NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season

Feb 4, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer (right) talks to center Kyle Filipowski(30) during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 63-57. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

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NCAA Basketball Arkansas Razorbacks forward Trevon Brazile Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Arkansas Razorbacks

2022-23 season record: 22-14 (8-10 SEC)

Last season’s Razorbacks squad featured the best-ever recruiting class for the program, with a trio of five-star guards. All three of them (Anthony Black, Nick Smith, and Jordan Walsh) are gone, along with several other outgoing transfers. Of course, you know that Coach Eric Musselman was going to bring in several transfers of his own to replenish.

In the backcourt enters El Ellis, who averaged nearly 18 ppg at Louisville and was at times their lone offensive threat. Khalif Battle had the same numbers at Temple, though he has a history of injuries. And Tramon Mark is a double-digit scorer from Houston. Add returning guard Davonte Davis and top-30 freshman guard Layden Blocker and you have a lot of depth to work with on the perimeter.

The frontcourt and its potential impact will come down to the health of Trevon Brazile. The former Missouri forward averaged 11.8 ppg and 6.0 rpg in nine games off the bench last year before a season-ending injury but he’s back and likely to start. Jalen Graham and Makhi Mitchell are back as well, joined by veteran transfer forward, Chandler Lawson.

History has shown that Coach Musselman can get a transfer-laden roster to work out. But the roles will need to be defined and some of these guys that came from losing situations will have to learn how to win in the SEC. The overall talent warrants them a top-15 spot but there should be some caution as well.

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