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NCAA Basketball: Biggest x-factor for each top-25 team for 2022-23 season

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 28, 2021; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nolan Hickman (11) shoots the ball against the North Alabama Lion's in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaag won 93-63. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2021; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nolan Hickman (11) shoots the ball against the North Alabama Lion's in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaag won 93-63. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baylor Bears guard LJ Cryer Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor Bears guard LJ Cryer Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Kansas Jayhawks – Bobby Pettiford

The national champions return starting point guard Dajuan Harris, one of the best defenders in NCAA Basketball but don’t score much at all. But with Remy Martin now gone, the team needs to find another double-digit scoring option from the perimeter. One player Kansas is high on is  Bobby Pettiford, a former four-star prospect that played just 14 games last season.

Pettiford has been viewed as a breakout candidate as a scoring option this season and if that happens, the Jayhawks will be title contenders once again. This is a team that projects to be very good on defense but outside of Jalen Wilson and Texas Tech transfer Kevin McCullar, don’t have a lot of proven offense. Having the sophomore guard Pettiford produce at a high level would be a great sign for this team’s prospects this season.

5. Baylor Bears – LJ Cryer

The Bears have one of the best backcourts in the country this season, with five-star shooting guard Keyonte George effectively replacing James Akinjo. That means that the starting point guard is gone, without a true ball-handler to take over. Adam Flagler was second on the team with 3.0 apg and is the veteran, so it makes sense that he’s the lead guard.

That puts LJ Cryer in an interesting spot. He’s a 6’1 guard that was second with 13.5 ppg last season, including multiple games over 20 points. Cryer wasn’t fully healthy, which affected his role (came mostly off the bench). He very well could be the 6th Man again and if that happens, would be one of the best reserves in NCAA Basketball. But if he starts, would have to find a way to fit next to George and Flagler.

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