64 Reasons to Be Excited for the 2018–19 College Basketball Season

[PhDhawk]

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2 ... ops-season

7. A Champions Classic for the Ages

Not only does the college basketball schedule start a few days earlier this year, but it kicks off with the annual Champions Classic doubleheader. Kansas and Michigan State will square off in one battle, then Duke and Kentucky will meet in the nightcap. In all, 10 of the 2018 class’s top 25 recruits are set to take the floor that night. The Spartans are the only team without any, but MSU will bring plenty of experience and cohesion to the floor to face a revamped Jayhawks roster, while the Blue Devils–Wildcats showdown will feature a bonanza of freshman and sophomore talent—plus Reid Travis. —MG

12. The Lawson Bros in Lawrence

One of the biggest impact moves for the 2018–19 season came back in April 2017, when brothers Dedric and K.J. Lawson, formerly of Memphis, announced they would transfer to Kansas. And after sitting out the 2017–18 season, the two are now poised to play essential roles on a KU team that could be the preseason No. 1. The 6’ 9” Dedric could wind up the Jayhawks’ best player after averaging 19.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals as a sophomore for the Tigers, though his three-point shooting (27.0% on 3.5 attempts per game) needs improvement. K.J., a 6’ 8” guard/forward, averaged 12.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a sophomore at Memphis. While the pair may not garner quite the same stats on a loaded Kansas team, they’re expected to be instrumental as the Jayhawks shoot for their first national title since 2008. —MG

17. The Year of the Junior?

This year’s junior class is positively stacked. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at only some of the top names in it: Carsen Edwards, Tyus Battle, Shamorie Ponds, Dedric Lawson, Rui Hachimura, Markus Howard, Grant Williams, Sagaba Konate, Udoka Azubuike, Ky Bowman, Killian Tillie, Nick Ward, Kyle Guy and Anthony Cowan. We could keep going, but we’d be here all night. While it’s freshmen who often dominate the headlines, especially in the preseason, it’s the junior class that could wind up stealing the show. At the very least, expect several National Player of the Year contenders to emerge from this group. —MG