2014-15 very early Top 25.

Cauley-Stein

1. Kentucky - Kentucky has an array of post players that can't be possibly matched by anyone in the country. It starts with 7"0  Willie Cauley-Stein announcing his return for his junior season. Trey Lyles and Karl-Anthony Towns are both incoming five star recruits that stand at 6-10 and 6-11 respectively. Dakari Johnson (7"0) and Marcus Lee (6"9) were last year's five star post players that will be sophomores, and also the explosive Alex Poythress (6'8) is back. Obviously the guard play got a huge boost with the return of Andrew and Aaron Harrison. John Calipari is also welcoming two four star guards to the mix in Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis as well. Kentucky is 10 deep with all of them being former top 100 recruits, and unlike past years, a lot will depend on their upperclassmen, and not just the freshmen.


2. Arizona - The Cats lose two very important players off this season's team in Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson, but they return three starters and welcome another top 5 recruiting class to the mix. TJ McConnell proved to be the floor general Sean Miller has been longing for, and he will be back after a successful 2014 campaign. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is a player ready to emerge on the national scene after a solid freshman season. Kaleb Tarczewski and Brandon Ashley will be back to handle the paint. Stanley Johnson will step right in and be a star for the Wildcats. The nation's #3 recruit should make a similar impact that Aaron Gordon made last year. Sean Miller has talent, depth, and a team seemingly ready to breakthrough for his final four.

Kaminsky

3. Wisconsin - The Badgers have four returning starters off a final four team, and one that was very close to playing for a national championship. Frank Kaminsky is a versatile 7 footer that has improved three point range, and makes it tough for the opposition to defend. Sam Dekker was once a big time recruit for Bo Ryan, and started to show some flashes last season, and should be ready to take a much bigger role next year. Traevon Jackson holds this team altogether as the calm, cool point guard.  Nigel Hayes should move from 6th man to take on a role as a starter in place of Ben Brust. Hayes should give Wisconsin more athleticism and size in the starting lineup.  Bo Ryan has as good of a chance as he will ever have to win a national championship in 2015.



4. Duke - The Blue Devils will lose two very good players to the NBA early with Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood, but Coach K is bringing in three of the top 10 recruits in the country to help offset those losses. Jahlil Okafor is a beast of a Center and will give Duke a serious post presence they missed last year. Tyus Jones could be this season's Tyler Ennis, but will have to compete with senior, Quinn Cook at point guard. Rasheed Sulaimon will be in his third season of his up and down career, but the shooting guard has obvious talent. That trio gives Duke a dynamic, and talented backcourt. Amile Jefferson is a growing talent at power forward, and Justise Winslow is the third of the top recruits, and he can make an impact at a wing position. Duke had a disappointing end to their year, but it wouldn't surprise anyone to see Kryszewski make a run to a Final Four.

Cliff Alexander

5. Kansas - Bill Self loses two top tier freshmen to the one and done rule, but will welcome in two five stars to replace them.  Cliff Alexander is already garnering preseason all American hype, and should be a beast in the paint for the Jayhawks. Kelly Oubre is a lengthy 6"7 shooting guard, but certainly isn't Andrew Wiggins. He will make an immediate impact either way. Perry Ellis is the team's leading returning scorer, and should build upon a campaign in which he averaged 13 and 6. Wayne Selden Jr. will take on a larger role with Wiggins' absence. The 6"5 sophomore guard should definitely up his scoring average. Naadir Tharpe will be entering his senior season as a point guard, and is a solid floor general. KU has talent up and down the lineup, but they are really banking on Cliff Alexander having a major impact, and if he does, Kansas should be near the top of the rankings all year long.


6. North Carolina - The Tar Heels will center their team around junior guard, Marcus Paige. Paige averaged 17 points per game to lead the Tar Heels, and emerged as one of the ACC's premier players. Brice Johnson and JP Tokoto both averaged around 10 points last year, and the set of junior forwards should only get better without Leslie McDonald and James Michael McAdoo around this year. UNC will welcome a pair of five star wing players with plenty of hype. Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson both should make serious impacts and give Carolina great scoring options. The inside game presents some questions, and Roy Williams has to be hoping that big Kennedy Meeks can prove to be a viable option.


7. Villanova - Jay Wright returns four starters off a 29 win team. Darren Hilliard II had a breakout year last year, and the 6"6 wing could be the top scorer in the Big East next season. Ryan Arcidiacano and Josh Hart form a big and physical backcourt with experience. Arcidiacano will be in his third year as the starting point guard the Wildcats, and he is a big time performer in pressure situations. JayVaughn Pinkston is a typical Villanova forward that can score and bang with anyone down low. Daniel Uchefu should really settle into his own. The 6"11 junior center has a vast amount of potential, and started to tap it towards the end of last year.

Harrell

8. Louisville - Rick Pitino has a star in the paint, and a player he can ride to a final four. Montrezl Harrell announced his intentions to remain in school, and it instantly made Louisville a top ten team. Harrell is a beast in the post, and could improve upon his 14 points and 8 rebounds per game last season. The Cardinals have an experienced backcourt highlighted by Chris Jones. After transferring from a JuCo last year, he made an instant impact by averaging 10 points per contest. Wayne Blackshear is also back, and he has the experience of starting in the national championship game a few years ago. Louisville is welcoming five four star recruits with Shaqquan Aaron leading the way. Aaron could come in and get some quality minutes on the wing for Louisville.


9. Texas - Rick Barnes may have been on the hot seat going into last year, but his team showed some serious promise and they will enter this season with some realistic expectations. Texas returns all ten players from their rotation last season, and they should be able to translate that experience to success this year. Jonathan Holmes had a breakout year at power forward, and should be one of the better seniors in the country next year. Cameron Ridley is back at Center, and teaming with Holmes makes them one of the top front courts in America, not to mention they also landed the last of unsigned five star prospects with 6'11 Myles Turner. Isiah Taylor and Javan Felix are both quick small guards that have scoring capabilities.

VanVleet

10. Wichita State - The Shockers ran into a tough draw in the tournament, but they were a legitimate team and they will be again. .  Wichita State returns all three guards from last season, and they each bring some a little different to the table.Fred VanVleet is a smart point guard, and can definitely takeover a game in more ways than just scoring. Ron Baker is physical, and can do a lot of different things, and may be the team's go to scorer next year. Tekele Cotton has progressed each season, and will be a tough senior guard for this Shockers team. Losing Cleanthony Early will be tough to overcome, but Wichita will be fine in the hands of their elite guards.





11. SMU - SMU has just about everyone back from a team that finished as the runner-up in the NIT. SMU also happens to be welcoming arguably the nation's top recruit, Emmanuel Mudiay. Mudiay will profile like many other great one and done point guards like Derrick Rose and John Wall. Having that kind of presence on the court will have them at the top of the AAC pecking order.  They also return steady incumbent point guard, 5"9 Nic Moore.  It will be a dynamic backcourt to say the least. Markus Kennedy averaged 12 and 7 as a sophomore, and will be counted on to do much of the same this season.


12. Virginia - Virginia brings back four starters from a team that managed to win the ACC regular season, ACC Tournament, and earn a one seed. They are not a flashy team, but they defend better than anyone. Malcolm Brogdon emerged as a great asset as a sophomore, and will be the featured player in 2015. Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey are two physically imposing players in the post, and they are just loads to get around for opponents. Justin Anderson has the task of trying to fill in for Joe Harris, but played a big role last season. London Perrentes is a cool customer at point guard, and his presence really sets the tone for this team. BJ Stith and Isaiah Wilkins are two four star recruits coming into the fold to add to the depth for Tony Bennett.

13. Connecticut - The defending national champions will be without Shabazz Napier for the first season in seemingly forever. The keys will be handed over to Ryan Boatright, who had a big season in his own right. The quick guard for UConn produced in the same way as Napier, but on a smaller scale, but should increase his numbers as the lead player. Rodney Purvis, a transfer from NC State, should slide right into the other starting guard position. Purvis averaged 8 points a game in his freshman season for the Wolfpack, and was once a five star recruit. Omar Calhoun is still around after having a injury filled season in 2014, but is the same player that averaged 11 points as a freshman. Phillip Nolan and Amida Brimah are exciting center prospects that will continue to develop. Daniel Hamilton (6"6) is the prized recruit that will have an opportunity to contribute immediately.

14. Florida - The Gators graduate many key players from last season's team, but they have plenty returning and coming into the program. Michael Frazier II averaged 12 points a game as a shooting guard last season as a sophomore, and will be the team's number one option this year. Dorian Finney-Smith is a another junior whose role will grow this year. Kasey Hill will be the full time point guard after backing up Scottie Wilbekin.  Chris Walker may be ready to have a huge season after having to sit out most of last year with eligibility issues. Devin Robinson is a top 20 recruit coming into the program, and could be the starter at small forward from day one.

15. Iowa State - The Cyclones will once again rely on the impact of an immediately eligible transfer for success this season. Bryce DeJean-Jones averaged 13 points last season to lead UNLV, and the 6"5 guard could play a role similar to DeAndre Kane. Georges Niang is the ISU returning leading scorer after posting 16 points per game. Dustin Hogue posted 12 a game last season as a sophomore. Naz Long and Monte Morris are both back, and will be counted on to play bigger roles as guards this season. Fred Hoiberg runs a very wide open, innovative offense. The Cyclones will not be short on firepower, and are capable of being a final four team.

16. Gonzaga - The Zags always find themselves in the preseason top 25, and that's a testament to Mark Few's program. Kevin Pangos will enter his senior season as one of the top guards in America. Pangos is a great offensive threat, and makes Gonzaga a top 20 caliber team. Fellow senior, Gary Bell Jr., will join him as a retuning starter in the backcourt. The Zags found a powerful center last season that looks like he can be a great college player. Przemek Karnowski is a massive 7"1 presence that produced very well last season, and could continue to get better. The most interesting newcomer will be the son of former NBA great, Arvydas Sabonis. His son, Domantas Sabonis, will figure to make an instant impact in the post.

17. Oklahoma - The Sooners had a disappointing first round exit in the NCAA tournament last year, but throughout the season they showed enough promise to be a fixture in the top 25 this season. Oklahoma welcomes back three starting guards that averaged in double figures from last season. It starts with 6"4 junior, Buddy Hield. He poured in over 16 points a game in 2014. Isaiah Cousins is another bigger guard standing at 6"4, and scored 11 points a game last season. The point guard is also back in Jordan Woodard. He dished out 4 assists and scored 9 points a game last year as a freshman. Ryan Spangler put up 9 and 9 a game last year as a sophomore, and will be the team's top post player.

18. VCU - Traveon Graham is back for his senior season, and VCU should have another successful season. Graham is one of the more versatile players in the country, and could be a household name next season. Melvin Johnson is also back after scoring 11 a game as a sophomore. Briante Weber returns as well, to give VCU a lethal three man backcourt. JeQuan Lewis and Jordan Burgess should provide great depth as guards. VCU is welcoming three freshmen forwards and they may all need to make an impact inside.

19. Michigan State - Despite their losses,Tom Izzo will have this team playing at a high level, because he always does. Brenden Dawson will be the team's featured threat as a smart, aggressive forward. Denzel Valentine will be the team's top shooting guard, who will try to replace Gary Harris. Travis Trice will go from reserve to the lead guard for Izzo. Matt Costello and Kenny Kaminski will go from role players to counted on to make an impact in the post game. The Spartans top recruit will make an impact in perhaps a 6th man role. Lourawls Nairn is a well regarded point guard that has a very bright future.

20. Syracuse - Syracuse loses a ton from a team that was ranked number one for a good portion of the season, but they still bring back enough talent to be a top 20 team in the country. Trevor Conney is the team's leading returning scorer, and he is a very good outside shooter.  Rakeem Christmas and DeJuan Coleman are back to handle the post. Chris McCollough is a five star forward that figures to earn minutes right off the bat.  Michael Gbinije earned minutes as the season progressed, and could see more in 2015. BJ Johnson and Tyler Roberson will each get opportunities at the small forward spot. A lot of the season hinges on whether Kaleb Joseph can make a Tyler Ennis-like impact. If he can play a high level, Syracuse is underrated at 20, but if he struggles, they are definitely overrated.

21. Oregon - The Ducks have very strong guard play returning, and should be able to the top challenger to Arizona in the Pac 12. Joseph Young is an explosive 6"2 guard that is a very good outside shooting threat. Dominic Artis is back after a rough season in which he was suspended. He is a very good guard and should have a breakout junior year if he can stay in the lineup. Damyean Dotson at 6"5 is the top option out on the wing. Oregon will see the addition of a five star recruit, Jaquan Lyle, to the mix at guard. Oregon adds a pair of well regaerded junior college forwards in Michael Chandler and Dwayne Benjamin.

22. Iowa - The Hawkeyes have a lot of pieces back from an NCAA tournament team, and their depth and experience should carry this team. Aaron White is a dynamic player as a 6"9 forward. White averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds last season and is the team's most notable returnee.  Jarrod Uthoff is another versatile 6"8 forward that played significant minutes last season. Mike Gesell and Josh Ogleseby should form the Iowa backcourt. Adam Woodbury (7"1) and Gabriel Olaseni (6"10) provide great size in the interior.  Iowa has a very physically imposing team, and their size will create an advantage for them in the vast majority of their games.

23. San Diego State - The Aztecs welcome back three starters from a Sweet 16 team. Winston Shepard is an elite forward that will lead the attack for Steve Fisher. Dwayne Polee II is an athletic long wing that Fisher and this San Diego State program loves. JJ O'Brien is a 6"7 forward that can bang down low. San Diego State is also welcoming five star recruit, Malik Pope to the mix. Guard play is something the Aztecs lack due to the graduation of Xavier Thames. Aqeel Quinn figures to work his way into more playing time, and freshmen Kevin Zabo could work his way into some minutes.

24. Michigan - A lot of Michigan's potential success lies in the hands of Caris LeVert. The junior to be had a breakout season, and with his 6"6 frame, he can dominate the game in a variety of ways. Some are expecting an All American caliber performance, and with three players leaving early for the draft, the Wolverines will need it. Derrick Walton Jr. had a very solid freshman season, and he too could be on his way to a big season for Michigan. Walton looks like he can be a good three point shooter, and did an admirable job trying to fill the void left by Trey Burke. Zak Irvin is an other 6"6 shooter that fits into the John Beilen mold.  Michigan is fine on the perimeter, but the low post game is what can hold them back in 2015.

25. Pittsburgh - Jamie Dixon always has a team capable of hanging with anyone in the regular season, and 2014 should be no different. The ACC is loaded, and having arguably the sixth best team in the top 25 should say a lot about how tough the league will be. James Robinson and Cameron Wright are both back after starting every game last season as the two guards. Robinson isn't the best scoring option, but rarely turns it over. Sheldon Jeter is a 6'8 sophomore transfer from Vanderbilt that is expected to fill the void left by Lamar Patterson. Mike Young had a productive freshman year, and more will be expected of him this upcoming year.




5 Others to watch - UCLA     K-State  Harvard    Memphis    Ohio ST