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

12. Arizona Wildcats – Kerr Kriisa

Kriisa was one of the most enigmatic players in NCAA Basketball and also one of the most inconsistent. He had a triple-double against Utah in one game but also six points on a combined 2/17 shooting from the field in the two NCAA Tournament games last season. On the season, Krissa shot under 35% from the field overall and 33% from deep.

He was able to get away with it in the regular season because the starting lineup was one of the best in the country. Bennedict Mathurin was the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Christian Koloko was one of the best defenders in the country, and Dalen Terry’s versatility allowed him to get picked in the 1st round of the past NBA Draft. Ąžuolas Tubelis is back and will likely be the focal point of the offense but Kriisa will be right next to him in the pecking order. And if Arizona wants to be a Final Four threat again, they’ll need his shooting to sharply improve.

11. Tennessee Volunteers – Olivier Nkamhoua

On the season, the 6’8 forward averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg. But when healthy early on, Nkamhoua was producing around 15 ppg and did end up making 43% of his three-point attempts on limited shots. He couldn’t stay at the level for all season but he’s the focal point now, with both John Fulkerson and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield now gone.

Tennessee’s backcourt and perimeter will be its strength next season but needs the forwards to do their part to succeed. Nkamhoua is the guy that showed in the past that he can be a very impactful player but needs to both stay healthy and remain consistent.