Way-Too Early College Basketball Preseason Top 25 Rankings For 2015-2016 Season

The Duke Blue Devils cut down the nets as the 2015 NCAA men's basketball national championship on Monday night. Now that the madness has sadly come to an end for now, it's time to look ahead, way ahead, to next season.

25. Wisconsin Badgers

Maybe you have the guts to bet against Bo Ryan, but I certainly don't. National Player of the Year Frank Kaminsky is gone, and Sam Dekker is likely to head to the NBA along with him. Nigel Hayes' decision to return keeps this year's runner-ups in the top 25.

24. Utah Utes

If center Jakob Poeltl declares for the NBA Draft, the Utes instantly fall out of my rankings. Utah is losing their best player in point guard Delon Wright, but head coach Larry Krystkowiak will have a trio of seniors to lead the way with Jordan Loveridge, Dakarai Tucker, and Brandon Taylor all returning for one last season.

23. Michigan Wolverines

Injuries got the better of John Beilein's team in 2014, but they should have little problem returning to the tournament next season. The only way Michigan struggles again in 2015 is if junior guard Caris LeVert makes the surprising decision to enter the NBA Draft.

22. Xavier Musketeers

Replacing center Matt Stainbrook will be an impossible task, but Treveon Bluiett, Jalen Reynolds, and Myles Davis are returning for the Musketeers. Head coach Chris Mack needs Bluiett and Reynolds to continue to develop if Xavier wants to make the Sweet 16 again next March.

21. SMU Mustangs

Almost all of SMU's top players will return next season. Now in his fourth year with the Mustangs, head coach Larry Brown will be out to avenge his team's controversial tournament exit against UCLA last month. SMU returns four of their top five scorers from the team that was the class of the AAC all last season.

20. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville is losing Montrezl Harrell and Terry Rozier, but as long as Rick Pitino is at the helm, the program isn't leaving the top 25. Expect Quentin Snider to have a huge sophomore season for the Cardinals.

19. Michigan State Spartans

We already know Michigan State will make the Final Four next year no matter how they enter the tournament, so there really is no point in ranking the Spartans right now. In all seriousness, Tom Izzo's team returns Denzel Valentine, and should get a big boost from West Virginia transfer Eron Harris.

18. Texas Longhorns

Even without Myles Turner, Texas should have enough firepower to have a bounce back season. New coach Shaka Smart should add some energy to a program in desperate need of a boost.

17. Butler Bulldogs

Butler returns their top-three scorers from last season's team that finished tied for second in the Big East. N.C. State transfer Tyler Lewis will run the point for the Bulldogs, with Kellen Dunham, Roosevelt Jones, and Andrew Chrabascz handling the scoring load.

16. Baylor Bears

Taurean Prince and Rico Gathers should return, giving Baylor one of the best frontcourts in the country. A strong recruiting class will help Scott Drew rebuild a backcourt that's losing Kenny Chery and Royce O'Neal.

15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Pat Connaughton and Jerian Grant's departures are two huge blows to the Irish, but don't start thinking Notre Dame will be bare of talent next season. Zach Auguste was an unstoppable force against Kentucky, and Demetrius Jackson is back to run the show.

14. Duke Blue Devils

In their national championship game victory, freshmen scored 60 of Duke's 68 points. Unfortunately for the program, most of those freshman leaders will head to the NBA. Tyus Jones' decision whether to stay in Durham or turn pro will have a huge impact on Coach K's squad next season.

13. Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats fell to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight for the second year in a row. Making matters worse, Sean Miller is losing nearly everybody from his dominant 34-4 team. Another loaded recruiting class will keep Arizona at the top of the Pac-12 Conference.

12. Indiana Hoosiers

It's make or break time for Tom Crean and the Indiana Hoosiers. No coach enters next season more on the hot seat than Crean, but luckily for him, the Hoosiers should be much improved. Indiana's two-year reloading process is nearing completion, aided by incoming freshman big man Thomas Bryant.

11. Villanova Wildcats

No matter what kind of regular season they have, Villanova's results in March are all that will matter in the end. Even with a disappointing Round of 32 exit this past season, let's not forget how dominant Jay Wright's team truly was. Big East co-Player of the Year Ryan Arcidiacono is back, along with Daniel Ochefu and Josh Hart.

10. N.C. State Wolfpack

Consistency problems plagued the uber-talented N.C. State team this past year. When at their best, Mark Gottfried's squad was one of the best teams in the country. Trevor Lacey, Cat Barber, BeeJay Anya, and Abdul Malik-Abu return for the Wolfpack, while Ralston Turner is the only major departure.

9. Oklahoma Sooners

Including Buddy Hield, the Big-12 Player of the Year, Oklahoma returns four of the top-five scorers from their Sweet 16 team. The Sooners should be even better next season with the addition of incoming freshman small forward Christian James and redshirt freshman Dante Buford.

8. Wichita State Shockers

It's hard to believe because it seems like they've been there forever, but guards Ron Baker and Fred Van Vleet will be back next season to lead the Shockers. Head coach Gregg Marshall signed an extension, and Wichita State looks poised for another Final Four run.

7. Kansas Jayhawks

Kelly Oubre Jr. made the poor choice to turn pro, but other than his departure, the Jayhawks will look just about the same next season. Can the Jayhawks extend their Big-12 title streak to 12? Can they actually win a Round of 32 game? With a roster this talented -- the answer should be yes.

6. Gonzaga Bulldogs

With Kyle Wiltjer, Przemek Karnowski, and Domantis Sabonis set to return, the Bulldogs will be huge and loaded in the post once again. Gonzaga is losing two of their team leaders with starting guards Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. graduating. Mark Few's ability to rebuild the backcourt will decide Gonzaga's fate next season. Keep an eye on Josh Perkins for the Zags.

5. Maryland Terrapins

Melo Trimble is a bonafide star. The shifty guard is returning for his sophomore season, hoping to build on the Terrapins' terrific 28-7 season from 2014-15. Incoming five-star center Diamond Stone should be one of the best freshman in the country. With Jake Layman and Jared Nick also back in the fold, Maryland is a true title favorite.

4. Kentucky Wildcats

The Wildcats are losing just about everybody from their 38-1 team, but you know they're still going to have one of the most talented rosters in the country. Tyler Ulis should be back to run the show, and Alex Poythress will return from the ACL injury that ended his season last year. John Calipari's team would get a big boost if Dakari Johnson and Devin Booker decide to stay for another season.

3. Iowa State Cyclones

The instant that Georges Niang announced he'd be staying in school, Iowa State was assured of a place near the very top of every preseason rankings list. Fred Hoiberg is adding several transfers to the fold -- chiefly Hallice Cook, Deonte Burton, and Darien Williams. The Cyclones have a great chance of ending Kansas' dominance over the Big 12.

2. Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia had a disappointing end to their remarkable season after losing to Michigan State. With most of their core returning, including top scorers Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill, and Justin Anderson, the Cavaliers should be even better next season. Tony Bennett and Virginia may very well find themselves as the No. 1 team on most preseason ballots.

1. North Carolina Tar Heels

Just narrowly edging out Virginia for the top spot is the North Carolina Tar Heels. All 10 of the players who averaged 10-plus minutes for Roy Williams last season are expected to return. Justin Jackson dramatically improved as last season progressed, and a breakout season and rise to stardom from the lanky forward would cement the Tar Heels place atop the ACC. Let's not forget about that Marcus Paige guy either...