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NCAA Basketball: Updated early top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 5: Killian Tillie #33 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dribbles the ball against the Villanova Wildcats in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 5: Killian Tillie #33 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs dribbles the ball against the Villanova Wildcats in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 05: CJ Walker #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 05: CJ Walker #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

24. team. 490. . . . Buckeyes

NCAA Basketball power rankings – Ohio State Buckeyes

Losing the team’s leading scorer and rebounder Kaleb Wesson to the NBA Draft was always expected. What wasn’t was the departure of starting guard Luther Muhammad, one of the best defenders in the county. Guard DJ Carton left the program for Marquette this offseason, while the status of former top-50 recruit Alonzo Gaffney remains unknown, although Ohio State seems to not be a part of any future plans.

The good news is that point guard CJ Walker is coming back, along with the lone returning double-digit contributor Duane Washington Jr. Big man Kyle Young is also coming back, joined by three-star incoming freshmen, Zed Key and Eugene Brown II. E.J. Liddell will be the key, coming off a solid freshman campaign. A breakout season from him will have the Buckeyes in Big Ten contention.

One of the biggest pickups this offseason was Harvard grad transfer Seth Towns coming to Columbus. The former Ivy League Player of the Year hasn’t played in two seasons thanks to knee injuries but appears to be fully healthy heading into 2020-21. If he can contribute at a high level again, the Buckeyes will be in solid shape. Same thing goes to Cal transfer Justice Sueing, ready to go after sitting out this past year.

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