Cnotes College Basketball Team Capsules !

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Maryland season preview capsule
October 26, 2017

Maryland season preview capsule

Maryland

Last season: 24-9, lost to Xavier in first round of NCAA Tournament.

Nickname: Terrapins.

Coach: Mark Turgeon.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: G Melo Trimble, C Damonte Dodd, F L.G. Gill.

Who's back: F Justin Jackson. The sophomore was second in scoring behind Trimble with 10.5 points a game and averaged a team-high 6.0 rebounds. Also led team with .438 shooting percentage from 3-point range; G Kevin Huerter. The sophomore started all 33 games, averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds a game. Led Terrapins with 19 points against Xavier in NCAA Tournament; C Michal Cekovsky. The 7-foot-1 Slovakian appeared in 17 games as a junior, earning starts in four before fractured ankle in mid-February sidelined him for remainder of season; G Anthony Cowan. Sophomore was third on team in scoring at 10.3 points a game, led Maryland in assists and was third in minutes played. Started all 33 games as a freshman; F Ivan Bender. The 6-9 junior played in 32 games, including five starts. Shot 66 percent from floor.

Who's new: F Bruno Fernando. The 6-10, four-star recruit played for Angola at the 2014 U-17 FIBA World Championships and averaged 9.1 points and 10.6 rebounds; F Sean Obi. Played as freshman at Rice, and sophomore and junior at Duke. Appeared in 10 games for Blue Devils in 2015-16 before an injury ended his season; G Darryl Morsell. First Baltimore high school player to sign with Maryland since Turgeon took over in 2011 is a stopper on defensive end of court.

The Skinny: The Terrapins look to continue their recent run of success without Trimble, who left for the NBA draft after his junior season. If Huerter, Cowan and Jackson can score and provide leadership, this young team can develop quickly, be a contender in the Big Ten and extend its run of NCAA Tournament appearances to four.

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Indiana Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Indiana Preview Capsule

Indiana

Last season: 18-16, lost at Georgia Tech in the first round of the NIT.

Nickname: Hoosiers.

Coach: Archie Miller.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: Coach Tom Crean, F OG Anunoby, G James Blackmon Jr., C Thomas Bryant.

Who's back: G Robert Johnson. After withdrawing from the NBA draft, the senior will take on an expanded role as he tries to improve his numbers (12.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game). G Josh Newkirk. The clear choice at point guard returns for his third and final season with the Hoosiers. He's hoping to cut down on the turnovers and take on a bigger scoring role (9.0 ppg last season). F De'Ron Davis. The 6-foot-10 forward lost about 20 pounds this offseason with the hope he will stay in better condition and commit fewer fouls when he starts getting tired.

Who's new: F Clifton Moore. While it's unclear which member of this four-player freshman class could have the biggest impact, Moore provides the Hoosiers one quality they lack - size. He and Davis are the only players on the roster taller than 6-9.

The Skinny: Miller's first Indiana team may not have all the pieces but it does have enough backcourt talent and potential on the front line to become a factor in the Big Ten race. Expect it to take time for the players to get in sync with Miller's new system, and an early four-game run with Duke, Michigan, Iowa and Louisville won't help. But a postseason bid is a reasonable possibility.

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Wisconsin Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Wisconsin Preview Capsule

Wisconsin

Last season: 27-10; lost to Florida in regional semifinals of NCAA Tournament

Nickname: Badgers

Coach: Greg Gard

Conference: Big Ten

Who's gone: F Nigel Hayes, F Vitto Brown, G Bronson Koenig, G Zak Showalter, G Jordan Hill

Who's back: F Ethan Happ (14.0 points, 9.0 rebounds) is the lone returning starter. One of the toughest big-man matchups in the country with his athleticism, one of Happ's only weaknesses is a lack of an outside shot. G D'Mitrik Trice (5.6 points) hit 41 percent from 3-point territory off the bench as a freshman last season. He has the poise to take over the point guard job from Koenig. G Brevin Pritzl will get a shot to show off his 3-point range with more regular minutes. Swingman Khalil Iverson's strength is athleticism in the paint.

Who's new: A promising three-member freshman class could be called on to contribute early, especially Gs Kobe King and Brad Davison. The athletic, 6-foot-4 King was the unanimous prep player of the year in Wisconsin last season. The hustling Davison could be the next player that Badgers fans love and opponents hate to face.

The Skinny: A transition year for Wisconsin. The talent is there, but the Badgers lack the experience that fueled the program to new heights over the last five years. A summer exhibition trip of Australia and New Zealand did help with developing chemistry. A return to the NCAA Tournament will depend on 3-point shooting and how the supporting cast develops around Happ.

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Rutgers Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

RUTGERS

Last season: 15-18, ties most wins since 2012-13.

Nickname: Scarlet Knights.

Coach: Steve Pikiell.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: C C.J. Gettys, G Nigel Johnson (graduate transfer, Virginia), F Jonathan Laurent, G Khalil Batie, C Ibrahima Diallo.

Who's back: G Corey Sanders. The junior led the Scarlet Knights with team-high 12.8; F Deshawn Freeman. Athletic senior averaged 11.1 points in 33 games; G Mike Williams. The streaky shooting guard averaged 9.4 points. Fs Candido Sa, Issa Thiam, Shaquille Doorson and Eugene Omoruyi all played in 30-plus games last season but were minor contributors.

Who's new: G Soug Mensah. Junior college transfer will provide depth at guard. Freshmen F Mamadou Doucoure and C Myles Johnson give Rutgers big bodies up front. The 6-foot-9 Doucoure averaged 11 points, 14 rebounds and 3.0 blocks as a senior at Our Savior New American School on Long Island. The 6-10 Johnson played at Long Beach (California) Polytechnic High School. He had eight points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks against a nationally-ranked Chino Hills in the playoffs. Freshman G Geo Baker will get playing time.

The Skinny: Rutgers has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1991, the year Pikiell started his coaching career as an assistant at Connecticut. The Scarlet Knights have been picked to finish last in the conference. Getting more than three conference wins the season would be an improvement. Making the NIT for the first time since 2006 would be a major success.

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Iowa Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Iowa Preview Capsule

Iowa

Last season: 19-15.

Nickname: Hawkeyes.

Coach: Fran McCaffery.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: G Peter Jok.

Who's back: Everybody else, including PG Jordan Bohannon. He averaged nearly 11 points a game last season as a freshman and finished with three straight double-doubles in postseason play. F Tyler Cook (12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds) was up and down as a newcomer a year ago but could emerge as one of the Big Ten's breakout stars. F Nicholas Baer was the league's Sixth Man of the Year in 2016-17, but it's uncertain if he will move into the starting lineup.

Who's new: C Luka Garza, a freshman, was Iowa's best player during a summer tour through Europe and is expected to start. C Jack Nunge, also a freshman, should also see extended minutes in the Hawkeyes' rebuilt frontcourt.

The Skinny: Iowa will miss Jok's 19.9 points per game. But If Bohannon and Cook improve as expected and Garza and Nunge solidify the frontcourt, Iowa will likely make a push for a top-five league finish and return to the NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes have as many as 12 guys who can play at the Division I level, and McCaffery will have his hands full keeping everyone happy.

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Ohio State Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Ohio State Preview Capsule

Ohio State

Last season: 17-15, 7-11 Big Ten

Nickname: Buckeyes

Conference: Big Ten

Who's gone: G JaQuan Lyle, C Trevor Thompson, F Marc Loving, C David Bell.

Who's back: F Jae'Sean Tate. Senior is a fine small forward who led the team in scoring last year; F Keita Bates-Diop. Red-shirt junior missed most of last season with an injury in the ninth game. Averaged 11.8 points and 6.4 rebounds as a sophomore; C Micah Potter. Sophomore will have to step up as starting center after backing up Thompson last season. G C.J. Jackson. Junior will be counted on as the primary ball-handler as one of two point guards on the roster; G Kam Williams. Redshirt senior will start at two-guard spot. F Andre Wesson. Small forward played off the bench as a freshman.

Who's new: G Andrew Dakich. Graduate transfer from Michigan will back up Jackson at point guard; F Kaleb Wesson. Andre's brother is 6-foot-9 and will be expected to play right away. May be better than his brother; G Musa Jallow. Freshman small forward who Holtmann had pursued while still with Butler. F Kyle Young. Freshman committed to Butler but followed Holtmann to Ohio State. Long wing player will provide some depth.

The Skinny: New coach Chris Holtmann is trying to right a program that fell into disarray in Thad Matta's last couple of seasons. All five players in the 2015 recruiting class transferred out, leaving little depth. Tate, Bates-Diop and Jackson will feel the pressure to pace the club without much experience on the bench behind them. Freshmen are going to have contribute. Potter has got to be more physical in the middle. Even Holtmann acknowledges that it's probably going to be a tough season.

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Nebraska Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Nebraska Preview Capsule

Nebraska

Last season: 12-19, third straight season with no postseason appearance.

Nickname: Cornhuskers.

Coach: Tim Miles.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: G Tai Webster, F Ed Morrow Jr. (transfer to Marquette), F Michael Jacobson (transfer to Iowa State), F Jeriah Horne (transfer to Tulsa), F Nick Fuller (graduate transfer at South Dakota).

Who's back: G Glynn Watson. The junior is the only returning player who averaged in double figures (13.0 points per game), and his 1.6 steals a game ranked third in the Big Ten. G Evan Taylor. The senior started the last 21 games. G Anton Gill. The senior returns after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee on Dec. 25. F Jack McVeigh. The junior dropped out of the rotation in January but re-emerged as a key contributor off the bench. F Isaiah Roby. Played only 15 minutes a game but was third on team with 25 blocked shots; C Jordy Tshimanga. The 6-foot-11, 268-pound sophomore averaged 7.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in last 11 games.

Who's new: G-F James Palmer. The junior transfer from Miami scored a team-high 17 points in 23 minutes of a charity exhibition at Mississippi State. F Isaac Copeland. The junior transfer from Georgetown provides strength and athleticism near the basket. C Duby Okeke. Grad transfer from Winthrop gives Huskers a much-needed rim protector. G Thomas Allen. The freshman was top-100 recruit. G Thorir Thorbjarnarson. Freshman comes out of Iceland's national team program.

The Skinny: This is a huge season for Miles, who's 75-86 in five years and hasn't finished higher than 11th in the Big Ten the last three years. The program hasn't made the postseason since a late run in 2014 produced an NCAA Tournament appearance. Some key additions give Miles hope a move up in Big Ten is possible.

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Northwestern Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Northwestern Preview Capsule

Northwestern

Last season: 24-12, lost to Gonzaga in NCAA round of 32.

Nickname: Wildcats.

Coach: Chris Collins.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: F Sanjay Lumpkin.

Who's back: G Bryant McIntosh. A preseason all-Big Ten pick, the senior averaged a team-high 14.8 points last season and tied for the conference lead in assists at 5.2 per game; G Scottie Lindsey. Like McIntosh, a preseason all-conference pick after averaging 14.1 points; F Vic Law. A Big Ten all-defensive team pick last season, he was the Wildcats' third-leading scoring and second-leading rebounder; F Dererk Pardon. He ranked second in the conference in field goal percentage (.611), fourth in blocks (1.8 per game) and seventh in rebounding (8.0 rpg).

Who's new: G Anthony Gaines is the lone incoming freshman.

The Skinny: The Wildcats are balanced and experienced and hungry for more coming off the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.

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Purdue Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Purdue Preview Capsule

Purdue

Last season: 27-8; lost to Kansas in NCAA Tournament regional semifinals

Nickname: Boilermakers.

Coach: Matt Painter.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: F Caleb Swanigan, F Basil Smotherman, G Spike Albrecht.

Who's back: F Vincent Edwards. The senior preseason all-conference selection might be the Boilermakers' best overall player. He can shoot (48.6 percent), score (12.6), rebound (4.9) and defend. G Carsen Edwards. As a freshman, the other Edwards - no relation to Vincent - led Purdue in assists (133) and was tied for the team-high in steals (36). This year, he'll be asked to increase his scoring average from 10.6 points. C Isaac Haas. The 7-foot-2 senior averaged 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in just 19.5 minutes last season. With Swanigan off to the NBA, Haas is likely to log more minutes if he stays out of foul trouble.

Who's new: F Matt Haarms. The redshirt freshman used last season to try and add strength. Now the 7-foot-3 Dutch native could fill the role Haas had over the last couple of seasons off the bench. If the Boilermakers play Haas and Haarms together, they could have the biggest front line in the nation.

The Skinny: Yes, the defending Big Ten champs lost the conference player of the year (Swanigan). But they are hardly bereft of talent. Painter has four starters and six of his top seven scorers back. With size, versatility, tournament experience and a team that knows how to defend, look for the four seniors to keep the Boilermakers at or near the top of the conference standings.

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Illinois Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Illinois Preview Capsule

Illinois

Last season: 20-15 overall, 8-10 in the Big Ten.

Nickname: Fighting Illini.

Coach: Brad Underwood.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: G Malcolm Hill, G Tracy Abrams, G Jalen-Coleman Lands (transfer), G D.J. Williams (transfer), G Jaylon Tate, G Alex Austin C Maverick Morgan, C Mike Thorne Jr.

Who's back: G Te'Jon Lucas. Last season, the sophomore was fifth in the Big Ten in turnover ratio during conference games. F Michael Finke. He shot 44.9 percent from behind the arc during conference play, ranking him eighth in the Big Ten. F Leron Black. Black had elbow surgery during the preseason, but is expected to be healthy for the season opener. He led the team in rebounding at 6.3 per game. F. Kipper Nichols. After sitting out the fall due to NCAA transfer rules, he appeared in 21 games for the Illini. He averaged 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in Big Ten play.

Who's new: G Mark Smith. Smith was named the 2017 Mr. Basketball of Illinois after leading Edwardsville to a 30-2 record. G Trent Frazier. Frazier is a consensus four-star recruit from Florida. He averaged just over 27 points per game during his senior season. G. Da'Monte Williams. Williams played just three seasons during his senior year of high school due to an ACL tear. However, he did average 25.6 points per game for Peoria Manual. G Mark Alstork.

The Skinny: In Underwood's first season, the Illini have the chance to make it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years. In his four years at Stephen F. Austin and Oklahoma State, Underwood never missed the tournament. In one year at Oklahoma State, Underwood showed that he can put together one of the best offenses in the country. If he can do the same at Illinois, Illini fans could finally enjoy a meaningful postseason appearance.

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Michigan State Preview-Capsule
October 26, 2017

Michigan State Preview-Capsule

Michigan State

Last season: 20-15, lost to Kansas in NCAA round of 32.

Nickname: Spartans.

Coach: Tom Izzo

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: G Eron Harris, G Alvin Ellis, F Matt Van Dyk.

Who's back: Four of the top five and eight of the top 10 scorers from last season. F Miles Bridges turned down a chance to be an NBA lottery pick to return for his sophomore season. Bridges is the Big Ten preseason player of the year and a national player of the year candidate. F Nick Ward averaged nearly 14 points and six-plus rebounds as a freshman, trailing only Bridges on the team. Ward joined Bridges on the preseason All-Big Ten team.

Who's new: F Jaren Jackson and F Xavier Tillman are talented enough as freshmen to be key players on a loaded team. The 6-11, 242-pound Jackson is projected by some as top-five pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Izzo said the 6-8, 260-pound Tillman was the biggest surprise in early practices.

The Skinny: Izzo, a Hall of Fame coach, has a good shot to win his second national championship, reach his eighth Final Four and win his first Big Ten regular season title since 2012.

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Minnesota Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Minnesota Preview Capsule

Minnesota

Last season: 24-10, lost to Middle Tennessee in first round of NCAA Tournament.

Nickname: Golden Gophers.

Coach: Richard Pitino

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: SG Akeem Springs: He had a team-high 67 made 3-pointers in his lone season at Minnesota as a graduate transfer.

Who's back: PG Nate Mason: The senior was among 20 point guards in the country named to the preseason Bob Cousy Award watch list after being named first team All-Big Ten for 2016-17. SF Amir Coffey: The Big Ten All-Freshman Team pick from last season and the son of former Gophers standout Richard Coffey has only scratched the surface with his inside-outside, two-way ability. PF Jordan Murphy: The team's leading rebounder averaged 11.3 points per game last season. C Reggie Lynch: The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year set a new single-season Gophers record with 114 blocked shots.

Who's new: PG Isaiah Washington: The Mr. New York Basketball award winner as the top player in the state, he was a consensus top-100 recruit. PF Davonte Fitzgerald: The fifth-year junior has two seasons of eligibility left after sitting out two years, one for a transfer from Texas A&M and one after an ACL tear and other damage to his left knee from an offseason practice.

The Skinny: Coming off a 16-win turnaround from 2015-16 and the first NCAA Tournament appearance since Pitino took over in 2013, bringing all but Springs back from their top seven scorers from last season, hopes are the highest this program has had in 20 years. Staying healthy will be the key. PF Eric Curry, who made meaningful contributions as a freshman backup, injured his left knee in an offseason pickup game and will redshirt this season.

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Michigan Preview Capsule
October 26, 2017

Michigan Preview Capsule

Michigan

Last season: 26-12, won Big Ten Tournament and reached NCAA Sweet 16.

Nickname: Wolverines.

Coach: John Beilein.

Conference: Big Ten.

Who's gone: G Derrick Walton, F D.J. Wilson, G-F Zak Irvin, F Mark Donnal.

Who's back: F Moe Wagner. After considering jump to NBA, Wagner is back at Michigan as team's top returning player; G Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman. Enters senior season with plenty of experience after starting 37 games in 2016-17; G-F Duncan Robinson. Shot 44 percent from 3-point range in first two seasons at Michigan. G Zavier Simpson. Averaged 8.7 minutes a game as freshman last season, backing up Walton.

Who's new: G Jaaron Simmons. Graduate transfer from Ohio averaged 17.2 points last season for one of top teams in Mid-American Conference; G Charles Matthews. Kentucky transfer now eligible after sitting out last season, could give Michigan some athleticism on wing. G Eli Brooks. Averaged 29.7 points as high school senior in 2016-17.

The Skinny: Michigan has a lot to replace, but Simmons and Matthews already have Division I experience, so the transition may not be too bumpy for Beilein's team. Losing Wilson to the NBA was a blow, but Wagner's return means the Wolverines are still a team to watch in the Big Ten. Their early schedule is an intriguing one with trips to North Carolina and Texas and a home game against UCLA.

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Penn State looking for more consistency
October 26, 2017

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) Patrick Chambers watched as his best group of recruits started to blossom last season. Now he wants to see those young players hit their stride together.

''I want to see the development of these players,'' Chambers said. ''Obviously, having your starting five back is something we're not used to. A lot of excitement around here, we're climbing. I know you guys have seen that.''

Chambers' positive outlook is based mostly on the raw talent and flashes of success his youngsters showed last season. Sophomores Tony Carr, Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins return after finishing at or near the top of all the team's major statistical categories. They'll join veterans Shep Garner and Julian Moore to give the Nittany Lions a starting group Chambers believes can take the next step.

For a team that hasn't won more than seven conference games since Chambers arrived in 2011, that next step has to be a big one if the Nittany Lions are to make the kind of progress they expect.

They believe they have the skills to be playing well into March.

''It's definitely a goal of ours,'' Stevens said. ''We have to focus on the small things and not take anything for granted. We focus one practice at a time, one game at a time, and hopefully if we do that, then that dream and goal of ours will come true.''

The program has endured most of its struggles down the stretch, where it's 29-74 in regular -season games after Dec. 31 under Chambers. Two of those wins came last year against ranked teams, and the Nittany Lions pushed then-No. 14 Purdue in an overtime loss that gave Chambers reason to be hopeful.

''It's really more about consistency,'' Chambers said. ''That's why we're climbing. The climb's never straightforward. It's left, right, it could go back, but that's a great tagline for what we're trying to do. So as long as they're consistent and bring a great approach and they stick together and stay connected and there's a lot of love in the room, we've got a great chance to have a really successful year.''

CARR-YING THE OFFENSE

Carr led the team with 13.2 points and 4.2 assists per game and reported to preseason practice with nearly 30 more pounds of muscle on what was a wiry 6-foot-5 frame.

He also believes he's better prepared mentally for his sophomore year.

''There were definitely some times where I kind of lost my cool last year, and let my emotions get the best of me out there on the court,'' Carr said. ''So I definitely made that a key point, just keeping myself under the wraps out there and just trying to be the best player and the best teammate that I can.''

HELP ON THE GLASS

Penn State often lost rebounding contests last season, and its deficiencies on the glass were notable nearly every time Watkins was on the bench.

Chambers added a player he thinks will complement Watkins, Stevens and Moore down low. Virginia Tech transfer Satchel Pierce is the team's tallest player at 7 feet, and Chambers described him as ''really skilled.''

''He's going to add a dimension where those 8-0 (scoring) runs, those 10-0 runs, if Mike (Watkins) is not in the game, I'm very confident he can get us an easy one,'' Chambers said.

SHEP'S SHOT

Garner possesses the team's best long shot, making 36 percent of his 3-pointers last season. He was often complemented by Payton Banks, who left the program in the offseason.

So far, Carr and Josh Reaves look to be the next best options if the team needs a shot from beyond the arc. Stevens made it a goal to improve his 3-point shot in the offseason, too.

WATCH BOSTICK

Nazeer Bostick didn't see a lot of action last winter mainly because a hand injury limited him to 18 games. When he did play, Bostick proved himself a reliable spell in the guard rotation.

He played double-digit minutes in the team's win over then-No. 24 Maryland and in two other games before his injury. Considering he was part of back-to-back PIAA Championship teams with Stevens and Carr at Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High, Bostick is itching to get more minutes alongside his longtime teammates.

''With so many transfers at the end of the season, he could have been one of those guys,'' Chambers said. ''He didn't get the minutes that he wanted throughout the season. It's very easy to change your attitude and do something different and fight the system. Instead, he embraced it, and I think that's why he's going to have such a breakout year.''

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Kansas Preview Capsule
October 27, 2017

Kansas Preview Capsule

Kansas

Last season: 31-5, lost in first round of NCAA Tournament

Nickname: Jayhawks

Coach: Bill Self

Conference: Big 12

Who's gone: G Frank Mason III, G Josh Jackson, F Carlton Bragg, F Landen Lucas, F Dwight Coleby

Who's back: G Devonte Graham is the leading returning scorer at 13.4 points per game last season; G Svi Mykhailiuk averaged 9.8 points and flirted with the NBA before returning for senior season; G Lagerald Vick averaged 7.4 points; F Udoka Azubuike missed most of his freshman season with a wrist injury.

Who's new: G Malik Newman was a top-10 recruit who transferred from Mississippi State and sat out last season; G Sam Cunliffe is a transfer from Arizona State who becomes eligible in December; F Billy Preston was a consensus five-star recruit from Oak Hill Academy; G Marcus Garret was a four-star prospect from Dallas.

The Skinny: Kansas lost the national player of the year in Mason and a lottery pick in Jackson and is still favored to win its 14th straight Big 12 title. The Jayhawks should have more size with Azubuike and Preston in the paint, while Graham is poised to take over for Mason as a potential player of the year. If the newcomers can contribute, including do-everything guard Newman, the Jayhawks could make a Final Four run.

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