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

By Chris Stone

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
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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March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Gary Clark (11) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kansas State Wildcats at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats forward Gary Clark (11) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kansas State Wildcats at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Cincinnati Bearcats

Notable departures: Troy Caupain, Kevin Johnson
Notable returnees: Nysier Brooks, Gary Clark, Jarron Cumberland, Jacob Evans, Justin Jenifer, Quadri Moore, Trey Scott, Kyle Washington
Notable newcomers: Cane Broome, Mamoudou Diarra, Trevor Moore, Eliel Nsoseme, Keith Williams

The Cincinnati Bearcats fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but they return most of the important pieces from their rotation for 2017-18. Although Troy Caupain is gone, four of the team’s five leading scorers from last season will be back. Jacob Evans gives the Bearcats a strong perimeter threat who made 41.8 percent of his 165 3-point attempts last season while Kyle Washington and Gary Clark are both dangerous on the interior.

That trio also forms the base of a defense than ranked in the top 15 nationally last season. Cincinnati’s ability to take away easy baskets was key. Clark, Evans and Washington all posted individual block rates above 3.0 percent as the Bearcats held opponents to a measly 41.4 percent inside the arc, a mark that ranked fifth best in the country. Head coach Mick Cronin will need to replace Caupain and Kevin Johnson’s defense at the point of attack, but the interior pieces are their for the team to be a staunch defense again.

Cronin will also welcome four 3-star recruits to the roster, but none of them project to be immediate contributors in significant roles.