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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Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Kyle Guy (5) works out prior to the game in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Virginia Cavaliers

Notable departures: London Perrantes, Marial Shayok, Darius Thompson
Notable returnees: Mamadi Diakite, Kyle Guy, Devon Hall, Ty Jerome, Jarred Reuter, Jack Salt, Isaiah Wilkins
Notable newcomers: Marco Anthony, Franceso Badocchi, Jay Huff, De’Andre Hunter

The Virginia Cavaliers will have a new look for 2017-18 without London Perrantes at the helm, but rising sophomore Kyle Guy could be ready to step in in a big way. The former top 50 recruit only played 18.6 minutes per game as a freshman, but his time on the floor was promising. Guy represents a chance of pace for Virginia as an offense first guard who can provide a scoring punch. He averaged 16.2 points per 40 minutes last season behind ridiculously hot shooting from behind the arc. He’ll need to make some strides as a scorer inside the arc and as a passer to help facilitate the offense. Virginia should also get bigger contributions rom fellow former top 50 recruit Ty Jerome and rising senior Isaiah Wilkins who will replace Marial Shayok and Darius Thompson on the wing.

As usual, the Cavaliers project to have an elite defense once again. The key could be rising sophomore Mamadi Diakite, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 3.5 blocks per 40 minutes as a freshman. While Jack Salt is the more experienced frontcourt player, Diakite has the potential to be a special rim protector in the pack line scheme.