Last year’s national champion (Virginia) lost its top three scorers to the NBA. Last year’s most dominant team (Duke) saw its top three players drafted in the top 10. Only Marquette’s Markus Howard and Michigan State’s Cassius Winston return from last year’s AP All-American teams.
There is no clear-cut favorite, no obvious star to capture the nation’s attention, no prediction that feels safe.
It all sets up a fascinating college basketball season with much uncertainty and much possibility.
Here’s The Post’s preseason Top 25:
1. Michigan State
It took Tom Izzo just five years to win his first national championship. Two decades later, the Spartans coach may finally claim a long elusive second ring. Coming off another Final Four exit, Michigan State returns the best player in the country (Winston) and a supporting cast equipped with size, shooting and experience, earning the top spot in the initial AP poll for the first time ever. The indefinite absence of guard Joshua Langford with a foot injury is a cause for concern, however.
2. Kansas
Nobody had a better spring than the Jayhawks, who brought back their star big man (Udoka Azubuike) and point guard (Devon Dotson), and learned the NCAA ruled suspended forward Silvio De Sousa eligible. Then they added sharpshooting Iowa grad transfer Isaiah Moss and four-star wing Jalen Wilson, who was headed to Michigan before John Beilein went to the NBA. Expect Kansas to return to the top of the Big 12 after its 14-year reign was snapped last winter.
3. Louisville
Chris Mack picked up the pieces in no time. The scars from the scandals that cost Rick Pitino his job are currently hard to see, with ACC Preseason Player of the Year Jordan Nwora returning for his junior season. The frontcourt is among the country’s best, featuring 6-foot-11 Malik Williams and 6-foot-10 Steven Enoch. Mack’s 12th-ranked recruiting class, keyed by five-star wing Samuell Williamson, should provide pivotal depth.
4. Duke
How do you replace Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish? Simple. Sign another star-studded recruiting class and pair it with stud point guard Tre Jones. Mike Krzyzewski doesn’t have last season’s star power, but plenty of coaches would sign up for this collection of talent. Elite recruits Vernon Carey and Matthew Hurt figure to be factors immediately, and guards Wendell Moore and Cassius Stanley are full of potential.
5. Kentucky
The Wildcats enter without the hype of John Calipari’s previous teams, but remain a strong bet to reach their first Final Four in five years. The backcourt ranks among the nation’s best, and carries an usual amount of experience, with Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley joined by soon-to-be one-and done guard Tyrese Maxey. Kentucky takes a hit up front without P.J. Washington, but returning big men EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards could develop into stars with more minutes.
6. Gonzaga
There’s a lot of production to replace, following the departure of four starters. Corey Kispert averaged 8.0 points and 4.1 rebounds last year, and is Gonzaga’s leading returning scorer and rebounder. Fortunately for Mark Few, potential All-American Killian Tillie — limited to 15 games by ankle and foot injuries a year ago — is back. Look for transfer guards Admon Gilder (Texas A&M) and Ryan Woolridge (North Texas) to help fill the scoring void, and Few’s top-15 recruiting class to make an imprint, specifically four-star forwards Drew Timme, Pavel Zakharov and Anton Watson.
7. Florida
Don’t crown Kentucky king of the SEC yet. The Gators have made three straight NCAA Tournaments under Mike White, and became contenders with the arrival of 6-foot-10 Kerry Blackshear Jr. from Virginia Tech. Sophomore point guard Andrew Nembhard will run the show, while five-star freshman guards Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann highlight a top-10 recruiting class.
8. North Carolina
There is boom-or-bust potential in Chapel Hill, with incredible pressure on five-star freshmen Cole Anthony and Armando Bacot to be immediate difference-makers. Forward Garrison Brooks needs to go from role player to impact player. And there’s hope mid-major graduate transfers Justin Pierce (William & Mary) and Christian Keeling (Charleston Southern) — a duo that combined to average 33.6 points a year ago — can adjust to the ACC.
9. Maryland
Mark Turgeon has continually underachieved during his eight seasons in College Park, but that will be tough to repeat with this talent. Though the Terps lost Bruno Fernando to the NBA, the frontcourt kept future top-10 pick Jalen Smith, a gifted big man perfectly paired to play with star guard Anthony Cowan. The depth provided by Eric Ayala, Aaron Wiggins and Darryl Morsell could push Maryland past the Sweet 16 for the first time since its 2002 national championship.
10. Memphis
The talent is in place, with a top-ranked recruiting class that features projected No. 1 pick James Wiseman and five-star Bronx wing Precious Achiuwa. The hype is here, with a preseason national ranking for the first time in six years. Now, we find out if Penny Hardaway can coach and manage all these egos. The former NBA star did fine in his first season, guiding Memphis to 22 wins and the NIT, but the pressure of expectations will be multiplied exponentially.
11. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders were less than a minute from a national championship, and may never get closer. But as long as Chris Beard — who signed a six-year extension after the tournament, making the 46-year-old the sport’s third-highest paid coach (over $4.5 million per year) — remains, Texas Tech has hope. The Red Raiders only bring back two players from last season’s squad (Davide Moretti, Kyler Edwards), but have standout freshman Jahmius Ramsey and several breakout candidates capable of maintaining the country’s best defense.
12. Virginia
The ghosts are gone. The pressure has vanished. But last season’s miraculous national championship run will be impossible to top. Still, even without the core of De’Andre Hunter, Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome, Tony Bennett brings back title pieces Mamadi Diakite, Jay Huff, Kihei Clark and a defense that never quits. He has led less talented teams to 30 wins.
13. Villanova
For the first time since the new Big East was formed, Villanova wasn’t picked to win the league by the conference’s coaches. Big mistake. Yes, the Wildcats are young — leaders Eric Paschall and Phil Booth are now playing professionally — but they are extremely talented. Returning wings Jermaine Samuels and Saddiq Bey have breakout potential, junior point guard Collin Gillespie fits the Villanova development model of annual improvement and Jay Wright’s fifth-ranked recruiting class, led by Big East Preseason Player of the Year Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, is brimming with potential.
14. Seton Hall
The Pirates are a near-lock to reach a program-record fifth straight NCAA Tournament, but that isn’t enough this season. One more year with star guard Myles Powell means anything is possible. Powell carried the scoring load last season — his 23.1 points per game was the team’s only scoring average over 10.2 — but a strong supporting cast with three other returning starters (Myles Cale, Quincy McKnight and Sandro Mamukelashvili) gives the Pirates their highest ceiling in years.
15. Oregon
The roster from last year’s stunning Sweet 16 run looks nothing like these current Ducks. This year’s edition actually may be more talented, albeit very new. It includes impact grad transfers Shakur Juiston (UNLV) and Anthony Mathis (New Mexico), a loaded freshmen class led by five-star wing C.J. Walker and junior college All-American Chris Duarte. Heady floor general Payton Pritchard is back to help mold all these new pieces.
16. Baylor
Tristan Clark was enjoying a breakout campaign until a knee injury ended his season in early January. Now the 6-foot-10 forward is back, joined by impressive sophomore guard Jared Butler and physical junior forward Mark Vital. Add in transfers Davion Mitchell (Auburn) and MaCio Teague (UNC-Asheville) and the Bears look like the second-best team in the Big 12 behind Kansas.
17. Arizona
The Wildcats haven’t had a good headline in some time, but Sean Miller — safe from NCAA sanctions, so far — should return to the Big Dance after a rare year out of the field. Miller’s standard star-studded recruiting class features the country’s second-ranked point guard, Nico Mannion, and five-star shooting guard Josh Green. Senior center Chase Jeter will be paired with 6-foot-11 Zeke Nnaji in a frontcourt with massive potential, but with as many questions as the FBI investigation produced.
18. Xavier
Junior wing Naji Marshall is the best player in the country nobody talks about, a stout defender, scorer and playmaker. Running-mate Paul Scruggs is back by his side. They’re joined by fellow returning starters Quentin Goodin and Tyrique Jones, along with key Ohio transfer Jason Carter, a versatile 6-foot-8 forward with 3-point range. Villanova and Seton Hall are garnering most of the picks to win the Big East, but Xavier is a sleeper you shouldn’t forget about.
19. Utah State
The Aggies will carry the mantle as the nation’s best mid-major team. After notching 28 wins and an NCAA Tournament berth in his first season, coach Craig Smith should accomplish even more with a group that brings back five of the top six scorers. Senior guard Sam Merrill is one of the best shooters in the country, and 7-foot sophomore Neemias Queta will be a nightly double-double — and a nightmare in March.
20. Ohio State
Chris Holtmann’s first two seasons in Columbus both ended with at least 20 wins and one NCAA Tournament victory. Expect the Buckeyes to reach both of those benchmarks again, especially because leading scorer and rebounder Kaleb Wesson returns. Sophomore guards Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington Jr. can build off quality freshman seasons, Florida State transfer CJ Walker provides stability at point guard and highly regarded freshmen D.J. Carton, E.J. Liddell and Alonzo Gaffney provide depth and flashes of promise.
21. LSU
Will Wade should be on the sideline for this year’s NCAA Tournament. The third-year coach, who was suspended by the school after being caught on FBI wiretaps discussing a “strong-ass offer” and reinstated shortly after the team’s Sweet 16 run, added five-star power forward Trendon Watford and brings back double-digit-scoring guards Skylar Mays and Javonte Smart. But the loss of point guard Tremont Waters will sting.
22. Auburn
There is no replacing the dynamic tandem of Jared Harper and Bryce Brown. Losing Chuma Okeke to the NBA was a significant blow after the Tigers’ run to their first Final Four. Still, Bruce Pearl returns key pieces in senior forwards Anfernee McLemore, Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy and experienced guard Samir Doughty, and adds stellar freshman guard Isaac Okoro, a top-40 recruit.
23. Saint Mary’s
Randy Bennett’s Gaels beat No. 1 Gonzaga in last year’s WCC Championship, and are strong enough to take down any team again. Senior guard Jordan Ford averaged 21.1 points last season and leads one of the most efficient offenses in the nation. Aaron Menzies, a 7-foot-3 center from the United Kingdom, is capable of stealing the spotlight as well.
24. VCU
With their six top scorers back, this has the makings of the Rams’ best team since the days of Shaka Smart. Coach Mike Rhoades has plenty of firepower — double-figure scorers Marcus Evans, De’Riante Jenkins, Issac Vann and Marcus Santos-Silva return — and an experienced cast attuned to VCU’s grinding, defense-first mentality.
25. Georgetown
In Year 3, Patrick Ewing finally has the talent to take the Hoyas to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years. The backcourt of high-flyer Mac McClung and James Akinjo will carry the team on most nights, but the storied program’s return to relevance hinges on 7-foot North Carolina State transfer Omer Yurtseven, who is set up to thrive under the tutelage of a Hall of Fame center.