Flip the script

Thursday was the two-year anniversary of this obviously significant “alliance” with the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12. While we’re waiting on what happens with the latest chapter of realignment, here’s what else is going on.

1. Flips don’t lie

Duke big man Kyle Filipowski commanded quite a bit of attention this summer. He elected to return to Durham for his sophomore season — a bit of a surprise — and he had surgery on both hips.

How’s he feeling? And what are his thoughts on the Devils this season? He spoke on that and more with Jeff Goodman.

About the hips:

Filipowski said they’ve been an issue since high school. Kudos to him for coping with them and playing at a high level. But it was just time to deal with them; otherwise, they would’ve been a long-term issue, hence the surgery.

He might’ve done it last season, which would’ve meant missing some time. That’s important because Duke was already without two other 5-star prospects managing injuries, Dereck Lively and Dariq Whitehead. Imagine how the Blue Devils would’ve fared without him.

He hopes to play 5-on-5 activities in the next month, which will put him on the timetable to play in Duke’s Nov. 6 opener. With Tyrese Proctor, Mark Mitchell and Jeremy Roach also back, this team is going to be a definite contender to win a national championship. But a couple of healthy hips will be vital to Duke’s success.

2. Saint Mary’s lands Zion Sensley

Alabama, LSU, and Arizona State all recruited 6-8 combo forward Zion Sensley. But the 2024 San Francisco product made the decision to stay on the West Coast, committing to Randy Bennett and Saint Mary’s.

The Gaels will lose forwards Alex Ducas and Mason Forbes next offseason, so there’s a clear path for Sensley to get playing time as a freshman. Pairing him and Aidan Mahaney could be a problem for the rest of the WCC.

Sensley’s the latest of recent recruiting wins for Bennett. The coach turned Saint Mary’s into a perennial NCAA Tournament team by developing under-the-radar 3-star and unranked prospects. But players such as Mahaney, Augustas Marčiulionis, and incoming guard Jordan Ross, are 4-star talents.

And now enters a top-100 caliber recruit in Sensley, potentially the next star for the Gaels.

3. Starting from the bottom

When 5-star freshman Trentyn Flowers decided to withdraw from Louisville and play in Australia, it dealt a blow to the team’s hopes of rising from the bottom of the ACC. Tough break.

But it got me thinking: Who among the 32 conferences is most likely to go from last place in the league standings to the top half of their respective conferences?

Atlantic Sun: Austin Peay

Last season: 9-22 (3-15)

Corey Gipson took Northwestern State from 9 wins to 22 wins last season and finished second in the Southland Conference. He has an even bigger challenge as the Governors’ new coach. He’ll have some familiar faces to help, though.

Several key pieces from the Demons followed Gipson, including Ja’Monta Black and Isaac Hampton, along with Southland Player of the Year and star guard, Demarcus Sharp. Look for the Governors to make a statement with this new-look roster.

Atlantic 10: Loyola-Chicago

Last season: 10-21 (4-14)

The Ramblers’ first A-10 season didn’t go as expected. This season, Loyola’s rebuilt roster should be much more competitive. The top three scorers are back, led by star forward Phillip Alston. Some quality transfers should boost the rotation, including former All-League performers, Greg Dolan and Dame Adelekun. The bottom of the A-10 might be a bit weaker than normal, making a quick jump up the standings a possibility.

Pac-12: Cal

Last season: 3-29 (2-18)

There’s nowhere to go but up for new coach Mark Madsen. He reeled in one of the top transfer classes, led by 18 ppg scoring guard Jalen Cone, as well as Fardaws Aimaq, a former WAC Player of the Year who had a rough season last year at Texas Tech. Add Keonte Kennedy and Jaylon Tyson (assuming he gets a waiver from the NCAA) and Cal should have one of the top starting lineups in the Pac-12 (RIP).

Sun Belt: Georgia State

Last season: 10-21 (3-15)

Georgia State had won at least eight league games the previous 11 seasons, making last year a big surprise. But coach Jonas Hayes has some hope entering his second year, bringing back the top three scorers (who played the entire season), including Dwon Odom and Brenden Tucker. The addition of Winthrop transfer Toneari Lane adds depth.

Summit: Omaha

Last season: 9-23 (4-14)

The Summit League has a lot of talent transfer out. The one exception happens to be Omaha. The Mavs’ top six scorers all return for another year, led by junior forwards and double-digit scorers, Frankie Fidler and Marquel Sutton. With the other teams now more vulnerable, look for coach Chris Crutchfield to get things on track in his second year.

Orange you glad the zone is gone?

Syracuse didn’t finish in the bottom of the ACC (see: Louisville), but the Orange are another candidate for a rise in the standings this season. Under new coach Red Autry, they’ll ditch the 2-3 zone. What else did Autry do to prep for this season? John Fanta and Rob Dauster discuss.

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Links while you wait for Drake’s album to come out.

• USC Andy Enfield is “hopeful” Bronny James can play this season.

• The Mountain West will make its case to Oregon State and Washington State in the next few days.

• Colgate forward Sam Thomson entered the portal as a grad transfer.

• Ex-Vanderbilt guard Adrian Samuels will join American for this season.

• Seck Zongo committed to Wagner.

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