It is time to go to the crystal ball, baby!
The season is right around the corner, so it is time to look at my picks by conference. Let's look at the big ones:
ACC
Team to beat
I know fans at Duke and Virginia feel differently, but the Tar Heels have experience and depth. They are familiar with one another, and Marcus Paige is healthy. Justin Jackson will be even better with a year of experience under his belt. This is an outstanding league with teams like Notre Dame, Miami, Florida State, Syracuse and Louisville lurking too. The Tar Heels will earn the crown.
Player of the year
Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia Cavaliers
I give him the nod over Paige of the Tar Heels.
American Athletic Conference
Team to beat
SMU might have been the choice, but the Mustangs are not eligible for the postseason. Coach Kevin Ollie has great depth in the backcourt, which gives the Huskies the edge over Cincinnati.
Player of the year
This will be a battle between Moore and teammate Markus Kennedy for the honor. Connecticut has a lot of talent, but it is hard to pick one player from the Huskies for the honor.
Atlantic 10
Team to beat
This is going to be a battle between Dayton, Rhode Island and Davidson. I expect great competition in this league.
Player of the year
DeAndre Bembry, Saint Joseph's Hawks
Bembry gets the nod over E.C. Matthews of Rhode Island and Jack Gibbs of Davidson.
Big East
Team to beat
Coach Jay Wright's Cats are the prohibitive favorite over Georgetown and Butler.
Player of the year
Dunn and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera of Georgetown will battle it out for the honor.
Big Ten
Team to beat
The Terps are legitimate national championship contenders. Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Purdue will not make it easy.
Player of the year
Melo Trimble, Maryland Terrapins
There is a lot of talent in this league. Indiana's Yogi Ferrell, A.J. Hammons of Purdue and Nigel Hayes of Wisconsin will challenge Trimble.
Big 12
Team to beat
This is a three-team race among Kansas, Iowa State and Oklahoma. All three could be in the top 20 of the national rankings.
Player of the year
Hield and Georges Niang are the front-runners. Kansas has several candidates as well.
Missouri Valley
Team to beat
What else is new? The Shockers and Northern Iowa Panthers will duel for the title again.
Player of the year
Fred VanVleet, Wichita State Shockers
It's a toss-up between VanVleet and teammate Ron Baker.
Mountain West
Team to beat
Look for the Aztecs to duke it out with Boise State for the league's top honors.
Player of the year
Winston Shepard, San Diego State Aztecs
I was torn. This will go to Sheppard, teammate Malik Pope or Boise State's Anthony Drmic.
Pac-12
Team to beat
Can Arizona make a run after losing so much talent? Utah, Oregon and UCLA believe they will be in the running too. The Golden Bears are my favorite.
Player of the year
Gary Payton II, Oregon State Beavers
It is between Payton and Jakob Poeltl of Utah.
SEC
Team to beat
Big Blue Nation will celebrate again, but it will be more challenging. Vanderbilt, LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia will have something to say.
Player of the year
Damian Jones, Vanderbilt Commodores
I do not like to pick freshmen before they play their first game. Ben Simmons of LSU and several Kentucky players could end up in the mix. Jones is just so valuable for the Commodores.