It’s hard to imagine the Boilermakers without Zach Eady in the middle. However, the returner next season will be familiar. Fletcher Royer and Braden Smith will return as starting pitchers for their third years. Mason Gillis, who leads the team in 3-point shooting percentage, could stay and join returners Trey Kaufman-Len, Miles Colvin and Camden Heide in bigger roles. Kanon Catchings leads the recruiting class in terms of quality and quantity.
The Cougars are comfortably entrenched in the Big 12 in their first season and appear ready to handle the increased competition with four teams from the Pac-12 joining them. How well they do will depend on the status of leading scorer Jackson Robinson (14.2 points). The return of key players such as Husseini Traore and Trevin Nel will make Mark Pope’s side one of the best in the country’s toughest conference.
Jacoby Walter and Yves Missi are expected to enter the NBA Draft, but if either or both are reversed, this valuation would be too low. Still, the Bears are once again talented and will be one of the best teams in the Big 12. Langston Love and Jaden Nunn would form a great backcourt. If Jalen Bridges stays, he could become a mainstay in the frontcourt. Freshmen VJ Edgecombe and Rob Wright will have a big impact.
