Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Updated 2020-21 power rankings after NBA Draft deadline

By Tristan Freeman

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats walks the sidelines in the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats walks the sidelines in the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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OS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Remy Martin #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils while playing the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on February 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 27: Remy Martin #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Honorable mentions

Oregon Ducks

Losing Pac-12 Player of the Year Payton Pritchard leaves a clear hole at the point guard position, with the Ducks hoping that either junior guard Will Richardson or UNLV grad transfer Amauri Hardy can be effective replacements. There also are some concerns about the frontcourt depth, with both Francis Okoro and CJ Walker transferring out. Former five-star center N’Faly Dante could have a breakout campaign, while the fate of St. John’s transfer LJ Figueroa and his waiver effort is unknown. This is a team with a high ceiling but the lack of star power up top is concerning.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

There’s plenty of top-tier talent for the Yellow Jackets next season in the trio of Moses Wright, Jose Alvarado, and Michael Devoe. But is there enough depth for the team to take a big enough leap to make the NCAA Tournament? Transfers Rodney Howard and Kyle Sturdivant already getting waivers help without question but head coach Josh Pastner has to prove that he can win when there are expectations.

Indiana Hoosiers

Getting back leading scorer and rebounder Trayce Jackson-Davis was of huge benefit to the Hoosiers and their efforts to get back to the NCAA Tournament. Five-star point guard Khristian Lander reclassified to play this upcoming season to provide needed firepower, while rotational pieces Joey Brunk, Aljami Durham, and Rob Phinisee will be back as well. This is a team likely to go in and out of the top-25 rankings next season but will need the underclassmen to avoid struggling too much in the Big Ten and have another under .500 record in league play.

Houston Cougars

There’s a big need for Mississippi State transfer forward Reggie Chaney to get a waiver so that the Cougars can have some kind of size in their frontcourt. Forward Fabian White Jr. is likely out for the upcoming season with an injury, while Nate Hinton elected to enter and stay in the NBA Draft. Houston’s perimeter will still have plenty of quality, led by Quentin Grimes, Marcus Sasser, and Caleb Mills. It’ll be another season of small-ball lineups for Houston but will AAC opponents figure out how to deal with them?

Arizona State Sun Devils

It’s great news that starting guards Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge Jr. are coming back for their senior seasons, forming along with five-star guard Joshua Christoper one of the best backcourts on the west coast. Top-30 wing Marcus Bagley is also joining the team while bringing back wings  Taeshon Cherry and Kimani Lawerence. The major problem with Arizona State roster is the complete lack of frontcourt depth, with just JUCO commit Chris Oster as the lone true big. Losing Romello White to the transfer portal and they weren’t able to find a suitable replacement. That could come back to haunt them when going up against bigger teams this upcoming season.

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