College basketball rankings: 2018-2019 FanSided preseason Top 25

ByCody Williams|
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
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KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 31: LSU Tigers guard Tremont Waters (3) is guarded by Tennessee Volunteers guard James Daniel III (3) during a game between the LSU Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers on January 31, 2018, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – JANUARY 31: LSU Tigers guard Tremont Waters (3) is guarded by Tennessee Volunteers guard James Daniel III (3) during a game between the LSU Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers on January 31, 2018, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
  • Last Season: 18-15, Lost second round of NIT
  • Notable Losses: Duop Reath, Brandon Sampson, Aaron Epps
  • Notable Additions: Kavell Bigby-Williams (transfer), Emmitt Williams, Naz Reid

There’s no question that the LSU Tigers have put themselves on the map more so than we’re probably used to in recent years. Head coach Will Wade has this team recruiting at a high level right now and should have one of their more talented overall groups in some time, as opposed to the top-heavy Ben Simmons-type teams of recent years.

Leading the way for the Tigers will undoubtedly be Tremont Waters. The 5-foot-11 guard may be diminutive in stature, but his ability is anything but. Waters established himself as a true playmaker last season, especially with some big-time performances in SEC play. He broke the aforementioned Simmons’ freshman school record for assists last season and is expected to see an uptick in his scoring numbers in the 2018-19 season.

Where we could really see LSU improve this year in comparison to last season is with their big men. They’re bringing in a pair of forwards in Naz Reid and Emmitt Williams are 5-star recruits that have a ton of upside and should drastically improve the overall two-way effectiveness of the Tigers bigs. Throw in Oregon transfer Kavell Bigby-Williams and this is a talented and deep group.

The balance and depth of LSU should take them places this season and make them competitive in a strong SEC, but their overall success may come down to if they’re able to fill out the backcourt adequately around Waters.