NCAA Basketball: Top 25 team frontcourts for 2022-23 season
1. Kentucky Wildcats
It’s been over a decade since a National Player of the Year came back to NCAA Basketball but that’s what Oscar Tshiebwe did after his historically good individual campaign at Kentucky. The former West Virginia center had an incredible start last season with the Wildcats, going for 17 points and 20 rebounds in the Champions Classic game against Duke.
Tshiebwe had 20+ rebounds on seven different occasions and 10+ in all but two games last season. That includes 14 points and 28 rebounds against Western Kentucky and 30 points and 18 rebounds versus Arkansas. On the season, the SEC Player of the Year averaged 17.4 ppg and 15.2 rpg to lead the Wildcats and broke several records as well.
Kentucky also has a pair of newcomers in five-star combo forward Chris Livingston and four-star center Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso. Livingston is expected to have a big impact as a capable scorer from the perimeter and an underrated shooter. Kingsley Onyenso is a redshirt candidate since he’s so raw but he’s an elite defender and tremendous shot-blocker that could take over once Tshiebwe departs.
Among the three returning forwards includes Daimion Collins, a versatile big man that can play multiple positions. If his offense can develop then he can warrant more playing time. Jacob Toppin is an athletic rotational piece that can score but also can shoot. Add Lance Ware to the mix and there’s plenty of frontcourt depth alongside Tshiebwe.
Next. Strength/weakness of each top-25 team. dark
If Livingston can be a double-digit contributor and help space out the offense then Kentucky can not only surpass what they did in the regular season a year ago but also make a run in the NCAA Tournament.