2023 Battle For Atlantis Bracket Revealed; Heels Open With Northern Iowa

[andrew jones]

https://northcarolina.rivals.com/news/2023-battle-for-atlantis-bracket-revealed-heels-open-with-northern-iowa

 

[heelbent]

I never realized that's how the tournament was run. Pretty cool.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Is it just me or does this seem a lighter weight field than usual.

Glancing at 3 preseason polls, we're in all 3, Villanova and Arkansas are in 2.

We and Villanova didn't make the NCAAT last season. And, of course, both teams have newish coaches.

Here's what ESPN has to say about those 3 teams. Interesting that all 3 teams have at least 2 starting transfers.

If you add up the previous year's ppg for each starting slate, Villanova comes out on top by a healthy margin (I penciled in Cadeau at 10 ppg).

14. Arkansas Razorbacks​

Arkansas was busy on NBA draft deadline day, seeing top recruiting target Ron Holland go to the G League, while retaining Devo Davis and losing Jordan Walsh to the NBA. Eric Musselman's team is absolutely loaded on the perimeter, with Davis and top-30 recruit Layden Blocker joining four experienced transfer guards. If Trevon Brazile is healthy, the frontcourt shouldn't be an issue, either. Cincinnati transfer Jeremiah Davenport provides a different dimension at power forward.

Projected starting lineup:

Khalif Battle (17.9 PPG at Temple)
Devo Davis (10.9 PPG)
Tramon Mark (10.1 PPG at Houston)
Trevon Brazile (11.8 PPG)
Makhi Mitchell (7.0 PPG)

15. North Carolina Tar Heels​

Hubert Davis started the offseason with two anchors: R.J. Davis at one guard spot and Armando Bacot down low. He then went out and surrounded those two returning stars with intriguing complementary players. Notre Dame transfer Cormac Ryan is a veteran shooter, while Harrison Ingram from Stanford is a versatile wing. Then top-10 2024 prospect Elliot Cadeau opted to reclassify and suit up for the Tar Heels this fall. He's a truly elite passer and playmaker who could have the ball in his hands from day one.

Projected starting lineup:

Elliot Cadeau (No. 10 in ESPN 100)
R.J. Davis (16.1 PPG)
Cormac Ryan (12.3 PPG at Notre Dame)
Harrison Ingram (10.5 PPG at Stanford)
Armando Bacot (15.9 PPG)

16. Villanova Wildcats​

After Villanova missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012, Kyle Neptune clearly wanted to avoid a repeat entering the second season of his coaching tenure. The Wildcats had as much success in the transfer portal as any team in the country, landing TJ Bamba (Washington State), Hakim Hart (Maryland) and Tyler Burton (Richmond), while also returning veteran stalwarts Justin Moore and Eric Dixon. The starting five is as experienced and proven as you'll find in the Big East.

Projected starting lineup:

Justin Moore (13.5 PPG)
TJ Bamba (15.8 PPG at Washington State)
Hakim Hart (11.4 PPG at Maryland)
Tyler Burton (19.0 PPG at Richmond)
Eric Dixon (15.4 PPG)

 

[gthreadgill7929]

The PG battle will be fun in this one