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Way too early 2017-18 College Basketball Top 25

By Cody Williams

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players celebrate after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players celebrate after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Michigan State Spartans

Miles Bridges is headed to the NBA draft, which is taking away the best player from a Michigan State Spartans team that was disappointing and underwhelming this past season. Just looking at the results of last season and that fact, you might be led to believe that this is way too high of a ranking for the Spartans. And frankly, you might be right. However, there’s also reason to have faith in Tom Izzo and this team.

The overall body of work for Sparty wasn’t great in the 2016-17 season. But as they showed in the NCAA Tournament—even for 30ish minutes against Kansas—the freshman around Bridges all started to really come into their own as the year went on. Specifically, Cassius Winston and Josh Langford really showed a ton of promise at the end of the season and can certainly build off that moving into next year.

What’s more, Michigan State will also be adding a freshman in Jaren Jackson that just has Izzo-darling written all over him. He’ll be a stud for Sparty and fit right in with the likes of Winston and Langford. Again, slotting them at No. 11 may be a bit generous. But overall, there’s reason to like what the Spartans will have to offer next season and a foreseeable path where they’re back in the mix at the top once again.