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NCAA Basketball: Buy or Sell preseason top 25 teams of 2021-22 after a month

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 11, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) celebrates with his teammates after being fouled in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) celebrates with his teammates after being fouled in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Auburn Tigers forward Jabari Smith Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Auburn Tigers forward Jabari Smith Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Auburn Tigers

Are we 100% sure that Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero are the No. 1 and 2 picks on the upcoming NBA Draft? Because five-star freshman forward Jabari Smith has been arguably even better than either of those guys so far. He’s 6’10 but plays like a guard, perfectly comfortable playing out on the perimeter and shooting the ball or driving to the hoop.

Smith leads Auburn with 17.3 ppg and 6.9 rpg so far and has been nothing but great in just about every game. He also gives the team a go-to scorer while Allan Flanigan has been out with a leg injury. But he hasn’t been the only good newcomer, as the transfer class has also worked out well, led by Georgia transfer K.D. Johnson. He’s averaging 15.1 ppg and 2.4 steals a game, becoming a fan-favorite due to his elite coast-to-coast defense and aggressive playstyle.

Eastern Kentucky transfer Wendell Green Jr. has been coming off the bench for the most part but overall has played well, averaging 11.2 ppg and 4.6 apg. Fellow former mid-major Zep Jasper (6.0 ppg and 3.8 apg) has been solid as well and considering how some of the other mid-major to high-major point guard transfers have looked, Auburn has to be happy with the new guards.

The most high-profile newcomer this offseason was UNC transfer Walker Kessler, a potential breakout candidate now with a new role and more minutes. But he’s been okay offensively (7.6 ppg and 7.0 rpg) but is averaging over three blocks a game. With Smith playing at an All-American level, Kessler’s play can be overlooked for now but if the freshman struggles, the starting center will have to step up.

Even with the roster constructed as is, I would “buy” this team. But with Flanigan set to return in a few weeks, the Tigers could become the team to beat in the SEC. As long as Smith continues to look like a future top-5 NBA Draft pick, this team is set to outperform its preseason spot.

Buy

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