The Basketball Movement is looking ahead to the 2021-22 college basketball season.
College basketball is nearly back, this time in full force following a strange, pandemic-altered season. The NCAA kicks off November 9th with the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden featuring Duke vs. Kentucky and Kansas vs. Michigan State.
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has announced that this will be his final season, and the Blue Devils are hoping to send him out with a bang. Kentucky will be on a mission to end its Final Four drought as well.
As for rankings, Gonzaga has remained on top essentially since the end of last season. They are bringing back an impressive squad in addition to the number one recruit, Chet Holmgren. The defending champs, the Baylor Bears, did not retain as much talent and are expected to drop off a bit.
Below are ESPN’s rankings as of October 11:
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Kansas Jayhawks
UCLA Bruins
Villanova Wildcats
Texas Longhorns
Purdue Boilermakers
Memphis Tigers
Michigan Wolverines
Kentucky Wildcats
Baylor Bears
Duke Blue Devils
Oregon Ducks
Illinois Fighting Illini
Arkansas Razorbacks
Houston Cougars
Alabama Crimson Tide
North Carolina Tar Heels
Tennessee Volunteers
Ohio State Buckeyes
Maryland Terrapins
Florida State Seminoles
Auburn Tigers
UConn Huskies
St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Virginia Cavaliers
As you can see, many familiar names are on the list to begin regular season play. Houston has finally proven to the big media outlets that they are here to stay and the mention of St. Bonaventure is good to see as well. Arkansas and Alabama forging their way into these rankings are interesting too with both schools historically only gaining football attention.
Memphis is viewed as a top 10 team but still will have plenty to prove. They certainly have the talent to do it, now sporting touted recruits, Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren.
Of course, we have our personal favorites as Yanders Law alumni and other friends of The Basketball Movement are scattered on men’s and women’s teams all over the country. Right here in Missouri, we have two players on Mizzou and two for Missouri State that we will be watching excitedly.
Good luck to the young men and women everywhere as another exciting college basketball season nears tipoff. Keep checking back here for news and updates on NCAA hoops as well as everything else from prep to pro.