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 Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

21. Memphis Tigers

2022-23 season record: 26-9 (13-5 AAC)

There is no roster more difficult to judge than Memphis, who right now, lost nine of its top 11 scorers from last season. That includes (for now) star forward Deandre Williams, who is currently applying for an extra year of eligibility. There’s also the status of five-star freshman guard Mikey Williams, who isn’t going to play until his legal issues with a gun-related case are resolved.

Even if those two aren’t able to play, there’s a lot to like about this potential roster. Backup big man Malcolm Dandridge is back in the frontcourt, along with Jordan Brown. He’s a 6’10 center transfer from Louisiana Lafayette, who won Sun Belt Player of the Year after averaging 19.3 ppg and 8.6 rpg. Temple transfer Nick Jourdain adds to the depth, while former St. John’s combo forward David Jones is a double-digit scorer who can create his own offense.

Replacing former AAC POY guard Kendric Davis is a cast of newcomers. At point is Jahvon Quinerly, the SEC 6th Man of the Year at Alabama. Caleb Mills is a four-year double-digit scoring starter at both FSU and Houston, while Jaykwon Walton is one of the best pure shooters in all of NCAA Basketball, coming over from Wichita State.

One theme with Coach Penny Hardaway teams is that with so many new faces, there’s going to be some growing pains to deal with. And that’s okay, as this cast will need time to figure out what the new pecking order will be. However, if Williams does get a waiver to play this season, not only will he be the focal point, but Memphis will be a top-15 caliber team and the favorite to win the AAC.

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