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

By Brian Rauf | Nov 4, 2018

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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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack celebrates as they defeat the Texas Longhorns during the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

7) Kentucky and Nevada will make it, too

Joining the Tobacco Road Rivals in Minneapolis will be Kentucky and Nevada.

I shouldn’t have to explain to you why the Wildcats are going to be great again…but I will. Head coach John Calipari brought in another elite recruiting class headlined by five-star wing Keldon Johnson, big man E.J. Montgomery, point guards Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley, and a dynamic offensive threat in Tyler Herro.

The difference between this year’s Kentucky team and some others is that they have actual experience as well. Three of their top seven scorers return and they welcome in grad transfer Reid Travis, who was a first-team All-Pac 12 player last year at Stanford.

Nevada also has an embarrassment of riches. Head coach Eric Musselman’s squad made it to the Sweet 16 last year with a seven-man rotation. All of their signature pieces return and will be joined by McDonald’s All-American Jordan Brown and four eligible transfers that sat out a season ago.

Still, Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, and Jordan Caroline remain the heartbeat of this team. That trio combined to average over 50 points per game a year ago and, with more help off the bench, will make this talented, experienced team even more potent.

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