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

16. Indiana Hoosiers – Jalen Hood-Schifino

The Hoosiers return four starters and an All-American big man in Trayce Jackson-Davis. They’re a veteran-led team with plenty of hype and also bring in a pair of five-star freshmen prospects in Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau. With Jackson-Davis and forward Race Thompson leading the frontcourt, it’ll be hard for Reneau to get meaningful minutes. However, the starting two-spot is open and on paper, it should be Hood-Schifino ‘s to win.

The 6’4 freshman is a combo guard, capable of playing off the ball next to Xavier Johnson. But he’s also able to run the offense whenever Johnson goes through the rough stretches. Hood-Schifino is the player who, if he’s good enough, can raise the team’s ceiling and make them a more consistent unit on both ends of the floor.

15. Auburn Tigers – Allen Flanigan

You know what you’re going to get with returning guards, KD Johnson and Wendell Green, and Morehead State transfer Johni Broome will be a leading shot-blocker in the country. While five-star freshman Yohan Traore is a player to watch to see how effective he is, it’s even more important to have senior wing Allen Flanigan back to his sophomore form.

In the 2020-21 season, the 6’6 wing averaged 14.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg as a starter. This past year, Flanigan missed most of the non-conference with an injury and when he did return, just produced 6.3 ppg. With Jabari Smith around, his production taking a dip made sense but Auburn needs double that this season if they’re going to be contenders in the SEC.