Few things -- maybe nothing -- brings on eagerness for the start of the season like our annual collection of the 100 (and one) best players in college basketball. It's an engaging grind to piece together. We debate. We fight. We plant our flags and don't let go.
But ultimately it's fun fan service and a real information tool for the season ahead. We know college basketball isn't overloaded with household-name players. There are only five or six guys on this list who really have a national profile. But that will change by the end of the season, and we want to give you a guide to who should be the best on the floor, throughout the country.
This year, it was just us two -- Parrish and Norlander -- deciding the list. This made it harder than ever. There are more than 4,500 Division I players to pick from. And by the time we got to No. 85 or so, there were still about 40 names worth arguing over. We always have players we want to put it at the end, but the list has to stop at 101.
Annual reminder here that this list is our evaluation of the best humans at playing college basketball. It's not pure talent, it's not NBA draft projection, it's not outright value to a team or how good -- or not -- the team they play on is.
There's an important distinction between All-American selections (which are about value and overall numbers on winning teams) and the best pure players. This ranking is about basic talent and ability at the college level: how we see them now combined how we think they project and compare to all other players for the entire season.
The most basic way I can put it is this: It's a huge game of pickup hoops. You keep picking guys in order of who you think is best. That's at the heart of how this list is made.
We know you love reading it, and I assure you we love compiling it.
Top 100 (and 1) players for 2016-17
1. Grayson Allen | Duke | Junior | G
Allen should be the leading scorer for a Duke team that's projected by most to win the national championship. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 21.6 points last season while shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range. He's a really good college player who should also be in the NBA someday. -- Gary Parrish
2. Markelle Fultz | Washington | Freshman | Combo G
He's expected to be a top-three pick come the 2017 draft, and the freshman combo guard could be the player that finally gets Washington back to the NCAAs. Explosive, athletic, a modern combo/lead guard with great instincts. He'll be must-watch from game one. -- Matt Norlander
3. Dillon Brooks | Oregon | Junior | SF
Brooks averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists for an Oregon team that earned a No. 1 seed in last season's NCAA Tournament. The 6-7 junior is coming off foot surgery, but, when healthy, there's no reason to think he won't be great for a team that could win the Pac-12. -- GP
4. Josh Jackson | Kansas | Freshman | SF
The No. 1-ranked prospect in the class of 2016 by some, he's an athletic mutation, the next phase of basketball athlete. Should be able to thrive under Bill Self. Can play fast, can play strong, has good vision and constantly combines his natural abilities with effort. The class of 2016 is considered one of the strongest -- probably top three -- in the past 12 years. Jackson is at the top of that class, which tells you all you need to know. -- MN
5. Jayson Tatum | Duke | Freshman | Wing
Tatum should be a top-three pick in the 2017 NBA Draft after being the most reliable frontcourt player for a team favored to win the 2017 NCAA Tournament. The 6-8 wing is great in space and can play small-ball four. Just a terrific prospect. -- GP
6. Bam Adebayo | Kentucky | Freshman | PF
We've got a physical beast, a fun-loving player with dominant skills around both rims and an ability to bully guys out of his space. He's not going to lead the nation in scoring or rebounding or blocked shots, but on the whole, Adebayo's skill set and passion for the game have me thinking he'll be Kentucky's best overall player by the time we get to conference play. Plus, he's a good quote. -- MN
7. Harry Giles | Duke | Freshman | PF
Giles was the consensus projected No. 1 pick of the 2017 NBA Draft before multiple knee surgeries robbed him of the past year. The 6-10 forward has been called the next Chris Webber. Hopefully his body allows him to reach that potential. -- GP
8. Monte Morris | Iowa State | Senior | PG
No player means more to his team's success this season than Monte in Ames. He's a do-it-all point guard, someone who should have a chance to notch a few triple-doubles this year, too. His line last season was 14/7/4 -- plus two steals per game. All numbers should rise in 2016-17. Fantastic player. Not flashy, but productive as hell. -- MN
9. Dennis Smith Jr. | NC State | Freshman | PG
Smith has responded terrifically from ACL surgery. The 6-2 guard looked as explosive as ever during games this summer. If North Carolina State makes the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in six seasons, he'll be the main reason why. -- GP
10. Ivan Rabb | Cal | Sophomore | PF
Rabb should be a top-10 player in college his year. He was a projected lottery pick, yet still decided to come back. he wants to get stronger, expand his game and become more consistent as a 4. He'll likely do all of the above while pushing Cal back to the NCAAs. Rabb is long and really naturally gifted. He averaged 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds last season. -- MN
11. Malik Monk | Kentucky | Freshman | SG
Monk is a uniquely gifted athlete who should produce a highlight-reel dunk basically every other game, at worst. It's not crazy to think he could be the leading scorer for a national-championship team. -- GP
12. Jaron Blossomgame | Clemson | Senior | SF
Could have gone pro, but instead returns as a big-time player in the ACC, a guy who will probably average more than 20 points and put himself in the running for First Team All-American status in the process. Strong, athletic, great physical tools. -- MN
13. Josh Hart | Villanova | Senior | SF
He wasn't the captain. And he's not the player who hit the game-winner in the national championship game against North Carolina. But Hart was Villanova's leading scorer and second-leading rebounder last season. His return gives the Wildcats a legit chance to go back-to-back. -- GP
14. Melo Trimble | Maryland | Junior | Combo G
Trimble had a down sophomore season, and now the Terps' front line is completely overhauled from last year's talented club. Ultimately, we think Trimble is one of the 15 best players in the sport, even if he won't have a stocked team around him. In terms of performance, my guess is he's closer to freshman year than sophomore season. -- MN
15. De'Aaron Fox | Kentucky | Freshman | PG
Fox is the latest in a long line of awesome point guard prospects to learn under John Calipari. Derrick Rose and John Wall are the best. But don't be surprised if Fox plays himself into that same class. -- GP
16. Alec Peters | Valpo | Senior | PF
Peters might play for a small school, but after he bypassed a chance at chasing the NBA, he could've put his name on the transfer market. If that had happened, every single program in the country would've made room for him. Instead, amazingly, he decided to stay at Valpo for his final season -- even after Bryce Drew left the Crusaders to coach Vanderbilt. Peters will probably average 20 points and nine boards. -- MN
17. Thomas Bryant | Indiana | Sophomore | C
Bryant would've been a first-round pick if he'd entered the 2016 NBA Draft. But he didn't. So now the 6-10 forward should compete for Big Ten Player of the Year honors as long as his sophomore season keeps Indiana near the top of the league standings. -- GP
18. Moses Kingsley | Arkansas | Senior | PF
He's the SEC preseason player of the year. Big-time name, big-time game.Could put up 18 points and 10 boards per game. Also might flirt with three blocks per. The Nigerian-born Kingsley is Arkansas' best chance at breaking through into the top five of the SEC. -- MN
19. Nigel Hayes | Wisconsin | Senior | SF
Hayes didn't shoot it well last season from the field or beyond the arc. His rebound average went down. His turnover average went up. Not a great year. But the 6-9 forward has the ability to bounce back this season. -- GP
20. Edmond Sumner | Xavier | Sophomore | Combo G
Hasn't had gaudy numbers, but Sumner's absolutely turned himself into one of the best players in college hoops. He'll probably get to average 15 per game this season. He's tall and makes a lot of the right moves and decisions. His length allows him to play the passing lanes adroitly, too. -- MN
21. Austin Nichols | Virginia | Junior | PF
Nichols could be the latest Memphis product to leave Memphis, flourish and make it to the NBA. The 6-9 transfer averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocks two seasons ago for Josh Pastner's Tigers. He might lead Virginia to an ACC championship and Tony Bennett's first Final Four. -- GP
22. Lonzo Ball | UCLA | Freshman | PG
Plenty of pomp and hype for this tall, commanding point who will combine with Bryce Alford in the Bruins' backcourt and could completely turn UCLA's program around. The team was sub-.500 last season, one of the most disappointing runs ever in Westwood. Ball's vision is awesome. He'll be good immediately. -- MN
23. Tyler Lydon | Syracuse | Sophomore | SF
As a freshman, Lydon shot 40.5 percent from 3-point range while averaging 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. The 6-9 forward is an interesting prospect. He projects as a nice stretch-4 at the NBA level. -- GP
24. Devonte' Graham | Kansas | Junior | Combo G
Will compete with Josh Jackson for Big 12 Player of the Year. Graham, who was once an Appalachian State commit, has played himself into a first-round NBA prospect. He averaged 11/4/3 last season, and all those numbers will take a small tick up in this his final (?) year with the Jayhawks. Watch the way he runs the floor and explodes with the ball. -- MN
25. Jawun Evans | Oklahoma State | Sophomore | PG
Evans is a terrific piece for former Stephen F. Austin coach Brad Underwood to inherit at Oklahoma State. The 6-1 guard shot 47.5 percent from 3-point range last season while averaging 12.9 points, 4.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds. -- GP
26. Miles Bridges | Michigan State | Freshman | PF
Bridges' talent and power is fantastic. He'll get thrown into the fire right away, but I don't see him failing. You can see how much we value this freshman class given how many incoming players we've put in our top 27. Bridges will have a chance to put up numbers that match any other freshman in the nation. -- MN
27. Lauri Markkanen | Arizona | Freshman | PF
Markkanen is 6-11. So he looks like a center. But he's skilled like a small forward. And he shoots it really well. The freshman from Finland tallied 14 points and seven rebounds in just 24 minutes during Arizona's annual Red-Blue scrimmage. -- GP
28. Malcolm Hill | Illinois | Senior | Wing
I think Illinois is going to have a huge season. Will make the NCAA Tournament. Malcolm Hill is reason Nos. 1, 2 and 3 for that. He put up 18 points, 6.6 boards and 3.3 assists last season. Should be All-Big Ten on the First Team if his shot selection improves. Good physical tools, and he's a young senior; he just turned 21. -- MN
29. Jack Gibbs | Davidson | Senior | SG
Gibbs is the Atlantic 10's top point guard and Davidson's best player since Stephen Curry. The 6-1 senior averaged 23.5 points, 4.9 assists and 4.1 rebounds last season. He got 35-plus points in six different games. -- GP
30. Dwayne Bacon | Florida State | Sophomore | Wing
A projected second round pick right now, Bacon opted to stay in school after a year in which he averaged 15.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 turnovers. He's fun, give him that. He's also long and a volume shooter. By nature of him coming back, I've got Florida State slotted 31st in my 1-351 ranking of every team in the sport. -- MN
31. Allonzo Trier | Arizona | Sophomore | Combo G
There are questions about his eligibility, which isn't ideal. But if Trier plays this season he's the type of guard who could lead Arizona to Sean Miller's first Final Four. The 6-5 sophomore averaged 14.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season. -- GP
32. Bronson Koenig | Wisconsin | Senior | Combo G
We're a little high on Koenig here, perhaps, but I'm anticipating an absolutely huge year from the Bucky senior. He's not one of the 50 most talented players in college hoops, but I do think he's one of the 35 best. That's the important distinction. Koenig should run the show for a Wisconsin team that lands a 4 seed at the worst, and could be in play for a 1 seed with a Big Ten title. -- MN
33. Kris Jenkins | Villanova | Senior | SG
Jenkins made exactly 100 3-pointers last season -- none bigger than the buzzer-beater than gave Villanova the national championship. The 6-6 forward is back for his senior season after averaging 13.6 points and 3.9 rebounds as a junior. -- GP
34. Jonathan Isaac | Florida State | Freshman | PF
Fantastically talented frosh at FSU. Projected as a top-10 pick right now. Chances are you haven't seen him. He's lean, long, can shoot from outside and runs great on the break. The Seminoles have to break back into the Big Dance with him, Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes in the mix, right? RIGHT? -- MN
35. Justin Jackson | UNC | Junior | SF
Jackson has averaged double-figures in points in each of his two seasons at North Carolina. The 6-8 forward is just a reliable 3-point shot away from becoming the NBA prospect so many thought he could become out of high school. -- GP
36. Frank Mason III | Kansas | Senior | PG
Tough, fearless, the kind of guy Bill Self will miss a year from now, no matter who steps in to replace him. Mason averaged 12.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds last season. Most interested to see if he can gain a 3-point stroke and really make Kansas lethal. -- MN
37. Jarrett Allen | Texas | Freshman | C
Allen was a late addition to the Longhorns' recruiting class that ranked fifth nationally. He's a 6-11 athlete with a 7-5 wingspan who should flourish in the style of play that Shaka Smart brought from VCU to Texas. -- GP
38. Ethan Happ | Wisconsin | Sophomore | PF
Three Badgers ranked in the top 40 is a good reason why you should consider Bucky to be a Big Ten favorite. Happ is thin power forward and the third piece in the Hayes/Koenig triumvirate. How he and Hayes play off each other should make for really fun offense. Sleeper pick for Big Ten first team selection. -- MN
39. London Perrantes | Virginia | Senior | PG
Perrantes is the point guard who has guided Virginia to an 89-19 record over the past three years. He averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists last season while shooting 48.8 percent from 3-point range and 80.3 percent from the free throw line. -- GP
40. Trevon Bluiett | Xavier | Junior | SF
Blueitt averaged 15.1 points and 6.1 rebounds last season for a Xavier team that won 28 games. That was four more points per game than any other Musketeer. He will be a Big East Player of the Year candidate if Xavier stays near the top of the league. -- GP
41. James Blackmon | Indiana | Junior | SF
Just a fantastic scorer, a guy who will have a chance as an All-American because he's likely to lead Indiana -- a preseason top 15 team -- in points average. Blackmon's coming back from injury, but he was one of the best freshmen in America two years ago. He's got a smooth game. Has his defense improved? -- MN
42. Joel Berry II | UNC | Junior | PG
Should be stellar for Roy Williams' team this season. Berry is 6-foot, but he isn't afraid of the paint, and on the whole, will be the Heels' most valuable player this season. He averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season. It's a huge year for point guards. Berry should be top-10 at his position. -- MN
43. Peter Jok | Iowa | Senior | Wing
Jok will be the focal point of Iowa's offense now that Jarrod Uthoff is gone. The 6-6 wing averaged 16.1 points, and 3.5 rebounds last season while shooting 38.2 percent from 3-point range. If Iowa remains relevant, he'll be the reason. -- GP
44. Nigel Williams-Goss | Gonzaga | Junior | PG
Gonzaga's going to be led by the former Husky, and Williams-Goss could pop this season. He sat out due to transfer last season. Now he enters the West Coast Conference as, perhaps, the most naturally talented/gifted player in the league. The Bulldogs have a lot of pieces (Prezmek Karnowski and Cal transfer Jordan Mathews were both considered for this list) and will have a great fight with Saint Mary's for the league crown. -- MN
45. Mo Watson Jr. | Creighton | Senior | PG
Watson will pair with Kansas State transfer Marcus Foster to give the Bluejays one of the Big East's best backcourts. The 5-10 point guard averaged 14.1 points and a Big East-best 6.6 assists last season for a Creighton team that finished in the top 40 at KenPom. -- GP
46. Tyler Cavanaugh | George Washington | Senior | PF
Credit to Cavanaugh for staying on with GW even after the disaster in August. His school fired his coach, and he could have opted for a late transfer if he truly wanted. Instead, he's sticking it out in D.C. and will be crucial to his team as just about any player listed here. He'll probably average in the neighborhood of 18 and 8. -- MN
47. Dedric Lawson | Memphis | Sophomore | PF
Lawson is the American Athletic Conference's Preseason Co-Player of the Year after averaging 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds as a freshman. Something like 22 and 12 this season seems likely for the Tigers' 6-9 forward. -- GP
48. Kennedy Meeks | UNC | Senior | Center
Of all the players we have listed here, I'd put Meeks in the top 10 of unpredictable outcomes. UNC has a very strong starting five, and I could see Meeks winding up first or fourth in terms of impact and importance this season. I lean toward him having a huge year. His numbers took a dip last season, but he was bothered by knee issues, remember. Getting back to 12 points and 7/8 rebounds per game is my projection. -- MN
49. Eron Harris | Michigan State | Senior | SG
Harris averaged 9.3 points last season, which makes him Michigan State's leading returning scorer. Remember, the 6-3 guard averaged 17.2 points three seasons ago at West Virginia. So he's capable of scoring big and probably will now that Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes are in the NBA. -- GP
50. Johnathan Motley | Baylor | Junior | PF
Baylor's got one future pro after another on its roster, year by year, and Motley's the next in line. He's 6-10, 230 pounds and projected in the second round right now by DraftExpress.com. He's nimble, long, has a pro's body and is still growing into his capabilities. -- MN
51. Caleb Swanigan | Purdue | Sophomore | PF
Set for a huge year, Swanigan will be in tandem with Isaac Haas in Purdue's frontcourt. He's likely to get a big pop from his 10.2-point, 8.3-rebound season. Purdue will be a top-20 team so long as Swanigan is a top-10 big man in the sport, and he's got a great chance at doing just that. -- MN
52. Marcus Foster | Creighton | Junior | SG
Foster started his career at Kansas State, where he averaged 15.5 points as a freshman and 12.5 as a sophomore. The 6-3 transfer could be the key to Creighton making the NCAA Tournament. -- GP
53. Tyler Davis | Texas A&M | Sophomore | C
Davis is an absolute hoss, and the single biggest reason A&M is a top-three team in the SEC this season. Davis' numbers -- 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, should take formidable boosts this season. You pay the rent in his paint. (His teammate, D.J. Hogg, wasn't too far off from cracking our list, by the by.) -- MN
54. Isaac Hamilton | UCLA | Senior | SG
He led UCLA in scoring last season, averaging 16.8 points, and shot 80.5 percent from the free-throw line. He's one of three Bruins on this list, which suggests UCLA could win the Pac-12. -- GP
55. Chris Boucher | Oregon | Senior | PF
The senior tweener is a shot-blocking stud, a guy who helps fill out a superb front line in the Pac-12. Boucher averaged 12.1 points, 7.4 boards and 2.9 blocks a season ago. He's a great blend of smart role player and key X-factor. The Ducks are very strong this season. -- MN
56. V.J. Beachem | Notre Dame | Senior | SF
He has helped Notre Dame win 71 games and make consecutive Elite Eight appearances over the past three years. He averaged 12 points while shooting 44.4 percent from 3-point range last season. He's the Irish's leading returning scorer. -- GP
57. OG Anunoby | Indiana | Sophomore | SF
Oh, boy, OG! His breakout performance in March has a lot of people thinking a big year is in store. He's also a bona fide NBA prospect now. We were hesitant to put him higher than this because Thomas Bryant and James Blackmon, Jr. should both be really good this year as well. Anunoby is certainly the most electrifying IU player since Victor Oladipo, though. -- MN
58. Michael Young | Pitt | Senior | PF
This is the best piece Kevin Stallings inherited when he left Vanderbilt to replace Jamie Dixon at Pitt. The 6-9, 235-pound in-state product averaged 15.7 points and 6.9 rebounds last season. He had 25-point games against Notre Dame and Clemson. -- GP
59. Elijah Brown | New Mexico | Junior | Combo G
The preseason player of the year in the Mountain West averaged a whopping 21.7 points last season, plus 5.5 rebounds and 3.1 dimes. He's turnover-prone, but on the whole this is a classic under-the-radar national player. That's in part because New Mexico wasn't good last year. New expectations in 2016-17. -- MN
60. E.C. Matthews | Rhode Island | Senior | Wing
Suffered a torn ACL in Rhode Island's first game last season after only two shot attempts. But the 6-5 guard averaged 16.9 points and 4.6 rebounds the season before, and should be the best player on Dan Hurley's team, which might win the Atlantic 10. -- GP
61. Jordan Woodard | Oklahoma | Senior | PG
We wouldn't forget about the vital point guard in Norman, the guy who's going to help keep the Sooners in the mix this season even after losing Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Ryan Spangler. Woodard will pair with Khadeem Lattin (who narrowly missed out on cracking this list) to make for a strong outside-in combo for Lon Kruger's team. -- MN
62. Carlton Bragg Jr. | Kansas | Sophomore | PF
He's is a former five-star recruit who struggled to get on, and stay on, the floor for the Jayhawks last season. But the expectation is his sophomore year should be a breakout season. -- GP
63. Kelan Martin | Butler | Junior | SF
One of the best all-around players at Butler in the past decade. Martin will be vital to keeping BU's NCAA tourney hopes going strong. He put up 15.7 points and 6.8 rebounds last season. Can those numbers go up? They likely will. Martin is like few players in the game. -- MN
64. Jalen Adams | UConn | Sophomore | PG
Posted modest statistics while averaging 23.3 minutes as a freshman. But this is his team now. And the 6-3 point guard should have Kevin Ollie's Huskies near or at the top of the American Athletic Conference again. -- GP
65. Andrew White | Syracuse | Senior | Wing
Maybe the most important transfer acquisition of the offseason. White abruptly left Nebraska, and now Syracuse is a preseason top 25 team by way of landing White. He'll bring in a stat line of 16.6 points and 5.9 rebounds, and a much-needed presence on the wing for a very promising lineup in Cuse. -- MN
66. Zach LeDay | Virginia Tech | Senior | PF
Averaged a team-best 15.5 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Hokies last season. The 6-7 forward who began his college career at USF should have Virginia Tech in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. -- GP
67. Angel Delgado | Seton Hall | Junior | PF
Delgado is a double-double machine, a beast in the paint who has nice footwork and solid touch. He's without Isaiah Whitehead this season, but no matter. Seton Hall should be formidable so long as Delgado can average about 12 and 12 per game. That's likely to happen. -- MN
68. Xavier Rathan-Mayes | Florida State | Junior | Combo G
His scoring role decreased last season as Dwayne Bacon and Malik Beasley led the Seminoles in field goal attempts. But Beasley is gone. So Rathan-Mayes could average around 15 points again, like he did as a freshman. -- GP
69. Jalen Brunson | Villanova | Sophomore | PG
Brunson will take over for Ryan Arcidiacono as the 1 for the reigning national champs in Philly. His assist rate is about to take a big spike, likely crossing over 25 percent. He'll probably shoot more 3s this year, too. Jay Wright landed a terrific one here. Mature and ready to handle the offense. -- MN
70. Gary Clark | Cincinnati | Junior | SF
One of two returning double-digit scorers for Cincinnati, the 6-8 forward averaged 10.4 points and 8.8 rebounds last season while shooting 51.9 percent. He should be a double-digit rebounder this season en route to helping Mick Cronin make a seventh straight NCAA Tournament. -- GP
71. Charles Cooke | Dayton | Senior | SG
Cooke will lead the charge on a veteran Dayton squad trying to take Archie Miller to his fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. He averaged 15.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 32 minutes per game last season. He wound up being one of the biggest impact transfers (he previously played at James Madison). -- MN
72. Bryce Alford | UCLA | Senior | Combo G
He's is the only Power 5 player in America who averaged at least 16.1 points, 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds last season. How he and Lonzo Ball co-exist in UCLA's backcourt will be interesting to watch early this season. -- GP
73. Troy Caupain | Cincinnati | Senior | SG
You see we've got two Cincy players so close together. It was a really close call. Caupain: not a true point guard, yet led his team in assist rate. He doesn't foul, is a steady defender, a total leader. Might average 15/5/5 this season. -- MN
74. Cameron Oliver | Nevada | Sophomore| PF
Barely played during his junior and senior years of high school because of an ACL injury. But the 6-8 forward averaged 13.4 points and 9.1 rebounds as a freshman last season while solidifying himself as a high-level player in the Mountain West. -- GP
75. Mikal Bridges | Villanova | Sophomore | Wing
I am very, very high on Bridges as a natural talent and overall stud on the college level. He's going to get drafted, too, but my suspicion is he'll be Villanova's most vital weapon by the time we get to March. Possibly underrated here. -- MN
76. KeVaughn Allen | Florida | Sophomore | SG
He's a much better shooter than he showed last season when he only made 31.5 percent of his 3-point attempts. Still, the 6-2 guard averaged 11.6 points and should be Florida's most consistent player. -- GP
77. Kyle Kuzma | Utah | Junior | SF
Overshadowed by the play of Jakob Poeltl and Brandon Taylor. Kuzma is an NBA prospect who will flirt with double-digit double-doubles this year. Utah is something of a mystery, but Kuzma is reliable and a really good shooter from 2-point range. Few small/power forwards have better touch from the mid-range. If he's developed a 3-point shot, then look out. -- MN
78. Abdul-Malik Abu | NC State | Junior | PF
North Carolina State's freshmen are getting a lot of attention, deservedly so. But don't forget about Abu. The 6-8 forward averaged 12.9 points and 8.8 rebounds last season. He provides Mark Gottfried with a reliable veteran. -- GP
79. Luke Kennard | Duke | Sophomore | SG
With Duke having so many talented freshmen coming in, what do you want to bet Kennard steps up and has a huge breakout year? He averaged 11.8 points and 3.6 boards last season. Watch both those numbers rise -- along with Kennard's shooting rate/percentage. -- MN
80. Donovan Mitchell | Louisville | Sophomore | SG
Mitchell is the reason Louisville should still be really good despite the loss of Damion Lee and Trey Lewis. He's a 6-3 guard and former five-star recruit who likely will lead Rick Pitino's Cardinals in scoring. -- GP
81. J.J. Frazier | Georgia | Senior | PG
The Dawgs have a smooth, super-fun player in Frazier. He's succeeded in some obscurity over the years. The guy can't weigh more than 160 pounds, he's barely 5-10, and yet he's tough, he grabs rebounds and scores a dozen different ways. -- MN
82. T.J. Cline | Richmond | Senior | PF
Cline originally enrolled at Niagara but has spent the past two years at Richmond, where he averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a junior. The 6-9 forward scored a career-high 38 points against Dayton last March. -- GP
83. Markis McDuffie | Wichita State | Sophomore | Wing
So long as McDuffie is healthy, we're confident putting him on this list. Wichita State still has enough talent to win the Missouri Valley this season (did you see Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker both made NBA rosters over the weekend?), but McDuffie should be the alpha here. He's really fun to watch and an elite dunker, too. -- MN
84. Vince Edwards | Purdue | Junior | SF
The only player in Purdue history with at least 675 points, 325 rebounds and 175 assists by the end of his sophomore year, he started all 35 games last season and averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists. -- GP
85. Shake Milton | SMU | Sophomore | PG
A surprise player for the Ponies. Now that Nic Moore has moved on, Milton runs the show here, and he'll have SMU vying for an at-large bid. He's a point/combo guard with length and a keen shooting eye. -- MN
86. Emmett Naar | St. Mary's | Junior| PG
The Australian import averaged a team-best 14.0 points and 6.4 assists last season while leading Saint Mary's to 29 victories. His 223 assists tied Matthew Dellavedova's school record for a season. -- GP
87. Quinndary Weatherspoon | Miss. St. | Sophomore | SG
While we waited for Malik Newman to match his hype, Weatherspoon came out of Mississippi State as the freshman star. He's back, Newman's transferred to Kansas, and Weatherspoon should eat up MSU's usage rate this season. He turned himself into an NBA prospect in a hurry. A guess at his line: 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists. -- MN
88. Damyean Dotson | Houston | Senior | SG
Dotson spent his first two seasons at Oregon but played last season at Houston, where he averaged 13.9 points and 6.8 rebounds. The 6-5 guard from Houston is the only player who started every game for Kelvin Sampson last season. -- GP
89. Nick Emery | BYU | Sophomore | SG
BYU has a way of getting guys on this list every single season. Jimmer Fredette, Tyler Haws, Kyle Collinsworth, now Emery. This guy blasted the nets last season at BYU, averaging 16.3 points and taking 247 3-pointers. He can also dish and rebound too. Fun player. His teammate, Eric Mika, who's back from mission work, didn't make the list. I wouldn't be surprised if he proved us wrong by year's end as a top-101 player. -- MN
90. Jordan McLaughlin | USC | Junior | PG
Last season's starting point guard averaged 13.4 points, 4.7 assists and 3.8 rebounds for USC's NCAA Tournament team. The 6-1 junior led the Trojans in points and assists per game and minutes played. -- GP
91. Isaiah Briscoe | Kentucky | Sophomore | Wing
Don't worry, UK fans. We weren't going to neglect Briscoe from this list. He'll lead Kentucky's defensive charge, and Calipari reports that Briscoe's shot is much improved. We're taking the reports at their word. If Briscoe still can't hit consistently from deep or create his own shot, hard to argue he's a top-101 player. But I more lean toward us underrating him. I can see him being as crucial to this team as anyone not named "De'Aaron Fox" this season. -- MN
92. Jaylen Adams | St. Bonaventure | Junior | Combo G
He missed the end of his freshman year because of a broken finger but returned and posted big numbers as a sophomore. He averaged 17.9 points and 5.0 assists while shooting 43.8 percent from 3-point range for the Bonnies, who won 22 regular-season games and finished 14-4 in the Atlantic 10. -- GP
93. Yante Maten | Georgia | Junior | PF
Certainly one of the best major-conference players people don't know nearly enough about. If Georgia's able to make noise and finish top-four in the SEC, perhaps Maten will start getting his due. He's a rebound machine, a reliable defensive player and someone who should be in condition to handle 32-34 minutes per game this season. -- MN
94. Luke Kornet | Vanderbilt | Senior | C
Kornet was named to the SEC's All-Defensive Team last season. If he can get his 3-point percentage back up to where it was during his sophomore year (40 percent), the 7-1 forward should average double-figures in points and about eight or nine rebounds while helping Vanderbilt possibly make the NCAA Tournament. -- GP
95. Marques Bolden | Duke | Freshman | C
Going to get his shot early because of the uncertainty with the Harry Giles timeline to return. Bolden's got to be listed here -- yes, he's the fifth Duke player we have -- because he's a projected lottery pick and should have his chances to prove himself as one of the 5-7 best centers in college basketball. Might wind up being more crucial to Duke's title hopes than anyone even realizes right now. -- MN
95. Derrick Walton | Michigan | Senior | PG
Walton only needs to score 118 more points to become the 51st Michigan player to reach the 1,000-point barrier. The 6-1 guard averaged 11.6 points and 5.4 rebounds last season while shooting 38.7 percent from 3-point range. -- GP
96. Mike Daum | South Dakota State | Sophomore | PF
The Summit League's Preseason Player of the Year is also the conference's reigning Sixth Man of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Daum came off of South Dakota State's bench and averaged 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in only 20.8 minutes per game. The 6-9 forward, who shot 44.6 percent from 3-point range, will post huge numbers as a starter. -- GP
97. Dusty Hannahs | Arkansas | Senior | SG
The Hogs' 3-point threat is the best to do it for Arkansas since Rotnei Clarke was on campus a half-decade ago. This one's a GP pick, but Hannahs is one of the best shooters in the SEC and absolutely pivotal to the Razorbacks making their first NCAA Tournament. He'll probably average north of 18 points this season. -- MN
98. Isaac Copeland | Georgetown | Junior | SF
His 3-point percentage dropped from 38.9 as a freshman to 27.2 his sophomore season. That needs to get fixed. And if it does he'll average more than the 11.1 points he averaged in 32 minutes per game last season. -- GP
99. Rodney Purvis | UConn | Senior | SG
Purvis barely edges out Amida Brimah on this list. Ultimately, if the Huskies are going to threaten for a 5 seed or better, and get to the second weekend of the NCAAs, Purvis will need to bump his shooting percentage close to 50 percent and his 3-point percentage right up against 40 percent. We expect both to happen. He's also an underrated defender. -- MN.
100. Josh Hawkinson | Washington State | Senior | C
He's already third on Washington State's all-time list for double-doubles. The 6-10 forward got 20 double-doubles in 29 games last season while averaging 15.4 points and 11.1 rebounds, both team highs. -- GP
101. Jae'Sean Tate | Ohio State | Junior | SF
Ohio State's an interesting team this year. Highly ranked in the KenPom preseason rankings -- I've got them at 39th -- and between Marc Loving, Keita Bates-Diop, Ja'Quan Lyle and Tate, OSU has a lot to work with here. We're going with Tate over the other three because the coaches still love his game, and at his best he's expected him to be the most important player on the roster this season. -- MN
Players with votes that just missed: Trey Kell, Phil Forte, Justin Robinson, Hassan Martin, Deng Adel, Khadeem Lattin, Eric Mika, Tyler Roberson, Seth Allen, Jeremy Morgan, Evan Bradds.
