC champs because of the way their schedule sets up for them.

LSU only has to face the four other SEC teams ranked in the preseason AP poll – Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee – one time each. They will also have a chance to sweep several of the teams they’ll see twice as both Texas A&M and Arkansas have to replace almost everyone from last season’s NCAA Tournament teams. And how good is Alabama is going to be without Collin Sexton?

The Tigers went 8-10 in conference play last season but, considering their increased talent level and an easier schedule, LSU could easily bump that win total up to the low teens. Kentucky has an overwhelming talent advantage over everyone else but the Tigers will be able to keep pace because of that schedule.

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