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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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 31: Auburn Tigers guard Jared Harper (1) shoots a three late in the second half of the NCAA Midwest Regional Final game between the Auburn Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats on March 31, 2019 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers will get over the heartbreak that was the finish to their 2018-19 season. Kyle Guy went up for a 3-pointer to beat the Tigers at the buzzer and Auburn picked up a foul, invading his space and not allowing him to come down cleanly. He made all three free throws and sent Auburn home a game before the national title.

It was heartbreaking, but the Tigers will be just fine.

In fact, the Tigers return Jared Harper, Chuma Okeke, Samir Doughty, Anfernee McLemoe and potentially Austin Wiley. This team was absolutely terrifying from beyond the arc and the same will be said for next year’s squad.

The SEC will be put on notice by the Tigers from the start and the momentum gained from a Final Four run could definitely help with recruiting, but they are already bringing in the No. 18 class in the country for 2019, headlined by four-star small forward Isaac Okoro.

Losing Bryce Brown will hurt, but this team should be back playing for an SEC title and Final Four berth in 2020.