As the next college basketball season looms on the horizon, fans and analysts alike have turned their attention to the pool of returning standouts who might shape the upcoming landscape.
The Rankings Landscape
Michael Cohen, a veteran writer for FOX Sports, recently sparked conversation by placing Elliot Cadeau at the pinnacle of his personal rankings, a move that has been met with both surprise and skepticism, especially given his past affiliation with the University of Michigan.
The broader consensus, however, paints a different picture. Multiple reputable outlets have positioned Jeremy Fears near the summit, often citing his blend of playmaking, defensive tenacity, and projected NBA potential, with the Field of 68 X account ranking him third and the College Basketball Report even crowning him first.
While Cadeau possesses undeniable talent, the author argues that his skill set does not yet merit a top‑five status among the best returning players, a view supported by several independent assessments that placed him as low as 22nd.
Fears, who will anchor Tom Izzo’s Michigan State squad as the floor general, is expected to be a marquee name in next year’s NBA Draft, further reinforcing his case as the premier returning talent, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find credible rankings that do not place him near the top.