NCAA Basketball Mailbag: UNC’s lineups, Wisconsin’s ceiling, and more

One month into the season, what are the biggest questions in college basketball? We answer many in this week’s NCAA Basketball Mailbag.

Can you believe that the first month of the season is nearly behind us?

We took last week off from the mailbag for Thanksgiving and lots to basketball watching, but we’re back and there’s plenty to catch up on.

Michigan is still demolishing teams with North Carolina being their latest victim, raising questions about the Tar Heels, while everyone in the Pac-12 outside of Arizona State has found a way to disappoint. Villanova has answered the questions facing them a few weeks ago with a three-game win streak and Duke went from an undefeated lock to mortal to a machine again.

What are the biggest questions on your minds this week? Do you have a college basketball or NBA Draft question you want to have answered? Join the conversation on Twitter @brauf33. Thanks as always to those who contributed this week.

Let’s get into it.

What do you think UNC’s best lineup is? I’d say Leaky, white, little, cam, Maye – @pr0ia (Aaron Proia)

Roy Williams has been terrible with his lineups and rotation – and he admitted as much following their loss to Michigan on Wednesday night – which is why many feel North Carolina has yet to come close to their potential. Williams loves to have at least one traditional big on the floor at all times but this team’s best players are better suited for small ball.

I think UNC’s best lineup is Coby White, Kenny Williams, Cameron Johnson, Nassir Little, and Luke Maye. That lineup gives them so much shooting, multiple ball-handlers, and the ability to switch defensively without having to give up much on the glass.

No. I really like the Seminoles but I still think Duke, Virginia, and the Tar Heels are in a class above everyone else in the conference. FSU looks like they could work their way into the top 10 at some point this year (especially when Phil Cofer returns) but I still expect UNC to figure it out. All four will go far in the NCAA Tournament but I think the ‘Noles are still fourth.

Yes, but only because they gave him an extension early last season for some unknown reason. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Manning came back next year due to the amount of money they owe him but, if he does get fired, it won’t be until after the season.

I’m going to be honest – I’m not very high on Wisconsin this year. At all. Ethan Happ is still one of the better players in the country and has improved as a passer but, outside of D’Mitrik Trice and the occasional game from Brad Davison, the Badgers struggle to score points.

I think it’s clear that Michigan and Michigan State are the two best teams in the conference and Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Purdue are all playing extremely well, too.

Now, given Happ and the home court advantage they have at the Kohl Center, the Badgers could realistically finish in the top four of the conference. That said, I’d have them eighth behind those teams mentioned previously (though still in the NCAA Tournament).

I really like St. John’s and think they’re not only going to return to the NCAA Tournament but win a game in the Big Dance. That said, Villanova is still the best team in the Big East. They’ve righted the ship after their losses to Michigan and Furman and, while they won’t be the top-10 team we were expecting them to be, they’re still a very good team.

However, given how wide open the Big East is, it’s not out of the questions for the Johnnies to finish second.

Hey Brian who’s a player you just discovered this year that you love to watch? Personally I had no idea who Brazdeikis was til last night. That kid is incredibly fun to watch. What a solid player! – @ARODPT (A. Rod)

Speaking of St. John’s, Shamorie Ponds is one of my absolute favorites to watch, but he’s someone we all discovered last year. In terms of players who have emerged this season, UNC’s Coby White and Arizona State‘s Luguentz Dort have been pleasant surprises. White is an offensive dynamo who has quickly taken the reins in Chapel Hill and Dort is a dynamic two-way player who is filling it up for the best team in the Pac-12. Of course, R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson are must-watch TV but we figured that would be the case.

If we’re talking non-freshmen, Arizona‘s Justin Coleman has been a ton of fun. The Samford grad transfer led the Wildcats to a solid showing in Maui averaging 20.7 points and 3.0 assists per game in the tournament and, if he continues to play at that level, will be one of the best players in the Pac-12.

Why is Oshae Brissett so slept on in the National conversation? – @pr0ia (Aaron Proia)

Brissett is a solid player but I don’t think he’s slept on – he’s good but is the third-best player on Syracuse. He can do a lot of things but is really struggling to shoot the ball (23.1 percent from three) and hasn’t made a huge impact in any meaningful game this year.

You mean Loyola Marymount, No. 10 in the initial NET rankings, isn’t a lock?

The WCC is a one-bid league this year unless someone upsets Gonzaga and wins the conference tournament in March. LMU and San Francisco are still undefeated and are pleasant surprises but neither has the strength of schedule to really do much – barring them losing less than handful games but, remember, Saint Mary’s was left out with a 28-5 mark last year.

Loyola Maryland and San Francisco are the WCC’s two best chances, though I think both will come back down to earth soon. It’s going to take an upset of Gonzaga and near-undefeated regular season for either to earn an at-large bid.