NCAA Basketball: Who should be the No. 1 team to start the 2023-24 season?

Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette is in a similar situation as Purdue, being a team that was elite last season and returns just about everyone back. However, the Golden Eagles did lose a key starter in Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who produced 12.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg. But the reason why the voters might not care too much is that they have his replacement in David Joplin, who was the Big East 6th Man of the Year and shot over 40% from three-point range at the four-spot.

The other four starters are back on this team, led by point guard Tyler Kolek. He averaged 12.9 ppg and 7.5 apg and earned Big East Player of the Year honors. Leading scorer Kam Jones (15.1 ppg) is one of the best pure scorers, while forward Oso Ighodaro is a quality two-way frontcourt player whose skills will get more spotlight now that there’s more spacing.

This was a team that won 29 games and won both the regular season and conference tournament titles. And while losing in the Round of 32 as a 2 seed was a disappointment, it’s not shameful to fall to Coach Izzo in March. But while the Eagles do bring almost everyone back, can Kolek be the best player on a No. 1 team?

Marquette also doesn’t have an elite incoming recruiting class like Duke and Michigan State to raise its ceiling. But while losing a key defender like Prosper, the offense with Joplin in the lineup may be too good for most defenses to deal with.