The 2017-18 college basketball season is now four days old, and with that it's time for me to start writing again. I've spent the last four seasons writing for Rush The Court covering the Big Ten, but this season I'm trying something new. So welcome to College Hoops Savant(s). The s at the end of savant is because I may have some other people writing on here as the season goes along. For now though, it's just me. And after four days of watching games, I have a couple of thoughts in my noggin about what has happened so far.
The Big Ten might be more than just Michigan State at the top. While the Spartans looked extremely impressive in their lid-lifting opening win over North Florida, both Purdue and Minnesota showed thus far that this might not just be a one-team race for the top of the B1G standings. Purdue got some love in the preseason in terms of where its ranked despite losing first-round pick Caleb Swanigan, but the Boilermakers have started off the season 2-0 and are averaging 108 points on an obscene 59.8 percent mark from the field. They still have an elite amount of shooters to spread the floor around a threat in the post (Isaac Haas). This team might actually end up being better than it was last season even without Swanigan dominating the glass. Meanwhile, Minnesota picked up the biggest early-season road win of the season when it knocked off Providence last night. With all five starters back, and an elite floor general, the Gophers should also not be discounted when looking at who can win the Big Ten.
Jordan Murphy is making an early B1G POY run. It's been all but assumed that unless something drastic happens, Miles Bridges is a cinch to run away with the Player of the Year in the Big Ten, all the while perhaps becoming National Player of the Year. Murphy, a solid two-year starter for Minnesota, is shaking things up early however with a blazing 29.0 PPG and 14.5 RPG start for the Gophers. He took over against a legitimate Providence by getting to the basket at will and owning the paint. If he plays at this level all season, Minnesota could very easily be a Final Four contender.
Allonzo Trier has serious Jimmer potential. In 2010-11, a West Coast guard became appointment television by putting up insane scoring numbers extremely late at night. Jimmer Fredette averaged 28.9 points as BYU made it to the Sweet 16. Trier is a household name among college basketball circles, but he isn't a crossover star yet. The junior Arizona guard might be on his way to hitting Jimmer-type popularity however if his early-season scoring output continues. Trier has scored 62 points in two games on 64.5 percent shooting from the floor. He does so with an almost casual ease, at least against the opposition he's faced so far. He'll be tested starting on November 22nd when the Wildcats head to the Bahamas for the Battle For Atlantis. But Trier, and future lottery pick Deandre Ayton make Arizona a must-watch and a title contender.
Kentucky might not be that good. The nation will find out more tonight when Kentucky plays Kansas in Chicago, but one of the youngest teams in the country might have some serious issues. The Wildcats obviously be much better once conference play starts with all of the youth on its roster (seven freshman and two sophomores in the rotation), but the lack of shooting and scoring could cause them to plummet in the rankings in the next couple of weeks. They have athletes galore, but look lost on defense. Coach Cal will make adjustments, but his youngest Kentucky roster ever could struggle a bit as things go along.
Buy stock in Nevada. I randomly got to see the Wolfpack play in Milwaukee last NCAA Tournament (humble brag alert), and while they lost a number of key pieces from that team, this is a legitimate top 25-type team that will make the Dance again. Jordan Caroline is one of the most fun players to watch in all the land, and they have a bunch of power conference transfers like the Martin twins (N.C.State), Kendall Stephens (Purdue), and Hallice Cooke (Iowa State) which make this year's squad much deeper than last year. Nevada should be the favorite to win the Mountain West, and when looking for late night hoops, a team that is worth watching.
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