NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season

2021-22 season record: 26-8 (14-4 in SEC)

To start this off, I’m going to assume that Shaedon Sharpe, the No. 1 class of 2022/23 prospect and projected top-5 NBA Draft pick, will not play for the Wildcats and go pro instead. Otherwise, they may be No. 1 on this list.

But on the other hand, I’ll be projected that National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe will return instead. The West Virginia center averaged 17.4 ppg and an NCAA-leading 15.2 rpg and put up historic numbers for both Kentucky and the SEC. His return automatically makes them a national contender but will be surrounded by a different supporting cast.

Freshman guard TyTy Washington should be off to the NBA Draft but starting point guard Sahvir Wheeler (10.1 ppg and 6.9 apg) should be back, along with a healthy CJ Fredrick after missing this past season with an injury. Five-star combo guard freshman Cason Wallace joins the roster, while top-10 overall commit Chris Livingston gives them a physical presence on the wing.

Keion Brooks had another strong junior campaign, averaging double figures at the power forward spot. But with Dontaie Allen and potentially Bryce Hopkins leaving, former five-star recruit  Daimion Collins will look to have a large role as a sophomore.

The storyline of Sharpe will be over Kentucky’s head throughout the offseason but as long as Tshiebwe comes back for another year, they’ll be an SEC and Final Four contender. But to avoid being on upset alert, they’ll have to find a way to add more shooting at positions 2-4 in the lineup.