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NCAA Basketball: 5 preseason unranked teams that could win it all in 2023-24

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: New St. Johns Red Storm head basketball coach Rick Pitino during a press conference, at Madison Square Garden on March 21, 2023 in New York City. Pitino, who recently coach at Iona, became the first coach to take three different schools to the Final Four and the first coach to win an NCAA Championship at two different schools. (Photo by Porter BInks )
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: New St. Johns Red Storm head basketball coach Rick Pitino during a press conference, at Madison Square Garden on March 21, 2023 in New York City. Pitino, who recently coach at Iona, became the first coach to take three different schools to the Final Four and the first coach to win an NCAA Championship at two different schools. (Photo by Porter BInks ) /
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NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball Maryland Terrapins guard Jahmir Young Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Maryland Terrapins

Maryland was a top-25 team last season, making the Round of 32 in Coach Kevin Willard’s first year. And while losing two starters (Hakim Hart and Donald Carey) did hurt, the Big Ten team still brought back a trio of double-digit scoring starters.

Point guard Jahmir Young (15.8 ppg and 3.1 apg) is one of the best playmakers in NCAA Basketball, while forwards Julian Reese and Donta Scott are one of the top frontcourts in the sport as well. That gives them a good floor of being a good team but what’ll make them “great” is the potential of the incoming recruiting class.

Two projected new starters are both freshmen in 6’6 wing Jamie Kaiser and 6’5 playmaking guard, Dashawn Harris-Smith. Both are four-star prospects, ranked in the top 50 of the 2023 class. They’re each capable shooters and Harris-Smith has shown great potential as an all-around performer. If they can become upgrades over Hart and Carey, that’ll put Maryland a team that can make a Final Four.

Having an elite point guard (Young) gives them a chance to be very good. They just need to get the freshmen to play at a high level. But it’s a roster that overall, could be very tough to beat in March, depending on the matchup.

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