College basketball rankings: Gonzaga, UCLA lead way-too-early top 25 for 2021-22 season



Trying to select a preseason top 25 in such proximity to the college basketball season ending always has seemed as challenging as flying a jet plane blindfolded. You’ve got the auto-pilot to help, but it still would be nice to have some idea where you’re going, you know?

Four of the top 30 prospects in the 2021 recruiting class still have not chosen whether they will play in college. Some of those committed likely will have to decide whether to accept lucrative offers to join the G League Ignite program. Senior players will have to decide whether to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility offered by the NCAA. Many of those currently on college rosters will enter the draft, and some will remain even if they are unlikely to be chosen. And, now, the avalanche of veteran players in the transfer portal will make choices about where to play, and many who choose new colleges are likely to be eligible to compete next autumn.

MORE: Baylor reminds Gonzaga how tough it is to win it all

All of these are unknowns. There are more variables this season than in any previous season in which we’ve projected the following year’s top teams during Final Four weekend.

So understand: This is our best projection for now, but it’s not our last.

Way too early top 25 college basketball rankings

1. Gonzaga

2020-21 finish: 31-1, NCAA runner-up

Overview: Ha, you thought they were going away! Well, some of the Zags will, but they likely still will include promising power forward Anton Watson and young big man Oumar Ballo and guard Dominick Harris. Top-10 guard prospect Hunter Sallis committed last month, and the No. 1 prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, Chet Holmgren, is expected to place his name on the roster soon. What a boost it would be, as well, if veteran Andrew Nembhard chose to stick around and serve as the primary point guard.

2. UCLA

2020-21 finish: 22-10, Final Four

Overview: Coach Mick Cronin made a point several times during the tournament that the Bruins were advancing without a senior on their roster. Does that mean everyone, or most everyone, will return for a shot at greater glory in 2022? Even if they do, there still will need to be an upgrade in frontcourt depth and perimeter shooting. One had to think this will be an even more attractive destination after what viewers saw relative to how the Bruins competed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament — and how they reacted to their elimination.

3. Purdue

2020-21 finish: 18-10, NCAA first round

Overview: If Trevion Williams chooses to play another college season, this becomes a strong national championship contender. A little more shooting wouldn’t hurt; that was what kept the Boilers from advancing in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. But Jaden Ivey is going to be a star, and there is a tremendous core of young role players.

4. West Virginia

2020-21 finish: 19-10, NCAA second round

Overview: This has a chance to be one of the most capable teams to return for Huggins in a decade (2009-10) or two (1999-2000). The most important players are All-Big 12 forward Derek Culver and scoring star Miles McBride. If they and their teammates are back, Morgantown could be hopping once again next winter. If they too add to the roster, though, it likely will be through the better side of the transfer portal.

5. Maryland

2020-21 finish: 17-14, NCAA second round

Overview: Maybe the only programs that had better months than the Terps were the squads that reached the Final Four. Maryland got commitments from two ready-made starters, guard Fatts Russell of Rhode Island and center Qudus Wahab of Georgetown. If the Terps keep the rest of their group intact, they could be a legit title contender.

6. Texas

2020-21 finish: 19-8, NCAA first round

Overview: Welcome to Texas, Chris Beard. The great expectations commence immediately, depending on how much of the roster you are able to retain. There are veterans in the backcourt and up front who could push the Longhorns into college basketball’s elite, to where NCAA Tournament achievement would be likely.

7. Villanova

2020-21 finish: 18-7, Sweet 16

Overview: The Wildcats’ continued dominance of the Big East seems unlikely to end soon. They’ve won or shared seven of the eight regular-season titles since the league was reimagined in advance of the 2013-14 season. Guard Justin Moore is positioned to be the program’s next star. Their frontcourt will need work, with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl headed to the NBA and Cole Swider transferring. Jay Wright figures to find a way.

8. Kansas

2020-21 finish: 21-9, NCAA second round

Overview: It will be an interesting mix of old and new on the Jayhawks roster. Their lone transfer to date is a former Division II star, Cam Martin of Missouri Southern. They signed two four-star forwards and a four-star point guard, which means the depth likely will be strong. But they’ll need most of the 2021 starters to return by choice to hold this position.

9. Michigan State

2020-21 finish: 15-13, NCAA First Four

Overview: The Spartans’ ability to become a fluid, functioning unit was impacted by the struggle of Rocket Watts to embrace and flourish in the role of point guard. They still had a truckload of talent, and that made the season frustrating for everyone involved. Northeastern transfer Tyson Walker could solve that problem in the way Mike Smith managed the point at Michigan.

10. Duke

2020-21 finish: 13-11, no NCAA Tournament

Overview: The most pleasant development of the Blue Devils’ season was the play of freshman big Mark Williams. So now the Devils will have five-star freshman Paolo Banchero to join the inside game, with possibly more to come. There’s a five-star wing prospect in AJ Griffin. Even with the loss of freshman guard DJ Steward, there are capable young players on the perimeter. Mike Krzyzewski will show that 2021 was an aberration.

BENDER: Baylor’s championship is a Texas-sized storybook finish

11. Michigan

2020-21 finish: 23-5, Elite Eight

12. Baylor

2020-21 finish: 28-2, NCAA champion

13. Florida State

2020-21 finish: 18-7, Sweet 16

14. Virginia Tech

2020-21 finish: 15-7, NCAA first round

15. Ohio State

2020-21 finish: 21-10, NCAA first round

16. Tennessee

2020-21 finish: 18-9, NCAA first round

17. Kentucky

2020-21 finish: 9-16, no NCAA Tournament

18. Houston

2020-21 finish: 28-4, Final Four

19. LSU

2020-21 finish: 19-10, NCAA second round

20. St. Bonaventure

2020-21 finish: 16-5, NCAA first round

21. Oregon

2020-21 finish: 21-7, Sweet 16

22. Connecticut

2020-21 finish: 15-8, NCAA first round

23. Syracuse

2020-21 finish: 18-10, Sweet 16

24. Arkansas

2020-21 finish: 25-7, Elite Eight

25. Drake

2020-21 finish: 26-5, NCAA first round





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