College basketball is right around the corner after a rollicking offseason that saw UConn head coach Dan Hurley flirt with the Los Angeles Lakers, big-name coaches change positions, and, most recently, former Virginia head coach Tony Bennett announced his abrupt retirement.
There is no need to wait until March for madness. It’s already here. As the season begins, here are 10 questions that will shape the game.
1. Can UConn three-peat?
The Huskies became the first team to repeat as national champions since the 2006 and 2007 Florida Gators. Can they become the first team to win three since John Wooden’s UCLA squads won seven titles from 1967 to 1973? Hurley returning to the sidelines was imperative. Just as important was junior forward Alex Karaban’s spurning the NBA to return. He’s joined by stud freshman Liam McNeely, who is expected to contribute heavily after the departure of four starters from last season’s squad.
2. What does Purdue look like without Zach Edey?
There’s not another player like Edey. Purdue cannot replace the 7-4 center playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Instead, the Boilers will rely heavily on point guard Braden Smith. Smith averaged 12 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals last season. He’s the favorite to be Big Ten Player of the Year.
3. Can John Calipari get his mojo back?
It seemed like Calipari would retire at Kentucky, but unrest among the fan base — after three straight first-weekend exits from March Madness — led to an unceremonious end. Cal landed at Arkansas and had to build a roster from scratch. A trio of transfers, DJ Wagner (Kentucky), Johnell Davis (FAU), and Jonas Aidoo (Tennessee), will lead the way.
4. How good is Duke’s Cooper Flagg?
The top recruit in the nation has garnered national attention for years thanks to his combination of size and athleticism. He’s inked big deals with New Balance and Gatorade. Over the summer, he turned heads in a scrimmage against the United States men’s national team. It’s finally time for him to take the court as a Blue Devil. Can he match the hype around him?
