Top 25 (And One): NBA Draft Deadline Edition
The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NBA Draft passed late Sunday.
So now we look to May 8.
That's the deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the NBA Draft (provided they maintained their amateur status). So that's when we'll finally have a really good idea of which players will be playing for which schools. But right now we have a decent idea, much better than when I published the Ridiculously Early (But Still Kind of Fun) Preseason Top 25 (and one) earlier this month. So I've taken everything we've learned from the past three weeks, considered it and made educated guesses about everything that remains undetermined. The result is the Ridiculously Early (But Still Kind of Fun) Preseason Top 25 (and one) Version 2.0. Predictably, North Carolina is No. 1.
(Several underclassmen who have declared for the NBA Draft without an agent remain undecided about whether to remain in the draft or withdraw and return to school. These rankings are based on the assumption that rankings-relevant players Ashton Gibbs (Pittsburgh), Shelvin Mack (Butler), Terrence Jones (Kentucky), Brandon Knight (Kentucky), DeAndre Liggins (Kentucky), Tristan Thompson (Texas) and Cory Joseph (Texas) will remain in the draft, and on the assumption that rankings-relevant players Laurence Bowers (Missouri), Kim English (Missouri), Terrence Jennings (Louisville), Kevin Jones (West Virginia) and Darius Morris (Michigan) will withdraw from the draft and return to school.)
| 1. North Carolina | |
 |
Coach: Roy Williams
Top veterans on projected roster: Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Kendall Marshall, Dexter Strickland, Leslie McDonald, Reggie Bullock Top newcomers on projected roster: James McAdoo, P.J. Hairston Comment: Barnes, Henson and Zeller returning makes the Tar Heels the easy pick for No. 1. |
| 2. Kentucky | |
 |
Coach: John Calipari
Top veterans on projected roster: Doron Lamb, Darius Miller Top newcomers on projected roster: Anthony Davis, Mike Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Kyle Wiltjer Comment: Even if Knight, Jones and Liggins all remain in the draft, Calipari's top-ranked recruiting class will have the Wildcats as talented as anybody (except UNC). |
| 3. Syracuse | |
 |
Coach: Jim Boeheim
Top veterans on projected roster: Kris Joseph, Scoop Jardine, Brandon Triche, Dion Waiters, C.J. Fair, James Southerland, Mookie Jones, Fab Melo, Baye Moussa Keita Top newcomers on projected roster: Rakeem Christmas, Trevor Cooney, Michael Carter-Williams Comment: Every relevant player except Rick Jackson should be back from a 27-win team. |
| 4. Ohio State | |
 |
Coach: Thad Matta
Top veterans on projected roster: Jared Sullinger, William Buford, Deshaun Thomas, Aaron Craft Top newcomers on projected roster: Amir Williams, LaQuinton Ross, Sam Thompson, Shannon Scott, Trey McDonald, Eric Ravenel Comment: Matta has been burned by one-and-done stars in the past, but this time he won with the return of Sullinger. |
| 5. Vanderbilt | |
 |
Coach: Kevin Stallings
Top veterans on projected roster: John Jenkins, Jeff Taylor, Festus Ezeli, Brad Tinsley, Lance Goulbourne, Steve Tchiengang, Rod Odom, Kyle Fuller Top newcomers on projected roster: Dai-Jon Parker, Shelby Moats, Kedren Johnson Comment: Stallings has three experienced and future pros in Jenkins, Taylor and Ezeli. |
| 6. Duke | |
 |
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Top veterans on projected roster: Mason Plumlee, Miles Plumlee, Ryan Kelly, Seth Curry, Andre Dawkins Top newcomers on projected roster: Austin Rivers, Quinn Cook, Marshall Plumlee, Michael Gbinije Comment: Rivers, Cook, Curry and Dawkins give the Blue Devils a deep and talented backcourt. |
| 7. Louisville | |
 |
Coach: Rick Pitino
Top veterans on projected roster: Kyle Kuric, Peyton Siva, Terrence Jennings, Chris Smith, Rakeem Buckles, Mike Marra, Gorgui Dieng Top newcomers on projected roster: Wayne Blackshear, Zach Price, Chane Behanan, Angel Nunez Comment: The Cards will miss Preston Knowles' shooting, but not much else. |
| 8. Memphis | |
 |
Coach: Josh Pastner
Top veterans on projected roster: Will Barton, Joe Jackson, Tarik Black, Antonio Barton, Charles Carmouche, Chris Crawford, Wesley Witherspoon, D.J. Stephens Top newcomers on projected roster: Adonis Thomas, Stan Simpson, Ferrakohn Hall Comment: The late signing of Simpson, a junior college standout, adds depth to the Tigers' frontcourt. |
| 9. Connecticut | |
 |
Coach: Jim Calhoun
Top veterans on projected roster: Jeremy Lamb, Alex Oriakhi, Shabazz Napier, Roscoe Smith, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Niels Giffey, Tyler Olander Top newcomers on projected roster: Ryan Boatright Comment: Lamb should develop into one of the Big East's brightest stars as a sophomore. |
| 10. Wisconsin | |
 |
Coach: Bo Ryan
Top veterans on projected roster: Jordan Taylor, Josh Gasser, Mike Bruesewitz, Ryan Evans Top newcomers on projected roster: Jarrod Uthoff, Traevon Jackson, Frank Kaminsky, George Marshall Comment: That Taylor/Gasser backcourt that never turned the ball over will be back for the Badgers. |
| 11. Kansas | |
 |
Coach: Bill Self
Top veterans on projected roster: Tyshawn Taylor, Thomas Robinson, Travis Releford, Jeff Withey, Elijah Johnson Top newcomers on projected roster: Ben McLemore, Naadir Tharpe, Braeden Anderson Comment: The departure of the Morris Twins gives Robinson the opportunity to prove he can be a primary big on a great team. |
| 12. Florida | |
 |
Coach: Billy Donovan
Top veterans on projected roster: Erving Walker, Kenny Boynton, Erik Murphy, Patric Young, Scottie Wilbekin Top newcomers on projected roster: Brad Beal, Mike Rosario, Walter Pitchford Comment: Walker, Boynton, Beal and Rosario give Donovan lots of backcourt options. |
| 13. Michigan | |
 |
Coach: John Beilein
Top veterans on projected roster: Tim Hardaway Jr., Jordan Morgan, Zach Novak, Stu Douglass, Evan Smotrycz, Matt Vogrich Top newcomers on projected roster: Carlton Brundidge, Trey Burke, Max Bielfeldt Comment: This ranking is based on Morris returning, although it should be noted that the Wolverines will be good regardless. |
| 14. Baylor | |
 |
Coach: Scott Drew
Top veterans on projected roster: Perry Jones, Quincy Acy, Anthony Jones, A.J. Walton, Fred Ellis, J'mison Morgan, Stargell Love Top newcomers on projected roster: Quincy Miller, Deuce Bello, Pierre Jackson Comment: Jones passing on the NBA Draft was the biggest surprise from the one-and-done candidates. |
| 15. Arizona | |
 |
Coach: Sean Miller
Top veterans on projected roster: Lamont Jones, Kyle Fogg, Solomon Hill, Kevin Parrom, Jesse Perry, Jordin Mayes, Brendon Lavender Top newcomers on projected roster: Josiah Turner, Angelo Chol, Nick Johnson, Sidiki Johnson Comment: The loss of Derrick Williams is huge, but not too big to keep the Wildcats from challenging for another Pac-10 title. |
| 16. Butler | |
 |
Coach: Brad Stevens
Top veterans on projected roster: Andrew Smith, Khyle Marshall, Ron Nored, Chase Stigall, Chrishawn Hopkins Top newcomers on projected roster: Kameron Woods, Jackson Aldridge, Roosevelt Jones, Andrew Smeathers Comment: The Bulldogs will move into the top 10 if Mack returns to school. |
| 17. Cincinnati | |
 |
Coach: Mick Cronin
Top veterans on projected roster: Yancy Gates, Dion Dixon, Sean Kilpatrick, Cashmere Wright, Justin Jackson Top newcomers on projected roster: Jermaine Sanders, Shaquille Thomas, Jeremiah Davis, Ge-Lawn Guyn, Octavious Ellis Comment: Cronin has a new contract and Cincinnati's program back on solid ground. |
| 18. Xavier | |
 |
Coach: Chris Mack
Top veterans on projected roster: Tu Holloway, Mark Lyons, Kenny Frease, Jeff Robinson, Brad Redford Top newcomers on projected roster: Dezmine Wells, Dee Davis, Jalen Reynolds, Travis Taylor, Justin Martin Comment: The return of Holloway makes the Musketeers the A-10 favorites. |
| 19. Pittsburgh | |
 |
Coach: Jamie Dixon
Top veterans on projected roster: Nasir Robinson, Travon Woodall, Dante Taylor, Talib Zanna, J.J. Moore, Lamar Patterson Top newcomers on projected roster: Khem Birch, Malcolm Gilbert, Durand Johnson, Jaylen Bond, John Johnson Comment: All indications are that Gibbs is remaining in the draft, and that's not good for the Panthers. |
| 20. Missouri | |
 |
Coach: Frank Haith
Top veterans on projected roster: Marcus Denmon, Kim English, Laurence Bowers, Phil Pressey, Matt Pressey, Ricardo Ratliffe, Michael Dixon Top newcomers on projected roster: None Comment: Haith is set up to win right away as long as English and Bowers return to school. |
| 21. Alabama | |
 |
Coach: Anthony Grant
Top veterans on projected roster: JaMychal Green, Tony Mitchell, Trevor Releford, Andrew Steele, Charles Hankerson Top newcomers on projected roster: Levi Randolph, Nick Jacobs, Moussa Gueye, Rodney Cooper Comment: The Crimson Tide should win another SEC Western Division title and make the NCAA tournament. |
| 22. Gonzaga | |
 |
Coach: Mark Few
Top veterans on projected roster: Elias Harris, Robert Sacre, Sam Dower, David Stockton, Kelly Olynyk, Demetri Goodson, Marquise Carter Top newcomers on projected roster: Gary Bell, Kevin Pangos, Ryan Spangler Comment: The Zags, just like always, will be the obvious pick in the WCC. |
| 23. Marquette | |
 |
Coach: Buzz Williams
Top veterans on projected roster: Darius Johnson-Odom, Vander Blue, Jae Crowder, Chris Otule, Junior Cadougan, Davante Gardner Top newcomers on projected roster: Todd Mayo, Derrick Wilson, Juan Anderson, Jamil Wilson Comment: Williams rejected overtures to remain at Marquette and coach another top 25 team. |
| 24. Texas A&M | |
 |
Coach: Mark Turgeon
Top veterans on projected roster: Khris Middleton, David Loubeau, Kourtney Robinson, Naji Hibbert, Dash Harris, Ray Turner Top newcomers on projected roster: Jamal Branch, Elston Turner, Jordan Green Comment: Middleton should help the Aggies make the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in five years under Turgeon. |
| 25. George Mason | |
 |
Coach: TBA
Top veterans on projected roster: Ryan Person, Luke Hancock, Andre Cornelius, Mike Morrison, Vertrail Vaughns, Johnny Williams Top newcomers on projected roster: Corey Edwards, Vaughn Gray Comment: Some coach is about to inherit the CAA favorite Jim Larranaga left behind. |
| 26. UCLA | |
 |
Coach: Ben Howland
Top veterans on projected roster: Reeves Nelson, Joshua Smith, Lazeric Jones, Jerime Anderson, Brendan Lane, Tyler Lamb Top newcomers on projected roster: Norman Powell, David Wear, Travis Wear, De'End Parker Comment: The Bruins won't be as good as they could've been, but they'll still be solid. |
