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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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Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Tigers

Every year, there’s always some level of hype involving Memphis and Coach Penny Hardaway. And it’s usually because they either have elite five-star freshmen or a senior Conference Player of the Year player like Kendric Davis. This time around, it’s a completely new roster filled with talented, yet flawed players.

In the backcourt is Caleb Mills, a 4-year double-digit scoring guard from both Houston and Florida State. Jahvon Quinerly was the SEC 6th Man of the Year at Alabama, while Jaykwon Walton shot 55% from the field and 40% from three-point range at Wichita State. And Jonathan Pierre is a 6’10 guard/wing transfer from the D-II level. Even without five-star freshman Mikey Williams, this is a backcourt that can be explosive offensively.

David Jones averaged over 13 ppg at St. John’s and is an elite shot-maker as a combo forward. And the biggest pickup of the offseason was Jordan Brown, a former five-star prospect who was the Sun Belt Player of the Year at Louisiana Lafayette. The return of Malcolm Dandridge and Temple transfer Nick Jordain gives Memphis plenty of depth. Plus, if star forward Deandre Williams gets a waiver for an additional season, then this roster has top-10 potential overall.

It may take time for everyone to find their respective roles on the team. But outside of Florida Atlantic, the Tigers can run through the AAC just on talent and depth alone. The past teams Coach Hardaway had were talented but too young to win in March. This one has enough experience to change that if the new pieces can all mesh and get that breakthrough run.

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