Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest position battles to watch for 2023-24 season

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ty Rodgers (20) dribbles the ball against Arkansas Razorbacks guard Ricky Council IV (1) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ty Rodgers (20) dribbles the ball against Arkansas Razorbacks guard Ricky Council IV (1) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
NCAA Basketball Will McClendon #4, Dylan Andrews #2 and head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Will McClendon #4, Dylan Andrews #2 and head coach Mick Cronin of the UCLA Bruins (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

8. UCLA Bruins

Position battle: PF – Devin Williams vs Bradon Williams vs Berke Buyuktuncel vs Aday Mara

Of the five starters on the Sweet 16 squad last season, only one is back. That’s Adem Bona, a former five-star prospect that had a solid first year, earning All-Pac 12 Defensive Team honors. He’s definitely going to start but an interesting question is who’ll be next to him in the frontcourt?

Both Jaime Jaquez and Jaylen Clark are gone and all of the forwards on the roster are newcomers. Both Williams, Devin, and Brandon, are top-100 incoming freshmen. Brandon is a 6’7 combo forward that can play some at the three-spot. Devin is a 6’10 true big that plays back-to-the-back but is versatile enough to play both frontcourt positions.

The same can be said of Mara, the 7’3 big man from Spain that’s viewed as one of, if not the top-rated international player joining the NCAA Basketball ranks. He’s a quality defender that’s athletic enough to play at the four-spot. How he and Bona work together offensively is something to watch. Even Buyuktuncel, a 6’7 forward from Turkey, was impressive at the FIBA U19 Tournament.

There are plenty of available minutes all over the roster and UCLA will be one of the biggest mysteries in NCAA Basketball next season. Mara may be the most talented player but is he the best fit? The battle of foreign vs American talent will be something to watch.

Home/NCAA Basketball News