NCAA Basketball: Preseason Top 25 teams for 2018-19

25. Buffalo Bulls – 27-9 (15-3)

2017-18 postseason results: Round of 32

Key losses: Wes Clark 15.5 ppg and 5.4 apg (led team)

Key returnees: SR CJ Massinburg (17.0 ppg and 7.3 rpg) – SR Nick Perkins (16.2 ppg) SR Jeremy Harris (15.5 ppg)

Whenever a mid-major program loses a guy who averages over 15 ppg, they tend to take a step back the following year.

That won’t be the case with Buffalo, who have three others returning for their final season. First-team All-MAC player CJ Massinburg will be the preseason favorite for Player of the Year. And even if he struggles on a given night, Nick Perkins and Jeremy Harris are more than capable of filling in with big outings themselves.

The Bulls were always a solid team this season, losing only to NCAA Tournament teams in the non-conference. But even after steamrolling through the MAC, few thought they stood a chance against Arizona in the Round of 64. Instead, the top-10 scoring offense in the country put up 89 on the Wildcats, with all the key players having huge nights.

Buffalo will once again have a juggernaut offense and return most of their roster along with head coach Nate Oaks, who turned down job offers after the season. There is no reason why the Bulls aren’t one of the top mid-major teams next season.