ASU Men’s Basketball: Preseason Power Rankings

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the Arizona State Sun Devils at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 08: A Pac-12 basketball logo is displayed on the court before a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament between the Stanford Cardinal and the Arizona State Sun Devils at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 22: George King
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 22: George King /

9. Colorado Buffaloes

Head coach Tad Boyle’s eighth year in Boulder presents his biggest challenge yet: A roster that holds only four upperclassmen compared to nine freshmen and sophomores.

After seeing six players from last year’s squad graduate, including standout guard Derrick White, the Buffaloes will be looking to grow from within and find an identity that they can rely on going forward.

With White and forward Xavier Johnson graduated, all eyes will be on senior George King, the lone starter returning for Boyle after averaging 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds as a junior.

Their recruiting class is led by the hometown hero is D’Shawn Schwartz, an uber-athletic forward who showed a proficiency in high school getting to the rim and using his explosiveness to slash from the perimeter.

Although there’s excitement for the future of the program, the Buffaloes will go through a learning curve that’ll make it difficult for them to compete.