upperclass players on their roster aren't very good. Something that is common with most every team in the top 10 right now is that they are led by lots of upperclass players (Seniors and Juniors) who are playing heavy minutes and are the main contributors for the team. Duke is about the only exception to that rule and they have the consensus #1 pick on their team. Alabama does have Labaron Philon who projects as a possible top 15 pick, but he plays 3rd wheel to Mark Sears and Grant Nelson who are both Seniors.

Another way to look at things is by looking at the teams who have some the top projected draft picks are doing.

-Duke w/ Cooper Flag - Top 10 team as discussed above

-Rutgers w/ Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper - NIT-caliber team

-Texas w/ Tre Johnson - NCAA bubble team - Johnson is their top player but they have other SR/JR top players providing key roles

-Arkansas w/ Boogie Fland - NCAA bubble team - Fland is top player, but a couple other upperclassmen playing key roles

-Baylor w/ VJ Edgecombe - borderline top 25 team - team is led by multiple upplerclassmen w/ Edgecombe only being 5th best player

-Georgia w/ Asa Newell - Top 35 or 40 team - Newell is best player but a couple of Seniors playing key roles.


There are several solid teams on that list, but nobody with a projected top 10 pick outside of Duke is considered to be a NC contender at this point.