Too Early Top 21 Teams For 2021

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

247Sports' Way-Too-Early Top 21 teams for '21

ByKEVIN FLAHERTY Mar 15, 2:47 PM

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Typically 'way-too-early' rankings don't come out this early. There's a whole NCAA Tournament to base them on, with those who rank teams having the benefit of seeing that extra slate of games (along with other postseason tournaments like the NIT) to help make evaluations.

Thanks to coronavirus, that isn't possible when predicting the best teams for the 2020-21 season. Now the way-too-early rankings arrive on what would have been Selection Sunday, marking the start of arguably the most exciting single event in sports.

That doesn't mean that there isn't any picture or revealing information about who the top teams for next year might be, just that the picture isn't as clear as it might be. And that haziness is only increased by how early in the calendar this comes, as many of the top underclassmen for the upcoming NBA Draft haven't made their decisions yet. Generally speaking, we tried to give each team players who were ranked below 30th — hence, not ranked as first-round picks — in ESPN's 2020 NBA Draft rankings. We've tweaked it where we have information; in some cases, players ranked below that point are likely to leave, while a couple currently projected first-rounders might just come back to school.We also don't have knowledge of graduate transfers who could swing these rankings one way or another. It's an imperfect system, but this is a starting point.

But it's always a fun exercise anyway, and in some years more accurate than others. So here are 247Sports' way too early top 21 teams for the 2021 season and a look forward to when we'll all have basketball again.

 

 

(Photo: Kan LI, 247Sports)

21. Florida
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 26
Scottie Lewis isn’t still projecting as a lottery pick — ESPN ranks him 38th out of this draft field — but it might be asking too much for him to stay. Even so, the Gators were a young team this year; a junior core of Keyontae Johnson, Andrew Nembhard and Noah Locke and a sophomore group of Ques Glover, Tre Mann and Omar Payne could have some upside. JUCO transfer Osayi Osifo was the highest-ranked junior college post player in the 247Sports Composite.

20. Ohio State
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 56
Kaleb Wesson is likely headed out the door, joining his brother Andre Wesson. But the Buckeyes’ backcourt was terrific at times this year, and CJ Walker, Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington will be back, with Kyle Young, EJ Liddell and Alonzo Gaffney manning the frontcourt. A wild card could be the return of former top 35 recruit DJ Carton, while California transfer Justice Sueing averaged 14.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 2018-19.

19. Houston
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 25
Houston finished in a three-way tie for the AAC regular season championship with a defense that improved over the course of the season. And Kelvin Sampson’s bunch did that with a young roster; Chris Harris was the lone rotational player who was a senior. Houston could lose a player or two to testing the waters or eventually going pro, but whatever they return — along with that No. 25 recruiting class — should be ready to win 25 or so games.

18. Northern Iowa
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 138
An excellent point guard, excellent big man and floor-spacing shooter is a great place to start for any team, and the Panthers bring back all three. AJ Green and Austin Phyfe fill the first two roles, while Trae Berhow made almost 42 percent of his 3-pointers last year. Who will fill in the other roles? Now-sophomores Antwan Kimmons and Noah Carter had their moments a year ago and will step into bigger roles this year, as will senior Tywhon Pickford.

 

 

(Photo: Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports)

17. West Virginia
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 40
The Mountaineers were nearly unbeatable at home and not so good on the road, but as Bob Huggins noted at the Big 12 Tournament — a tournament the Mountaineers didn’t get to play in — West Virginia was young. If Oscar Tshiebwe returns for his sophomore year, he and Derek Culver should continue to dominate the glass while Miles McBride heads a young group of guards that could improve by leaps and bounds.

16. Michigan State
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 32
No Cassius Winston, and likely no Xavier Tillman. That hurts something fierce. But Tom Izzo will get a second year of Rocket Watts, and if Aaron Henry comes back to join Marquette transfer Joey Hauser at the four, a number of big, young bodies that will now include the No. 34 overall player in the 247Sports Composite in center Mady Sissoko. The Spartans might be a half-step down from where they’ve been the last few years, but that could still be pretty good.

15. Texas Tech
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 11
Chris Beard basically had to reboot his roster after reaching the national title game; even if Jahmi’us Ramsey goes pro early, the Red Raiders will be in significantly better shape in 2020-21. Davide Moretti, Kyler Edwards and Terrence Shannon each started 20 or more games this past year, with Kevin McCullar starting at the end of the year. With an excellent recruiting class that yields Nimari Burnett and Micah Peavy, the No. 7 combo guard and No. 10 small forward in the 247Sports Composite, respectively, the Red Raiders have a nice influx of new talent, too. Don’t be surprised if Beard continues to pursue graduate transfers to pair with UNLV traditional transfer Joel Ntambwe, who might have won a starting spot this year.

14. Oregon
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 88
The Ducks appear to be the Pac-12’s best team yet again, thanks to some talented young players who could bloom: a healthy N’Faly Dante, Chandler Lawson, CJ Walker and Addison Patterson. Will Richardson could man the point guard spot until freshman Jalen Terry is ready  (and maybe after). Chris Duarte could be in for a breakout season, and the Ducks once again raised heck on the transfer market, bringing in Eugene Omoruyi (Rutgers) and Eric Williams (Duquesne). Both averaged around 14 points and seven rebounds in their previous stops, and both could be among Oregon’s best players in 2020-21.

 

 

(Photo: Mitchell Layton, Getty)

13. Villanova
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: none
The Wildcats basically played nine scholarship players this year … none were seniors. That leaves room for growth, particularly if Saddiq Bey, the No. 21 player in ESPN’s draft rankings, is the only player to leave. Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore should be among the Big East’s best backcourts, Bryan Antoine getting fully healthy could yield another star. Jermaine Robinson-Earl and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree make for a nice duo at the five, while Jermaine Samuels, Cole Swider and Brandon Slater are three 6-foot-7-plus players who can play away from the basket. Tulane transfer Caleb Daniels brings a 6-4 guard who averaged 16.9 points per game for the Green Wave in 2018-19.

12. North Carolina
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 3
Cole Anthony is probably gone. Brandon Robinson, graduated. But Garrison Brooks took a massive jump in 2019-20, and Armando Bacot and Leaky Black are returning starters as well. When Jeremiah Francis and Anthony Harris get healthy, they’ll plug in nicely next to one of the nation’s elite recruiting classes that brings help down low around Brooks and Bacot and at the guard spots. Day’Ron Sharpe (6-10 246), Walker Kessler (7-0 245) and Caleb Love (6-3 170) are all five-star players in the 247Sports Composite; Puff Johnson is a top 50 player who gives depth on the wings. 2019-20 was undone by massive injuries; 2020-21 should be significantly deeper.

11. Wisconsin
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 19
The Badgers sat far away from the NCAA Tournament at 13-10 and 6-6 before wining their final eight games, including six wins over teams ranked in KenPom’s top 35. Wisconsin came together on defense and was methodical on offense, with the Badgers only playing one senior rotational player. That would seem to set up D’Mitrik Trice, Brad Davidson, Aleem Ford, Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers well for 2020-21, particularly the way the Badgers shot down the stretch. Stretch four Ben Carlson and combo guard Johnny Davis are both top 150 players in the nation’s No. 19 recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite.

10. San Diego State
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 60
Malachi Flynn was one of the nation’s best guards this season, piloting the Aztecs to a 30-2 record. He was also just a junior, and he currently sits at No. 42 on ESPN’s list. This ranking is obviously dependent on him coming back to school. Losing Yanni Wetzell hurts; Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel returning is huge. If Nathan Mensah can come back fully from a blood clot in his lungs that cost him most of the season — and there was talk he might make it back for the NCAA Tournament — San Diego State would get back a big man who started the first 12 games of the season.

 

 

(Photo: Jeffrey Beckner, USA TODAY Sports)

9. Iowa
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 58
This assumes Luka Garza’s return; the popular National Player of the Year pick for this year is only 84th on ESPN’s list of the best players available for next year’s NBA Draft. If he does, he could have Jordan Bohannon back from injury and armed with a medical redshirt for this past year, along with guards Joe Toussaint, Joe Wieskamp, Connor McCaffery and CJ Fredrick. That team could be the Big Ten’s best.

8. Kansas
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 16
The Jayhawks should be led by second-team All-Big 12 pick Marcus Garrett’s move to point guard, alongside starter Ochai Agbaji and big man David McCormack, who has started 30 games over the last two years. How quickly five-star freshman Bryce Thompson and elite JUCO talent Tyon Grant-Foster find their stride will tell part of the story, though probably not as much as how much second-year players Christian Braun, Tristan Enaruna and Jalen Wilson develop. Kansas should be in the market for a stretch four as well.

7. Creighton
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 90
The Bluejays won 24 games, had one of the nation’s best defenses and won a share of the Big East title. And with all five returning starters, including the terrific shooting guard trio of Marcus Zegarowski, Ty-Shon Alexander and Mitch Ballock, Creighton will be a popular pick to wind up among the nation’s best teams. The addition of a top 100 player in center Ryan Kalkbrenner gives Creighton a 6-foot-11 impact rotational player and some added pop.

6. Duke
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 2
Duke could wind up in a pretty decent range of places depending on how the players around the No. 2 class develop. If Matthew Hurt were to come back and get better, that would be a big help, and Wendell Moore has a chance to take off. The recruiting class brings four top 30 players, all of whom could push to start. That includes five-star talents in wing Jalen Johnson and guards Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward, while center Mark Williams just missed five-star status.

5. FLORIDA STATE

 

(Photo: Travis Register, USA TODAY Sports)

Projected Starting Lineup: Scottie Barnes, M.J. Walker, Anthony Polite, Raiquan Gray, Balsa Koprivica
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 46
We don’t have Devin Vassell or Patrick Williams here, but don’t be surprised if one — particularly Williams — returns to Tallahassee. The Seminoles should be so loaded at the big spots that they’ll play two most of the time, though additions like JUCO transfer Sardaar Calhoun, the No. 3 junior college player in the 247Sports Composite, allows Florida State to play four out around players like Gray or Koprivica. This is a Leonard Hamilton Florida State team, so expect the Noles to be long — particularly if five-star freshman Barnes mans the point guard spot as expected — deep and athletic. Williams returning would give Florida State another potential superstar to build around; without him, the Seminoles will still have plenty of firepower and should be capable of going 10-deep once again.

4. BAYLOR

 

(Photo: Tom Pennington, Getty)

Projected Starting Lineup: Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, Mark Vital, Tristan Clark
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 15
Clark is one of the most intriguing players in college basketball; he was a preseason All-Big 12 pick after returning from an injury. And while Clark never really hit 100 percent this year, he was starting to get back to that point later in the season. If he can approach his sophomore year production, when he averaged just shy of 15 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 73.7 percent from the floor, he won’t just be an able replacement for Baylor’s lone departing starter in Freddie Gillespie, he’ll be an upgrade. And that’s scary, because three of the Bears’ four stellar guards also return, including starters Butler, Mitchell and Teague, along with potentially the nation’s best glue guy in Vital. Another season’s development for shot-happy reserve Matthew Mayer and a strong freshman class, and Baylor could finish its run to the Big 12 title after falling short down the stretch.

3. KENTUCKY

 

(Photo: Mark Zerof, USA TODAY Sports)

Projected Starting Lineup: Immanuel Quickley, Terrence Clarke, BJ Boston, Keion Brooks, EJ Montgomery
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 1
Nick Richards, Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley are all outside ESPN’s top 30, though it’s tough to see all three returning to Lexington, particularly after the gains made by Richards this past season. Quickley’s stock is a bit down from the other two — even with Hagans’ struggles this year — so we have him returning to the Wildcats. The SEC Player of the Year would be a preseason first-team All-American, and he’d have tons of help, thanks to a terrific recruiting class. If Quickley can’t go, Calipari will simply turn to yet another five-star point guard in Devin Askew, though the team’s ceiling would take a bit of a hit, and the Wildcats would be further from a finished product. Clarke could be a potential difference-maker, and Boston has continued to improve rapidly through the process. Brooks and Johnny Juzang could be the latest sophomores to bloom at Kentucky, while Montgomery will hope to follow in Richards’ footsteps as a player who turned star as a junior.

2. VIRGINIA

 

(Photo: Geoff Burke , USA TODAY Sports)

Projected Starting Lineup: Kihei Clark, Tomas Woldetensae, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Sam Hauser, Jay Huff
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 12
One of the many downsides of the NCAA Tournament cancelation is that the Cavaliers didn’t get a chance to defend their title, particularly after entering the postseason on an eight-game winning streak. But it shouldn’t take Virginia as long to find itself in 2020-21. Clark could be among the ACC’s best point guards, and Huff ended the year by averaging 14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.0 blocks over Virginia’s last three games, which included wins over Duke and Louisville. Woldetensae found his shot as the year went on; remember that he started the year just 3-for-21 from 3, then shot almost 40 percent after that. Marquette transfer Sam Hauser adds more outside shooting and skill, and the No. 12 class in the 247Sports Composite yields both a likely starters in scoring wing Abdur-Rahim and an excellent point guard in Reece Beekman, who should team with sophomore Casey Morsell and junior wing Kody Stattmann to help form a team with more guard depth. Francisco Caffaro had some moments as a freshman; he’ll be a nice backup plan to Huff at the five.

1. GONZAGA

 

(Photo: Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports)

Projected Starting Lineup: Jalen Suggs, Joel Ayayi, Corey Kispert, Anton Watson, Filip Petrusev
247Sports Composite recruiting class ranking: 9
Could the ‘Zags look a little worse than this? Sure. Some think Suggs won’t hit the college ranks. Others believe Kispert or even Ayayi could head early to the NBA. But Gonzaga has turned itself into a transfer destination, and even if it loses a player or two, fans shouldn’t expect too much drop off. If the roster pans out as above, look out. Filip Petrusev will be among the best big men in the country; Drew Timme could be the nation’s best backup big man, if Mark Few doesn’t play the two of them together. Here, we’ve picked Watson at the four; he showed defensive potential and versatility as a freshman, starting five of Gonzaga’s first 15 games before missing the rest of the season with injury. Gonzaga was good before promoting Ayayi to the starting lineup, but better after. Kispert is one of the nation’s best shooters, and Suggs, the No. 8 player in the 247Sports Composite, would seem to be the best possible plug-in as a guard upgrade and the highest-ranked recruit to commit to Gonzaga in the recruiting database era. But that’s where Gonzaga’s hidden strength lies: Of the Bulldogs’ top 10 recruits ever landed, according to the 247Sports Composite, six are slated to be on this year’s roster, and four are expected to come off the bench. That’s depth of talent.

TEN MORE TO WATCH

Illinois — The Fighting Illini are likely to lose Ayo Dosunmu, which hurts as he single-handedly won some games down the stretch this year. But the return of Kofi Cockburn and a stellar backcourt class that includes point guard Andre Curbelo and off guard Adam Miller, along with Division III transfer Austin Hutcherson makes Illinois an interesting team to watch.

Indiana — The Hoosiers had six players start at least nine games for this past year's 20-win team that was on schedule to make the NCAA Tournament, and all six are slated to return. That's a great start, and a recruiting class that sits just outside the top 25 in the 247Sports Composite could help to fill in any holes.

Louisville — Jordan Nwora is expected to leave. Steven Enoch, Lamarr Kimble, Dwayne Sutton and Ryan McMahon were all seniors. But there's some potential in the returnees, including David Johnson, Malik Williams, Aidan Igiehon and Samuell Williamson. JUCO transfer Jay Scrubb is the top-ranked junior college player in the nation and should be a plug-and-play option on the wing.

Michigan — The Wolverines' current recruiting class, ranked fourth in the 247Sports Composite, could help to make up for the loss of seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske, particularly if Josh Christopher, the No. 10 player in the nation, whose 247Sports Crystal Ball is 100 percent Michigan, picks the Wolverines. Isaiah Livers, Franz Wagner and Eli Brooks are among the top returners.

11COMMENTS

Oklahoma State — Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall player in the 247Sports Composite, joins a roster with nice length and another emerging ball-handler in Isaac Likekele. Yor Anei is back at center, along with top backups Kalib and Keylan Boone. But is there enough shooting to take advantage of Cunningham and Likekele's ability to break people down off the dribble?

Purdue — Even at 16-15, Purdue finished 2019-20 at No. 24 in KenPom's rankings, thanks in large part to some shocking efforts that saw the Boilermakers destroy teams like Virginia, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Iowa, all by 19 or more points. With seven of their top nine players scheduled to return, could the Boilermakers find the kind of consistency that was missing this past year?

Tennessee — The Volunteers had no business being as good as they were in 2019-20 after essentially rebooting and finding a replacement for injured star point guard Lamonte Turner midseason. But if Yves Pons returns next to John Fulkerson, Josiah Jordan-James and a now-settled Santiago Vescovi, last year's bruises could turn into this year's wins. Adding a pair of five-star wings in Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson gives Tennessee that much more pop.

Texas — The Longhorns suffered a number of key injuries and looked dead in the water ... then rallied, thanks in part to young players stepping up. And Texas wasn't an old team in the first place; with all those returnees, Texas could have reasons for optimism. That optimism would jump further if Texas can haul in local five-star Greg Brown, who might just push Texas over the top as a top 25 type team.

UConn — A win in the AAC Tournament would have gotten the Huskies to 20 wins for the first time since 2015-16. And while the trimmed-down season cost Dan Hurley's bunch that chance, only one player in the rotation was a senior, giving UConn a great shot to get across that threshold in 2020-21. With the AAC's No. 3 recruiting class, things should continue to trend in the right direction.

UCLA — What did Mick Cronin put in the water in Westwood? The Bruins were undermanned in 2019-20, but the first-year coach by way of Cincinnati had the Bruins two points away from ending the season on an eight-game winning streak. As it was, UCLA went 19-12 and finished second in the Pac-12 with a young team. Help is arriving in the Pac-12's second-best recruiting class, which includes a decidedly Cronin-type guard in five-star Daishen Nix.

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

Nary a mention of the back-to-back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearing Auburn Tigers...

[LKEEL75 2,566]

It is amazing to me that after all this time we still get no respect.  It will be interesting to see how this changes if we get JG and maybe some of the others we have shot for.  Will be more interesting to start outside the top 25 and win the NC.

[ellitor 33,091]

In fairness to the writer not enough is known about how our roster will fill out. With what we have known to return at this point Sharife, Powell coming off more injuries, & Morris isn't enough by itself to pick AU as a top 21 team right now.

Also @tigerbrotha12 you can start a 2021 Recruiting thread if you like. Been meaning to tell you that for a while.

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

Just now, ellitor said:

In fairness to the writer not enough is known about how our roster will fill out. With what we have known to return at this point Sharife, Powell coming off more injuries, & Morris isn't enough by itself to pick AU as a top 21 team right now.

Also @tigerbrotha12 you can start a 2021 Recruiting thread if you like. Been meaning to tell you that for a while.

Oh goody!!!

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,662]

I dont think we exactly project as a top 21 team but Id love to see how quick this site reconfigures this list if we get JG. I think we at least could be considered in the same tier as UF without Blackshear (I believe he's outie) or MSU without Cassius 

[AUBwins 10,075]

2 hours ago, tigerbrotha12 said:

Nary a mention of the back-to-back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearing Auburn Tigers...

For real,  scrolled through the full article thinking I was going to see us .... only to be disappointed lol

[AUDub 11,147]

2 hours ago, ellitor said:

In fairness to the writer not enough is known about how our roster will fill out. With what we have known to return at this point Sharife, Powell coming off more injuries, & Morris isn't enough by itself to pick AU as a top 21 team right now.

Also @tigerbrotha12 you can start a 2021 Recruiting thread if you like. Been meaning to tell you that for a while.

This. We're losing all five starters and a senior center off the bench, the vast majority of our minutes and production and rebuilding with some unknowns (outside of Sharife). 

This isn't a disrespect thing. Having us outside of the top 21 is perfectly fair until some questions are answered. 

[Tiger 8,823]

Losing the top 6 players in the rotation is going to hurt. Next year is going to be very interesting

[tigerbrotha12 2,362]

10 minutes ago, Tiger said:

Losing the top 6 players in the rotation is going to hurt. Next year is going to be very interesting

Think we'll get more out of Sharife than we did out of J'Von

Bringing in Jalen will immediately up our production from just about ANY player

Cambridge should fill in at the 2/3 well

Jaylin Williams is a MAN that shouldn't drop us off from Purifoy much

Stretch doesn't have to be a big time scorer, just able to rebound and not lose the ball, and shouldn't lose too much from the center.

 

In terms of bench:

I expect Turbo and Flanigan to be much improved (Flanigan even showed up very well for the UT game).

Expecting Powell to be able to contribute minutes off the bench

Chris Moore will be in a similar boat that Anfernee McLemore was in where AU will need minutes at the 4/5 spot. I think he'll be up to the challenge.

Jamal Johnson and Javon Franklin are wild cards if they don't transfer.

After that, maybe bring in a grad transfer or another recruit like JT Thor or Dylan Cardwell to round out the rotation. In terms of bodies that can get the job done, I actually like our squad pretty dern well for next season. 

[Dual-Threat Rigby 8,662]

2 hours ago, tigerbrotha12 said:

Think we'll get more out of Sharife than we did out of J'Von

Bringing in Jalen will immediately up our production from just about ANY player

Cambridge should fill in at the 2/3 well

Jaylin Williams is a MAN that shouldn't drop us off from Purifoy much

Stretch doesn't have to be a big time scorer, just able to rebound and not lose the ball, and shouldn't lose too much from the center.

 

In terms of bench:

I expect Turbo and Flanigan to be much improved (Flanigan even showed up very well for the UT game).

Expecting Powell to be able to contribute minutes off the bench

Chris Moore will be in a similar boat that Anfernee McLemore was in where AU will need minutes at the 4/5 spot. I think he'll be up to the challenge.

Jamal Johnson and Javon Franklin are wild cards if they don't transfer.

After that, maybe bring in a grad transfer or another recruit like JT Thor or Dylan Cardwell to round out the rotation. In terms of bodies that can get the job done, I actually like our squad pretty dern well for next season. 

I think all of this can be true, but it's also worth seeing that some of this might not happen for months, or possibly at all. We still never figured out how to get around the drop in shooting or playmaking on the roster this season. The lack of "lead by my example" showed in road moments more than once.  I think we SHOULD be better offensively, but I also think we probably should be worse defensively w/o a Samir and Okoro and several basically new rim protectors.

Plus as meh as I think Jvon is as a defender, he's probably better than Sharife will be in that regard at any point at Auburn. 

[ellitor 33,091]

6 hours ago, tigerbrotha12 said:

Bringing in Jalen

Landing him is nowhere near a given.

6 hours ago, tigerbrotha12 said:

I actually like our squad pretty dern well for next season

Agree if we land Green or a big-time shooting guard Transfer and a big time big Or big-time transfer big. Still too many unknowns at this point.