Why UCLA and North Carolina are Teams to Watch in NCAA Basketball
We look at two of the top teams heading into 2020-21 NCAA Basketball season and why they can take a leap.
UCLA
Five-star guard Daishen Nix decided to join the G League, which shocked everyone at UCLA and they will likely lose last year’s leading scorer Chris Smith. He might stay though, as the NBA combine and the NBA G League Elite Camp were canceled and he could wait a year and return for his senior season.
If Chris Smith returns, UCLA would have their top five scorers from last year and many talented reserves. Jalen Hill and Cody Riley will have a chance to develop even more and point guard Tyger Campbell will still be the main ball-handler.
Four-star wing Jaylen Clark and Johnny Juzang, who transferred from Kentucky in the offseason, add much-needed depth to UCLA. Juzang was given a waiver by the NCAA and he’ll be able to play right away.
UCLA (+5000 to win the 2021 NCAA Tournament) needs Hill and Riley to be productive right away and leave their mark.
North Carolina
North Carolina was the biggest disappointment in NCAA Basketball last season. Cole Anthony played well, when healthy and Armando Bacot had a solid freshman season but the supporting cast, with the exception of Garrison Brooks, who had a breakout year, struggled all year long.
The roster will be much better in 2020-21. UNC has the No. 2 overall recruiting class in the country and they will be ready to contribute. North Carolina has three five-star commits in point guard Caleb Love and forwards Walker Kessler and Day’Ron Sharpe. Puff Johnson and Kerwin Walton and top-50 guard R.J. Davis are also going to help UNC from day one.
North Carolina now has a scary frontcourt with Bacot and Brooks coming back, along with the players mentioned above. Their backcourt has some question marks and it will be up to Caleb Love to step up and handle the pressure.
The Tar Heels have enough talent to go far. You can find North Carolina at +2000 to win the 2021 NCAA Tournament and that’s a bet I will be making.More information at
Scoresandstats.com