Duke leads Dickie V's super seven
There has been a lot of news involving college basketball in recent weeks. Recently, Duke made a big splash by adding Marvin Bagley, who is set to play this coming season.
The addition of Bagley, a lock one-and-done performer who could easily be the top prospect in next year's draft, has people scrambling to revise their early preseason top teams.
I feel Bagley and Michael Porter Jr. of Missouri will battle to be the top Diaper Dandy and they could compete for that top draft slot. Bagley's addition is such a big deal, that I now have the Blue Devils as my favorite to cut down the nets in April 2018.
Here is a look at my revised super seven:
Coach K has a lot more than just Bagley taking the court. Grayson Allen will not have as much pressure on him, and that could help his return to prominence on the court. Gary Trent Jr., Trevon Duval and Wendell Carter are other talented newcomers who will team with Bagley to form an incredible young nucleus. Coach K will blend this talent nicely. They will have to get used to playing together, but the talent is there to make another championship run.
Sean Miller also brought in a great recruiting class, featuring big man DeAndre Ayton. Brandon Randolph and Emmanuel Akot will also have an impact among the newcomers. The return of Rawle Alkins is a positive. Dusan Ristic provides experience to the lineup. The best of the west will contend for the title too.
Miles Bridges passed on the NBA draft and he should lead a super sophomore contingent in East Lansing. Nick Ward showed major improvement up front last season and he will be aided by big man Jaren Jackson's arrival. Throw in Cassius Winston and Josh Langford and the Spartans should dominate the Big Ten. Tom Izzo is happy with the group he will put on the floor each night and there is much more depth than last year's injury-plagues squad.
John Calipari lost a lot of talent to the NBA draft. Very few programs could lose Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo and then contend for a championship the next season. Calipari simply reloads every season with super talent. This year it is Kevin Knox, Quade Green, P. J. Washington and Jarred Vanderbilt among the new faces that will please Big Blue Nation. The SEC is getting better, but the Wildcats are in their normal spot.
Devonte' Graham decided to return to school and Bill Self hopes he performs the way Frank Mason III did last season. Malik Newman gets his opportunity to shine. Billy Preston is a Diaper Dandy who will get his own share of press clippings. If Kansas can make some noise up front, this team will be very tough. The loss of Josh Jackson hurt.
Rick Pitino is confident with this corps group. Yes he lost Donovan Mitchell, but the Cardinals also have a share of new faces to watch. Malik Williams will have an instant impact at Yum Center. Look for a lot more from Ray Spalding as he gets a chance to shine.
Gregg Marshall's team should dominate the AAC in its first season in the conference. The injury woes of Landry Shamet may have an early impact, but the Shockers will be heard from as the season progresses.
