There is no clear favorite. There is no obvious best player. There are several possibilities in both categories.

Coming off a memorable Final Four that saw the heavy favorite, Duke, stunningly ousted by Houston in thrilling fashion, college basketball returns with several contenders.

Florida and its loaded frontcourt could repeat. Connecticut has the potential to win its third title in four years. Houston, Purdue, Kentucky and Duke, among others, are all threats.

Rick Pitino has the top transfer class in the country at defending Big East champion St. John’s and has Red Storm fans dreaming of a Final Four trip to Indianapolis.

There is immense star power: upperclassmen such as Texas Tech’s JT Toppin and Purdue’s Braden Smith, and freshmen AJ Dybantsa of BYU, Darryn Peterson of Kansas

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