Florida
Last season: 21-13, losing in second round of NCAA Tournament.
Nickname: Gators.
Coach: Mike White.
Conference: SEC.
Who's gone: Point guard Chris Chiozza, swingman Egor Koulechov, center John Egbunu.
Who's back: Guard Jalen Hudson entered the NBA draft but failed to get an invite to the combine, so he returned for his senior season. Hudson averaged a team-high 15.5 points last year and gives the Gators a proven scorer to play alongside shooting guard KeVaughn Allen and highly touted freshman point guard Andrew Nembhard. Forwards Keith Stone and Kevarrius Hayes get some much-needed help in the frontcourt with the return of Chase Johnson (concussion) and Isaiah Stokes (knee).
Who's new: Nembhard is expected to be one of the top freshmen in the conference, maybe even the country. A 6-foot-5 Canadian who attended high school in nearby Orlando, Nembhard led his country to a silver medal in the FIBA U18 Americas. White calls him the best passer he's ever coached, saying "that is his gift." Forward Keyontae Johnson and guard Noah Locke will be role players as freshmen.
The Skinny: The Gators faltered in February, limped into the tournament and failed to get past the opening weekend. Still, back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances are notable progress for White, who's entering his fourth season at Florida. Team needs to be better at home after dropping five of 17 games in the O'Connell Center in 2017-18.
Expectations: Anything short of another NCAA Tournament berth would be a disappointment in White's fourth season. They have enough talent, experience and depth to make a lengthy postseason run, especially if Nembhard is as good as advertised.
