Super Early College Basketball Top 25: April 5 Edition

1. North Carolina

As it stands now, only one player is leaving off a Sweet 16 team.  The Tar Heels have tantalizing talent, but they show a lot of inconsistency. If they have it put together for a whole season - watch out, because they can be a scary good team that is very experiences. Justin Jackson showed signs of stardom late in the year, and he may be a breakout candidate.  Marcus Paige is a tough, veteran guard leading the offense.  The front-court with Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks will be tough to deal with, and JP Tokoto moving on, look for Theo Pinson to take his plave.  Plus, Isaiah Hicks, Nate Britt  and Joel James are all guys that could probably be stars elsewhere.  The Heels are deep, if they all return, they are a no doubt title contender.

2. Maryland

The Terrapins return one of the most talented guards in the country with Melo Trimble. He will be the leading force and is a first-team All American type.  Jake Layman has also decided to return.  Layman is a very tough small forward, and one that can separate this team from the rest of the Big Ten. Maryland recently landed five-star center, Diamond Stone to sure up the front court.   Throw in some role players off a Sweet 16 team, and they have the makings of a very deep run ahead.

3. Virginia 

Virginia returns nearly everything from an ACC championship team. Assuming Justin Anderson does NOT leave early, the Cavaliers will be in fine shape.  Virginia has their noted issues with scoring, and it still leaves doubt about how deep they can go in the tournament, but they have a whole year to figure out that issue.  Point is, they play stiffing defense, they've won two ACC titles in a row, and all their big guns are back.  Virginia will stand just fine in a loaded ACC.

4. Kansas 

The Jayhawks will lose Kelly Oubre and likely Cliff Alexander, but beyond that everything else should be in place. Perry Ellis could leave, but if he returns he's a potential All-American candidate forward. Carlton Bragg is a five-star power forward that will make an instant impact, and the Jayhawks have a veteran backsourt led by Frank Mason and Wayne Seldon.  This team may not be flashy, but I think they have a higher ceiling than this past season's team.

5. Kentucky 

Tyler Ulis, Marcus Lee, and Alex Pothress will be the only one's returning from Calipari's platoon system. They also have role players like Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins in the fold.  So that's what they have, and here is what is coming....Isaiah Briscoe will be Calipari's new lead guard, and like many that preceded him, he is booming with talent and athleticism.  Skal Labissiere is a talented big man that will start from day one, and Charles Matthews is an athletic guard (4 star) from Chicago.  Not to mention, there are a number of unsigned five star players available.  It's just safe to assume to keep Kentucky near the top, because Calipari always has them there.

6. Iowa State

Iowa State has had a nice run lately, and I think it continues. The biggest question with them is not about a player leaving, but if Fred Hoiberg takes an NBA coaching job.  Who knows if it will happen?  They have a good nucleus with guards Monte Morris and Naz Long in the backcourt, and versatile forward George Niang. The Cyclones should be able to give Kansas a run for their money again in the Big 12.

7. Villanova

It will be a guard oriented attack once again for Jay Wright's Villanova squad. Ryan Arcidiacono is a tough, veteran guard to lead the offense. Josh Hart is a good scoring option that will assume a more go-to-guy kind of role.  Jalen Brunson is going to make a big time impact as a freshman point guard, and will share duties with the upperclassmen guards.Daniel Ochefu is a good center that can hold things together. All in all, it will be a similar team this year that finished 33-3.


8. Michigan State 

Michigan State will lose Travis Trice and Branden Dawson, but have two solid options to replace them right off the bat.  Eron Harris averaged 17 points a game for West Virginia two years ago, and will step right in and be a factor, and high-flying five star recruit, Deyonta Davis also enters the fold.  Surround those guys with three starters, most notably Denzel Valentine, and most of the bench that managed to reach the final four with Tom Izzo stirring the pot, not a whole lot to dislike about the Spartans.

9. Indiana 

Indiana struggled down the stretch, but still managed an NCAA tournament berth. The Hoosiers have a lot returning, and they seemingly have their biggest void filled already.  Indiana has three talented guards in Yogi Farrell, James Blackmon Jr,. and Robert Johnson.  Tom Crean also has a solid and athletic forward in Troy Williams, and good role guys like Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Nick Deisloft, and NOW they have the big man in the middle with highly touted freshman Thomas Bryant coming aboard.  Having good guards surrounding a big-time talented center should make for a good recipe and a nice season in Bloomington.

10. Duke 

So how do you replace four starters off a National Championship team?  Mike Krezyzewski is going to have to figure it out, but if he's calling the shots, you have to like Duke's chances. I suppose Tyus Jones isn't 100% gone, but he probably will be so Duke will have to start with Grayson Allen running the show. He had a big showing in the national title game and will look to carry that momentum over into next season. Matt Jones had a similar performance in the Elite 8, and it looks like the unsung players from this year's team will become the stars of next year. Sean Obi, a talented transfer from Rice, and five star recruits Luke Kennard (SG) and Chase Jeter (C) also join the team.  Veterans Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee are also back next year.

11. NC State

The Wolfpack made a Sweet 16 this season as an 8 seed, and nearly everything returns from that team. Obviously NC State was wildly inconsistent but they managed to win games over the likes of Duke, Villanova, Louisville, and UNC.  If they can sustain that kind of play, this is a no doubt top 15 type team.  Trevor Lacey is a big-time shooting guard and it seemed Cat Barber came into his own as a point guard late in the year. They have plenty of capable bodies up front, and if one takes a big step forward, they will be a very tough team.

12. Gonzaga

Gonzaga reached their first Elite 8 under Mark Few last season, but will lose their three starting guards.  Obviously that will be incredibly difficult to overcome, but the Zags may boast the best frontline in the country. Kyle Wiltjer is an All-American candidate, Karnowski is a force at center, and Donatas Sabonis is a budding top 5 pick in the making.  Guard play will be key, but few, if any can match their post presence.

13. Oklahoma

Oklahoma returns a talented three man backcourt from this past season's Sweet 16 run. Buddy Hield is one of the better guards in the country but could change their ranking if he does decide to leave early. Isaiah Cousins and Jordan Woodard are good running mates for Hield. Ryan Spangler is a good start up front, and the Sooners welcome a four-star junior college transfer at center named Akolda Manyang to help fill the void left by TaShawn Thomas in the post.

14. Arizona

The Cats are losing a ton from this past season's team, but Sean Miller has almost built "Kentucky West" with the way he brings in talent ready to step in and fill the void. Boston College transfer, Ryan Anderson, should be set to be a starter at power forward and should join Kaleb Tarczewski to start a tough frontcourt. Gabe York's role should grow as the team's point guard, and the trio of Justin Simon, Ray Smith, and Alllonzo Trier gives Sean Miller three 5 star recruits on the perimeter.  Yeah, they'll be just fine.

15. LSU

I'm buying into the Ben Simmons/Antonio Blakeney hype and I think the two top ten recruits will energize Baton Rouge. I get that losing Jordan Mickey and Jarrell Martin hurts a lot, but I think the new guys are going to make an impact instantly.  The Tigers have a very perimeter oriented attack, and will need to depend on Simmons and and returnee Tim Quarterman playing bigger than expected.  I think they can figure things out, and will be a threat in the SEC standings.

16. Wichita State

The Shockers will be very good again if Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet are running the show.  It will make for one of the top backcourts in the nation, and one that should lead the Shockers to another big season. Greg Marshall is still calling the shots, and he is welcoming some solid recruits as well including Kansas transfer, Conner Frankamp and top 100 recruit, Landry Shamet. Post play is always a concern for me, but they get guys to play hard and be in the right spots and the guards make it work.

17. SMU

Larry Brown returns Nic Moore and Markus Kennedy, his two leading scorers from last season's AAC's championship team.  The Mustangs have a good supporting cast, including Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye.  SMU should be the team to beat in the American once again.

18. Baylor

Baylor returns four of their top six scores, including their two leading scorers Taurean Prince and Rico Gathers.  The two forwards should help keep the Bears a factor in the Big 12 race. Lester Medford is a solid point guard, but will need to elevate his game next season. Finding some shooters will be key, but Baylor will be able to compete with the top teams in the league.

19. Syracuse

Syracuse returns all three starting guards from last season. Michael Gbinijie is a very talented wing, Trevor Cooney is an outside shooting sniper, but the key will be Kaleb Joseph taking a step forward at point guard. Tyler Roberson will be back after having a fairly solid year filling in at power forward, and veteran center DeJuan Coleman will be back after missing last year with an injury.  Pretty good start for the Orange, and then they add four top 100 recruits. Malachi Richardson is a shooting guard from New Jersey, and he is the highest rated one in the bunch.

20. Butler

The Butler Bulldogs have asserted themselves to being a pretty strong program, even with the move into the Big East.  Butler returns their three leading scorers. Kellen Dunham is a solid presence on the wing, Roosevelt Jones is a do-it-all undersized forward, and Andrew Chrabascz played tough in the interior.  The three players should keep the Bulldogs as a worth adversary to Villanova in the Big East.

21. Notre Dame

The Irish lose their two stars Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton, but with three starters back they shouldn't fall too far. Demitrius Jackson is a dynamic point guard running the show, Zach Auguste proved he is a legit force in the post, and Steve Vasturia is a good outside shooter.  All three players averaged double figures, but will need to step up considering the losses of their two stars.

22. Texas A&M

The Aggies return their top three leading scorers in Danuel House, Jalen Jones, and Alex Caruso. A&M also has steady point guard Alex Robinson who should take a big jump this season.  Elijah Thomas is a five-star post player, and he along with three four-star recruits are entering the program.  Watch out for the Aggies in 2016.

23. Miami

The Hurricanes missed out on the NCAA Tournament, but used the opportunity of the NIT to go on a bit of a run to gain some momentum into next season.  They return some talented peremiter players like Angel Rodriquez, Sheldon McClellan, and JaQuan Newton and up front the have Tonye Jekari and welcome Kamari Murphy from Oklahoma State to help solidify the power forward spot.  The Canes should be able to compete with the upper echelon of the ACC.

24. Wisconsin 

Nigel Hayes should be the focal point of the offense, and that's not a bad start.  Bo Ryan is a good coach, and he should have the Badgers playing at a high level despite all that they are losing. Bronson Koening is also back to lead the offense, and should be the team's number two scoring option. Aside from that, Wisconsin has a lot to fill in the gaps, but they always seem to find a way.

25. Cincinnati

Cincinnati kind of laid the blueprint to beat Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament, and played the top seed pretty tough for a second round game.  Most of that team is returning, and should make Cincinnati a tough team this season. The crazy thing about the Bearcats is that nobody averages double figures in scoring and they play well as a team.  Mick Cronin is also back on the sidelines, and that should make an impact as well.