Way too early college hoops top 25 for 2017-18

The 2016-17 men's college basketball season is in the books with North Carolina crowned as champion. So with that, it's already time to look toward next season. The following features the way too early college hoops top 25 rankings for 2017-18.

1 of 25

1. Duke Blue Devils

Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Duke came into the 2016-17 season as the top-ranked team in the country, and that could happen again in 2017-18 despite the disappointing finish. While Duke will definitely lose blue chip freshman Jayson Tatum, and stars Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen could also decide to depart, there's plenty of talent left on the roster. They'll also add top 10 recruits Wendell Carter and Gary Trent Jr.

2 of 25

2. Arizona Wildcats

Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Losing freshman star Lauri Markkanen will hurt, but the Wildcats should have Allonzo Trier back. Star recruit DeAndre Ayton could add a lethal presence inside, while Brandon Rudolph is also high on the national rankings.

3 of 25

3. Louisville Cardinals

Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

Rick Pitino had a young team this season that didn't go as far as fans would have liked, but the majority of the lineup (including Quentin Snider, Donovan Mitchell, Deng Adel and Jaylen Johnson) is expected back. The Cardinals will also add highly touted point guard prospect Darius Perry.

4 of 25

4. Kentucky Wildcats

Nelson Chenault / USA Today Sports Images

Yes, the Wildcats will lose one-and-dones De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk and Bam Adebayo. We've seen this script before from John Calipari's Kentucky teams, and it should work out just fine. The Wildcats have arguably the best recruiting class in the country again, led by center Nick Richards, power forward P.J. Washington and point guard Quade Green. They'll be just fine.

5 of 25

5. Villanova Wildcats

Adam Hunger / USA Today Sports Images

The top team in the country for much of the year after winning the national championship last season, Villanova will lose key players Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins. However, Jalen Brunson is likely to return, and we saw improved play from Donte DiVincenzo late in the year. Jay Wright's team has staying power.

6 of 25

6. Wichita State Shockers

Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Gregg Marshall is apparently staying with the Shockers, and the team is returning basically all of its key roster from 2016-17. Wichita State went undefeated during the 2013-14, and that's not a crazy projection for next season.

7 of 25

7. West Virginia Mountaineers

Stan Szeto / USA Today Sports Images

This year's Mountaineers were arguably Bob Huggins' best but fell just short in the Sweet 16 vs. Gonzaga. The heart and soul of the team, Jevon Carter, and Esa Ahmad will return, as the team counts on the several sophomores to help.

8 of 25

8. Michigan State Spartans

Brett Rojo / USA Today Sports Images

Tom Izzo had one of his youngest rosters this season, and the Spartans showed their upside (and downside) throughout the season. Top freshman Miles Bridges isn't expected back, but the Spartans are returning most of their roster and should be helped by five-star power forward Jaren Jackson.

9 of 25

9. North Carolina Tar Heels

Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

The national champs are set to lose key three pieces from their senior class in Nate Britt, Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks, while Justin Jackson is also expected to leave for the NBA. Obviously, they won't be able to crash the glass like they did the last two years, but expectations will be high for Joel Berry, Theo Pinson, Tony Bradley and Luke Maye. They'll also add guard Jalek Felton.

10 of 25

10. Florida Gators

Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

Florida head coach Mike White proved himself with a run to the Elite Eight this year, and top scorer KeVaughn Allen should return for his junior season. Adding freshman Isaiah Stokes on the inside, the Gators should have plenty in their arsenal.

11 of 25

11. Kansas Jayhawks

Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

It won't be easy to replace Frank Mason III and Josh Jackson, but they have a lot of talent behind them. The Jayhawks will be helped on the inside by freshman Billy Preston.

12 of 25

12. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The Zags finally proved to the critics that they could go all the way (almost), and they have a chance to do it again if Nigel Williams-Goss and Zach Collins return for another season. The team will lose Przemek Karnowski and Jordan Mathews.

13 of 25

13. Saint Mary's Gaels

Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

The Gaels got a bad draw in the NCAA Tournament this year and were often overshadowed in their own conference by Gonzaga. Key players Jock Landale and Calvin Hermanson will be seniors next season, so Saint Mary's can overtake Gonzaga if the Zags have more player turnover.

14 of 25

14. UCLA Bruins

Jim Brown / USA Today Sports Images

We knew Lonzo Ball and T.J. Leaf were likely one-and-dones before the season started, and they won't be easy to replace. Neither will seniors Bryce Alford or Isaac Hamilton. The team will count on Aaron Holiday and Tim Welsh to run the show, along with the addition of star recruits Kris Wilkes and Jaylen Hands.

15 of 25

15. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports Images

Richard Pitino has built a team with staying power, returning the top four scorers from this season. The Gophers could legitimately challenge Louisville for the best Pitino-led roster in the country.

16 of 25

16. Alabama Crimson Tide

Jim Brown / USA Today Sports Images

Avery Johnson goes into his third season with a very talented team of sophomores stacked with top recruits Collin Sexton and John Petty. Getting to the NCAA Tournament will be the least of this team's expectations.

17 of 25

17. Oregon Ducks

Scott Olmos / USA Today Sports Images

The Ducks were on the cusp this year even after losing big man Chris Boucher late in the year. The team's prospects will be unclear until Dillon Brooks, Tyler Dorsey and Jordan Bell announce their intentions, but the Ducks have a strong recruiting class led by forward Troy Brown Jr.

18 of 25

18. Butler Bulldogs

Frank Victores / USA Today Sports Images

Kelan Martin should return next season, and the Bulldogs have premium forward recruits Christian David and Kyle Young joining the roster. Head coach Chris Holtmann will have plenty of toys to play with.

19 of 25

19. Northwestern Wildcats

Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

The Wildcats not only got their first NCAA Tournament appearance, but also their first win in 2017. Their three top scorers from the historic team will be returning next season, making the Wildcats a sleeper in the Big Ten.

20 of 25

20. Virginia Cavaliers

Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

While Virginia loses star senior London Perrantes, we've learned not to count out head coach Tony Bennett. The Cavaliers have consistently been one of the top defensive teams in the country in recent seasons, and that shouldn't be expected to change next season.

21 of 25

21. Virginia Tech Hokies

Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

The Hokies are losing their two top scorers but should be OK with five-star recruit Nickeil Alexander-Walker being added to the fray. Chris Clarke will be counted on as their likely top scorer.

22 of 25

22. Miami Hurricanes

Brett Rojo / USA Today Sports Images

The Canes had a rough time against Michigan State in the first round of the tournament, and they'll lose top scorer Davon Reed. However, most of the roster is returning, and Miami adds five-star guard Lonnie Walker.

23 of 25

23. Michigan Wolverines

Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

An enigmatic Wolverines team came together late in the year to make a Sweet 16 run. While Derrick Walton and Zak Irvin are gone, and Moritz Wagner and D.J. Wilson could follow, the team does have a solid recruiting class coming in led by guard Jordan Poole.

24 of 25

24. Indiana Hoosiers

Thomas J. Russo / USA Today Sports Images

How quickly can Archie Miller rebuild the Hoosiers? Remember, they are only one year removed from making the Sweet 16 and nearly made the tournament this season, so they don't have far to go. Top scorer James Blackmon Jr. is looking to go pro, but most of the key players from this year's roster remain as Miller tries to quickly make recruiting progress in the next few weeks.

25 of 25

25. Missouri Tigers

Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Coming off an eight-win season, Mizzou made a splash by hiring Cuonzo Martin and promptly attracting No. 1 overall recruit and Columbia native son Michael Porter Jr. The team also has a chance at five-star recruit Kevin Knox. The team does have some quality players returning from this year's roster, so the elite recruits wouldn't go it alone.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Orioles manager explains Craig Kimbrel's new role
Rays activate key bullpen arm from injured list
Former NBA big man sentenced to 40 months in prison
Nuggets coach got heated with Timberwolves fans
Nuggets make incredible NBA history with Game 3 win
Broncos release former Super Bowl champion WR
Steelers first-round pick has already 'apologized' to new locker mate
Giants place Gold Glove shortstop on IL
Suns to hire ex-NBA champion as new head coach
MVP Jokic, Nuggets blow out Timberwolves on road in Game 3
Panthers dominate Bruins again to take 2-1 series lead
ESPN has big plans for Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut
Angels superstar explains why he chose not to play through knee injury
Bears make big, but not surprising Caleb Williams announcement
Cardinals to sign WR who commanded extensive interest
Jayson Tatum refutes narrative that Celtics are a 'superteam'
Watch: Kyle Busch crashes in Truck Series race at Darlington
Oilers work overtime to tie Canucks at 1-1
Peyton Manning reveals Bill Belichick's role on 'ManningCast' for this season
NBA Hall of Famer questions Knicks longevity in face of high playoff workloads

Want more College Basketball news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.