Fansided

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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Feb 23, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) celebrates next to Southern California Trojans guard Jonah Mathews (2) during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 90-77. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) celebrates next to Southern California Trojans guard Jonah Mathews (2) during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 90-77. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Arizona Wildcats

Lauri Markannen is gone, which is going to be a big loss for the Arizona Wildcats in the 2017-18 season. And perhaps the biggest question mark for this team is whether or not Sean Miller will have guard Allonzo Trier returning for his junior season. There’s a chance he leaves, but as you can probably guess by the fact that I have them ranked second in these predictions, I think he stays. Joining him will be the best recruit in the country.

Deandre Ayton is flat-out money. There’s no simpler way to spell it out. He’s the best big man in the 2017 recruiting class for college basketball and the best overall player by many metrics. He’ll come in from Day 1 and be an absolute star for the Wildcats. Again assuming that Trier stays, the two of them will form an inside-out tandem that will be almost impossible to guard or for any team in the country to match up against.

This ranking could be that changes a great deal by the time the 2017-18 season arrives, however. With Trier, the future of Kobi Simmons in Tuscon is also up in the air with questions about if he’ll return for another year at the college level. As those questions are answered, we’ll have a clearer picture about this team. For now, though, expect them to be in a the title conversation next season.