Early top 25 for 2017-18 college basketball: Post-early entry deadline

By Chris Stone | May 30, 2017

March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (35) dunks to score a basket against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

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College basketball may be a ways away, but it’s never too early for a top 25

The early entry deadline for the NBA Draft has come and gone for college basketball players meaning it is time for another early look at the top 25 for the 2017-18 season. Several big names like Texas A&M’s Robert Williams, Kentucky’s Hamidou Diallo and Michigan State’s Miles Bridges opted to return to school, giving significant boosts to their programs. Others, though, have left voids to fill.

Here’s a look at our latest preseason top 25 now that the early entry deadline has passed.

Feb 22, 2017; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Texas A&M Aggies forward Robert Williams (44) reacts after a play in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Texas A&M 86-77. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

25. Texas A&M Aggies

Notable departures: JC Hampton, Tavario Miller
Notable returnees: Chris Collins, Tyler Davis, Kobie Eubanks, Admon Gilder, DJ Hogg, Tonny Trocha-Morelos, Eric Vila, Robert Williams
Notable newcomers: J.J. Caldwell, Jay Jay Chandler, Savion Flagg, Isiah Jasey, TJ Starks, Duane Wilson

The Texas A&M Aggies were one of the biggest winners of the NBA Draft’s early entry period. Potential lottery pick Robert Williams announced his plans to return to school shortly after the season ended. Williams averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per 40 minutes as a freshman. Now, he has the potential to be a top 10 pick and the Aggies’ leader in a year where they need to bounce back.

Williams is one piece of a loaded frontcourt that also features Tyler Davis, Tonny Trocha-Morelos and DJ Hogg. Davis is one of the most imposing traditional big men in college basketball. At 6-foot-10 and 265 pounds, he averaged 21.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per 40 minutes as a sophomore. Trocha-Morelos, meanwhile, is a more modern day big man who can space the floor a bit from the 3-point line, although largely with volume rather than accuracy. Finally, Hogg is a 6-foot-8 forward who can distribute and help facilitate the team’s offense.

The key to Texas A&M’s 2017-18 hopes will be the point guard spot. Last season, the Aggies lacked a traditional lead guard after incoming freshman J.J. Caldwell was ruled ineligible for academic reasons. Caldwell will be on the roster this season and will help hold down the point guard with Marquette transfer Duane Wilson.