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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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Michigan center Hunter Dickinson NCAA Basketball
Michigan center Hunter Dickinson NCAA Basketball /

10. Baylor Bears

Projected Starting Five:

G LJ Cryer
G James Akinjo
G Adam Flagler
F Matthew Mayer
C Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua

The defending national champions are getting the preseason bump in these rankings. Top three scorers from last season are on to other things and the Bears will be relying on transfers and ancillary players to step up if they want to repeat. Adam Flagler is a big-time scorer who was forced to come off the bench last season. Flager is a knock-down three-point shooter who could’ve started on 90% of teams in college hoops last season.

Mullet man Matthew Mayer had some big games in 2021 and will see his game progress when his minutes increase. When Archie Miller was fired from Arizona. James Akinko left for the Bears but will have to wait and see if his wavier gets passed to be eligible. If eligible, Akinjo can pick up some of the production left behind by some big-time pieces.

9. Michigan Wolverines

Projected Starting Five:

G Devante Jones
G Eli Brooks
F Caleb Houstan
F Brandon Johns
C Hunter Dickinson

I honestly feel bad for having Michigan this low. They continue to outperform my expectations every season. So Michigan fans you might be a 1 seed next season. Getting Hunter Dickinson back is huge for this team. He is the anchor and really the guy that starts the engine for head coach Juwan Howard. Dickinson ended his freshman season with 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds.

Freshman Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate come in with a lot of talent and will be key contributors from day one. Sun Belt Player of The Year Devante Jones, will be called upon to take over point guard duties. Not necessarily your typical point guard but more a pure scorer (19.3 points per game at Coastal Carolina.)

We saw flashes of Eli Brooks and Brandon Johns last season where they were the go-to guy offensively. Michigan has so many weapons next season, no surprise to see them competing again for another Big 10 title.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide

Projected Starting Five:

G JD Davison
G Jahvon Quinerly
G Jaden Shackelford
G Josh Primo
C Noah Gurley

The fast-paced, hotshot shooting Crimson Tide is no longer just a football school. This Bama team is going to be must-see TV. Jaden Shackelford returns to school after leading the Tide in scoring last season. Like basically all his other teammates, he is a fantastic outside shot with a natural feel on how to get to the hole. Jahvon Quinerly in my opinion will be the teams leading scorer. Quinerly came off the bench last season and now being a starter he will continue to raise his productivity.

And with JD Davison coming into the mix, this backcourt has so many options on both ends of the court. Davison’s playmaking will open up more opportunities for some already dynamic scorers. Living and dying from outside is a gamble but when its all clicking the Tide will be true title contenders.

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