College basketball rankings: UCLA drops in Top 25 And 1 after losing its top recruit to the G League
Five-star point guard Daishen Nix, who signed with UCLA in November, announced Tuesday that he’s skipping college to join the same G League program that Jalen Green and Isaiah Todd have already joined. Predictably, some are once again arguing it’s a development that represents the beginning of the end for college basketball. But, as I’ve explained before, we’ve already experienced an 11-year stretch (from 1995 to 2005) when some of the best high school prospects did not attend college — eventual stars like Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James — and the impact on college basketball as a sport was small bordering on non-existent.
Attendance remained strong.
Television ratings were consistent.
The same people who watched and loved college basketball before that stretch watched and loved college basketball during that stretch because North Carolina vs. Duke is interesting regardless of the people in the uniforms. So keep that in mind whenever somebody suggests doom and gloom; a handful of one-and-done players becoming none-and-done players won’t matter much big-picture. But, all that said, Nix’s decision does hurt UCLA specifically just like Green’s decision hurt Memphis and Todd’s decision hurt Michigan — and it’s reflected in Version 11.0 of the 2020-21 CBS Sports Preseason Top 25 And 1.
UCLA is now No. 23.
The Bruins will obviously slip further if Chris Smith doesn’t withdraw from the NBA Draft. But, for now, I’m projecting him to return to UCLA, which means Mick Cronin is expected to have all five starters back from a team that improved drastically as the season unfolded and was positioned to make the 2020 NCAA Tournament. Put another way, even without Nix, the Bruins should be contenders in the Pac-12.
If you’ve been following these updates, you know that what I do is assume all consensus projected first-round picks will remain in the NBA Draft, make educated guesses about other underclassmen, and omit (for now) all traditional sit-out transfers. As always, when I need to adjust, I’ll adjust. Version 12.0 is likely right around the corner. But, at this moment, Gonzaga is No. 1 based on the idea that everybody who can return from a team that finished 31-2 will return from a team that finished 31-2. If that happens, the Zags will be led by All-American Filip Petrusev, have three of their top five scorers back, and benefit from a top-10 recruiting class highlighted by five-star guard Jalen Suggs.
Top 25 And 1 rankings
Top 25 And 1 roster analysis
1. Gonzaga
Coach: Mark Few
2019-20 record: 31-2
Notable players definitely gone: Killian Tillie, Ryan Woolridge, Admon Gilder
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Filip Petrusev, Corey Kispert, Joel Ayayi, Drew Timme, Anton Watson, Pavel Zakharov, Martynas Arlauskas, Will Graves, Matthew Lang
Expected additions: Jalen Suggs, Julian Strawther, Dominick Harris, Oumar Ballo, Aaron Cook
2. Baylor
Coach: Scott Drew
2019-20 record: 26-4
Notable players definitely gone: Freddie Gillespie, Devonte Bandoo
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, Davion Mitchell, Mark Vital, Matthew Mayer, Tristan Clark, Flo Thamba
Expected additions: Dain Dainja, LJ Cryer, Zach Loveday, Adam Flagler, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua
3. Villanova
Coach: Jay Wright
2019-20 record: 24-7
Notable players definitely gone: N/A
Notable players expected to also leave: Saddiq Bey
Notable players expected to return: Collin Gillespie, Justin Moore, Jermaine Samuels, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Cole Swider, Brandon Slater, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Bryan Antoine
Expected additions: Caleb Daniels, Eric Dixon
4. Virginia
Coach: Tony Bennett
2019-20 record: 23-7
Notable players definitely gone: Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Kihei Clark, Jay Huff, Tomas Woldetensae, Casey Morsell, Kody Stattman, Francisco Caffaro, Justin McKoy
Expected additions: Sam Hauser, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Reece Beekman, Carson McCorkle, Kadin Shedrick
5. Houston
Coach: Kelvin Sampson
2019-20 record: 23-8
Notable players definitely gone: Chris Harris
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Caleb Mills, Quentin Grimes, Nate Hinton, Fabian White, DeJon Jarreau, Marcus Sasser, Justin Gorham, Brison Gresham, Cedrick Alley
Expected additions: Tramon Mark, Jamal Shead, Kiyron Powell, Cameron Tyson, J’Wan Roberts
6. Iowa
Coach: Fran McCaffery
2019-20 record: 20-11
Notable players definitely gone: Ryan Kriener, Bakari Evelyn, Cordell Pemsl
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Luka Garza, Joe Wieskamp, CJ Fredrick, Jordan Bohannon, Joe Toussaint, Connor McCaffery, Jack Nunge
Expected additions: Ahron Ulis, Tony Perkins, Josh Ogundele, Keegan Murray, Kris Murray
7. Kansas
Coach: Bill Self
2019-20 record: 28-3
Notable players definitely gone: Devon Dotson, Udoka Azubuike, Isaiah Moss
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Ochai Agbaji, Marcus Garrett, David McCormack, Christian Braun, Silvio De Sousa, Tristan Enaruna, Mitch Lightfoot
Expected additions: Bryce Thompson, Tyon Grant-Foster, Gethro Muscadin, Latrell Jossell
8. Duke
Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
2019-20 record: 25-6
Notable players definitely gone: Vernon Carey, Tre Jones, Cassius Stanley, Alex O’Connell, Javin DeLaurier, Jack White
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Matthew Hurt, Wendell Moore, Joey Baker, Jordan Goldwire
Expected additions: Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, DJ Steward, Mark Williams, Jaemyn Brakefield, Henry Coleman
9. Creighton
Coach: Greg McDermott
2019-20 record: 24-7
Notable players definitely gone: Ty-Shon Alexander, Kelvin Jones, Davion Mintz
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Marcus Zegarowski, Denzel Mahoney, Mitch Ballock, Jacob Epperson, Damien Jefferson, Christian Bishop, Shareef Mitchell, Jalen Windham, Jett Canfield
Expected additions: Antwann Jones, Ryan Kalkbrenner
10. Wisconsin
Coach: Greg Gard
2019-20 record: 21-10
Notable players definitely gone: Brevin Pritzl
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Nate Reuvers, Micah Potter, Brad Davison, D’Mitrik Trice, Aleem Ford, Tyler Wahl, Trevor Anderson
Expected additions: Ben Carlson, Johnny Davis, Lorne Bowman, Steven Crowl, Jordan Davis
11. Michigan State
Coach: Tom Izzo
2019-20 record: 22-9
Notable players definitely gone: Cassius Winston, Kyle Aherns
Notable players expected to also leave: Xavier Tillman
Notable players expected to return: Aaron Henry, Rocket Watts, Gabe Brown, Malik Hall, Marcus Bingham, Thomas Kithier, Foster Loyer, Julius Marble
Expected additions: Joey Hauser, Mady Sissoko, AJ Hoggard
12. Tennessee
Coach: Rick Barnes
2019-20 record: 17-14
Notable players definitely gone: Jordan Bowden, Jalen Johnson
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: John Fulkerson, Yves Pons, Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James, Olivier Nkamhoua, Uros Plavsic, Davonte Gaines
Expected additions: Jaden Springer, Keon Johnson, Corey Walker, Malachi Wideman, Victory Bailey, E.J. Anosike
13. West Virginia
Coach: Bob Huggins
2019-20 record: 21-10
Notable players definitely gone: Jermaine Haley, Chase Harler, Brandon Knapper, Logan Routt,
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Oscar Tshiebwe, Derek Culver, Miles McBride, Emmitt Matthews, Sean McNeil, Taz Sherman, Jordan McCabe, Gabe Osabuohien
Expected additions: Isaiah Cottrell, Taj Thweatt, Kedrian Johnson, Jalen Bridges
14. Kentucky
Coach: John Calipari
2019-20 record: 25-6
Notable players definitely gone: Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards,Tyrese Maxey, Ashton Hagans, Nate Sestina, EJ Montgomery, Johnny Juzang
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Keion Brooks
Expected additions: Terrence Clarke, BJ Boston, Devin Askew, Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Davion Mintz
15. North Carolina
Coach: Roy Williams
2019-20 record: 14-19
Notable players definitely gone: Cole Anthony, Brandon Robinson, Christian Keeling, Justin Pierce, Jeremiah Francis
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Garrison Brooks, Armando Bacot, Anthony Harris, Leaky Black, Andrew Platek, K.J. Smith
Expected additions: Day’Ron Sharpe, Walker Kessler, Caleb Love, Puff Johnson, R.J. Davis, Kerwin Walton
16. Texas Tech
Coach: Chris Beard
2019-20 record: 18-13
Notable players definitely gone: TJ Holyfield, Chris Clarke
Notable players expected to also leave: Jahmi’us Ramsey
Notable players expected to return: Davide Moretti, Kyler Edwards, Terrence Shannon, Kevin McCullar, Clarence Nadolny, Avery Benson, Russsel Tchewa, Andrei Savrasov
Expected additions: Nimari Burnett, Micah Perry, Chibuzo Agbo, Joel Ntambe
17. Ohio State
Coach: Chris Holtmann
2019-20 record: 21-10
Notable players definitely gone: Andre Wesson, D.J. Carton, Luther Muhammad, Alonzo Gaffney
Notable players expected to also leave: Kaleb Wesson
Notable players expected to return: Duane Washington, CJ Walker, Kyle Young, E.J. Liddell, Justin Ahrens
Expected additions: Seth Towns, Eugene Brown, Zed Key, Justice Sueing
18. Texas
Coach: Shaka Smart
2019-20 record: 19-12
Notable players definitely gone: N/A
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Matt Colemam, Andrew Jones, Courtney Ramey, Jericho Sims, Jase Febres, Gerald Liddell, Kai Jones, Donovan Williams, Kamaka Hepa, Royce Hamm, Will Baker, Brock Cunningham
Expected additions: Greg Brown
19. Arizona State
Coach: Bobby Hurley
2019-20 record: 20-11
Notable players definitely gone: Rob Edwards, Mickey Mitchell, Khalid Thomas
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Remy Martin, Alonzo Verge, Romello White, Kimani Lawrence, Taeshon Cherry, Jaelen House, Jalen Graham
Expected additions: Joshua Christopher, Marcus Bagle
20. Oregon
Coach: Dana Altman
2019-20 record: 24-7
Notable players definitely gone: Payton Pritchard, Shakur Juiston, Anthony Mathis, Francis Okoro
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Chris Duarte, Will Richardson, N’Faly Dante, Addison Patterson, Chandler Lawson, C.J. Walker
Expected additions: Jalen Terry, Eric Williams, Eugene Omoruyi, Amauri Hardy
21. Rutgers
Coach: Steve Pikiell
2019-20 record: 20-11
Notable players definitely gone: Akwasi Yeboah, Shaq Carter
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Ron Harper Jr., Geo Baker, Jacob Young, Myles Johnson, Montez Mathis, Caleb McConnell, Paul Mulcahy
Expected additions: Cliff Omoruyi, Mawot Mag, Dean Reiber, Oskar Palmquist
22. Stanford
Coach: Jerod Haase
2019-20 record: 20-12
Notable players definitely gone: Isaac White
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Oscar da Silva, Tyrell Terry, Spencer Jones, Daejon Davis, Bryce Willis, Jaiden Delaire, Lukas Kisunas, James Keefe
Expected additions: Ziaire Williams, Max Murrell, Noah Taitz, Brandon Angel
23. UCLA
Coach: Mick Cronin
2019-20 record: 19-12
Notable players definitely gone: Prince Ali, Alex Olesinski
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Chris Smith, Jalen Hill, Jaime Jaquez, Cody Riley, Tyger Campbell, Jules Bernard, Jake Kyman, David Singleton
Expected additions: Jaylen Clark, Kenneth Nwuba
24. Florida State
Coach: Leonard Hamilton
2019-20 record: 26-5
Notable players definitely gone: Devin Vassell, Trent Forrest, Dominik Olejniczak
Notable players expected to also leave: Patrick Williams
Notable players expected to return: M.J. Walker, Malik Osborne, RaiQuan Gray, Anthony Polite, Balsa Koprivica, Wyatt Wilkes, Nathanael Jack, Rayquan Evans
Expected additions: Scottie Barnes, Sardaar Calhoun
25. Arkansas
Coach: Eric Musselman
2019-20 record: 20-12
Notable players definitely gone: Mason Jones, Jimmy Whitt, Jalen Harris, Adrio Bailey
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Isaiah Joe, Desi Sills, Reggie Chaney, Ethan Henderson, Jeantal Cylla
Expected additions: Moses Moody, KK Robinson, Jaylin Williams, Davonte Davis, J.D. Notae, Connor Vanover, Abayomi Iyiola, Vance Jackson, Jalen Tate
26. Florida
Coach: Michael White
2019-20 record: 19-12
Notable players definitely gone: Kerry Blackshear, Dontay Bassett
Notable players expected to also leave: N/A
Notable players expected to return: Keyontae Johnson, Andrew Nembhard, Noah Locke, Scottie Lewis, Tre Mann, Ques Glover, Omar Payne, Jason Jitoboh
Expected additions: Tyree Appleby, Anthony Duruji, Samson Ruzhentsev, Niels Lane, Osayi Osifo