B/R Expert Predictions for the 2016-17 College Basketball Season

The start of the 2016-17 college basketball season is under a week away, but we couldn't let it get here without one final batch of predictions.

Our panel of college basketball experts consists of Kerry Miller, C.J. Moore and Brian Pedersen. In total, there were 12 questions posed to each of them on a range of topics: Cinderella teams most likely to reach the Final Four, the best dunker in the country, how the six power conferences stack up and much more.

There were a few points of agreement—we all have Duke in the Final Four—but most of the answers were all over the map. Heck, some of them were downright contradictory. For instance, Moore has Kansas in his Final Four and Wisconsin as the team most likely to flop, while Pedersen has those roles flipped for those teams. And there's no agreement on a national champion, as Duke, Kansas and Villanova each received one vote.

But it would be equally weird and boring if we agreed on everything.

Be sure to check back in five months to find out whose offseason research was the most insightful.

1. What Will Be the Best Non-Conference Game?

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Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0), forward Landen Lucas (33) and guard Devonte' Graham (4) on the court in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at We

C.J. Moore: Kansas vs. Duke (Nov. 15)

The two best teams in the country in the first week of the season? Yes please. We could see these teams play against each other again in April.

Kerry Miller: Kansas at Kentucky (Jan. 28)

Duke vs. Kansas in the Champions Classic is the obvious choice and would be a dream national championship pairing. However, five days into the season is a terrible time to try to get a gauge on these teams—particularly with Duke's Harry Giles out and Jayson Tatum recovering from an ankle sprain. Give all the freshmen about 10 weeks to get up to speed, though, and Kansas vs. Kentucky in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge should be the non-conference game of the year.

Brian Pedersen: Kansas vs. Duke (Nov. 15)

This event always guarantees at least one great matchup, and this year it's between Duke's replenished roster and Kansas' fundamentally sound unit. In a perfect world, both Giles and Tatum will be available for Duke, but at least we're going to see Kansas' Josh Jackson.

2. Who's the Best "Under-the-Radar" Player?

Chris Covatta/Getty Images

Fifth-year senior Phil Forte was forgotten by many after playing just three games last season.

Moore: Phil Forte, Oklahoma State

A lot of college basketball fans have probably forgotten about Marcus Smart's old buddy because he missed most of last season. Let me remind you that Phil Forte averaged 15.0 points per game two years ago on an NCAA tournament team. Forte and Jawun Evans form one of the best backcourts in the country and should thrive playing under new coach Brad Underwood.

Miller: Isaiah Wilkins, Virginia

Everyone is talking about Virginia's Austin Nichols as the best transfer in the country because of what he'll be able to do on defense for the already-elite-on-defense Cavaliers. But Isaiah Wilkins has statistically been the team's best defender for the past two seasons and should be the starting power forward with Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey both out of the picture. Whether he continues to play well in an expanded role may be the biggest X-factor in Virginia's quest for the Final Four.

Pedersen: Alec Peters, Valparaiso

A guy like Alec Peters, after the year he had in 2015-16, normally would have turned pro or gone to another school as a graduate transfer. Instead, he's staying with the Crusaders, where he'll dominate. If he can get them into the NCAA tournament, he'll be a load to handle.

3. What Coach Is Most Squarely on the Hot Seat?

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

LSU's Johnny Jones could be out after this season.

Moore: Johnny Jones, LSU

Jones has won big on the recruiting circuit, but the product on the floor hasn't matched the hype. He took a lot of heat last year for not winning with the most talented player in the country. The stuff coming out of Ben Simmons' mouth since he left hasn't helped Jones' cause.

Miller: Johnny Jones, LSU

It has to be LSU's Johnny Jones, right? There's a case to be made for Washington's Lorenzo Romar if he has another disappointing season, this time with the potential No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft. But Jones just missed the NCAA tournament with the 2016 No. 1 pick and is almost unanimously projected to finish in the bottom five in the SEC this year. It's surprising he still has a job, but it would be a miracle if he still has one six months from now if this season goes as poorly as expected.

Pedersen: Brad Brownell, Clemson

He got his best player (Jaron Blossomgame) to come back for his senior year and has brought in several impact transfers. If he can't get the Tigers into the NCAA tournament this year, he never will. The ACC is incredibly deep and tough, but if Clemson picks off a few people, it'll get in based on strength of schedule. 

4. What Freshman Are You Most Excited to See?

Associated Press

Lauri Markkanen most piques the interest of 66 percent of our panel.

Moore: Markelle Fultz, Washington

Markelle Fultz has been generating a ton of hype for about a year now and I have yet to see him play in person. Fultz can do it all from the point guard position, or so I'm told, and he'll have the opportunity to dominate the ball and play a Russell Westbrook-like role in Washington's offense.

Miller: Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

There were only two ways to answer this question last year: Either you said Ben Simmons, or you lied through your teeth. This year, though, you could ask 10 different people and legitimately get 10 different answers. But my unhealthy infatuation with stretch 5s mandates I say Arizona's Lauri Markkanen here. No incoming player in the country has grown in hype this offseason quite like Markkanen. He was hardly on the radar in April, and now he's a projected lottery pick. I'm beyond ready to see what all the fuss is about.

Pedersen: Lauri Markkanen, Arizona

A 7-footer who can beat guys off the dribble but also play with his back to the basket? Those guys only exist in Europe...but this one decided to give college ball a try instead of heading straight to a pro career, and we'll all be the better for his doing so. 

5. What Teams Will Be Ranked No. 1 During the Season?

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We don't agree on the number, but we all think John Calipari and Kentucky will be among the No. 1 teams this season.

Moore: Duke, Kansas, Villanova, Kentucky and Oregon

Duke and Kansas appear to be the best teams on paper, but they'll both get a couple of knocks in conference play. Villanova, Kentucky and Oregon should all put up glossy records and get their spot at the top of the polls.

Miller: Duke and Kentucky

Only Duke and Kentucky, and the Wildcats won't get there until at least January. That's when they have the luxury of cruising through a weak SEC slate while the Blue Devils inevitably acquire a loss or four in the two-month field of landmines that is ACC play.

Pedersen: Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Villanova and Wisconsin

There are too many strong non-conference games on these teams' schedules not to go through some upheaval early on, and once we get into league play, further turmoil will happen.  

6. Who Will Be the Best Dunker in College Basketball?

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

6'3" guards should not be able to do what Donovan Mitchell does.

Moore: Miles Bridges, Michigan State

So much rim hate coming from this young fella. Miles Bridges has some LeBron James in him when he's attacking the rim. He's a lefty who can throw down with either hand and loves dunking on innocent bystanders standing in his way.

Miller: Donovan Mitchell, Louisville

Long live King Donovan Mitchell of Louisville. If he passes this torch to anyone, it could be in a head-to-head battle with Kentucky's Malik Monk in what is annually one of the best games of the season.

Pedersen: Edrice "Bam" Adebayo, Kentucky

You don't get a nickname like that without being able to send it home with authority. And Edrice Adebayo's not going to have a shortage of opportunities to dunk with Kentucky's sparkling guards setting him up.

7. When Will the Last Undefeated Team Lose?

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

How long can Gonzaga HC Mark Few go undefeated with what should be his best team yet?

Moore: Feb. 2

The heavy hitters at the top of the polls all have pretty difficult non-conference schedules. My pick to go the longest without a loss is Gonzaga. If the Zags can get past Arizona on Dec. 3 at the Staples Center, they'll make it all the way to February undefeated and take their first knock on the road at BYU.

Miller: Jan. 14

Whether it's Duke playing at Louisville, Virginia at Clemson, Xavier at Butler or Saint Mary's at Gonzaga, each of the teams arguably most likely to make it two months without a loss has a brutal road game on Jan. 14. Even if it isn't the exact day we lose our last undefeated team, circle this day as the one when people start to wonder if this is going to be another season without any elite teams.

Pedersen: Second week of January

Between the 8th and 14th four potentially unbeaten teams (Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Wisconsin) play on the road against tough conference opponents while defending champion Villanova hosts Xavier in a potential top-10 matchup. None of them will be perfect after that stretch.

8. How Do You Rank the 6 Major Conferences?

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

John Swofford is the commissioner of the best conference in the country.

Moore: ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, Pac-12, SEC

I count 13 teams in the ACC that have the potential to make the NCAA tournament. That many will not get in, obviously, but it speaks to the depth of the league this year. The Big 12 is the other deepest league, but the Big Ten gets the nod because of the strength in the top four spots.

Miller: ACC, Big Ten, Big East, Pac-12, Big 12, SEC

Without any possible argument, the ACC is No. 1, and the SEC is No. 6. The middle four are more open to interpretation, but the Big Ten is No. 2 for me because it has four legitimate title contenders (if Michigan State eventually gets healthy). Give me the Big East at No. 3, the Pac-12 at No. 4 and an unceremonious fall from grace for the Big 12 to No. 5 after three or four straight years as the best (regular-season) conference.

Pedersen: ACC...(big gap)...Pac-12, Big Ten, Big East, Big 12, SEC

The ACC seems like a lock to get more than half of its teams into the NCAA tournament, but after that, it's a real toss-up for conference strength. If Arizona, Oregon and UCLA all live up to expectations, the Pac-12 should stay ahead of the rest of the field. 

9. What Team Not in Preseason Top 25 Has Best Chance to Reach Final Four?

Lance King/Getty Images

Dennis Smith Jr. (4) and Maverick Rowan (24) are two of the big reasons two of our experts love N.C. State this year.

Moore: Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles have two potential lottery picks in Jonathan Isaac and Dwayne Bacon. Put those two with scoring guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes, and that's one of the most talented trios in college hoops. Leonard Hamilton is also due to put together one of his signature dominant defenses. The 'Noles have been mediocre for a while now, but this group has a high ceiling.

Miller: North Carolina State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack had a brutal start to the offseason, losing Cat Barber to the NBA draft and the Martin twins to Nevada, but the additions of Dennis Smith Jr., Omer Yurtseven, Terry Henderson and Torin Dorn are more than enough to put together a nice tournament run—provided they even make it out of the ACC in one piece.

Pedersen: North Carolina State Wolfpack

If Smith and Yurtseven are as good as advertised, this team is going to be dangerous. It might take some lumps early, especially with Yurtseven suspended for the first nine games, but the rigors of the ACC will prepare every NCAA qualifier for a deep run.

10. What Team Is Most Likely to Flop in March?

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Will Wisconsin be the biggest flopper in March?

Moore: Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers are better this year than last season when they made a Sweet 16 appearance, but they're probably slightly overrated because of that tourney run. It's hard to bet against this group's tourney success, but the intent of this question is to pick a highly ranked team, and Wisconsin has that look of an upset candidate. Outside of Bronson Koenig, the Badgers are not a great outside shooting team, and that's one reason they could be sent home early.

Miller: Indiana Hoosiers

A weird question, as flopping in March would imply the team will finish the season ranked in the Top 25 without actually being good enough to reach the Sweet 16—otherwise known as pulling a Georgetown or a Gonzaga. But I'll take Indiana in this spot. The Hoosiers should win a ton of games. However, when you're looking for a team susceptible to a neutral-court loss in the tournament, one that shoots a ton of three-pointers and doesn't have a true point guard, Indiana seems to fit the bill.

Pedersen: Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks will win a 13th straight Big 12 title and probably earn another No. 1 seed but fail to get past the Sweet 16. There's something about Bill Self's system that doesn't translate to the postseason of late, and come March, Josh Jackson will be thinking more about the NBA than the NCAA tournament. 

11. What Teams Will Make the Final Four?

Lance King/Getty Images

Jayson Tatum and Duke are our only unanimous Final Four pick.

Moore: Duke, Kansas, Oregon and Gonzaga

Duke and Kansas have the best teams on paper. Gonzaga, obviously, is my sleeper pick. Nigel Williams-Goss is going to be a monster for the Zags, and fellow transfer Johnathan Williams was a good player stuck on a bad team (Missouri). Mark Few also hit the grad transfer market to land a shooter in Jordan Mathews. This team has scoring inside and out. Few has been knocking on that door to get to a Final Four and is going to get there eventually.

Miller: Duke, Kansas, Oregon and Virginia

To get to the Final Four, a team needs to be able to beat a variety of opponents. Quality depth, versatility and defense are the most crucial elements—beyond getting lucky and hot at the right moment. I'll go with Duke, Kansas, Oregon and Virginia, and I look forward to it becoming an impossibility when three of them end up in the same region.

Pedersen: Duke, North Carolina, Villanova and Wisconsin

ACC teams are going to get beaten up in their league, but that will also make them battle-tested for the postseason. Villanova has the tools to make another run, and Wisconsin is among the most experienced units in the country. 

12. Who Will Win the 2016 NCAA Championship?

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Could Villanova make it two straight years with a parade?

Moore: Kansas Jayhawks

I almost changed my mind last week when watching Kansas struggle against a Division II team. Carlton Bragg is the biggest question mark on the roster, and Bill Self hasn't been pleased with him this preseason. But the Jayhawks have the right mix of experience and young talent to be really special.

Experience and point guard play are the main differences between the roster Josh Jackson has the privilege of playing with and Andrew Wiggins' one year in Lawrence. Duke is more talented, but Kansas matches up well, and I worry about Duke's lack of a proven point guard. Self will win his 13th straight Big 12 title and add a second national title to his Hall of Fame resume.

Miller: Duke Blue Devils

I cannot pick against Duke this year. Even if Harry Giles doesn't play a single minute, the Blue Devils still have more talent than any team in the country. Think about this: How many teams would kill to have Chase Jeter in their starting lineup, even though he'll be playing limited minutes off the bench whether or not Giles plays?

And regardless of which two-man group of Grayson Allen, Matt Jones, Frank Jackson and Luke Kennard they start, don't the other two immediately become the best backcourt bench duo we've ever seen? Anything can and will happen in March, but the Blue Devils should win it all.

Pedersen: Villanova Wildcats

Villanova. We haven't had a repeat champion since Florida in 2006-07, but Jay Wright brings back his two best players and has a strong supporting cast. At the very least, the Wildcats should be the first defending champ since Florida to get past the Sweet 16, and that's when last year's championship experience will kick in.