College basketball rankings: Kyle Filipowski’s return bumps Duke into top five of never-too-early Top 25 And 1

UConn

This ranking is based on the Huskies returning five of the top six scorers from a team that won the 2023 NCAA Tournament – specifically everybody except Jordan Hawkins, who is expected to remain in the NBA Draft. That core combined with a top-five recruiting class should have UConn as the favorite to win back to back national championships.

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31-8

Purdue

This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning six of the top seven scorers – everybody except Brandon Newman – from a team that won the Big Ten regular-season title and the Big Ten Tournament before securing a No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. CBS Sports National Player of the Year Zach Edey has a decision to make, obviously, but for now I’m projecting him to return to Purdue.

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29-6

Marquette

This ranking is based on the Golden Eagles returning every relevant player from a team that won the Big East regular-season title and the Big East Tournament before securing a No. 2 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones should provide Shaka Smart with a core capable of competing for a national championship.

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29-7

Duke

This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning the top four scorers – Kyle Filipowski, Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell – from a team that finished 10-1 in its final 11 games and won the ACC Tournament. Duke is also enrolling a top-two recruiting class and will be among the most talented teams in the country, per usual.

27-9

Miami

This ranking is based on the Hurricanes returning four starters – everybody except Jordan Miller – from a team that shared the ACC regular-season title with Virginia and advanced to the 2023 Final Four. Miami’s Nijel Pack/Isaiah Wong backcourt should be one of the best in the country.

29-8

FAU

This ranking is based on the Owls returning all five starters from a team that won the C-USA regular-season title and the C-USA Tournament before advancing to the 2023 Final Four. FAU should be the AAC favorite in its first season in its new conference.

35-4

Alabama

This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning five of the top seven scorers – everybody except Brandon Miller and Jaden Bradley – from a team that won the SEC regular-season title and the SEC Tournament before securing the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Alabama should be the favorite to repeat as SEC champions.

31-6

UCLA

This ranking is based on the Bruins returning five of the top seven scorers – Tyger Campbell, Jaylen Clark, Amari Bailey, Adem Bona and Dylan Andrews – from a team that won the Pac-12 regular-season title before securing a No. 2 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. That core combined with a top-15 recruiting class should make UCLA the Pac-12 favorite.

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31-6

Creighton

This ranking is based on the Bluejays returning everybody except Ryan Nembhard from a team that won 24 games and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Creighton has multiple players who could reasonably enter the NBA Draft — among them leading scorer Ryan Kalkbrenner — but for now I’m projecting all of them to be back in Omaha, where the Bluejays should compete with UConn and Marquette at the top of the Big East standings.

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24-13

Kansas

This ranking is based on the Jayhawks enrolling a top-five recruiting class and returning three starters – Dajuan Harris, K.J. Adams and Kevin McCullar – from a team that won the Big 12 regular-season title before securing a No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Based strictly on the roster, this ranking is possibly high, but assuming Bill Self will have a top-10 team is rarely a mistake.

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28-8

Michigan St.

This ranking is based on the Spartans returning five of the top six scorers – everybody except Joey Hauser — from a team that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Michigan State will combine that core with a top-five recruiting class headlined by five-star prospects Xavier Booker and Jeremy Fears.

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21-13

Houston

This ranking is based on the Cougars returning five of the top eight scorers – Jamal Shead, J’Wan Roberts, Emanuel Sharp, Ja’Vier Francis and Terrance Arceneaux – from a team that won the AAC regular-season title before securing a No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The addition of Baylor transfer LJ Cryer should have Houston competing for a league title in its first season in the Big 12.

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33-4

Kentucky

This ranking is based on the Wildcats enrolling the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class featuring four five-star prospects – among them Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw — to pair with a returning core headlined by two-time All-American Oscar Tshiebwe. It’s a roster that could give John Calipari a realistic chance to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2015.

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22-12

Arkansas

This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning five of the top eight scorers – Trevon Brazile, Davonte Davis, Jordan Walsh, Makhi Mitchell and Jalen Graham – from a team that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Five-star prospects Baye Fall and Layden Blocker will combine with that core and give Eric Musselman a chance to make a fourth straight Sweet 16.

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22-14

Arizona

This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning three of the top four scorers – Azuolas Tubelis, Oumar Ballo and Pelle Larsson – from a team that won the Pac-12 Tournament before securing a No. 2 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. It should be Arizona and UCLA battling at the top of the Pac-12 standings once again.

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28-7

San Diego St.

This ranking is based on the Aztecs returning five of the top six scorers – everybody except Matt Bradley – from a team that won the Mountain West Conference regular-season title and the Mountain West Tournament before advancing to the championship game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Another MWC title seems likely for San Diego State.

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32-7

Tennessee

This ranking is based on the Vols returning four of the top five scorers – everybody except Olivier Nkamhoua – from a team that secured a No. 4 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and made the Sweet 16. Of the group, only Julian Phillips is considered a legitimate NBA prospect who could reasonably depart, but for now I’m projecting him to return to Tennessee for his sophomore season.

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25-11

Baylor

This ranking is based on the Bears returning four of the top six scorers – Adam Flagler, Jalen Bridges, Langston Love and Jonathan Tchamwa-Tchatchoua – from a team that won 23 games and secured a No. 3 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The loss of Keyonte George (NBA Draft) and LJ Cryer (transfer portal) isn’t ideal but should be somewhat offset by the arrival of five-star guard Ja’Kobe Walter.

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23-11

Texas A&M

This ranking is based on the Aggies returning four starters – everybody except Dexter Dennis – from a team that won 25 games and secured a No. 7 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. A second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament is a likely scenario for Texas A&M.

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25-10

Gonzaga

This ranking is based on the Zags returning five of the top seven scorers — everybody except Drew Timme and Rasir Bolton — from a team that shared the West Coast Conference title with Saint Mary’s before making the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Julian Strawther still has a decision to make about his professional future, but for now I’m projecting him to return to Gonzaga.

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31-6

Saint Mary’s

This ranking is based on the Gaels returning five of the top six scorers – everybody except Logan Johnson – from a team that shared the West Coast Conference title with Gonzaga before securing a No. 5 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Aidan Mahaney should return as one of the best point guards in the country.

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27-8

Auburn

This ranking is based on the Tigers returning the top seven scorers from a team that won 21 games and advanced to the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Johni Broome is the best of the projected returnees after averaging a team-high 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds as a sophomore.

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21-13

Iowa St.

This ranking is based on Iowa State returning five of the top nine scorers – Tamin Lipsey, Tre King, Robert Jones, Hason Ward and Demarion Watson – from a team that started 13-2 and secured a No. 6 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Iowa State is also enrolling a top-10 recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Omaha Biliew.

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19-14

Xavier

This ranking is based on the Musketeers returning four of the top seven scorers – Zach Freemantle, Jack Nunge, Jerome Hunter and Desmond Claude – from a team that won 27 games and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The return of Colby Jones would be huge, but for now I’m projecting him to enter and remain in the NBA Draft.

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27-10

Miss. St.

This ranking is based on the Bulldogs returning the top five scorers – among them Shakeel Moore and D.J. Jeffries – from a team that won 21 games and secured a No. 11 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Tolu Smith, Mississippi State’s leading scorer, has entered the NBA Draft but for now I’m projecting him to eventually withdraw and return to school.

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21-13

Missouri

This ranking is based on the Tigers returning five of the top seven scorers – Kobe Brown, Isiaih Mosley, Noah Carter, Nick Honor and Sean East – from a team that won 25 games and advanced to the second round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Brown is a question mark, but for now I’m projecting him to return to Missouri.

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25-10

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