Fansided

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

By Connor Muldowney

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)
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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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles up court during the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Michigan State Spartans at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils dribbles up court during the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Michigan State Spartans at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Zion Williamson is no longer going to be around to terrorize opponents and RJ Barrett can hurt teams with his offensive prowess no more. The two talented freshmen are moving on to the NBA draft and that leaves Tre Jones to run the team.

That’s not exactly a bad thing.

Jones was one of the calmest customers at point guard this season as a true freshman and he’s only going to get better, especially with more of an offensive game. He averaged 9.4 points with 5.3 assists while turning the ball over just 1.5 times per game. His return announcement was huge for the Blue Devils’ 2019-20 hopes and vaults them into the top five.

Unfortunately for Mike Krzyzewski, Cam Reddish will also likely be headed to the NBA as the Blue Devils have three players projected to be lottery picks, maybe even all in the 1-5 range.

Marques Bolden will be back along with Javin DeLaurier, Alex O’Connell and Jack White. The Blue Devils are bringing in five-stars Vernon Carey Jr. and Wendell Moore along with four-star guard Boogie Ellis. Don’t sleep on the Zion-less Blue Devils.