7. DaRon Holmes – Dayton Flyers
2022-23 season stats: 18.4 ppg and 8.1 rpg
The 6’10 big man has been the best interior defender in all of the Atlantic 10 for the past couple of years and has an NBA body already. Dayton has already lost the other key frontcourt start in Toumani Camara to the pros and if Holmes follows, they likely won’t be a conference contender. But with him back and all of the guards healthy, the Flyers could end up being the team to beat yet again.
6. Keyontae Johnson – Kansas State Wildcats
2022-23 season stats: 17.4 ppg and 6.8 rpg
Markquis Nowell was the star of the team but Johnson was just as good as the second option. The 6’6 forward was extremely efficient as well, making 52% of his total shots and 41% from deep. With Nowell gone, Johnson would easily be the focal point of the offense and a chance to put up some huge numbers. But after the health problems that took him out of basketball for two years, the 5th-year senior could also just opt to want to go pro instead.
5. Kobe Brown – Missouri Tigers
2022-23 season stats: 15.8 ppg and 6.4 rpg
The 6’7 forward was the offensive star of Missouri, leading them in both scoring and rebounding. Brown put up some big numbers in SEC play and has started nearly 120 games in four years. The Tigers have already lost plenty of contributors from this past season and losing Brown too would put them down a few pegs on the SEC ladder.