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NCAA basketball 2020-2021: Preseason Top 25 college basketball rankings

By Mike Phillips

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 30: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Xfinity Center on January 30, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - JANUARY 30: Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Xfinity Center on January 30, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
(Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

15. North Carolina Tar Heels

Last season was a lost one for North Carolina as injuries and a poorly constructed roster led to the worst season of Roy Williams’ Tar Heels career. The good news is that the one major departure from last year’s roster, point guard Cole Anthony, is being replaced by another five-star recruit in Caleb Love. One of the big strengths for the Tar Heels is their front-court, which already featured their top player in senior Garrison Brooks and sophomore Armando Bacot, and now adds a pair of top recruits in Walker Kessler and Day’Ron Sharpe. North Carolina’s powerful paint presence should offer a unique counter to some of the guard-heavy lineups throughout the ACC.

14. West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia moved away from its “Press Virginia” moniker last season, relying more on a penetrating perimeter defense that was effective. The big issue for the Mountaineers was an unbalanced offense that was guard-heavy but deficient down low. That shouldn’t be an issue this season as West Virginia has a more well-rounded team in 2020, with freshman Isaiah Cottrell ready to contribute right away at the four. The addition of junior college transfer Kedrian Johnson, the no. 3 rated junior college product in the country, should also diversify the Mountaineers’ offense this season.

13. Creighton Bluejays

A surprise challenger at the top of the Big East last season, Creighton made its name by bombing away from three-point land, nailing an impressive 38.6 percent of their triples a year ago. Six of the Bluejays’ top eight rotation members are back, but one of the losses is a big one in Ty-Shon Alexander, who opted to go pro. Marcus Zegarowski is still around to carry the load offensively in what should be a balanced offensive attack for Creighton. The clear top challenger to Villanova in the Big East, the Bluejays have a sneaky shot to make a deep NCAA Tournament run.

12. Tennessee Volunteers

After a rebuilding year following the departures of their top three scorers in 2019, the Volunteers are back with a loaded roster. Rick Barnes has added two five-star freshmen to his backcourt, with Jaden Springer likely to start immediately with Keon Johnson pushing to play often as well. Tennessee also adds two impact transfers in E.J. Anisoke and former Oregon product Victor Bailey Jr. Combining those newcomers with the existing core, which has a senior-led frontcourt featuring reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year Yves Pons, and the sky is the limit for the Volunteers this season.

11. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans looked like they had a shot to win the NCAA Tournament with their hot finish to the season but we will never know how Cassius Winston’s career would have wrapped up. Winston is gone now, as is Xavier Tillman (who was picked in the second round of the NBA Draft), meaning Tom Izzo has a bit of reloading to do. The cupboard is far from bare here as Aaron Henry, Rocket Watts and Joshua Langford offer plenty of firepower offensively. Former Marquette product Joey Hauser is eligible now as a stretch four while freshman big Mady Sissoko should get better as the year goes on, leaving Michigan State predictably in a position to peak as March rolls around.