College basketball rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 for 2019-20

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks with Cassius Winston #5 in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Rui Hachimura #21 and Brandon Clarke #15 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate after a play against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Some may not be as high on Gonzaga heading into next season as I am, and that’s completely understandable. The Bulldogs could be losing Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke — almost surely — early to the NBA while graduating Josh Perkins.

Zach Norvell Jr. should be back after averaging 14.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists from the guard position and he’ll be one of the best players in the nation as a junior.

Another important decision will have to be made by 6-10, 220-pound junior Killian Tillie who may go the pro route, even if that means it’s overseas. If he returns, he’ll help ease the blow of losing Hachimura and Clarke.

Gonzaga could use some help at the guard spots as Norvell Jr. is the only returner in the backcourt who averaged over 5.0 points per game in 2018-19.

Mark Few also has to feel good about his incoming recruiting class with guys like Drew Timme, Anton Watson, Pavel Zakharov and Oumar Ballo, making up the No. 5 group in the nation.

Depth won’t be an issue for this team but replacing Hachimura and Clarke could.