Fansided

College basketball rankings 2022-23: UNC, Gonzaga headline FanSided preseason Top 25

By Mike Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Chase Center on March 24, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Chase Center on March 24, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 19: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the Second Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 19, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 19: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the Second Round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 19, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

FanSided Preseason Top 25 College Basketball Rankings

20. Michigan Wolverines

Juwan Howard’s team saw a lot of key departures after last season but the big reason the Wolverines cracked the Top 25 is the return of big man Hunter Dickinson, who flirted with a trip to the NBA before opting to come back for his junior season. Dickinson’s return gives the Wolverines a true star at the five to build around in a Big Ten that is relatively wide open at the top.

Michigan is also hoping for big things from Princeton transfer Jaelin Llewellyn, who averaged 15.7 points per game for the Tigers last season. The hope here is that Llewellyn and Dickinson form a dynamic 1-2 punch that lifts the Wolverines past their competition and towards a Big Ten title.

19. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide may have to wait until December to get Jahvon Quinnerly back on the floor but there is no shortage of talent on Nate Oats’ squad. With four freshmen and four transfers expected to contribute, Alabama could be a dark horse in the SEC.

Ohio transfer Mark Sears should get the first crack at point guard while Quinnerly rehabs from his ACL sprain and should provide plenty of scoring punch in the backcourt. The most exciting freshman is forward Brandon Miller, a McDonalds All-American in 2021 who has the kind of athleticism that should have NBA scouts drooling during their trips to Tuscaloosa.

18. San Diego State Aztecs

The Mountain West disappointed in the NCAA Tournament when it failed to get one of its four teams past the round of 64. That should change this year as San Diego State brings back a roster laden with talent and experience for head coach Brian Dutcher.

The big new addition is Seattle transfer Darion Trammell, who brings some major scoring pop and defensive ability to the point for the Aztecs. Seniors Matt Bradley, JaeDon LeDee and Nathan Mensah make San Diego State the clear favorites in the Mountain West and a legitimate Sweet 16 threat in March.

17. Auburn Tigers

A dream run to start the season ended in disappointment as Auburn was bounced in the second round of the NCAA Tournament after they were upset by Miami. While Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith are off to the pros, Bruce Pearl has restocked his frontcourt nicely with five-star freshman Yohan Traoure and Morehead State transfer Johni Broome coming in.

The backcourt is where Auburn has plenty of experience with upperclassmen Wendell Green Jr, K.D. Johnson and Zep Jasper back in the mix. It may take some time for Auburn to gel but the Tigers could be a dangerous team by the time March rolls around.

16. Arizona Wildcats

Last season’s surprise Pac-12 champions took a big hit with pro departures as Bennedict Mathurin, Dalen Terry and Christian Koloko are all gone. Expectations should be set accordingly for the Wildcats, who won’t be a Top 5 team in all likelihood but should be a Top 25 fixture throughout the season.

Point guard Kerr Kriisa, who battled an ankle injury in the NCAA Tournament, is fully healthy and should be Arizona’s leader as a junior. Oumar Ballo, who came over with head coach Tommy Lloyd from Gonzaga last season, is set for a bigger role as a starter while Texas transfer Courtney Ramey will look to fill some of Mathurin’s scoring load at the two-guard spot.