College basketball experts’ predictions: Most exciting player in the country?

Do you like great people doing great things? Then this college basketball season is for you.

Thanks to NIL and no post game in the NBAan unprecedented number of stars returned to campus this yearincluding the reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tibwe, Gonzaga‘s Drew TimNorth Carolina Armando Bacot and Indiana Trace Jackson-Davis, to name just a few. But how fun is it to watch these huge people?

A panel of 17 experts is here at Athletic have picked all sorts of key pre-season questions and we’ll be running these answers daily until the 2022-23 campaign is over. Today’s question is almost entirely subjective, of course, but one that could influence your early season picks: Who will be the most exciting player in the country?

Here they are now. Entertain us.

Here’s an example of our experts’ arguments:

Caleb Love

Caleb’s love experience – and it is experience – returns after the nation was introduced to the Mercurial Guard last March. Will he make seven consecutive 3-pointers in a game or will he make 2 of 15? You never know…that’s what makes it so fun. — Brendan Marks

I don’t think there’s anything more exciting than watching love smolder and just not being able to see it gone. — Sam Vecheni

Caleb Love, with a caveat: I want a *fully updated* Caleb Love. I want Caleb Love to be equal *more* self-confident. I want to see a James Harden shimmy every now and then. Can you even imagine? — Eamon Brennan

Max Abmas

Generously listed as 6′, 174lbs, this diminutive dynamo machine is soft to the touch, green light and no conscience. Two years ago, he led the nation in scoring with 24.5 points per game, and with his help, the Golden Eagles could have reached the Elite Eight. After posting 22.8 points and 3.7 assists per game last season, Abmas (pronounced “ACE-mus,” which is so cool) is one of four returnees in Oral Roberts’ starting lineup, and if he stays healthy, he should surpass the 2,000 career mark this season. — Seth Davis

Abmas is one of the top three-level scorers in the country and can hit 30 in the blink of an eye. Abmas was fifth in points per game and fourth in three-pointers (114) with 3.7 assists per game. — Tobias Bass

The 6-foot-2 2021 NCAA Tournament star — a guy who averaged 24.5 points that season and 22.8 points last season, shooting 39.4 percent from 3-point range on 8.6 attempts per game — is back at next season. He has scored 1,818 points in three years and should increase that total significantly. Now put him back in the dance. — Kyle Tucker

Drew Tim

There are probably plenty of people who will be sick of the Zags big man’s moustache-stroking shenanigans in four years. I am not one of those people. — Brian Hamilton

Must be Drew Timm. Those vintage moves and footwork are enough to get me tuned in every time. Others probably dig “mustache and bribes”. Honorary award to Max Abmas. — CJ Moore

The footwork is enough to keep Quentin Tarantino and Laris Strong out. Celebrations keep me calm. May he stay at Gonzaga forever (and now it feels like he will). — Brian Bennett

Chic Alexander/Andre Curbela

Can I take two? OK. I’m very excited about how the Posh Alexander/Andre Curbelo tandem will work in St. John’s because it can be epic or epic. In any case, it will be interesting to see. — Dana O’Neill

Hunter Dickinson

Love him or hate him, Dickinson puts on a great show. — Austin Meek

Zack Eddy

A person is not like anyone else. In years past, he was an oddity — an unusual piece that Purdue would let loose when Matt Painter wanted. Now? He is a cornerstone, and the Boilermakers revolve around the 7-4, 300-pound behemoth. What will the numbers look like if/when Edey plays 25-30 minutes a night? — Brendan Quinn

Oscar Tibwe

A college prospect and reigning Player of the Year with a great, exciting backstory who has decided to return for another season with one of the most storied programs in the sport. — Justin Williams

Jelly Walker

A dazzling game that matches the name. — Joe Rexrod

(Our full panel of experts: Nicole Auerbach, Tobias Bass, Brian Bennett, Eamon Brennan, Seth Davis, Scott Dochterman, Brian Hamilton, Hugh Kellenberger, Brendan Marks, Austin Meek, CJ Moore, Dana O’Neill, Brendan Quinn , Joe Rexrod , Kyle Tucker, Sam Veseny and Justin Williams.)

Preliminary predictions:

A mid-major that can make March

(Photo by Caleb Love: Handout/NCAA Photo via Getty Images)