Fansided

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

By Mike Phillips

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 05: Johnny Juzang #3 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket as he is defended by Isaiah Mobley #3 of the USC Trojans in the first half at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 05: Johnny Juzang #3 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket as he is defended by Isaiah Mobley #3 of the USC Trojans in the first half at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

4. 2022-23 NCAA Power Rankings – UCLA Bruins

A stunning run to the Final Four in 2021 led to some serious preseason hype for UCLA, which began the season at No. 2 in the AP Top 25. Things never quite clicked for the Bruins, who ended up with a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament and got bounced by North Carolina in the Sweet 16.

The good news for Mick Cronin’s team is that this season didn’t do a ton for the draft stock of Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jacquez or Peyton Watson, the Bruin’s three best pro prospects. There is a good shot all three could return to Pauley Pavilion next season, joining Tyger Campbell and Jaylen Clark to form the nucleus of a Pac-12 front-runner.

UCLA has also done some solid work on the recruiting front, bringing in three recruits ranked inside the ESPN 100, including a pair of five-stars in shooting guard Amari Bailey and center Adem Bona. Both could contend for starting roles while point guard Dylan Andrews could learn under Campbell for a year and serve as a quality backup before ascending to the starting lineup next season.

A COVID pause in December undoubtedly ruined the positive momentum the Bruins were building so a more normal season would serve to benefit them. The pedigree is also well-established for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament in 2023.