With Marvin Bagley Reclassifying It Shoots Duke To #1 In Preseason Top 25 In 2017-2018

Lots of news has happened this week in Durham as Tyus Jones younger brother Tre Jones who is the number one  ranked point guard in the country for 2018 committed to Duke Sunday. 

But more news came out of Durham  as Marvin Bagley has reclassified and will be at Duke this fall.  

The biggest news in college basketball has come in August, typically one of the quietest recruiting months of the year. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

The nation's No. 1 high school recruit  Marvin Bagley made his decision to reclassify up to the Class of 2017 on Monday, which means he will immediately be a freshman in college basketball this season. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Along with his decision to reclassify, Bagley said on SportsCenter that he will play at  Duke for Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

"I would like to thank Danny Ferry and Coach K for allowing me to wear his retired No. 35 at Duke University," Bagley said as he pulled a blue Duke jersey out of a bag on the SportsCenter set in Los Angeles. He was referring to the 1989 Naismith Award winner who played for the Blue Devils from 1985 through '89. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

The Bagley family has roots in Durham, North Carolina, as Marvin's father, Marvin Bagley Jr., was born and raised in Durham and played football at North Carolina A&T. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Bagley cited "the brotherhood" at Duke for helping sway his decision. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

"That's what Coach K preached to me and my family on my visit," Bagley said. "You know, I just had a good feeling there ever since they first offered me a scholarship in ninth grade. I've always liked Duke. It's a special place. And you have to be special to be a part of it. So I'm just blessed. I thank God every day for allowing me to see schools like that and just be in a position to go to a place like that. So I'm very thankful." according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Bagley had been contemplating this decision for a long time and began to explore immediate eligibility in recent months. He is now scheduled to graduate from Los Angeles' Sierra Canyon High School in August, after which the NCAA Eligibility Center will review his final transcript to assess whether he has met all requirements to play at the Division I level. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

"Marvin is a special kid," Bagley's father said while appearing alongside him in Los Angeles. "He's fun; you know he's great with his brother. He's a great role model. And it's an honor to say I have a son such as Marvin. He's just a special person -- outside of basketball."according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Bagley Jr. said Duke wasn't a decision he made for his son, who recently took official visits to Duke, USC, and UCLA. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

"It wasn't where I wanted him to go, it's just where Marvin felt comfortable," Bagley Jr. said. "You know, it was an extremely tough decision. Every school had everything lined up perfect. But in a case like this, you just got to go with your heart. And that's where his heart is, at Duke, in the Bull City in Durham." "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

By choosing Duke, Bagley joins a six-man freshman class that includes five ESPN top 100 prospects. The addition of Bagley coupled with the Blue Devils' returning roster instantly puts them in position to win the ACC regular-season title and makes them a legitimate Final Foul and national championship contender. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Bagley's decision was felt in Las Vegas, too, where the odds at the Westgate SuperBook for Duke winning next season's national championship improved from 7-1 to 3-1. Kentucky moved down from 7-1 to 8-1, Michigan State  moved down from 8-1 to 10-1, and Kansas and Arizona moved down from 10-1 to 12-1. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

The last time a No. 1 prospect reclassified up this late was Andre Drummond who was scheduled to enter college in 2012. He committed to Connecticut in August 2011. He finished the year at UConn, leading the team in field goal percentage, rebounding and blocked shots. He then entered the NBA draft and was selected ninth overall in 2012 by the Detroit Pistons "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Bagley recently participated in the elite Drew Summer League, where he played alongside James Harden and Chris Paul and competed against NBA talent. In the league's All-Star Game, he recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Bagley possesses undeniable talent and untapped potential in the game. Left-handed and 6-foot-11, he demonstrates extreme skill both on the interior and from the outside. He frequently recorded double-doubles and some triple-doubles. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Adding Bagley to a class that already includes scoring savant Michael Porter Junior  and physically imposing big man Deandre Ayton as well as newly reclassified No. 24 Jontay Porter  (Missouri ), makes this a group to rival last year's class that boasted historic one-and-done draft picks. "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Bagley will now be the No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2017 and Duke will boast the No. 1 class. In the past four years, Duke has landed the No. 1 class three times. Bagley is the Blue Devils' third recent No. 1 recruit, following Harry Giles  (2016) and  Jahil Okofor (2014). "according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

Prospect Zion Williamson now takes over the top spot in 2018 until the rankings are updated the week of Aug. 21." according to http://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/20345857/marvin-bagley-iii-reclassify-2017-play-duke

With Marvin Bagley's reclassifying and joining Duke in 2017-2018 It makes Duke the title favorite. Now let's take a look at the Way Too Early Top 25. "according to http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/20345155/marvin-bagley-decision-go-duke-makes-blue-devils-undisputed-team-beat

Now that Marvin Bagley III is headed to Duke, the discussion is over. Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils are the clear-cut favorites (again) to cut down the nets come April 2 in San Antonio.

We've hemmed and hawed about it all spring and summer. Who should be preseason No. 1?

Arizona was the pick in our latest way too early top 25  in May. But you could also make a strong case for Michigan State. And what about Kansas? Or Kentucky and all its newcomers?

None of that matters now. Bagley's decision on Monday night to commit to Duke and reclassify to 2017 means the race is over.

Bagley isn't just another five-star or top-10 prospect committing to Duke. He's the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2017 class, he was No. 1 in 2018, and he is the heavy favorite to be the No. 1 pick in next June's NBA Draft. Oh, and he would have been the No. 1 pick had he been eligible for this past June's NBA Draft.

In fact, one can make a legitimate case that Bagley is the best prospect to come out of high school since Anthony Davis in 2011. Coincidentally, Bagley's going to Duke and reclassifying to 2017 marks only the second time since 2007 that No. 1 prospects have gone to the same school in consecutive years, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Harry Giles was the No. 1 prospect a year ago. He spent one season at Duke before heading to the NBA. The last time prospects went back-to-back? Anthony Davis and Nerlens Noel (who also reclassified) in 2011 and 2012.

Bagley would have been enough to put USC in the conversation for preseason No. 1. The same USC team that made the NCAA tournament only via a First Four berth would've been perhaps the most talented team in the country with Bagley in the fold. He would have been enough to push a UCLA team that lost four starters into the top-10 conversation.

Duke was already in better shape than either of those teams and now the Blue Devils are a notch above Arizona, Michigan State, Kansas and any other candidate for the top spot.

Yes, this is the same thing nearly everyone said before last season. In our defense, it was impossible to foresee Krzyzewski's needing back surgery in the middle of the season or Grayson Allen's being the biggest story in college basketball for tripping opponents or a late-January locker room ban or Giles' contributing next-to-nothing for essentially the entire season due to injury or Jayson Tatum's and Marques Bolden's  starting the season injured and taking time to get acclimated.

By the time the NCAA tournament rolled around, though, Duke was one of the favorites to cut down the nets, as the Blue Devils came off an ACC Tournament title and win in 12 of their last 15 games.

Could that all happen again? Of course. But it's the preseason, and preseason rankings should come down to talent.

As far as talent goes, it's Duke, then everyone else.

It starts with Bagley. He's a supremely skilled 6-foot-11 prospect who can play any position in the frontcourt and handle the ball or make shots from the perimeter. The lefty averaged 25.5 points, 14.7 rebounds and 3.0 blocks on the Nike EYBL circuit this past spring and summer with the Phoenix Phamily AAU program. In a 20-game season, Bagley hit the 30-point mark on four occasions and the 20-rebound mark three times. He has a terrific motor but makes it look effortless at the same time.

But there's a lot more. Duke is only the second team since 2007 with four top-10 freshmen entering the program.

Trevon is the best point guard entering college basketball and a legitimate game-changer at the point of attack. The past couple years, Krzyzewski has had to use guys such as Allen and Frank Jackson at point guard -- talented offensive players but not true point guards or consistent distributors. Duval is different and will do a better job of keeping the surrounding talent happy.

Wendell Carter was the best power forward in the 2017 class before Bagley reclassified, and he gives Duke a go-to guy in the post to balance the offense. Giles' health didn't allow him to do that last year, and Amile Jefferson was never been a dominant offensive player. Carter is a double-double waiting to happen.

Duke is also welcoming the No. 1 freshman shooting guard in Gary Trent Jr. ., one of the best scorers in high school basketball the past couple seasons. He can take -- and make -- contested jumpers, and he should find plenty of space on the perimeter with Duval and Allen attacking off the bounce.

There's also the return of Allen, who was the odds-on favorite for the Wooden Award at this time a year ago. He won't have that target on his back with the other stars in the lineup, and he won't have the pressure of being the primary playmaker in the backcourt. He's only one season removed from averaging 21.6 points and shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range.

Former five-star Bolden provides potential off the bench, Jordan Tucker was one of the best 3-point shooters in the 2017 class, and Javin Dularier and Alex O' Connell can play minutes as well.

Without Bagley, there was enough on the roster for a top-five ranking in the preseason.

With Bagley, it's not even close.

The best player in college basketball will be playing for the best team in college basketball.

With Marvin Bagley coming to Duke in 2017  a new way to early preseason top 25 poll has come out and it looks like this. "according to http://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2017/08/14/2017-18-college-basketball-preseason-top-25-2/

The NCAA’s deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft for early entry candidates that have not signed with an agent came and went last night, and while a few of the decisions took us right up to the deadline, it mostly played out the way it was expected to.

Some big names returned. Some surprising names left.

Next seasons top 25 is awful uninspiring. There also isn’t anything close to a clear-cut No. 1 team, although the consensus at this point seems to be that Michigan State, Arizona, and Kansas, despite their flaws, are the three best teams in the country in some order. 

Here is the top 25:

1. Duke

• Who’s gone: Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles III, Luke Kennard, Frank Jackson
• Who do they add: Marvin Bagley III, Gary Trent Jr., Wendell Carter, Alex O’Connell, Trevon Duval, Jordan Tucker
• Projected starting lineup: Trevon Duval, Grayson Allen, Gary Trent Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter
• I totally get why people are going to push back against this, but think about it: Duke has the Class of 2017’s top power forward who doubles as the best player in the class and a potential No. 1 pick in 2017 in Bagley, 2017’s top point guard in Duval, 2017’s second-best center in Carter and a fourth five-star in Trent that some rank as 2017’s best shooting guard. All of that is before you factor in senior and former all-american Grayson Allen, who Coach K has told us is finally healthy. They’re still flawed — I’m not sold on Duval as the point guard they need — but to me they’re the best team in the country.

2. Michigan State

• Who’s gone: Eron Harris, Alvin Ellis III
• Who do they add: Jaren Jackson, Xavier Tillman
• Projected starting lineup: Cassius Winston, Josh Langford, Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson, Nick Ward
• I like this Michigan State team a lot. Nick Ward was a beast last year and Jaren Jackson is the perfect sidekick. Cassius Winston and Josh Langford will both take a step forward. The key, however, is that a potential Player of the Year in Miles Bridges opted to return to school.

3. Arizona

• Who’s gone: Lauri Markkanen, Kadeem Allen, Kobi Simmons, Chance Comanche
• Who do they add: Deandre Ayton, Emmanuel Akot*, Brandon Randolph, Ira Lee, Alex Barcello, Dylan Smith
• Projected starting lineup: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins, Deandre Ayton, Dusan Ristic
• The Wildcats add the most talented big man in the class in Deandre Ayton, as well as Emmanuel Akot and Brandon Randolph. The reason they’re a top five team, however, is the return of Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins.

4. Kansas

• Who’s gone: Frank Mason II, Josh Jackson, Landen Lucas
• Who do they add: Malik Newman, Billy Preston, Marcus Garrett, Sam Cunliffe
• Projected starting lineup: Devonte’ Graham, Malik Newman, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Billy Preston, Udoka Azuibuike
• The Jayhawks are going to have a lot to replace, but they do have some players coming in. With Devonte’ Graham back, I think he’ll be a star and all-Big 12 player at the point, and he’ll be joined by a former top 10 prospect in Malik Newman and a current top ten prospect in Billy Preston.

• 5. Kentucky

• Who’s gone: De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo, Isaiah Briscoe, Derek Willis, Mychal Mulder, Dominique Hawkins
• Who do they add: Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Kevin Knox, Nick Richards, P.J. Washington, Jarred Vanderbilt, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jemarl Baker
• Projected starting lineup: Quade Green, Hamidou Diallo*, Kevin Knox, Jarred Vanderbilt, Nick Richards
• Kentucky is a tough team to peg for next season. They should be really good defensively — Hamidou Diallo and Jarred Vanderbilt are elite defenders — and insanely athletic, but it’s going to be another year where we don’t know who shoots it for Kentucky. Adding Knox is big.

• 6. Miami

• Who’s gone: Davon Reed, Kamari Murphy
• Who do they add: Lonnie Walker, Chris Lykes, Deng Gak, Sam Waardenburg
• Projected starting lineup: Ja’Quan Newton, Bruce Brown, Lonnie Walker, Anthony Lawrence, Dewan Huell
• Losing Reed and Murphy will hurt, but Bruce Brown was one of the best-kept secrets last year, Lonnie Walker is a big-time scorer and Dewan Huell is a former top 30 prospect in line for a big bump in minutes this year. Jim Larrañaga is exactly the coach to take advantage of this guard-heavy lineup, too.

• 7. Florida

• Who’s gone: Kasey Hill, Canyon Barry, Justin Leon, Devin Robinson
• Who do they add: Isaiah Stokes, Egor Koulechov, Chase Johnson, DeAundre Ballard, Michael Okauru, Jalen Hudson, Dontay Bassett
• Projected starting lineup: Chris Chiozza, KeVaughn Allen, Egor Koulechov, Kevarrius Hayes, John Egbunu
• Coming off of a trip to the Elite 8, the Gators bring back most of their key pieces while adding a talented recruiting class and two players that redshirted last season. Two keys to this team’s ceiling: The health of John Egbunu, who missed the second half of last season, and the development of KeVaughn Allen and Chris Chiozza.

• 8. Louisville

• Who’s gone: Mangok Mathiang, David Levitch, Tony Hicks, Jaylen Johnson, Donovan Mitchell
• Who do they add: Brian Bowen, Malik Williams, Darius Perry, Jordan Nwora, Lance Thomas
• Projected starting lineup: Quentin Snider, VJ King, Deng Adel, Ray Spalding, Anas Mahmoud
• Louisville has a chance to be very, very good next season, particularly now that Deng Adel is back and Brian Bowen is in the mix. If guys like VJ King, Ray Spalding and Anas Mahmoud take a step forward, the Cardinals might compete for an ACC title. That says a lot this year.

• 9. Villanova

• Who’s gone: Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins, Darryl Reynolds
• Who do they add: Jermaine Samuels, Collin Gillispie, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Omari Spellman
• Projected starting lineup: Jalen Brunson, Phil Booth, Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, Omari Spellman
• The Wildcats are going to take a major hit with Josh Hart finally graduating, but the good news is that Jay Wright is still around, as is Jalen Brunson. Omari Spellman getting eligible will help, and I know I’m not the only one that thinks Donte DiVincenzo has a chance to develop into an all-Big East player.

• 10. Wichita State

• Who’s gone: No one
• Who do they add: Samajae Haynes-Jones, Asbjorn Midtgaard
• Projected starting lineup: Landry Shamet, Connor Frankamp, Zach Brown, Markis McDuffie, Shaq Morris
• The Shockers finished the season ranked in the top ten at KenPom, but ended up with a No. 10 seed in the NCAA tournament because they struggled to get used to each other early on in the season. With everyone returning from last year’s team, don’t be surprised to see Gregg Marshall’s team as a Final Four contender.

• 11. West Virginia

• Who’s gone: Tarik Phillip, Nathan Adrian, Teyvon Myers, Brandon Watkins
• Who do they add: Derek Culver, Brandon Knapper, D’Angelo Hunter, Teddy Allen, Wesley Harris
• Projected starting lineup: Jevon Carter, Daxter Miles Jr., Esa Ahmad, Lamont West, Sagaba Konate
• At this point, I’m just going to assume that Bobby Huggins is going to put a good team on the floor regardless of the situation. The names don’t even matter, although Jevon Carter is back for what feels like his 17th season in college hoops while Esa Ahmad seems primed for a monster year.

• 12. USC

• Who’s gone: Charles Buggs
• Who do they add: Derryck Thornton, Charles O’Bannon, Jordan Usher
• Projected starting lineup: Jordan McLaughlin, De’Anthony Melton, Elijah Stewart, Bennie Boatwright, Chimezie Metu
• There is a lot of talent on the USC roster for now, especially now that Metu, Stewart and Boatwright are all returning. The Trojans will push Arizona for the Pac-12 title if they decide to defend.

• 13. Minnesota

• Who’s gone: Akeem Springs
• Who do they add: Isaiah Washington, Jamir Harris, Davonte Fitzgerald
• Projected starting lineup: Nate Mason, Dupree McBrayer, Amir Coffey, Jordan Murphy, Reggie Lynch
• The Golden Gophers bring everyone back from last season, a year where they were one of the most surprising teams in the country. Minnesota could win the Big Ten.

• 14. UCLA

• Who’s gone: Lonzo Ball, TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu, Bryce Alford, Isaac Hamilton
• Who do they add: Jaylen Hands, LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley, Jalen Hill, Chris Smith
• Projected starting lineup: Jaylen Hands, Aaron Holiday, Kris Wilkes, Cody Riley, Thomas Welsh
• It’s going to be interesting to see how the Bruins move on from the Lonzo Ball era. It will also be interesting to see how LaVar Ball handles the fact that LiAngelo Ball isn’t Lonzo. Jaylen Hands and Aaron Holiday will be an elite back court.

• 15. Cincinnati

• Who’s gone: Troy Caupain, Kevin Johnson
• Who do they add: Keith Williams, Trevor Moore, Eliel Nsoseme, Cane Broome
• Projected starting lineup: Cane Broome, Jarron Cumberland, Jacob Evans, Gary Clark, Kyle Washington
• The Bearcats return a lot of important pieces from a team that won 30 games last season. Broome averaged 23 points for Sacred Heart as a sophomore.

• 16. Seton Hall

• Who’s gone: Madison Jones
• Who do they add: Myles Cale, Darnell Brodie
• Projected starting lineup: Khadeen Carrington, Myles Powell, Desi Rodriguez, Ishmael Sanogo, Angel Delgado
• This is the team that I’m going to probably overhype all offseason. I love this group.

• 17. Xavier

• Who’s gone: Edmond Sumner, Malcolm Bernard, RaShid Gaston
• Who do they add: Kerem Kanter, Paul Scruggs, Naji Marshall, Elias Harden, Jared Ridder, Kentrevious Jones
• Projected starting lineup: Quentin Goodin, J.P. Macura, Trevon Bluiett, Kaiser Gates, Sean O’Mara
• The Musketeers were thrust back into the top 25 and the Big East title conversation when Trevon Bluiett opted to return to school.

• 18. North Carolina

• Who’s gone: Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, Nate Britt
• Who do they add: Jaleek Felton, Cameron Johnson, Sterling Manley, Brandon Huffman, Andrew Platek, Garrison Brooks
• Projected starting lineup: Joel Berry II, Kenny Williams, Theo Pinson, Luke Maye, Garrison Brooks
• The Tar Heels are coming off of back-to-back national title game appearances, but they lose three key seniors from that team as well as Justin Jackson and Tony Bradley. Berry will be a National Player of the Year contender and Luke Maye will move into the starting lineup. Will Cam Johnson be eligible to play?

• 19. Gonzaga

• Who’s gone: Nigel Williams-Goss, Przemek Karnowski, Jordan Mathews, Zach Collins
• Who do they add: Jacob Larsen, Zach Norvell, Corey Kispert, Jesse Wade
• Projected starting lineup: Josh Perkins, Silas Melson, Zach Norvell, Johnathan Williams III, Killian Tillie
• With Nigel Williams-Goss gone, the key to Gonzaga’s season will be the development of Josh Perkins. Can he play the point full-time and do it successfully?

• 20. Northwestern

• Who’s gone: Sanjay Lumpkin, Nathan Taphorn
• Who do they add: Anthony Gaines, Aaron Falzon, Rapolas Ivanauskas
• Projected starting lineup: Bryant McIntosh, Scottie Lindsey, Vic Law, Aaron Falzon, Dererk Pardon
• The Wildcats, a year removed from their first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament, bring back essentially everyone from last season and get Aaron Falzon healthy. Bryant McIntosh will contend for Big Ten Player of the Year.

• 21. Alabama

• Who’s gone: Nick King, Jimmie Taylor, Shannon Hale, Corban Collins
• Who do they add: Collin Sexton, John Petty, Daniel Giddens
• Projected starting lineup: Collin Sexton, John Petty, Dazon Ingram, Braxton Key, Daniel Giddens
• The Crimson Tide bring back a talented young core and add two five-star guards, including Collin Sexton, who could lead the conference in scoring.

• 22. Notre Dame

• Who’s gone: Steve Vasturia, VJ Beachem
• Who do they add: DJ Harvey, Nikola Djogo
• Projected starting lineup: Matt Farrell, Temple Gibbs, Rex Pflueger, Bonzie Colson, Martinas Geben
• At this point, I’m fine betting on Brey to have Notre Dame in the mix every year. They’re going to need Rex Pfleuger and Temple Gibbs to take a step forward, but Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell can carry the Irish.

• 23. Virginia Tech

• Who’s gone: Seth Allen, Zach LeDay
• Who do they add: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Wabissa Bede
• Projected starting lineup: Justin Robinson, Ahmed Hill, Justin Bibbs, Chris Clarke, Khadim Sy
• The Hokies return all five starters from last season despite the fact that the team graduates their top two scorers. A healthy Chris Clarke and Kerry Blackshear will help.

• 24. Saint Mary’s

• Who’s gone: Joe Rahon, Dane Pineau
• Who do they add: Kristers Zoriks, Malik Fitts, Cullen Neal
• Projected starting lineup: Jordan Ford, Emmett Naar, Calvin Hermanson, Evan Fitzner, Jock Landale
• Losing Rahon will hurt, but with Naar and Landale coming back, the Gaels are going to push Gonzaga in the WCC race once again.

• 25. Baylor

• Who’s gone: Ishmail Wainright, Johnathan Motley
• Who do they add: Mark Vital, Tyson Jolly, Tristan Clark
• Projected starting lineup: Manu Lecomte, Jake Lindsey, King McClure, Terry Maston, Jo Lual-Acuil
• Losing Johnathan Motley is a massive blow for the Bears, but there should be enough experience on the roster to keep them in the top 25.