10 college basketball programs on the rise, 10 on the decline

With point guard Tremont Waters (15.9 ppg, 6.0 assists per game) among the best players in the nation and prized freshmen Emmitt Williams and 6-10 Naz Reid in the mix, the Tigers should be in position to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014-15. However, reports of coach Will Wade's alleged involvement in the college basketball corruption case could be a dark cloud over the program.

Daniel Gafford (11.8 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks) is poised to be one of the top players in America, but the Razorbacks don't have much of a supporting cast to believe they can reach the NCAA Tournament for a third consecutive season. Freshman point guard Keyshawn Embery highlights a group of nine freshmen on the roster. 

Led by All-American candidate Markus Howard (20.4 ppg), the Golden Eagles might have what it takes to challenge Villanova for the Big East title and return to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons. Transfers Ed Morrow (Nebraska) and Joseph Chartouny (Fordham) should help Marquette build on a 21-win season and NIT berth.

Creighton has made the NCAA Tournament three of the five years it's played in the Big East, but there's too much uncertainty surrounding this group to guarantee a third consecutive trip. The Bluejays' top two scorers are gone, but Martin Krampelj (11.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg) returns from a knee injury. Still, there might not be much more to keep Greg McDermott's boys from finishing in the bottom half of the conference. The program's alleged link to the college basketball bribery case doesn't help.

This being the 10th anniversary of the Bulldogs' last trip to the Big Dance amps up the excitement surrounding this season's squad. One of the last teams out of the 2018 NCAA Tournament field, Mississippi State returns its top six scorers from a group that won 25 games and reached the NIT semifinals.

It appears the Irish will need to rely on youth to return to the NCAA Tournament after settling for the NIT last season. Notre Dame pulled a top-five recruiting class in the ACC, while guard T.J. Gibbs and his 15.3 scoring average should provide some experience for a team that could struggle early on.

Nebraska ended a string of three consecutive losing seasons by winning 22 games and making the NIT field in 2017-18. James Palmer Jr. ranked fifth in the Big Ten last season, averaging 17.2 games, and he is one of the Cornhuskers' top-four scorers to return from a squad that went 13-5 in the league.

The good news: The Wildcats have a shiny, renovated arena. The bad news: Their two best players, Scottie Lindsey and Bryant McIntosh, are gone from a team that followed a historic NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017 with a dismal 15-17 campaign last season. Seniors Vic Law (12 ppg) and Dererk Pardon (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg) will provide experience, but one can't help but think that Northwestern's step back last season will linger further in the wrong direction.

Shamorie Ponds (21.6 ppg, 5 rpg, 4.7 apg) is a top-10 talent, but that did not translate into success for the Red Storm through his first two seasons. This one could be different. Forward Marvin Clark II (12.5 ppg) and guard Justin Simon (12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 5.1 apg) are back. However, star Auburn transfer Mustapha Heron (16.4 ppg) could be the X-factor now that he is eligible.

The Sooners struggled the final two months of the season with star Trae Young, and things might not be any better in 2018-19. The transfers of guards Kameron McGusty to Miami and Jordan Shepherd to Charlotte won't help matters. The roster isn't necessarily thin but probably not strong enough to be better than last season's 8-10 mark in the Big 12.

The Billikens followed three consecutive losing seasons by going 17-16 in 2017-18. Not a monumental accomplishment, but it's certainly progress. Three of their top four scorers return, so there is serious reason to believe Travis Ford's program can return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013-14.

Injuries played a key part in the Mustangs missing the NCAA Tournament last season. Guard Jarrey Foster (13.2 ppg) returns from a knee injury, and Jimmy Whitt Jr. might be the most underrated player in the American Athletic Conference. After that, things get murky and it's uncertain if SMU has the talent to hang with conference favorites like UCF, Houston, Cincinnati or Temple.

An NIT appearance in 2017 followed by an NCAA Tournament spot last season has the Horned Frogs believing the progression will continue in 2018-19. The guard trio of Jaylen Fisher (12.3 ppg), Desmond Bane (12.5 ppg) and Alex Robinson (9.7 ppg, 6.1 apg) offers enough experience for TCU to be a factor in the Big 12.

Two seasons ago, the Gamecocks made an unexpected run to the Final Four, but for the second year in a row they'll just hope to make the dance, following a 17-16 campaign. Senior Chris Silva (14.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg) has all-SEC potential, but South Carolina must find a way to improve on its 39.8-percent shooting from last season.

The Knights have not played in the NCAA Tournament since 2004-05, but they might have the makeup to get back this season. Injuries plagued UCF last season after making the NIT in 2016-17, but guard B.J. Taylor (15.9 ppg) and 7-6 Tacko Fall (11.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg) are back for Johnny Dawkins' bunch. Dawkins' son Aubrey, a Michigan transfer who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury before the campaign even started, is ready to help the Knights challenge for the AAC title.

Two straight NIT appearances should be followed by a season that seems headed for a rougher finish. Top returning scorer Sedrick Barefield (12 ppg) will be asked to pick up more of the load on offense, but there is not much more proven help to complement him. Coach Larry Krystkowiak could have the Utes gelling by the end of the season, but even that doesn't seem certain.

Injuries never have allowed 6-10 Bennie Boatwright (13 ppg career) to show off his full potential, but he's back for his senior season and certainly boosts the Trojans' chances. Freshmen Kevin Porter Jr. and Elijah Weaver are among the top recruits in the nation and could provide some immediate contributions for a team looking to get back to the Big Dance after missing out last season.

Had Reid Travis (19.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg) opted not to become a graduate transfer for Kentucky, then the Cardinal might be on the positive side of this list. Instead, a likely fifth consecutive season without an NCAA Tournament appearance could be in the cards. Guard Daejon Davis and forward KZ Okpala proved to be worthy role players last season, but there's uncertainty about whether both can carry a team.

The presence of a five-star recruit is enough to get the Hilltoppers on this list. Six-foot-11 Nigerian Charles Bassey is considered one of the top 10 freshmen in the nation. He'll lead a group that returns two of its top five scorers from last season's team that finished 27-11 and reached the semifinals of the NIT.

VCU's run of seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances ended last season with an 18-15 mark. The Rams will get a boost from high-scoring Rice transfer Marcus Evans and 6-foot-10 graduate transfer Michael Gilmore, who comes over from Florida Golf Coast after beginning his career at VCU. The Atlantic 10, however, should be ultra-competitive with Davidson, Saint Louis, Saint Joseph and Rhode Island all expecting big seasons.