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

2021-22 season record: 32-6 (15-3 in AAC)

Despite losing 30 ppg and 5.0 apg worth of production in the middle of the season, Houston was able to make the Elite 8 and was just a couple of three-pointers away from making the Final Four. But unless either Marcus Sasser or Tramon Mark unexpectedly leaves, they’ll get that level of offense back, while just losing Taze Moore from the backcourt.

Sasser, Mark, combined with point guard Jamal Shead and breakout star Kyler Edwards would be the best group of guards in the country next season. Arkansas’ group may prove to be better a year from now but the edge goes to the veteran group.

The one concern for the Cougars will be the loss of frontcourt starters, Josh Carlton and Fabian White Jr. That’s a loss from a defensive standpoint for sure but in return comes the program’s highest-ever rated commit out of high school in top-10 forward Jarace Walker, a 6’8 power forward that gives the team an offensive frontcourt option they haven’t had since Devonta Pollard’s senior season in 2016.

Outside of Reggie Chaney (if he takes the extra year) and Kiyron Powell, Houston doesn’t have a ton of frontcourt depth, which is why the portal exists. And as much attention as Walker deservedly so gets, top-50 forward commit Terrance Arceneaux has flown under the radar but he too should have a spot in the rotation.

This projected roster has top-10 potential both offensive and defensively and has veteran playmakers you can trust and a future national star in Walker. And if everyone comes back, Houston may have to have an All-AAC player come off the bench this season. That’s ridiculous backcourt depth in a sport that had questionable guard play throughout March.

It was a tough call between Arkansas and Houston at the top and what Notae + Williams do could change my mind but for now, I trust the veteran guards of the Cougars to be my way-too-early national title pick for the 2022-23 NCAA Basketball season.