NCAA basketball power rankings 2022: Way-too-early Top 10

NCAA basketball power rankings: Way-too-early Top 10 for 2022-2023

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

5 of 10

TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 12: Sahvir Wheeler #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats against the Tennessee Volunteers in the semifinals of the Men’s SEC basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on March 12, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

6. 2022-23 NCAA Power Rankings – Kentucky Wildcats

After years of embracing one-and-done freshmen superteams, John Calipari veered the other way last season, using the transfer portal to build a roster loaded with experienced stars like Oscar Tshiebwe and Kellan Grady. The end result was a disappointment as Kentucky became the first upset victim of the Saint Peter’s Cinderella story, which should lead to significant re-tooling for the Wildcats.

The biggest question among the returning players is the status of Tshiebwe, who won the Naismith Player of the Year award but is projected to be a high second-round pick right now. Calipari would love to have Tshiebwe back to help boost his draft stock into the first round and the impact of NIL legislation would lend credence to seeing Tshiebwe stay in school another year.

The other notable returners for Kentucky should be guard Sahvir Wheeler and forward Keion Brooks, leaving plenty of space for the Wildcats to upgrade their roster. Shaedon Sharpe will actually suit up this year, giving a boost to the backcourt, while Calipari has also lured a pair of five-star recruits to Lexington in small forward Chris Livingston and point guard Cason Wallace, who is arguably the top point guard in this year’s freshmen class.

This roster should end up being more of a blend between the one-and-done emphasis of the past and last year’s transfer-heavy team. Calipari will undoubtedly land a key player or two in the portal, but how they fit together will determine Kentucky’s ultimate upside next season.