Obviously, this is a real way too early ranking, but we are taking a look at which teams figure to return the most players for the 2023-24 college basketball season. With 1700+ transfers hitting the portal in the last 2 years, nothing is set in stone here. You just never know who will go. That goes both ways as some teams will bolster this talent in the spring at the expense of others as well. This is just an early projection and who we think that is playing well will have the most returns as we sit today.
1. Purdue
Zach Edey’s draft prospects aren’t considered great by most. We think he will be a successful NBA player, but if he’s not going to be drafted highly than he may opt to return. I think with the NIL being what it is, he is probably even more likely to at this point. This will be especially true if Purdue can an NIL together in the range of those Oscar Tshiebwe or Drew Timmie got. Foster Loyer and Smith are freshmen and playing at a high level but an unlikely one and done’s I think you got to have Purdue here if Edey returns.
| 48 | Myles J. Colvin | 6’5″ | Purdue |
| 112 | Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn | 6’2″ | Purdue |
2. Arizona
Losing to a 15th seed Princeton in the tournament isn’t ideal, but I don’t put a lot into that, upsets happen. All 4 of their top returns averaging double-digit points can return. I would expect Tubelis and Ballo to return as well.
| 56 | K.J. Lewis | 6’4″ | Arizona |
3. Marquette
Shaka Smart could return all of its main contributors. Kameron Jones will have a big decision on the NBA Draft but even if he leaves they are in great shape.
| 98 | Tre Norman | 6’3″ | Marquette |
| 141 | Zaide Lowery | 6’4″ | Marquette |
4. Houston
Sasser is a senior and Walker is likely to enter the draft. At this point though I think you have to trust the system Sampson has. It almost feels plug-and-play at this point. Roberts, Mark, and Sheed should return, and I’m sure Sampson will add more talent though the portal. They also have a nice incoming high school class as well.They shouldn’t miss a beat in the Big 12.
| 76 | Joesph Tugler | 6’8″ | Houston |
| 99 | Kordelius Jefferson | 6’4″ | Houston |
| 101 | Jacob McFarland | 6’10” | Houston |
5. UConn
UConn could return everyone that essentially matters. What Jordan Hawkins does in the NBA draft will matter but even if he goes Adama Sango is likely to stay. He should keep UConn in the mix. They also have 5-Star Stephon Castle coming in. Tristen Newton could and likely will use his extra covid season.
| 24 | Stephon Castle | 6’6″ | UConn |
| 39 | Soloman Ball | 6’3 | UConn |
| 75 | Jaylin Stewart | 6’7″ | UConn |
| 122 | Jayden Ross | 6’7″ | UConn |
6. Kansas
Kansas just wins. They probably lose their 3 leading scorers but at this point you just have to expect they will reload. They always do. Incoming freshman Elmarko Jackson should help the most. Bill Self should have some tricks up his sleeve in the portal as well like always.
| 25 | Elmarko Jackson | 6’3″ | Kansas |
| 30 | Chris Johnson | 6’6″ | Kansas |
| 81 | Jamari McDowell | 6’5″ | Kansas |
7. UCLA
Cronin losing 3 seniors in this top 4. Clark will likely return, and they have some strong freshmen in Bona, Baily, and Andrews that are probably ready for more. Bona might enter the draft, but I think it’s more likely he returns.
| 52 | Devin Williams | 6’10” | UCLA |
| 60 | Brandon Williams | 6’8″ | UCLA |
| 73 | Sebastian Mack | 6’4″ | UCLA |
| 108 | R.J. Jones | 6’3″ | UCLA |
8. Baylor
Cryer and Bridges will likely return and incoming freshmen Miro Little and Ja’Kobe Walter should help Baylor reload.
| 14 | Ja’Kobe Walter | 6’5″ | Baylor |
| 36 | Miro Little | 6’4 | Baylor |
9. Miami
They really only have one player that is a senior, Miller. Wong, Pack, and Omier can and are likely to return as is everyone else of importance. Larranaga is getting up there in age, but with this team I think he’s probably going to come back for one more season.
| 136 | Michael Nwoko | 6’10” | Miami |
10. Kentucky
Oscar Tshiebwe will be tough to replace. The Wildcats also will take heavy losses losing Reeves and Toppin and possibly Wallace . The good news is they have the top-ranked recruiting class coming in with 4 top 10 players. Calipari is leaning back into the one-and-done model hard after focusing more on transfers the last couple of years. I expect he will still be active in the portal though. With covid super seniors and college basketball still older than ever it’s a little harder than in the past to win with freshmen. Duke didn’t light it up this season for example, but Calipari is a more experienced coach. I trust him to figure it out a little better.
| 2 | Justin Edwards | 6’6″ | Kentucky |
| 11 | Dajuan Wagner Jr | 6’4″ | Kentucky |
| 13 | Aaron Bradshaw | 7’0″ | Kentucky |
| 17 | Robert Dillingham | 6’2″ | Kentucky |
| 44 | Reed Sheppard | 6’3″ | Kentucky |
11. Providence
Hopkins and Carter are a nice duo and expected to return.
| 97 | Garwey Dual | 6’5″ | Providence |
| 100 | Andrew Fielder | 6’9″ | Providence |
12. TCU
Mike Miles and Coles are likely returning and will keep them in good shape.
| 53 | Jace Posey | 6’4″ | TCU |
| 138 | Isaiah Manning | 6’8″ | TCU |
13. Texas A&M
A&M plays such a deep rotation they will always have experienced player. The problem is playing so many means they have to replace more. With Taylor, Coleman, and Marlble likely to return most of the core should be intact.
14. Arkansas
The Razorbacks should return Ricky Council and Devonte Davis. We know Musselman will hit the portal hard. It’s just a given.5 star Baye Fall will help as well.
| 12 | Baye Fall | 6’11” | Arkansas |
| 33 | Layden Blocker | 6’1″ | Arkansas |
15. Michigan
Hunter Dickinson can return and I believe will. He doesn’t have draft stock that outweighs his NIL value. Jet Howard could go pro, but I think he returns to continue playing for his father. All of their top 5 could and likely will return.
| 103 | Papa Kante | 6’10” | Michigan |
| 116 | George Washington III | 6’3″ | Michigan |
16. Auburn
Johni Broome and Green should return and help keep Auburn in good shape.
| 45 | Aden Holloway | 6’0 | Auburn |
17. Creighton
The Blue Jays could return basically everyone that matters. The real question is Ryan Kalkbrenner will go pro or not. I think this one is 50/50.
18. Iowa
Kris Murray could return, but I wouldn’t advise him to at his age. He should get drafted and coming back probably just makes him less valuable in the draft next season. Iowa should still return a solid group with McCaffery, Sandfort, and Perkins.
| 89 | Pryce Sandfort | 6’7″ | Iowa |
| 147 | Owen Freeman | 6’10” | Iowa |
19. Michigan State
Tom Izzo with what I believe is the best incoming freshman Xavier Booker equals top 25. He’s just that good of a coach, Hoggard and Akins return as well to give them some experience.
| 1 | Xavier Booker | 6’11” | Michigan State |
| 28 | Jeremy Fears | 6’1″ | Michigan State |
| 35 | Coen Carr | 6’5″ | Michigan State |
| 73 | Gehrig Normand | 6’5″ | Michigan State |
20. Duke
Duke should have Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor back. They have the 2nd best high school class coming in. I was a little skeptical of depending on freshmen so heavily in the era of covid super seniors, and that seems to have played out. I still am at the highest levels. Jon Scheyer isn’t Coach K either. They will be super talented but there still is probably a learning curve happening. He probably going to be a little better as a coach but getting young guys no matter how talented up to speed might still be a hard ask when college basketball continues to be so old.
| 4 | Sean Stewart | 6’8″ | Duke |
| 8 | Caleb Foster | 6’4″ | Duke |
| 9 | Mackenzie Mgbako | 6’8″ | Duke |
| 26 | Jared McCain | 6’3″ | Duke |
| 32 | TJ Power | 6’8″ | Duke |
21. North Carolina
It’s hard to explain what happened to UNC this season, but Love, Davis, and Puff Johnson are likely to return. That still has the makings of a team that can rebound. They just need to figure out how to replace Bacot’s rebounding.
| 10 | Simeon Wilcher | 6’4″ | North Carolina |
| 65 | Zayden High | 6’9″ | North Carolina |
22. Colorado
Colorado will likely return all of their starters. Da Silva and Simpson are a solid one-two punch. They also add Cody Williams.
| 22 | Cody Williams | 6’8″ | Colorado |
| 151 | Courtney Anderson | 6’4″ | Colorado |
23. Arizona State
Bobby Hurley should return all but Desmond Cambridge. Cambridge is a loss but not too much to overcome.
| 47 | Braelon Green | 6’3″ | Arizona State |
| 131 | Akil Watson | 6’7″ | Arizona State |
24. Ohio State
The Buckeye’s prospects will be heavily dependent on if Brice Sensabaug returns. He’s lead a team with a losing record but that has a strong top 70 NET ranking. They also likely return another quality freshman in Brice Thornton and have a top-ranked recruiting class.
| 27 | Taison Chatman | 6’4″ | Ohio State |
| 37 | Scotty Middleton | 6’7″ | Ohio State |
| 43 | Devin Royal | 6’6″ | Ohio State |
| 128 | Austin Parks | 6’9″ | Ohio State |
25. Oregon
They could return Kel’el Ware since he didn’t make the impact that was expected as a freshman. Keeshawn Barthelemy likely returns as well. They have a great class coming in with Mookie Cook and Kwame Evans.
| 5 | Marquis Cook | 6’6″ | Oregon |
| 18 | Kwame Evans | 6’9″ | Oregon |
| 41 | Jackson Shelstad | 6’0″ | Oregon |
Others Considered
Wisconsin
Wisconsin wasn’t good this season, but they return everyone that matters. I think they are ready to make a return to the top 25.
| 88 | Gus Yalden | 6’9″ | Wisconsin |
| 143 | Nolan Winter | 6’10” | Wisconsin |
| 149 | John Blackwell | 6’3″ | Wisconsin |
USC
The Trojans weren’t very good this season, but Isaiah Collier is on his way and Tre White should help.
| 3 | Isaiah Collier | 6’4″ | USC |
| 67 | Silas Demary Jr | 6’4″ | USC |
| 72 | Arrinten Page | 6’9″ | USC |
Rutgers
Clifford Omoruyi is likely to return. They lose pretty much everyone else, but Omoruyi is a good start to regroup.
| 51 | Gavin Griffiths | 6’7″ | Rutgers |
| 134 | Baye Ndongo | 6’9″ | Rutgers |
Alabama
I don’t see a 20 year old freshman ready like Brandon Miller but Nate Oats can coach.
| 66 | Kris Parker | 6’6″ | Alabama |
| 92 | Sam Walters | 6’9″ | Alabama |
| 110 | Davin Cosby Jr | 6’5″ | Alabama |
| 130 | Mouhamed Dioubate | 6’7″ | Alabama |
Memphis
Penny went transfer-heavy last year and will lose most of those older guys. Now he’s back on the freshman train. They graduate 9 seniors this season so this class will need to step up. It’s really good.
| 23 | Mikey Williams | 6’3″ | Memphis |
| 68 | J.J Taylor | 6’7″ | Memphis |
| 86 | Ty-Laur Johnson | 6’1″ | Memphis |
| 90 | Carl Cherenfant | 6’4″ | Memphis |
| 126 | Ashton Hardaway | 6’8″ | Memphis |
Iowa State
The Cyclones are another program that graduates everyone. A nice recruiting class should help.
| 15 | Omaha Biliew | 6’8″ | Iowa State |
| 29 | Milan Momcilovic | 6’8″ | Iowa State |
| 121 | Jelani Hamilton | 6’6″ | Iowa State |
| 125 | Kayden Fish | 6’7″ | Iowa State |
Texas
The Longhorns lose almost everyone but do bring in a couple of top prospects. This ranking will be dependent on who is the coach next season. Rodney Terry likely retains them but a new coach may not.
| 6 | Ron Holland | 6’9″ | Texas |
| 31 | AJ Johnson | 6’5″ | Texas |
Dayton
Dayton is disappointed this season but I still believe in the talent if they can keep them together again. DaRon Holmes is a stud. T. They were able to fend off other teams and keep him out of the portal last year. Can they this season is the question. If they can keep their talent they should return everyone again.
