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NCAA Basketball: Updated early top-25 rankings for 2021-22 after NBA Draft deadline

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 20, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Ochai Agbaji (30) dunks the ball against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Ochai Agbaji (30) dunks the ball against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball NBA Draft Julian Champagnie St. John’s Red Storm (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

30. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

The loss of Missouri Valley Player of the Year Cameron Krutwing certainly stings, but the Ramblers bring back everyone else, including several seniors that opted to take a 5th year. Guards Lucas Williamson and Keith Clemons have star potential, while Ivy League transfers Chris Knight and  Ryan Schwieger adds depth and shooting for Loyola. Even with a new head coach, this program shouldn’t skip a beat in terms of winning.

29. St. John’s Red Storm

Arguably the biggest impact return from the NBA Draft is Julian Champagnie, who nearly averaged 20 ppg and 10 rpg last season for St. John’s. With the All-Big East star back and an improved roster, the Red Storm has the chance to finish in the top-3 or 4 in the conference standings and make the NCAA Tournament.

28. LSU Tigers

The Tigers already knew they were losing their top three scorers (Cam Thomas, Trendon Watford, and Javonte Smart), who combined to average 55.3 ppg this past season. However, they were able to get one started back from the draft process in forward Darius Days, who gives LSU someone with experience with this program. They added key guard transfers in Xavier Pinson and Adam Miller, along with five-star center Efton Reid. This team has potential but no chemistry so expect some growing pains early on.

27. Xavier Musketeers

The Musketeers knew early on that star forward Zach Freemantle was coming back for another season, along with seniors and double-digit scorers Paul Scruggs and Nate Johnson. Just about the rest of the roster is back as well, along with transfer pickups, Jack Nunge and Jerome Hunter. This is a roster with top-25 talent but after their second-half struggles last season, there are some questions they need to answer.

26. Maryland Terrapins

There were two big decisions that the Terrapins had to deal with. And it ended up being good and bad, as leading scorer Eric Ayala opted to return, while 14.5 ppg scorer Aaron Wiggins decided to stay in the NBA Draft. That leaves a lot of pressure on Ayala, along with transfers Qudus Wahab and Fatts Russell to excel for Maryland next season. This team could be top-15 good or finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten if things don’t go well.

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