The college basketball season isn't that far off. So it's time to start looking at the important questions that will shape this season.

Though Duke is the prohibitive preseason favorite to cut down the nets come April, the Wooden Award race is a little bit like playing the lottery this season.

There is no shortage of guys in the equation -- and it’s entirely possible someone comes out of nowhere.

Let’s start with this: Of the past 10 National Player of the Year award winners, only one has averaged fewer than 18 points per game: Anthony Davis, who averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 boards and 4.7 blocks.

Seven of the 10 winners put up more than 20 points per contest. Frank Kaminsky averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds two years ago, and Trey Burke averaged 18.6 points and 6.7 assists in 2013.

So, unless you are a game-changer on the defensive end, you probably need to put up impressive scoring numbers in excess of 18 per contest to win the award.

You also almost certainly need to play for a team that is in the Top 10 -- or in the neighborhood. Nine of the past 10 award-winners were on teams ranked in the AP’s top 11 at the end of the season (Doug McDermott's Creighton squad checked in at No. 16)

We’ll start with the best returning player on the best team -- Duke’s Grayson Allen. The 6-foot-5 wing spurned a likely first-round NBA contract after a sophomore season in which he averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 boards and 3.5 assists. However, those numbers are certain to take a dip with the addition of a heralded freshman class that includes Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum, Frank Jackson and Marques Bolden. Could Allen win the honor? Sure, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he winds up averaging 16 per game this season in a balanced offensive attack.

Villanova’s Josh Hart has to be firmly in the conversation after averaging 15.5 points and 6.8 boards for the defending national champion. In fact, he could be right there with Allen as the preseason favorite.

Kentucky, per the norm, has its share of talented freshmen again -- with Bam Adebayo, Malik Monk and De'Aaron Fox -- but it’s unclear who the ‘Cats top player will be this season. Kentucky's guys could share the love and John Calipari could well have five guys in double-figures -- and a different leading scorer each game. Could Adebayo be a double-double guy? Absolutely. Monk is a prolific scorer, but it will likely be consistency that plagues him this season.

While we’re on the topic of freshmen, there are a couple more that should have a shot to compete for the Wooden Award. Kansas’ Josh Jackson could wind up averaging Andrew Wiggins-type numbers (17.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg), but the Jayhawks should have no shortage of balance with Devonte' Graham, Frank Mason III and Carlton Bragg Jr. all likely double-figure guys. Speaking of balance, that will be the case in Chapel Hill, where it’s unlikely the Tar Heels have anyone capable of competing for the award this season.

Michigan State’s Miles Bridges is Tom Izzo’s first Top 10 recruit in more than a decade and should have an opportunity with the departure of Denzel Valentine, but it’s difficult to see him putting up 18 or so per contest.

Oregon’s Dillon Brooks is recovering from a foot injury, but the versatile junior from Canada should put up impressive numbers again if he’s healthy. Brooks put up 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season, and the Ducks are the Pac-12 preseason favorites. Another veteran who will have a chance is Iowa State floor leader Monte Morris -- who should be "The Guy" for Steve Prohm now that Georges Niang is gone.

There will be others who will certainly put up gaudy numbers: Maryland’s Melo Trimble, Washington freshman point guard Markelle Fultz, Oklahoma State’s Jawun Evans, Cal’s Ivan Rabb, N.C. State’s Dennis Smith Jr. and Illinois' Malcolm Hill. But the question with each is whether their respective teams will enjoy enough success to warrant a vote at the end of the season.

Some other names that could be in the conversation: Indiana’s Thomas Bryant, Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan, Virginia’s Austin Nichols and Syracuse forward Tyler Lydon.

There’s no doubt who the top team in the country is entering the season, but the top player? We’ll have to wait and see.