NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 teams from 2023 Charleston Classic

The matchups for next season’s Charleston Classic have been released. Which of the programs should be the favorites to win the event?

Last season, the host team College of Charleston won the Charleston Classic, one of the early NCAA Basketball non-conference tournaments. It’s a solid event overall that usually features a couple of top-25 caliber programs.

This year’s field is no different, with a couple of programs clearly standing out. But all eight teams have a recent history of winning and overall success. With the bracket being released, here’s a power ranking of the participating teams ahead of the season.

8. Towson Tigers

All three starting guards are gone, including star Nicolas Timberlake. However, the frontcourt duo of Charles Thompson and Wofford transfer Messiah Jones will be tough. And they’re joined by Marcus Watson, who averaged over 14 ppg and 7.0 rpg at NC A&T. How the guards work out will determine how viable they’ll be but don’t expect too large a step back after winning 25 games.

7. North Texas Mean Green

The top three scorers are gone for the Mean Green, including former Conference USA Player of the Year guard, Tylor Perry. Replacing them are incoming transfers, John Buggs, CJ Noland, and Robert Allen. They’re going to take a step back as they move into the AAC and need the newcomers to have some breakout campaigns to remain viable.

6. Utah Utes

After a .500 season, Utah brings back its star big man (Branden Carlson) and senior role players, Ben Carlson, Rollie Worster, and Gabe Madsen. They brought in two backcourt transfers in Deivon Smith and Cole Bajema to help improve the overall scoring. The Utes have potential but it’s hard to see them take the leap into an NCAA Tournament contender just yet.

5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Losing star guard Tyree Appleby stings but the Deacons do have a few double-digit scorers back. Cameron Hildreth, Andrew Carr, and Damari Monsanto are good building blocks, while transfers Kevin Miller and Hunter Sallis will determine the overall ceiling for the team.

4. Dayton Flyers

Returning center DaRon Holmes is one of the best big men in all of NCAA Basketball, instantly giving the Flyers true potential to make the Big Dance. All of the guards are back as well and hopefully can avoid missing time due to injuries. The loss of forward and NBA Draft pick Toumani Camara does hurt so they’ll need to find a capable four-man to round out the starting lineup.

3. LSU Tigers

There’s a chance that 20 ppg transfer guard Jalen Cook might not be eligible but the Tigers brought in several other key transfers. Former Vanderbilt wing Jordan Wright is a talented double-digit scorer, while Carlos Stewart averaged 15 ppg at Santa Clara last year. If bigs Hunter Dean and Will Baker can hold up in the SEC, LSU will bounce back from finishing last in the league.

2. St. John’s Red Storm

After floating in mediocrity for the past decade, new coach Rick Pitino has come in and landed a bunch of transfers, including the two highest scorers from the Ivy League (Chris Ledlum and Jordan Dingle). Daniss Jenkins, Naheim Alleyne, and Glenn Taylor are all double-digit newcomers while returning big man Joel Soriano is one of the best centers in NCAA Basketball. It’s a top-25 roster with plenty of potential but will need time to gel.

1. Houston Cougars

Whether it’s in the American Athletic Conference or now in the Big 12, Houston remains a top-10 program under Coach Kelvin Sampson. Point guard Jamal Shead is back and joined by two elite guard transfers in LJ Cryer and Damian Dunn, to create a quality backcourt. The loss of NBA lottery pick Jarace Walker hurts the frontcourt but assuming that Ja’Vier Francis and J’Wan Roberts can handle extended minutes, the Cougars should be a Final Four contender yet again.