July 31st, 2023

2023-24 All-Rolls Royce Teams

There’s nothing better in the preseason than looking at the new rosters and getting a feel for what might be in store. I had to wait for the dust to settle with all the player and coach movement during the offseason. With 13 of the 18 returning players that averaged 19+ points last season transferring and six of the top eight 20-point scorers on the move as well, the roster shakeup was noticeable across the board.

I enjoy watching the progress of youngsters that move from role players to PTPers. With only four of the 19 players returning that made first, second or third-team All-America last year, it’s been a joy to dig deep and project the stars for the upcoming season. I don’t put freshmen on these teams as they haven’t played yet.

So, here’s my All-Rolls Royce teams for the season. It’s full of proven stars, some on the rise and all-around ballers.

Purdue’s Zach Edey leads my squads as one of the dominant post players last year and had the Boilermakers rolling until they got untracked in the first round by 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson. The Boilermakers will once again be the favorite to win the Big 10 and finally make a deep run in March Madness.

North Carolina got a huge boost with Armando Bacot returning for his fifth year of eligibility. As the Tar Heels’ all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, he’ll be the anchor in hoping to lead North Carolina to its glory days of deep tournament runs.

Bruce Pearl puts together solid teams annually and Johni Broome looks to lead the Auburn Tigers on a deep NCAA run after they surrendered a 10-point halftime lead in a second-round loss to Houston in the Big Dance. He’s a powerful inside player capable of averaging a double-double just like he did during his sophomore campaign.

Tyler Kolek and four other starters will be returning to Marquette for the 2023-24 season, bringing about another case of unfinished business that coincided with a second-round loss to Michigan State. The reigning Big East Player of the Year is one of the top returning guards in the country.

A Bob Cousy Award finalist last season, Boo Buie returns for his fifth season as a Wildcat after scoring the third-most points in school history last season with 588. His leadership should put the Wildcats in the Dance for a second straight season, a program first.

Here’s the ALL-ROLLS ROYCE TEAMS

First Team

Zach Edey, Purdue

Armando Bacot, North Carolina

Johni Broome, Auburn

Tyler Kolek, Marquette

Boo Buie, Northwestern

Second Team

Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

Dillon Jones, Weber State

DaRon Holmes, Dayton

Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois

Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M

Third Team

Kyle Filipowski, Duke

Adem Bona, UCLA

Tolu Smith, Mississippi State

Tyson Walker, Michigan State

Max Abmas, Texas