By Marc Desimone, Staff Writer
This year’s NCAA basketball teams are looking amazing as usual. As some teams fall in the rankings because of their loss of seniors, other teams rise because of veteran leadership and incoming recruiting class.
Ranked first in the country are the North Carolina Tar Heels. They return veteran point guard Marcus Paige and landed a highly recruited wing Justin Jackson. Their backcourt has a nice mix of veterans and high-level freshmen recruits. They also have a veteran big man, Kennedy Meeks, who has slimmed down to become more agile and increase his stamina. Coming off a loss in the sweet sixteen, the Tar heels are hungry for a long run in March.
The second ranked team in the country is the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats are known to have the most talented recruiting class almost every year. They are also known to send a lot of players to the NBA which helps attract top recruits. This year they are point guard heavy with Tyler Ulis, Jamal Murray and Isaiah Briscoe. If these three point guards can co-exist, then the Wildcats will be a team to watch out for. Coming off a Final Four appearance last year in a heartbreaking loss to Wisconsin, Coach Cal and the Wildcats are ready for another shot at the national championship.
In the third spot are the Kansas Jayhawks. This year the Jayhawks return Frank Mason and Perry Ellis, two high-level guards. However, the Jayhawks are hoping that one of their key pieces Cheick Diallo, can become eligible before the upcoming season. As long as their Hall of Fame coach Bill Self is in control, the Jayhawks are always a team to watch out for.
The fourth ranked team in the nation is a team that has truly risen from the ranks and has passed teams that they were far behind last year. The Maryland Terps are returning star guard Romello Trimble and also have landed a big time recruit Diamond Stone. With Trimble handling the backcourt and Stone handling things around the rim, the Terps have some of the best talent in the nation and will be an all around balanced team. Some other standout players include Robert Carter, who is eligible following a redshirt year, and Jake Layman, an experienced front court player
Lastly at the fifth spot in the nation are the Virginia Cavaliers. After losing star player Justin Anderson and Darian Atkins, some doubt the Cavs. However a team with a record of 30 and 4 last year and a solid recruiting class coming in this year the Cavs will be a team to watch out for.