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; Xavier Musketeers guard Trevon Bluiett (5) celebrates as they defeat the Florida State Seminoles in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Xavier Musketeers

Notable departures: Malcolm Bernard, Rashid Gaston, Edmond Sumner
Notable returnees: Trevon Bluiett, Kaiser Gates, Quintin Goodin, Tyrique Jones, J.P. Macura, Sean O’Mara
Notable newcomers: Elias Harden, Karem Kanter, Kentrevious Jones, Naji Marshall, Jared Ridder, Paul Scruggs

Although point guard Edmond Sumner opted to forgo the remainder of his college eligibility and declare for the NBA Draft, the Xavier Musketeers are still well positioned to follow up their deep run into the 2017 NCAA Tournament — a run they made without Sumner as the sophomore missed the end of the season with an ACL injury.

The key to the Musketeers’ hopes of repeating last season’s Cinderella story will be rising senior Trevon Bluiett. The 6-foot-6 wing was the team’s leading scorer in 2016-17 at 18.4 points per game and his 3-point marksmanship (37.3 percent) helps open up the game significantly for his teammates. Xavier’s second leading scorer, J.P. Macura, will also be back for his senior season. The 6-foot-5 guard is a harassing defender who uses his length to limit damage from the point of attack.

The Musketeers, though, will need several players to take a leap because they also lost a pair of seniors (Malcolm Bernard and Rashid Gaston) in addition to Sumner. Sophomore point guard Quentin Goodin will be expected to contribute more significantly in his second season while incoming freshmen Paul Scruggs and Naji Marshall, both 4-star recruits, will likely be asked to step in immediately.