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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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Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) looks to pass to forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) looks to pass to forward Theo Pinson (1) during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

18. North Carolina Tar Heels

Notable departures: Tony Bradley, Nate Britt, Isaiah Hicks, Justin Jackson, Kennedy Meeks
Notable returnees: Joel Berry, Luke Maye, Theo Pinson, Brandon Robinson, Kenny Williams, Seventh Woods
Notable newcomers: Garrison Brooks, Jalek Felton, Brandon Huffman, Sterling Manley, Andrew Platek

Tony Bradley’s decision to stay in the NBA Draft was likely the difference between the North Carolina Tar Heels being a top five team and this ranking. Without Bradley in the frontcourt, the Tar Heels now have to replace their three best big men from a season ago as both Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks have exhausted their eligibility. Elite Eight hero Luke Maye will fill one of those spots while 4-star recruit Garrison Brooks could be called on to shoulder a heavy load early in his career.

While Bradley’s departure was a blow at the early entry deadline, the previous decisions by Joel Berry and Theo Pinson to return to school were a massive boon for the program. Berry will be one of the top point guards in the country next season while Pinson proved his value down the stretch as a defensive stopper on the wing.

North Carolina won’t enter the season with outsized expectations, but there is still potential for it to improve. With Berry’s experience at the helm, anything is possible.