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

11. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

2021-22 record: 19-13 (11-7 in Conference USA)

The Hilltoppers had an “interesting” offseason, which has become the new normal under head coach Rick Stansbury. It was thought that 7’5 center Jamarion Sharp was gone after he entered the transfer portal but he opted to return. He was second in NCAA Basketball in overall blocks and is the ultimate defensive anchor.

Also back is the team’s leading scorer and passer Dayvion McKnight, who averaged 16.2 ppg and 5.5 apg. The point guard is joined by transfer Jordan Rawls, who returns to Western Kentucky after a year at Georgia State, while Kristian Lander is a former five-star prospect and comes from Indiana. Another former top-tier prospect is Kentucky transfer Dontaie Allen, a forward that can play next to Sharp in the frontcourt and could be dominant in Conference USA. Jairus Hamilton, who averaged 12.7 ppg last season, also returns to give them a formidable frontcourt.

On the wings is returning sharpshooter Luke Frampton, as well as Boise State transfer Emmanuel Akot, a 6’8 versatile guard that originally committed to Memphis before switching to WKU last month.

There’s plenty of talent all over this roster on both ends of the court and it may be the best Coach Stansbury has had since he arrived. But now he has to make all the pieces work without issues with chemistry. When it’s all said and done, the Hilltoppers could be the team to beat in their respective league but that’s been said about previous teams as well before they eventually underachieved.