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NCAA Basketball: Updated way-too-early top 25 rankings for 2021-22 season

By Cody Mitchell

Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fans roam Georgia Street before the national championship game of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 5, 2021, in downtown Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fans roam Georgia Street before the national championship game of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 5, 2021, in downtown Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Marcus Sasser Houston Cougars (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Marcus Sasser Houston Cougars (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

19. Houston Cougars

Projected Starting Five:

G Marcus Sasser
G Kyler Edwards
G Tramon Mark
F Reggie Chaney
C Fabian White

Coming off their first final four appearances since 1984, the Cougars once again should be the favorites in the American conference. Marcus Sasser will be the preseason conference player of the year and I expect him to finish that way. Coming off 13.7 points and 2.6 rebounds, he should thrive now being the number one option.

Tramon Mark and Reggie Chaney are back as well two big pieces off of last year’s team. Sasser paired with Texas Tech transfer Kyler Edwards, Houston’s offense will cover the production left behind from Quinten Grimes. Edwards was a double-digit scorer in Lubbock and had to defer from one of the highest usage players in Mac McClung. With the Cougars I could see his scoring eclipsing the 15 ppg mark.

Most are expecting this team to take a tiny step back next season but certainly wouldn’t shock anyone if Houston is floating around the top 10 towards the end of the season.

18. Florida State Seminoles

Projected Starting Five:

G Jalen Warley
G Caleb Mills
G Anthony Polite
F Malik Osborne
C Tanor Ngom

I have the Seminoles a bit lower than the rest of the college basketball world. After losing so much from last year, I am not sure this roster can live up to previous success. I do think Leonard Hamilton is one of the best 10 coaches in the country, so leaving this team outside of the top 20 just felt wrong.

Hamilton does have Anthony Polite back who was his best shooter from a year ago and gave the team north of 10 points a contest. Creating his own shot isn’t his strong suit though and will be reliant on incoming freshman Jalen Warley to give him those opportunities. Although Warley is a playmaker and a creator for himself, I don’t know if he has true point guard capabilities in him.

Tanor Ngom will see a significant influx in minutes and will have to develop into a big-time post defender to give this team a shot in the ACC. But even after all this slander, I just think Leonard Hamilton is that good and will have this team rolling when the weather starts to break.

17. West Virginia Mountaineers

Projected Starting Five:

G Miles McBride
G Sean McNeil
F Jalen Bridges
F Isaiah Cottrell
C Gabe Osabuohien

Quickly, I really hope coach Bob Huggins goes back to his pressing days. Not only does college basketball need a taste of old school but ever since the switch his teams just haven’t been as successful. Miles McBride and Sean McNeil are going to be one of the top backcourts you’re going to see in the country, Both have excellent strokes from outside and crafty moves to get to the cup.

Jalen Bridges is ready to break out after a great freshman campaign last season. Expect him to solidity himself as one of the go-to guys down the stretch of games. If this team can play solid defense like most of Huggin’s teams in the past they will be a threat to Kansas to take home the Big 12 title.

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