College basketball preseason top 25

The Cinderella story of the 2018 NCAA Tournament returns three key pieces — guard Marques Townes (11.1 points per game), leading scorer Clayton Custer (13.2 ppg) and center Cameron Krutwig (10.5 ppg, 6.1 rebounds per game) — from an improbable run to the Final Four. Don't forget Sister Jean. Favorites in the Missouri Valley, the Ramblers can no longer live under the radar but should have the collective demeanor to handle the high expectations.

The Huskies have not been to the Big Dance since 2011, but they bring back a load of talent  from last season's group that won 21 games and earned an NIT bid under first-year coach Mike Hopkins. Jaylen Nowell (16 ppg) and Noah Dickerson (15.5 ppg) provide a potent one-two scoring punch, while guard Matisse Thybulle could be one of the best defenders in the country.

Clemson will try to build on a Sweet 16 appearance from last season. Whether that means topping 2017-18's 25 wins remains to be seen. The ACC might be its strongest in a while, but the Tigers should have the confidence to be a factor in the league. Guard Marcquise Reed (15.8 ppg) might be the most underrated player in the conference. 

Guard Carsen Edwards is a preseason All-American after he averaged 18.5 points and shot 45.8 percent as a sophomore for a team that reached the regional semifinals last season. Edwards, however, doesn't have the talented supporting cast that was around the past two seasons. He'll be asked to carry the Boilermakers, at least early on, which could prove a healthy challenge.

The Horned Frogs have won 45 games over the last two campaigns and believe that progress will continue this season. TCU's strength should be in the backcourt, where Jaylen Fisher (12.3 ppg, 5.4 assists per game) and Desmond Bane (12.5 ppg) could be as good as any guard tandem in the Big 12.

Coach Steve Alford still might be on the hot seat, but he's got a strong enough roster to cool things off. A First Four team last season, the Bruins lost guard Aaron Holiday to the NBA, but Kris Wilkes (13.7 ppg) will look to build on a strong freshman campaign. The 7-foot-2 Moses Brown is the shining star of UCLA's freshman class and will be expected to make an impact right away. 

It's been 10 seasons since the Bulldogs last made an NCAA Tournament appearance, but following a 25-win effort and run to the NIT semifinals last season, that drought should end. Coach Ben Howland returns a good chunk of talent from that team, led by guard Quinndary Weatherspoon, who has averaged 14.3 points over his previous three seasons in Starkville.

Maybe no coach in the country gets his players to work better within the confines of a system than John Beilein. There are no real stars or standout names on the Wolverines roster, but belief always remains. Charles Matthews (13 ppg, 5.5 rpg) was a big reason Michigan made its run to the national championship game a year ago. He's back to lead a team that should be in the mix for a Big Ten championship.

The Seminoles, who made a surprise run to the regional finals last season, will be short-handed to begin the season with leading scorer Phil Cofer (12.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg)  out indefinitely because of a foot injury . Terance Mann (12.6 ppg) and sophomore M.J. Walker, however, both seem capable of holding down the fort until Cofer is ready.

Following back-to-back first-round NCAA Tournament exits, the Hokies seem poised to take the next step. Virginia Tech beat Duke, North Carolina and Virginia last season but also lost to Louisville at home and Miami twice. Justin Robinson (14.0 ppg, 5.6 apg) can hang with any of the top guards in the conference.

Oregon's run of five straight NCAA Tournament appearances ended last season, but it certainly has the talent to return to the Big Dance in 2019. Leading scorer Payton Pritchard (14.5 ppg, 4.8 apg) returns, but all eyes will be on 7-3 Bol Bol . The son of late NBA big man Manute Bol leads a stellar freshman class for the Ducks.

Tyus Battle's return after testing the NBA draft waters is the reason the Orange have high expectations this season. Though Battle can be a little choosier in his shot selection, his 19.2-point average is welcomed back with open arms. There is also some solid talent surrounding Battle, giving Syracuse a legitimate chance of being a factor within the stacked ACC.

The smothering backcourt duo of Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles Jr. are gone, but the Mountaineers boast perhaps the most physical front line in the country. Sagaba Konate was third in the nation, averaging 3.2 blocks last season. Forwards Esa Ahmad (10.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Lamont West should be ready to take the next step in their respective progression.

The SEC regular-season co-champs might not be as potent to begin the season because of injuries and ineligibility, but when the Tigers are at full force they should challenge for the league title once again. Guard Jared Harper (13.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg) remains the heart and soul of coach Bruce Pearl's group. 

The Wildcats made a surprise run to the regional finals last season and have their sights set on potentially going further in 2018-19. First things first: ending rival Kansas' dominance in the Big 12. Forward Dean Wade (16.2 ppg) and guard Barry Brown Jr. (15.9) will be the keys to how far K-State can go.

The defending regular-season Big Ten champions return the most talent of any team in the league, beginning with guard Cassius Winston (12.6 ppg, 6.9 apg). Meanwhile, forward Nick Ward (12.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg) has the potential to become one of the elite performers in the conference. The Spartans will be tested right off the bat against Kansas in Indianapolis.

The reigning national champions lost a good amount of talent, but there is still quality that returns. Eric Paschall (10.6) and Phil Booth (10 ppg) both seem more than capable of leading this team to a Big East crown and perhaps beyond. Freshman point guard Jahvon Quinerly from New Jersey is an elite performer.

Following seasons of 28 and 29 victories, Nevada is thinking bigger in 2018-19. The Wolf Pack reached the Sweet 16 a year ago thanks to the play of brothers Caleb (18.9 ppg) and Cody Martin (14 ppg) and fellow forward Jordan Caroline (17.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg). That front line will be expected to help Nevada back up its preseason hype. 

The Vols shared the SEC regular-season title with Auburn in 2018 then bowed out of the NCAA Tournament earlier than they hoped. But Tennessee returns its top six scorers, led by conference player of the year, Grant Williams (15.2 ppg, 6 rpg), and Admiral Schofield (13.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg). Those two alone should give Tennessee an opportunity to again challenge for the top spot in the league.

It will be interesting to see how All-American Luke Maye builds on a breakout junior season, when he averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. That might be too much to ask, but Maye probably does not have to be the man — not with freshman phenom Nassir Little ready to shine bright in Chapel Hill.

Time has passed, but are the Cavaliers really over losing to No. 16 seed UMBC in the NCAA Tournament? It's imperative that embarrassing defeat is behind them. Virginia expects to challenge Duke and North Carolina in the ACC, with deep threat Kyle Guy (14.1 ppg), Ty Jerome (10.6 ppg, 3.9 apg) and De'Andre Hunter there to lead the way.

This might be the most complete team in the country. Forwards Killian Tillie (12.9 ppg) and Rui Hachimura (11.6 ppg) return up front, and Josh Perkins (12.3 ppg, 5.3 apg) will anchor the backcourt again. Add North Dakota graduate transfer, Geno Crandall (16.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.3 apg), and Brandon Clarke, who averaged 17.3 points and 8.7 boards for San Jose State in 2016-17, and the Zags have a roster built to make a national title run.

Shocking, but the Blue Devils boast the top recruiting class in the country. R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish are not just regarded as three of the top freshmen in the nation, but also are among the best players overall. Before breaking for the NBA, that trio will be tasked with trying to lead Duke back to the Final Four for the first time since 2015. 

Sure, the Wildcats have another stellar crop of freshmen, but experience could be the reason they'll be a serious national championship contender. Sophomore forward PJ Washington appears set for a breakout season, while Stanford graduate transfer Reid Travis (19.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg) might be the X-factor who puts Kentucky over the top. 

That 2008 national title seems like forever ago. The Jayhawks reached the Final Four last season and have the talent to perhaps take the next step. Physical guard Quentin Grimes tops another highly touted freshman class for coach Bill Self, and Memphis transfer Dedric Lawson (19.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg in 2016-17) provides some big-time experience and muscle that could be the difference.