CBB REVIEW RANK 2020-21: TEAMS 60-51

We’re ringing in the college basketball season with a ranking of the top 100 teams heading into 2020! Follow CBB Review Rank all month long.

Make sure to tweet about CBB Review Rank using #CBBRank with comments, suggestions, and more. We’ll be posting all month long, ending with the top projected team in the country!

Check out CBB Review’s Top 100: 100-91, 90-81, 80-71, 70-61

*All recruiting and transfer ratings from 247sports.com. All player and team statistics from sportsreference.com*

60. Virginia Tech

2019/20 Record: 16-16 (7-13 ACC)

Key Returning Players: Tyrece Radford (10.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG), Nahiem Alleyne (8.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG)

Key Losses: P.J Horne (Transfer), Landers Nolley II, (Transfer), Brendan Palmer (Transfer), Isaiah Wilkins (Transfer), 

Key Transfers and Recruits: Joe Bamisile (4-star recruit), Darius Maddox (4-star recruit), David N’Guessan (3-star recruit), Cartier Diarra (transfer), Justyn Mutts (transfer), Cordell Pemsl (Transfer)

Losing Landers Nolley to the transfer portal is a big loss, as he was their leading scorer. However, getting Cartier Diarra who averaged 13.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.2 APG for Kansas State last season. They also pick up Bamisile, the 89th recruit and an immediate impact at the guard position. Mike Young is a very talented coach and knows how to win, making this Virginia Tech team intriguing. 

Credit: Back the Pack

59. Georgetown 

2019/20 Record: 15-17 (5-13 Big East)

Key Returning Players: Jahvon Blair (10.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG), Jamorko Pickett (10.2 PPG, 6.3  RPG)

Key Losses: Omer Yurtseven (draft), Mac McClung (transfer), James Akinjo (transfer), Jagan Mosely (Graduated)

Key Transfers and Recruits: Jamari Sibley (4-star recruit), Jalen Harris (Transfer), Donald Carey (Transfer), Chudier Bile (Transfer)

Georgetown loses a lot of talent with the loss of its three leading scorers in McClung, Yurtseven, and Akinjo. They will have to count on their returning players and transfers to make an impact if they want to contend in the Big East this season. 

58. Washington

2019/20 Record: 15-17 (5-13 Pac 12)

Key Returning Players: Naz Carter (12.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG), Quade Green (11.6 PPG, 5.3 APG), Marcus Tsohonis (7.3 PPG, 41.2 3P%)

Key Losses: Jaden McDaniels (draft), Isaiah Stewart (draft)

Key Transfers and Recruits: Erik Stevenson (Transfer)

After a surprisingly bad season last year, the Huskies look to bounce back. They lose their two leading scorers in McDaniels and Stewart to the draft, but the returns of Green and Carter will help greatly. Washington surprisingly didn’t get a single recruit, but their returning stars should be able to boost them to the middle of the Pac (if they have a season of course). 

57. NC State

2019/20 Record: 20-12 (10-10 ACC Conference)

Key Returning Players: Braxton Beverley (7.1 PPG, 39 3PFG%), DJ Funderburk (12.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG), Devon Daniels (12.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG)

Key Losses: CJ Bryce (graduated), Markell Johnson (graduated)

Key Transfers and Recruits: Cam Hayes (4-Star recruit), Shakeel Moore (3-Star recruit), Nick Farrar (3 Star Recruit)

NC State is one of those teams that is quietly good every year. They lose their two leading scorers but bring back most of their team. The ACC is very questionable, and if Funderbunk and Beverley can develop and become go-to players, they can easily finish top 5 in the ACC.

Credit: Raleigh News & Observer

56. Penn State

2019/20 Record: 21-10 (11-9 Big 10)

Key Returning Players: Myreon Jones (13.3 PPG, 44.4 FG%), Myles Dread (8.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG)

Key Losses: Lamar Stevens (Graduated), Mike Watkins (Graduated)

Key Transfers and Recruits: None

Lamar Stevens is one of the best players in recent Penn State history, so losing him will be devastating. They will need big contributions from Jones and Dread. If Jones could become an 18 PPG scorer and some of their recruits can provide an immediate impact then the Nittany Lions could move up to 45 or even better. 

55. Ole Miss

2019/20 Record: 15-17 (6-12 SEC)

Key Returning Players: Devontae Shuler (11.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG), KJ Buffen (10.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG)

Key Losses: Breein Tyree (graduation), Blake Hinson (transfer)

Key Transfers and Recruits: Matthew Murrell (4 Star- Recruit), Robert Allen (transfer), Dimencio Vaughn (transfer), Romello White (Transfer)

Ole Miss is bringing in a great team this season. Shuler is a terrific all-around player who (fun fact) played AAU basketball with Zion Williamson and Ja Morant. Murrell is the 39th best recruit for next season, making him an immediate impact player. Vaughn and Allen both to not have waivers to play next season, but if they get those Ole Miss could be a top 30 team this year. Look out for the Rebels next year, as they may be a surprise riser in the SEC.

54. Xavier

2019/20 Record: 19-13 (8-10 Big East)

Key Returning Players: Paul Scruggs (12.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG)

Key Losses: Naji Marshall (draft), Tyrique Jones (graduated), Jaevin Cumberland (graduated)

Key Additions: Bryan Griffin (transfer), Nate Johnson (transfer), Adam Kunkel (transfer-not eligible), Ben Stanley (transfer- not eligible), Dwon Odom (4-star recruit), CJ Wilcher (4-star recruit), Colby Jones (3-star recruit)

Xavier will rely a lot on their transfers this season. If Ben Stanley, who averaged 22 points a game for Hampton last year gets immediate eligibility, the Big East should be scored. They also bring in 55th ranked Dwon Odom, who at point guard can make his teammates better while still being able to score at a high level. Travis Steele is cooking up a storm in Cincinnatti and they should be one of the more exciting teams to watch next season. 

To see our interview with Coach Steele, click here

53. Dayton

2019/20 Record: 29-2 (18-0 Atlantic 10)

Key Returning Players: Jalen Crutcher (15.1 PPG, 42 3P%), Ibi Watson (10.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG), Ryan Mikesell (8.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG)

Key Losses: Obi Toppin (NBA Draft), Trey Landers (graduated)

Key Transfers and Recruits: Elijah Weaver (transfer), Samuel Mennenga (4-star recruit)

Obviously, losing the player of the year is going to hurt a team, but luckily three of their top five scorers are returning including one of the top players in the A-10 Jalen Crutcher. Dayton should be the best if not a top three team in the A10 next year but will have to find someone who can step up and take the role that Toppin had for his team. 

Credit: WHIO

52. Colorado

2019/20 Record: 21-11 (10-8 Pac-12)

Key Returning Players: McKinley Wright (14.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.0 APG), D’Shawn Schwartz (9.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG), Evan Battey (8.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG)

Key Losses: Tyler Bey (Draft)

Key Transfers and Recruits: Jeriah Horne (transfer), Dominique Clifford (4-star recruit), Jabari Walker (3-star recruit)

Colorado brings back most of their main players for this season. A team that started off hot but cooled down looks to stay consistent. Schwartz is a super talented overall player and should increase his scoring total by as many as 5 points next season. If everyone can stay healthy then Colorado can contend in the Pac 12 but need someone to step up if the want to compete with the top guys in the conference.

To see our interview with Evan Battey, click here 

51. South Carolina

2019/20 Record: 18-13 (10-8 SEC)

Key Returning Players: AJ Lawson (13.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG), Jermaine Couisnard (12.1 PPG, 3.2 APG), Keyshawn Bryant (9.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG)

Key Losses: Malik Kotsar (graduated), Jair Bolden (Transfer)

Key Transfers and Recruits: None

With no top 300 recruits and no eligible transfers, this team will have to rely a lot on their returning players taking the next step in their productivity. Getting AJ Lawson to return after considering the draft is huge news, and he alone can lead them to 7 or 8 wins in the conference. Their X factor is Couisnard, who showed his scoring ability this past season and if he can become a 20 point scorer the Gamecocks could be a top 4 team in the SEC.

Featured Image Credit: Red Cup Rebellion