March Madness Is Over, Time to Think About Next Year’s Top 25

Villanova projects to return to top of NCAA class, though they won’t hit next season as favorite to win it all.

Phil Booth #5 of the Villanova Wildcats shoots the ball during the second half as Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends  in the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four semifinal game at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.  (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Phil Booth #5 of the Villanova Wildcats shoots the ball during the second half as Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends in the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four semifinal game at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
NCAA Photos via Getty Images

In the 2017-18 season, Villanova was clearly the best team in men’s college basketball.

In the 2018-19 season, Villanova projects to be right back at the top of the NCAA class, although they won’t enter next season as a favorite to capture their third national title in four seasons by repeating as champions.

Depending on who you believe, ESPN or The Associated Press, that distinction belongs to either the Kansas Jayhawks or Duke Blue Devils.

In their respective “way-too-early” Top 25 polls for next season, both publications believe Duke and Kansas are the top two teams in the country overall and think Villanova is a solid third.

Rounding out their top five, ESPN has the Kentucky Wildcats and Auburn Tigers while The AP has the Wildcats and University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

Completing the Top 10s of both lists (including the Tigers and Tar Heels) are the Gonzaga Bulldogs, Virginia Cavaliers, Tennessee Volunteers and Nevada Wolf Pack.

Win the Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Experience

Want the F1 experience of a lifetime? Here’s your chance to win tickets to see Turn 18 Grandstand, one of Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix’s most premier grandstands!