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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; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Markis McDuffie (32) shoots against Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Markis McDuffie (32) shoots against Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Adebayo (3) during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Wichita State Shockers

Remember the team that was touted as being disrespected by the committee on Selection Sunday as they were only given a No. 10 seed? That was also the team that took Kentucky to the brink in the Second Round and came up just short. It’s also the team that finished the regular season with only four losses on their record. Of course, this is the Wichita State Shockers we’re talking about and they should get all the respect in the world going into the 2017-18 season.

Obviously what they did in the tournament against Kentucky is promising and speaks to the prowess of Gregg Marshall as a head coach. What really puts Wichita State over the top, though, is that they were actually quite a young team this past season. Subsequently, they’re returning every single one of their key contributors to help lead them to glory once again.

What was wholly impressive about the Shockers in the 2016-17 campaign was that they seemed to get stronger with each passing game, co-existing on the hardwood better and better as the season progressed. Led by star Markis McDuffie, that means this team should hit the ground running when next year tips off. As such, it’s hard not to think that they could be a top-10 team to start the year and then be a staple in that position of the rankings throughout the season.