April 08--Only two days have passed since Duke was crowned the NCAA tournament champions. But that's old news now. It's already time to think about next season.
Wisconsin, the tournament's runner-up, doesn't make our early preseason top 10 and Duke is at the bottom of the list. Hey, it's a new season.
Here's an early look at next season's projected top 10:
1. North Carolina: The Tar Heels return all relevant players to their rotation, including freshman Justin Jackson who came on late in the season. Marcus Paige showed when healthy, he is one of the best guards in the nation.
2. Kentucky: Who's leaving? Who cares? John Calipari has hauled in yet another No. 1 recruiting class.
3. Virginia: If Justin Anderson returns for his senior season, the Cavaliers have a star and the nation's best defense.
4. Maryland: Guard Melo Trimble had an electric season. Dez Wells is gone, but coach Mark Turgeon landed one of the nation's best recruits in 6-foot-10 center Diamond Stone.
5. Iowa State: Georges Niang, one of the nation's most versatile forwards, returns to help the Cyclones make a deeper tournament run.
6. Villanova: Despite losing JayVaughn Pinkston and Darrun Hilliard, the Wildcats bring in a top recruit in Jalen Brunson, a guard from Stevenson.
7. Kansas: Bill Self probably will win his 12th conference championship with the return of Perry Ellis.
8. Gonzaga: Replacing Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell won't be simple but Kyle Wiltjer headlines a strong frontcourt.
9. Wichita State: With Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet possibly returning, the Shockers could have one of the nation's best backcourts.
10. Duke: Grayson Allen showed in the championship game why he shouldn't be overlooked. If Tyus Jones returns, the Blue Devils' ranking will jump.
sryan@tribpub.com
