We are still months away from the 2020-2021 college basketball season. Nevertheless, if you are like me, you are already looking ahead to November. The off-season has changed and set the landscape up to preview the best programs this year. The mighty don’t seem to be as good. And the weak, have regrouped and strengthened their rosters. Obviously the NBA Draft, pro, and transfer portal decisions will continue to influence programs’ rosters. With that said, here is a Way-too-Early Top 25 Rankings and a Way-too-Early Bracketology.
Way-too-Early Top 25 Rankings
1. Gonzaga
- Departing Player(s): Admon Gilder, Ryan Wooldridge, Killian Tillie
- Returning Player(s): Martynas Arlauskas, Drew Timme, Anton Watson, Pavel Zakharov
- Weighing Options: Joel Ayayi, Corey Kispert, Filip Petrusev, Jalen Suggs
- New Addition(s): Oumar Ballo, Aaron Cook, Dominick Harris, Julian Strawther
- Projected Starters: Jalen Suggs, Joel Ayayi, Corey Kispert, Drew Timme, and Filip Petrusev
2. Villanova
- Departing Player(s): None
- Returning Player(s): Bryan Antoine, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Collin Gillespie, Justin Moore, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Brandon Slater, and Cole Swider
- Weighing Options: Saddiq Bey
- New Addition(s): Caleb Daniels and Eric Dixon
- Projected Starters: Collin Gillespie, Justin Moore, Bryan Antoine, Jermaine Samuels, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
3. Baylor
- Departing Player(s): Devonte Bandoo and Freddie Gillespie
- Returning Player(s): Tristan Clark, Matthew Mayer, Davion Mitchell, Flo Thamba, Jordan Turner, and Mark Vital
- Weighing Options: Jared Butler and MaCio Teague
- New Addition(s): L.J. Cryer, Dain Dainja, Adam Flagler, Zach Loveday, and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua
- Projected Starters: Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, Davion Mitchell, Mark Vital, and Tristan Clark
4. Iowa
- Departing Player(s): Bakari Evelyn, Ryan Kreiner and Cordell Pemsl
- Returning Player(s): Jordan Bohannon, C.J. Frederick, Connor McCaffery, Jack Nunge, Joe Toussaint, and Joe Weiskamp
- Weighing Options: Luka Garza
- New Addition(s): Patrick McCaffery, Tony Perkins, and Ahron Ulis
- Projected Starters: Joe Toussaint, C.J. Frederick, Joe Weiskamp, Jack Nunge, and Luka Garza
5. Duke
- Departing Player(s): Vernon Carey Jr., Javin DeLaurier, Tre Jones, Alex O’Connell, Cassius Stanley, and Jack White
- Returning Player(s): Joey Baker, Jordan Goldwire, Matthew Hurt, and Wendell Moore
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): Jaemyn Brakefield, Henry Coleman, Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, D.J. Steward, Patrick Tape, and Mark Williams
- Projected Starters: Jeremy Roach, D.J. Steward, Wendell Moore, Jalen Johnson, and Mark Williams
6. Michigan State
- Departing Player(s): Cassius Winston
- Returning Player(s): Gabe Brown, Marcus Bingham, Malik Hall, Aaren Henry, Thomas Kithier, Foster Loyer, Julius Marble, and Rocket Watts
- Weighing Options: Joshua Langford and Xavier Tillman
- New Addition(s): Joey Hauser, A.J. Hoggard, and Madi Sissoko
- Projected Starters: Rocket Watts, Gabe Brown, Aaron Henry, Joey Hauser, and Xavier Tillman
7. Virginia
- Departing Player(s): Mamadi Diakite and Braxton Key
- Returning Player(s): Kihei Clark, Justin McCoy, Casey Morsell, Kody Stattman, and Tomas Woldetensae
- Weighing Options: Jay Huff
- New Addition(s): Reece Beekman, Sam Hauser, Carson McCorkle, and Jabri Abdur-Rahim
- Projected Starters: Kihei Clark, Casey Morsell, Tomas Woldetensae, Sam Hauser, and Jay Huff
8. Texas Tech
- Departing Player(s): Chris Clarke, T.J. Holyfield, Davide Moretti, Jahmi’us Ramsey, and Russel Tchewa
- Returning Player(s): Avery Benson, Kyler Edwards, Kevin McCullar, and Terrance Shannon Jr.
- Weighing Options: Jamarius Burton
- New Addition(s): Chibuzo Agbo, Nimari Burnett, Micah Peavy, Joel Ntambwe, Esahia Nzyiwe, and Marcus Santos-Silva
- Projected Starters: Kyler Edwards, Nimari Burnett, Terrance Shannon, Joel Ntambwe, and Marcus Santos-Silva
9. Kansas
- Departing Player(s): Udoka Azubuike, Devon Dotson, and Isaiah Moss
- Returning Player(s): Ochai Agbaji, Christian Braun, Tristan Enaruna, Marcus Garrett, DaJuan Harris, Mitch Lightfoot, David McCormack, Silvio De Sousa, and Jalen Wilson
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): Tyon Grant-Foster, Latrell Jossell, Gethro Muscadin, and Bryce Thompson
- Projected Starters: Marcus Garrett, Bryce Thompson, Ochai Agbaji, Tristan Enaruna, and David McCormack
10. Wisconsin
- Departing Player(s): Brevin Pritzl
- Returning Player(s): Trevor Anderson, Brad Davison, Aleem Ford, Micah Potter, Nate Reuvers, D’Mitrik Trice, and Tyler Wahl
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): Lorne Bowman, Ben Carlson, Steve Crowl, Johnny Davis and Jordan Davis
- Projected Starters: D’Mitrik Trice, Brad Davison, Aleem Ford, Nate Reuvers, and Micah Potter
11. North Carolina
- Departing Player(s): Cole Anthony, Jeremiah Francis, and Brandon Robinson
- Returning Player(s): Armando Bacot, Leaky Black, Garrison Brooks, Anthony Harris, and Andrew Platek
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): R.J. Davis, Walker Kessler, Puff Johnson, Caleb Love, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Kerwin Walton
- Projected Starters: Caleb Love, Anthony Harris, Leaky Black, Armando Bacot, and Garrison Brooks
12. Illinois
- Departing Player(s): Andres Feliz, Alan Griffin, Tevian Jones and Kipper Nichols
- Returning Player(s): Giorgi Bezhanishvili, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Trent Frazier, Jacob Grandison, Jermain Hamlin, Austin Hutcherson, and Da’Monte Williams
- Weighing Options: Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu
- New Addition(s): Andre Curbelo, Coleman Hawkins, and Adam Miller
- Projected Starters: Ayo Dosunmu, Trent Frazier, Adam Miller, Da’Monte Williams, and Kofi Cockburn
13. Tennessee
- Departing Player(s): Jordan Bowden and Lamonte Turner
- Returning Player(s): John Fulkerson, Josiah Jordan-James, Olivier Nkamhoua, and Santiago Vescovi
- Weighing Options: Yves Pons
- New Addition(s): E.J. Anosike, Victor Bailey, Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer, and Corey Walker
- Projected Starters: Santiago Vescovi, Josiah Jordan-James, Keon Johnson, Yves Pons, and John Fulkerson
14. Florida State
- Departing Player(s): Trent Forrest, Dominik Olejniczak, Devin Vassell, and Patrick Williams
- Returning Player(s): Raiquan Gray, Balsa Koprivica, Nathanael Jack, Malik Osborne, Anthony Polite, M.J. Walker, and Wyatt Wilkes
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): Scottie Barnes and Sardaar Calhoun
- Projected Starters: Anthony Polite, M.J. Walker, Scottie Barnes, Raiquan Gray, and Balsa Koprivica
15. Houston
- Departing Player(s): Chris Harris and Nate Hinton
- Returning Player(s): Cedrick Alley, Justin Forham, Quentin Grimes, Caleb Mills, Marcus Sasser, and Fabian White
- Weighing Options: DeJon Jarreau
- New Addition(s): Kiyron Powell, Tramon Mark, and Jamal Shead
- Projected Starters: Marcus Sasser, Caleb Mills, Quentin Grimes, Brison Gresham, and Fabian White
16. Arizona State
- Departing Player(s): Rob Edwards, Mickey Mitchell, and Romello White
- Returning Player(s): Taeshon Cherry, Jalen Graham, Jaelen House, Kimani Lawrence, and Khalid Thomas
- Weighing Options: Remy Martin and Alonzo Verge
- New Addition(s): Marcus Bagley, Josh Christopher, and Holland Woods
- Projected Starters: Remy Martin, Alonzo Verge, Josh Christopher, Taeshon Cherry, and Jalen Graham
17. Creighton
- Departing Player(s): Ty-Shon Alexander, Kelvin Jones and Davion Mintz
- Returning Player(s): Mitchell Ballock, Christian Bishop, and Jacob Epperson
- Weighing Options: Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney
- New Addition(s): Ryan Kalkbrenner and Antwaan Jones
- Projected Starters: Marcus Zegarowski, Mitchell Ballock, Damien Jefferson, Denzel Mahoney, and Christian Bishop
18. West Virginia
- Departing Player(s): Jermaine Haley and Chase Harler
- Returning Player(s): Jalen Bridges, Derek Culver, Emmitt Matthews, Miles McBride, Sean McNeil, Gabe Osabuohien, and Oscar Tshiebwe
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): Isaiah Cottrell, Kedrian Johnson, and Taj Thweatt
- Projected Starters: Miles McBride, Kedrian Johnson, Emmitt Matthews, Derek Culver, and Oscar Tshiebwe
19. Kentucky
- Departing Player(s): Ashton Hagans, Johnny Juzang, Tyrese Maxey, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards, Nate Sestina
- Returning Player(s): Dontaie Allen and Keion Brooks
- Weighing Options: E.J. Montgomery and Olivier Sarr
- New Addition(s): Devin Askew, B.J. Boston, Terrence Clarke, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Isaiah Jackson, Davion Mintz, and Lance Ware
- Projected Starters: Devin Askew, Terrence Clarke, B.J. Boston, Keion Brooks, and Isaiah Jackson
20. Rutgers
- Departing Player(s): Shaq Carter and Akwasi Yeboah
- Returning Player(s): Geo Baker, Mamadou Doucoure, Ron Harper, Myles Johnson, Montez Mathis, Caleb McConnell, Paul Mulcahy, and Jacob Young
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): Mawot Mag, Cliff Omoruyi, Oskar Palmquist, and Dean Reiber
- Projected Starters: Geo Baker, Montez Mathis, Caleb McConnell, Ron Harper Jr., and Myles Johnson
21. Stanford
- Departing Player(s): None
- Returning Player(s): Daejon Davis, Jaiden Delaire, James Keefe, Lukas Kisunas, Spencer Jones, and Bryce Wills
- Weighing Options: Oscar da Silva and Tyrell Terry
- New Addition(s): Brandon Angel, Max Murrell, Noah Taitz, and Ziaire Williams
- Projected Starters: Tyrell Terry, Daejon Davis, Bryce Wills, Ziaire Williams, and Oscar da Silva
22. Michigan
- Departing Player(s): Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske
- Returning Player(s): Eli Brooks, Brandon Johns, and Adrian Nunez
- Weighing Options: Chaundee Brown, Nojel Eastern, and Isaiah Livers
- New Addition(s): Hunter Dickinson, Jace Howard, Zeb Jackson, Mike Smith, and Terrance Williams
- Projected Starters: Mike Smith, Eli Brooks, Isaiah Livers, Franz Wagner, and Hunter Dickinson
23. UCLA
- Departing Player(s): Prince Ali and Alex Olesinski
- Returning Player(s): Jules Bernard, Tyger Campbell, Jalen Hill, Jaime Jaquez, Jake Kyman, Cody Riley, David Singleton, and Chris Smith
- Weighing Options: Johnny Juzang
- New Addition(s): Jaylen Clark and Daishen Nix
- Projected Starters: Tyger Campbell, David Singleton, Chris Smith, Jaime Jaquez, and Jalen Hill
24. Indiana
- Departing Player(s): De’Ron Davis, Devonte Green, and Justin Smith
- Returning Player(s): Joey Brunk, Al Durham, Jerome Hunter, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Rob Phinisee, and Race Thompson
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): Trey Galloway, Jordan Geronimo, Khristian Lander, and Anthony Leal
- Projected Starters: Khristian Lander, Rob Phinisee, Al Durham, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Joey Brunk
25. Louisville
- Departing Player(s): Steve Enoch, Fresh Kimble, Ryan McMahon, Jordan Nwora, Darius Perry, and Dwayne Sutton
- Returning Player(s): Aidan Ighiehon, David Johnson, Josh Nickelberry, Malik Williams, Samuell Williamson, and Jaelyn Withers
- Weighing Options: None
- New Addition(s): D’Andre Davis, Carlik Jones, Charles Minlend, and J.J. Traynor
- Projected Starters: Carlik Jones, David Johnson, Charles Minlend, Samuell Williamson, and Malik Williams
Just Missed The Cut:
- 26. Texas
- 27. Ohio State
- 28. UCONN
- 29. Richmond
- 30. Oregon
Way-too-Early Bracketology (05-27-20)
TOURNEY SEEDS
| #1 Seeds | #2 Seeds |
|---|---|
| Gonzaga | Duke |
| Villanova | Michigan State |
| Baylor | Virginia |
| Iowa | Texas Tech |
| #3 Seeds | #4 Seeds |
| Kansas | Illinois |
| Wisconsin | Florida State |
| North Carolina | Houston |
| Tennessee | Arizona State |
| #5 Seeds | #6 Seeds |
| Creighton | Stanford |
| West Virginia | Michigan |
| Kentucky | UCLA |
| Rutgers | Indiana |
| #7 Seeds | #8 Seeds |
| Louisville | Richmond |
| Texas | Oregon |
| Ohio State | LSU |
| UCONN | Florida |
| #9 Seeds | #10 Seeds |
| Arkansas | Miami |
| Maryland | Oklahoma |
| Oklahoma State | Alabama |
| USC | Arizona |
| #11 Seeds | #12 Seeds |
| Marquette | Furman |
| Saint Louis/Clemson | Vermont |
| San Diego State | Loyola Chicago |
| Syracuse/Penn State | Western Kentucky |
| #13 Seeds | #14 Seeds |
| Georgia State | New Mexico State |
| Yale | Wright State |
| South Dakota State | Winthrop |
| Belmont | Buffalo |
| #15 Seeds | #16 Seeds |
| Montana | Colgate |
| Delaware | Robert Morris/Southern |
| UC Irvine | Abilene Christian |
| Siena | Norfolk State/Liberty |
For more College basketball updates, follow me @asethi03.
