2016-17 preseason top 25: College basketball looks awfully strong at the top
The goal for every elite college hoops program is to win a national championship, right?
That’s what we tried to keep in mind as we did our preseason Top 25 rankings; it’s how we approach this process every year. It’s not about being the best team in November, but in March and April.
MORE: Top 16 college programs since 2000
What squads will be playing their best when everything counts the most?
Make sense? Cool. Dig in.
Duke
Need to know: This Duke squad was already in the conversation for No. 1 before Grayson Allen, who averaged 21.6 points last year, announced he was returning to the Blue Devils this season. Now? It’s almost an embarrassment of riches in Durham.
MORE: Allen is the player college basketball fans have always wanted
Incoming freshmen Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum are elite-of-the-elite recruits, and returnees Amile Jefferson, Matt Jones and Luke Kennard all have unique skill sets that fit well into Mike Krzyzewski’s master plan.
Kentucky
Need to know: Stop us if you’ve heard one before: Kentucky enters the season relatively short on college experience but long on talent.
MORE: 10 greatest Kentucky players of all time
The talent influx is elite, even by UK standards — Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones are all top-25 recruits. Isaiah Briscoe and Derek Willis, who combined to average more than 17 points per game, head the group of returning players.
Kansas
Need to know: The Jayhawks have a rock-solid veteran backcourt of Frank Mason and Devonte’ Graham, and adding elite recruit Josh Jackson is the cherry on top.
Villanova
Need to know: Hey, remember how Villanova won the national title last year? You’ll see a lot of familiar faces wearing a Wildcats uniform again this season.
MORE: 'Nova coaches and players describe Kris Jenkins' game-winning 3
Oregon
Need to know: Dillon Brooks and Tyler Dorsey opted against the NBA. Chris Boucher and Dylan Ennis were granted extra years of eligibility. And the Ducks are in our top five.
Xavier
Need to know: Trevon Bluiett is a budding superstar, and Edmond Sumner is a stud point guard. Will this be Chris Mack’s best team at Xavier? Possibly.
North Carolina
Need to know: Losing seniors Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson will sting, but the Tar Heels return their other six top scorers, and Justin Jackson could become a star as a junior.
Wisconsin
Need to know: The Badgers have everybody back — including Nigel Hayes — and they won’t have to handle that tumultuous midseason change this time around.
Arizona
Need to know: Wildcats fans breathed a sigh of relief when Allonzo Trier decided to return to Tucson, and coach Sean Miller’s recruiting class includes three top-50 players.
MORE: Arizona's Ray Smith calls it a career after latest injury
Purdue
Need to know: Caleb Swanigan’s return to school to play in the paint with 7-2 junior Isaac Haas gives Purdue a formidable front court.
Michigan State
Need to know: It’ll be strange to watch the Spartans without Denzel Valentine, but coach Tom Izzo brings in a top-five recruiting class, headlined by Miles Bridges.
MORE: Izzo not looking forward to "brutal" November schedule
Louisville
Need to know: The Cardinals have a ton of size inside. Donovan Mitchell could be a star, grad transfer Tony Hicks is a reliable scorer and recruit V.J. King is a stud.
MORE: Louisville's sophomores could sneak up NBA Draft boards
Indiana
Need to know: OG Anunoby looked like an on-the-verge-of-greatness guy last year, and Thomas Bryant is a star in the post. Replacing legend Yogi Ferrell at the point won’t be easy.
Gonzaga
Need to know: Lots of new faces for the Zags, but transfers Nigel Williams-Goss, Jonathan Williams III and Jordan Mathews will make the transition successful.
Virginia
Need to know: Go ahead, bet against the Cavaliers and coach Tony Bennett’s system just because they graduated a couple talented players. Dare you.
MORE: High-impact transfer Austin Nichols ready to go for UVA
Syracuse
Need to know: Tyler Lydon is going to be a matchup nightmare for opponents as a sophomore, and newbie Tyus Battle should step into a starring role quickly.
UCLA
Need to know: Truthfully, nobody knows what to expect from this group. Tons of talent — both new and returning — but the Bruins had tons of talent last year, too, and finished under .500.
Connecticut
Need to know: Coach Kevin Ollie has a couple key returning players and a nice group of incoming recruits (top-15 class by most services). That’s a good foundation.
Saint Mary’s
Need to know: The Gaels won 29 games last year and didn’t lose a single significant contributor from that roster. So, yeah, they make the top 20.
West Virginia
Need to know: Bob Huggins’ teams always win a lot of games, and this year’s edition of the Mountaineers won’t be any different.
MORE: Which school has the best college basketball-football combo?
Florida State
Need to know: Dwayne Bacon’s decision to return to FSU instead of turning pro was a pleasant surprise, and he teams with Xavier Rathan-Mayes to form a solid one-two scoring punch.
Oklahoma
Need to know: Yes, the Sooners lose Buddy Hield. But Jordan Woodard and Khadeem Lattin are back, and only fools bet against coach Lon Kruger fielding a top-flight team.
Miami
Need to know: With more shots available this season, Davon Reed and Ja’Quan Newton could both see big jumps in their scoring output — and the recruiting class isn’t too shabby either.
Virginia Tech
Need to know: The Hokies won 11 games in Buzz Williams’ first year and jumped to 20 last season. Now, they have pretty much everybody back and could take another big step forward.
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San Diego State
Need to know: You know the Aztecs will defend, and coach Steve Fisher has a talented group of transfers ready to step in after practicing with the program last year.