{"id":700810,"date":"2026-04-06T04:30:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T04:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/700810\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T04:30:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T04:30:43","slug":"seth-davis-never-too-early-preseason-top-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/700810\/","title":{"rendered":"Seth Davis’ Never-Too-Early Preseason Top 25"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the time being, my goal is to take out the guesswork and establish some protocols. I am not looking to anticipate what might happen or probably will happen. My aim is to assess what we know for sure. Here are my rules of thumb:<\/p>\n

Besides seniors who have exhausted their eligibility, I am including among the departed players those who are projected by Hoops HQ NBA Draft expert Jonathan Wasserman to be a first- or second-round pick.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If a player has eligibility left and has not declared his intentions to transfer or enter the draft, he is listed among the program\u2019s returnees.<\/p>\n

I did not try to project what certain programs will do based on their coach or NIL\/revenue budget. Those teams will rise in the rankings as they add players from the portal.<\/p>\n

Moving forward, players who declare themselves eligible for the draft but are not projected by Wasserman to be selected will be listed as returnees unless they have announced their intentions to stay in the draft. As we get closer to draft day, I will allow for my intel to move certain players to the departures list.<\/p>\n

For recruiting rankings, I am using the 247Sports Composite, both for where the school\u2019s class ranks as a group as well as the rankings for the individual players. Those ranks are in parentheses below.<\/p>\n

Here, then, is the (correct) order of the Top 25 teams in men\u2019s college basketball heading into next season. As things change, things will change.<\/p>\n

MICHIGAN STATE<\/p>\n

Losing: Jaxon Kohler, Trey Fort, Carson Cooper, Denham Wojcik<\/p>\n

Retaining: Jeremy Fears, Kur Teng, Coen Carr, Cam Ward, Jordan Scott, Divine Ugochukwu, Jesse McCulloch, Kaleb Glenn<\/p>\n

Incoming (3): Ethan Taylor (28), Jasiah Jervis (33), Carlos Medlock Jr. (46), Julius Avent (86)<\/p>\n

Fears could start the season as the Preseason National Player of the Year, and a little more offensive improvement from Carr could make a huge difference. Tom Izzo usually brings in freshmen who stay and develop, so this is an unusually strong class for him. Glenn transferred last year from FAU but suffered a season-ending knee injury during summer workouts.<\/p>\n

ILLINOIS<\/p>\n

Losing: Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous<\/p>\n

Retaining: David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis, Mihailo Petrovic, Brandon Lee<\/p>\n

Incoming (14): Quentin Coleman (34), Lucas Morillo (59), Ethan Brown (164), Landon Davis (243), Tony Bilic (Croatia)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s likely that some of the juniors (especially Stojakovic) will test the NBA Draft waters, but that aside, the Illini will be loaded again. Bilic, who played sparingly during three seasons as a professional in his native Croatia, arrived on campus midseason but did not play in any games. Brad Underwood has emphasized international recruiting and is zeroing in on one or more top prospects from China.<\/p>\n

DUKE<\/p>\n

Losing: Cameron Boozer, Patrick Ngongba, Isaiah Evans, Maliq Brown<\/p>\n

Retaining: Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, Nikolas Khamenia, Darren Harris<\/p>\n

Incoming (1): Cameron Williams (3), Bryson Howard (15), Maxime Meyer (84), Deron Rippey, Jr. (10)<\/p>\n

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. An elite freshman named Cameron heads the nation\u2019s top recruiting class, but the key for Jon Scheyer will be to prevent his projected returnees from leaving for the portal or the draft. Cayden Boozer might have the toughest draft decision to make, but that would be a very solid five-man core if they all come back.<\/p>\n

MICHIGAN<\/p>\n

Losing: Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson, Roddy Gayle, Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter<\/p>\n

Retaining: Elliot Cadeau, L.J. Cason, Trey McKenney<\/p>\n

Incoming (2): Brandon McCoy (14), Quinn Costello (44), Joseph Hartman (95), Malachi Brown (169), Marcus Moller (Spain), Lincoln Cosby (45)<\/p>\n

You might say Michigan had a pretty good night Saturday. Not only did the Wolverines eviscerate Arizona in the Final Four, but during halftime of that game McCoy announced his commitment. Dusty May has said he wants to have more continuity moving forward, so this team will be younger next season. McKenney could test the draft process, but Mara and Johnson are projected first-round picks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

GONZAGA<\/p>\n

Losing: Graham Ike, Tyon Grant-Foster, Jalen Warley, Adam Miller, Steele Venters, Emmanuel Innocenti<\/p>\n

Retaining: Braden Huff, Davis Fogle, Mario Saint-Supery, Braeden Smith<\/p>\n

Incoming (21): Luca Foster (39), Sam Funches (89), Jack Kayil (Germany), Parker Jefferson<\/p>\n

Huff\u2019s ability to recover from the knee injury he suffered in January is the key to Gonzaga\u2019s success in the newly reconstituted Pac-12. Fogle and Saint-Supery had up-and-down freshman campaigns but should be headed for breakout seasons as sophomores. Innocenti announced his intention to transfer on Sunday, robbing Gonzaga of a valuable Glue Guy. Jefferson is a 6-foot-10 forward from Texas who redshirted last season as a true freshman for development purposes.<\/p>\n

ARKANSAS<\/p>\n

Losing: Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile, Nick Pringle<\/p>\n

Retaining: Malique Ewin, Billy Richmond, Karter Knox, D.J. Wagner, Isaiah Sealy<\/p>\n

Incoming (7): Jordan Smith (2), J.J. Andrews (12), Abdou Toure (26)<\/p>\n

Most programs would have a hard time replacing a one-and-done talent like Acuff, but John Calipari has signed one of his signature classes. Smith and Andrews are both McDonald\u2019s All-Americans. There have been some rumblings that Knox might enter the portal, but he hasn\u2019t said so yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UCONN<\/p>\n

Losing: Braylon Mullins, Tarris Reed, Alex Karaban, Malachi Smith<\/p>\n

Retaining: Solo Ball, Silas Demary, Eric Reibe, Jayden Ross, Jaylin Stewart, Jacob Furphy, Jacob Ross<\/p>\n

Incoming (30): Colben Landrew (22), Junior County (36)<\/p>\n

Mullins is a projected first-round pick and could sneak into the lottery, so he is unlikely to return to Storrs. Reibe could be poised for a breakout sophomore season after playing understudy to Reed as a freshman. Dan Hurley is adding a couple of good freshmen who should help keep the Huskies in the chase for yet another Final Four.<\/p>\n

ALABAMA<\/p>\n

Losing: Labaron Philon, Amari Allen, Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette, Noah Williamson, Taylor Bol Bowen\u00a0<\/p>\n

Retaining: Aden Holloway, Aiden Sherrell, Jalil Bethea, London Jemison, Davion Hannah, Keitenn Bristow, Collins Onyejiaka<\/p>\n

Incoming (10): Qayden Samuels (18), Jaxon Richardson (21), Tarris Bouie (40)<\/p>\n

Wasserman projects Allen as the No. 22 overall pick, but if he doesn\u2019t play his way into the lottery, then Nate Oats will do everything he can to bring Allen back to Tuscaloosa. The other big question is Holloway, whose season ended early after he was arrested on drug charges but recently announced his intentions to return. Onyejiaka missed all but two games last season due to an irregular heartbeat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ARIZONA<\/p>\n

Losing: Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, Montiejus Krivas, Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell\u2019Orso<\/p>\n

Retaining: Ivan Kharchenkov, Dwayne Aristode, Sid Gueye, Bryce James<\/p>\n

Incoming: (29): Caleb Holt (4), Cameron Holmes (29),\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wasserman projects Krivas as the No. 29 overall pick, so he\u2019s a close call. Aristode has star written all over him. Holt is a stud but it doesn\u2019t look like Tommy Lloyd will be bringing in nearly the same number of freshmen as he did last season. His success in the portal and in international recruiting will be vital.<\/p>\n

IOWA STATE<\/p>\n

Losing: Joshua Jefferson, Dominick Nelson, Tamin Lipsey, Nate Heise, Eric Mulder, Cade Kelderman<\/p>\n

Retaining: Milan Momcilovic, Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan, Jamarion Batemon, Dominykas Pleta, Mason Williams, Xzavion Mitchell<\/p>\n

Incoming (19): Dorian Rinaldo-Komian (103), Jackson Kiss (106), Christian Wiggins (120), Yusef Gray Jr. (188)<\/p>\n

The Cyclones will probably take a step back with the departures of Lipsey and Jefferson, but Momcilovic and Toure give them a solid foundation. Williams transferred last year following two years at Eastern Washington, but he had surgery over the summer and never suited up. Mitchell only played seven games last season due to injury.<\/p>\n

KANSAS<\/p>\n

Losing: Darryn Peterson, Melvin Council, Tre White, Flory Bidunga<\/p>\n

Retaining: Bryson Tiller, Elmarko Jackson, Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, Samis Calderon<\/p>\n

Incoming (5): Taylor Kinney (13), Davion Adkins (70), Trent Perry (94), Luke Barnett (140)<\/p>\n

Bidunga has said he will enter the draft as well as the transfer portal, so there\u2019s a non-zero chance he comes back to Lawrence (for a hefty price). Kansas\u2019 rank will rise considerably if the Jayhawks land No. 1 overall recruit Tyran Stokes as many expect.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ST. JOHN\u2019S<\/p>\n

Losing: Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, Oziyah Sellers, Dillon Mitchell, Sadiku Ibine Ayo<\/p>\n

Retaining: Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Dylan Darling, Ruben Prey, Lefteris Liotopoulos, Kelvin Odih, Casper Pohto, Imran Wojijanovic<\/p>\n

Incoming: None<\/p>\n

With Mike Repole\u2019s checkbook in hand, Rick Pitino will no doubt add to this roster via the portal, but in the meantime he has a good group coming back. Perhaps another offseason of work will make Jackson the next-level point guard Pitino wanted him to be last season, but Darling and Prey seem poised to make significant improvements. Pohto is a native of Sweden who played five games before being sidelined by a hip injury. Ayo is entering the portal but could still return.<\/p>\n

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BYU<\/p>\n

Losing: A.J. Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, Keba Keita, Mihailo Boskovic<\/p>\n

Retaining: Robert Wright, Aleksej Kostic, Kenard Davis, Dominique Diomande, Khadim Mboup, Tyler Mrus, Abullah Ahmed, Brooks Bahr<\/p>\n

Incoming (15): Bruce Branch (6), Dean Rusckert (77), Abdullah Ahmed (NBA G League), Will Openshaw (NA), K.J. Perry (juco No. 2)<\/p>\n

Branch is not quite as good as Dybantsa, but he is a one-and-done talent who will make an instant impact. Wright will probably enter the NBA Draft but his height will be a major concern for scouts, which is why Wasserman projects him as undrafted. Bahr is a 6-foot-4 guard who was ranked 132nd in his high school class and will be returning from a two-year mission. Ahmed joined the team in December but did not play in any games.<\/p>\n

TENNESSEE<\/p>\n

Losing: Ja\u2019Kobi Gillespie, Nate Ament, Felix Okpara, Cade Phillips<\/p>\n

Retaining: Jaylen Carey, J.P. Estrella, DeWayne Brown, Bishop Boswell, Amari Evans, Ethan Burg, Troy Henderson<\/p>\n

Incoming (26): Ralph Scott (54), Manny Green (100), Marquis Clark (212), Tyler Lundblade (Belmont)<\/p>\n

Rick Barnes has a lot of replacing to do, and there\u2019s no Nate Ament coming this time. Phillips is entering the transfer portal, but Lundblade is one of the nation\u2019s top three-point shooters.<\/p>\n

VIRGINIA<\/p>\n

Losing: Malik Thomas, Jacari White, Dallin Hall, Ugonna Onyenso, Devin Tillis<\/p>\n

Retaining: Thijs De Ridder, Chance Mallory, Sam Lewis, Johann Grunloh, Elijah Gertrude, Martin Carrere, Silas Barksdale<\/p>\n

Incoming: None<\/p>\n

As of now, Ryan Odom does not have any high school recruits, but for the moment the Cavs are projected to return four of their top six scorers. De Ridder does not appear on Wasserman\u2019s draft board but he is a tantalizing prospect. Barksdale redshirted last season for development purposes.<\/p>\n

NORTH CAROLINA<\/p>\n

Losing: Caleb Wilson, Henry Veesaar, Seth Trimble<\/p>\n

Retaining: Luka Bogavac, Zayden High, Derek Dixon, Kyan Evans, Jarin Stevenson, Jonathan powell, Jaydon Young, James Brown, Isaiah Denis<\/p>\n

Incoming (28): Dylan Mingo (8), Maximo Adams (25)\u00a0<\/p>\n

North Carolina doesn\u2019t have a head coach yet, but whoever takes the job will have a full cupboard of talented players. Wilson is a high lottery pick but Veesaar is close enough to the second round that he could be persuaded to come back, for the right price. The two prized freshmen have thus far indicated they are prepared to stick with North Carolina pending the new coaching hire.<\/p>\n

WISCONSIN<\/p>\n

Losing: Nick Boyd, Braeden Carrington, Andrew Rohde<\/p>\n

Retaining: John Blackwell, Nolan Winter, Ausitn Rapp, Aleksas Bieliauskas, Jayden Jones, Jack Janicki, Will Garlock, Zach Kinzinger<\/p>\n

Incoming (104): Owen Foxwell (Australia), LaTrevion Fenderson (208), Jackson Ball (NA)<\/p>\n

Boyd is a big loss, but Blackwell will be one of the top bucket getters in the country. The Badgers got a commitment last week from Foxwell, who played in the NBL and will be 23 next season.<\/p>\n

OHIO STATE<\/p>\n

Losing: Bruce Thonrton, Devin Royal, Christoph Tilly, Brandon Noel, Puff Johnson, Colin White, Gabe Cupps<\/p>\n

Retaining: John Mobley, Amare Bynum, Taison Chatman, Ivan Njegovan, Josh Ojianwuna<\/p>\n

Incoming (33): Anthony Thompson (7), Alex Smith (122)<\/p>\n

It won\u2019t be easy bidding Thornton farewell, but the Buckeyes have a chance to build on their late-season momentum and climb into the top tier of the Big Ten. Royal and White are entering the portal, but Bynum has said he is coming back and has a chance to be one of the top forwards in the Big Ten. Mobley has said he is entering the NBA Draft but Wasserman projects him as undrafted. Cupps is headed for the portal. Thompson could be a program changer, but the biggest X factor \u2014\u00a0literally \u2014\u00a0is Ojianuwuna, a 6-foot-10, 270-pound center who sat out last season rehabbing an ACL injury he sustained while at Baylor.<\/p>\n

HOUSTON<\/p>\n

Losing: Kingston Flemings, Milos Uzan, Chris Cenac Jr., Joseph Tugler, Emanuel Sharp, Isiah Harwell, Ramon Walker, Kalifa Sakho<\/p>\n

Retaining: Mercy Miller, Chase McCarty, Cedric Lath, Bryce Jackson, Kordel Jefferson<\/p>\n

Incoming (29): Arafan Diane (16), Ikenna Alozie (55)<\/p>\n

Tugler is projected as the 57th pick by Wasserman, so there\u2019s a very good chance he will move to the retaining list. Harwell\u2019s decision to transfer was a disappointment, but I\u2019m banking on Kelvin Sampson\u2019s history of player development. He also has another stud coming into the program in Diane.<\/p>\n

PURDUE<\/p>\n

Losing: Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, Oscar Cluff<\/p>\n

Retaining: Omer Mayer, Daniel Jacobsen, C.J. Cox, Gicarri Harris, Jack Benter, Antoine West Jr., Raleigh Burgess\u00a0<\/p>\n

Incoming (7): Luke Ertel (41), Jacob Webber (64), Sinan Huan (83), Jemyn Sondrup (134), Rivers Knight (211), Caden Pierce (Princeton)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Matt Painter has relied on his veteran trio of Smith, Loyer and Kaufman-Renn for four years, and they will not be easily replaced. Smith\u2019s departure should give Mayer the chance to have the ball in his hands more and fulfill the potential he showed in international play last summer. West redshirted for development purposes and earned rave reviews for his work on the scout teams. Burgess is a 6-foot-11 sophomore forward who redshirted following surgery after his freshman season.<\/p>\n

NEBRASKA<\/p>\n

Losing: Rienk Mast, Jamarques Lawrence, Sam Hoiberg, Jared Garcia<\/p>\n

Retaining: Connor Essegian, Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Berke Buyuktuncel, Cale Jacobsen, Leo Curtis, Ugnius Jarusevicius<\/p>\n

Incoming (34): Collin Rice (81), Jacob Lanier (96)<\/p>\n

It will be hard for Fred Hoiberg to duplicate last season\u2019s magic, but the Huskers have some nice pieces coming back. Essegian is a sharp shooter who is returning from a season-ending ankle injury he sustained in November.\u00a0<\/p>\n

IOWA<\/p>\n

Losing: Bennett Stirtz, Tavion Banks, Brendan Hausen<\/p>\n

Retaining: Alvaro Folgueiras, Cam Manyawu, Isaia Howard, Tate Sage, Cooper Koch, Kael Combs, Trevin Jirak, Joey Matteoni<\/p>\n

Incoming (44): Ethan Harris (112), Jaidyn Coon (159)<\/p>\n

Losing Stirtz is obviously tough, but Ben McCollum does not strike me as a one-hit wonder. Folgueiras was one of the breakout stars of the NCAA Tournament, and Sage has a Stirz-like ability to score from deep.\u00a0<\/p>\n

VCU<\/p>\n

Losing: Jadrian Tracey, Barry Evans<\/p>\n

Retaining: Lazar Djokovic, Tyrell Ward, Brandon Jennings, Nyk Lewis, Michael Belle, Shmad Nowell, Keyshawn Mitchell<\/p>\n

Incoming (37): Sammy Jackson (57), Collin Ross (136)<\/p>\n

The Rams\u2019 dramatic comeback win over North Carolina was no fluke, and now they are set to return their core nucleus. Phil Martelli Jr. signed a couple of good high school players, and if he can properly augment this roster with veterans via the transfer portal, then the Rams have a real chance to be ranked heading into the season.<\/p>\n

FLORIDA<\/p>\n

Losing: Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, Xaivian Lee, Micah Handlogten, Olivier Rioux<\/p>\n

Retaining: Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown, C.J. Ingram, Alex Lloyd<\/p>\n

Incoming (144): Jones Lay (NA)<\/p>\n

Last year, Todd Golden needed the portal to replace his guards. This year, it\u2019s all about the bigs. He is going to do everything he can to convince at least one of his draft-worthy undergraduates to give it another go in Gainesville. Fland has announced he wants to return and will anchor a solid perimeter corps.<\/p>\n

VANDERBILT<\/p>\n

Losing: Duke Miles, Frankie Collins, Tyler Nickel, A.K. Okereke, Devin McGlockton, Jalen Washington<\/p>\n

Retaining: Tyler Tanner, Tyler Harris, Chandler Bing, Mike James, Jayden Leverett, George Kimble III<\/p>\n

Incoming (17): Ethan Mgbako (67), Anthony Brown (74), Jackson Sheffield (138)<\/p>\n

The big key here is Tanner, who is not on Wasserman\u2019s draft board but does appear on other mock drafts, so I expect him to test the waters. Kimble is a transfer from Eastern Kentucky who sat out last season while rehabbing a knee injury. The other big question is whether coach Mark Byington leaves for North Carolina, as many (including me) have predicted.<\/p>\n

NOTABLE OMISSIONS<\/p>\n

Texas: Sean Miller has a good recruiting class coming in, but he needs to convince Dailyn Swain to turn down the chance to be a first-round draft pick and come back to Austin.<\/p>\n

USC: The Trojans should have Rodney Rice coming off a knee injury plus a recruiting class headlined by five-star forward Christian Collins.<\/p>\n

Texas Tech: JT Toppin and Christian Anderson are almost certainly draft-bound, but Grant McCasland has a couple of good bench players who were hobbled by injuries last season after transferring.<\/p>\n

UCLA: The Bruins could move into the Top 25 if Skyy Clark wins his appeal to the NCAA to gain an additional year of eligibility.<\/p>\n

Louisville: Pat Kelsey has a lot of work to do to replace Mikel Brown Jr. and a host of other departures, but he has the resources to rebuild his roster via the portal.<\/p>\n

Kentucky: Mark Pope has a lot of players to replace, including several who have said they are entering the portal, but he has oddly failed to land a top-flight recruiting class.<\/p>\n

Villanova: The Wildcats were going to be in my Top 25, but Acaden Lewis\u2019 announcement on Sunday that he is transferring dropped them out.<\/p>\n

Missouri: Dennis Gates has lots of players to replace, but he also has arguably the best recruiting class in school history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For the time being, my goal is to take out the guesswork and establish some protocols. I am…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":700811,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,6,12],"class_list":{"0":"post-700810","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba-draft","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-nba","10":"tag-nba-draft"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116355887381712725","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=700810"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700810\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/700811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=700810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=700810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=700810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}