NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season

The reigning national champions are going to have a tough fight defending their crowns but don’t overlook their chances, despite losing All-American Ochai Agbaji, and starters, Christian Braun, David McCormack, and Remy Martin. Two starters are back, including Jalen Wilson, who was in the doghouse to start last season after an offseason DUI arrest.

Wilson had a slow start but once he got back into the starting lineup, he looked back to normal. That included a couple of double-double against Texas, 22 points versus Oklahoma, and five double-digit scoring games plus five double-digit rebounding efforts in the six NCAA Tournament games. He’s set to be the focal point of the offense and I believe he’s capable of it.

Also in the frontcourt is top-30 incoming freshman, Ernest Udeh. He’s a raw defensive big man but should be able to anchor the frontcourt. There’s plenty of depth as well, including fellow freshman center Zuby Ejiofor, along with forwards Zach Clemence, KJ Adams, and Cam Martin.

DaJuan Harris returns as the starting point guard after averaging 4.2 apg to lead Kansas. What he lacks in scoring ability, Harris makes up for it in elite defense. But with Remy Martin gone, the team will rely on Texas Tech transfer Kevin McCullar to provide the offense in the backcourt. The 6’6 guard was a double-digit scorer in the past couple of years, while also being one of the best versatile defenders in the country.

Saving the best for last are a pair of five-star wings in Gradey Dick and MJ Rice, two talented offensive players. Dick could lead the Jayhawks in scoring, while Rice has great two-way ability. Just about everyone in the projected rotation does, which is why I have them fairly high in the preseason.