Kentucky now No. 1 in Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25 (and one)

My initial 2015-16 Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25 (and one) posted just last Monday and, already, there have been enough notable developments to justify an update.

So let's update it.

What's changed, you ask?

Well, for starters, Virginia's Justin Anderson is now entering the 2015 NBA Draft, and that, obviously, affects the Cavaliers' ranking. Also: Michigan State added a five-star forward, and Kentucky signee Skal Labissiere, off the radar for much of the past four months, proved to be way better at the Hoop Summit than most either remembered or realized. Meantime, John Calipari hit the road recruiting, and the Hall of Fame coach typically adds nice pieces late.

We'll see.

Either way, here's the latest 2015-16 Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25 (and one).

As always, when the information changes, so will these rankings.

1. KENTUCKY

Notable players definitely gone: Karl-Anthony Towns, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Trey Lyles, Devin Booker, Dakari Johnson, Willie Cauley-Stein
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Tyler Ulis, Marcus Lee, Alex Poythress, Derek Willis, Dominique Hawkins
Others expected to join the roster: Skal Labissiere, Isaiah Briscoe, Charles Matthews, Mychal Mulder

Why the Wildcats are ranked here: There are lots of moving parts with UK, per usual. But it would be foolish to assume John Calipari will have anything other than one of the nation's best rosters even though he's losing his top seven scorers. The guess here is that Kentucky will sign at least one more prospect -- either Jaylen Brown or Thon Maker. Combine that likelihood with a core of Tyler Ulis, Alex Poythress, Marcus Lee, Isaiah Briscoe and Skal Labissiere -- the latter of whom played so well last week at the Hoop Summit that he's now projected as the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft -- and it's reasonable to believe Kentucky could ultimately be the favorite to win the 2016 national championship.

2. NORTH CAROLINA

Notable players definitely gone: J.P. Tokoto
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, Kennedy Meeks, Isaiah Hicks, Justin Jackson, Joel Berry, Joel James, Natre Britt, Theo Pinson
Others expected to join the roster: Luke Maye

Why the Tar Heels are ranked here: Brice Johnson's return means UNC should bring back everybody (except J.P. Tokoto) from a team that finished 11th in KenPom's final ratings. The Tar Heels also played in the ACC Tournament title game and made the Sweet 16.

3. MARYLAND

Notable players definitely gone: Dez Wells, Evan Smotrycz, Richaud Pack, Jon Graham
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Melo Trimble, Jake Layman, Dion Wiley, Jared Nickens, Damonte Dodd, Michal Cekovsky
Others expected to join the roster: Diamond Stone, Robert Carter, Jaylen Brantley

Why the Terrapins are ranked here: Maryland has, in the past month, received news that Melo Trimble will return for his sophomore season, and that Diamond Stone will enroll in College Park. So Mark Turgeon is on a roll. He'll have a Final Four-caliber roster.

4. KANSAS

Notable players definitely gone: Kelly Oubre, Cliff Alexander
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Perry Ellis, Frank Mason, Wayne Selden, Jamari Traylor, Brannen Greene, Devonte' Graham, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Landen Lucas
Others expected to join the roster: Cheick Diallo, Carlton Bragg

Why the Jayhawks are ranked here: KU's roster will lack starpower. But so many quality pieces from a Big 12 championship team are returning that it would be silly to have Kansas outside of the top five. In other words, yes, the Jayhawks should win a 12th straight league title next season -- unless the team listed immediately below them wins the Big 12 instead.

5. MICHIGAN STATE

Notable players definitely gone: Travis Trice, Branden Dawson
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Denzel Valentine, Marvin Clark, Matt Costello, Gavin Schilling, Alvin Ellis, Bryn Forbes, Lourawls Nairn
Others expected to join the roster: Caleb Swanigan, Eron Harris, Deyonta Davis, Matthew McQuaid, Kyle Ahrens

Why the Spartans are ranked here: The loss of Travis Trice and Branden Dawson will hurt. But the addition of Eron Harris, a West Virginia transfer, should be a big boost, and a late -- not to mention surprising -- commitment from five-star prospect Caleb Swannigan gives Michigan State a possible star in the frontcourt who should contribute immediately.

6. IOWA STATE

Notable players definitely gone: Bryce Dejean-Jones, Dustin Hogue, Daniel Edozie
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Georges Niang, Abdel Nader, Monte Morris, Naz Long, Jameel McKay, Matt Thomas
Others expected to join the roster: Deonte Burton, Hallice Cooke

Why the Cyclones are ranked here: Fred Hoiberg has turned Iowa State into a consistent winner, and there's no reason to think that'll change next season given that the Cyclones' top three scorers are returning. And that means they'll have a shot at the Big 12 title, assuming their homecourt advantage remains one of the nation's best.

7. VIRGINIA

Notable players definitely gone: Darion Atkins, Justin Anderson
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill, Mike Tobey, London Perrantes, Marial Shayok, Evan Nolte, Devon Hall
Others expected to join the roster: Darius Thompson, Jack Salt, Jarred Reuter

Why the Cavaliers are ranked here: Justin Anderson entering the 2015 NBA Draft dropped Virginia from the top spot. The Cavaliers will still be good, probably. But they'll now be without two of the top four scorers from a team that won the ACC this past season.

8. DUKE

Notable players definitely gone: Quinn Cook, Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Grayson Allen, Amile Jefferson, Matt Jones, Marshall Plumlee
Others expected to join the roster: Derryck Thornton, Brandon Ingram, Chase Jeter, Luke Kennard, Sean Obi, Antonio Vrankovic

Why the Blue Devils are ranked here: Derryck Thornton's reclassification and commitment to Duke is big and crucial to replacing Tyus Jones. The Blue Devils might not be title contenders again. But they'll endure the loss of their top four scorers about as well as could reasonably be expected.

9. OKLAHOMA

Notable players definitely gone: TaShawn Thomas, Frank Booker
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins, Jordan Woodard, Ryan Spangler, Khadeem Lattin, Dinjiyl Walker
Others expected to join the roster: Akolda Manyang, Christian James, Rashard Odomes

Why the Sooners are ranked here: Buddy Hield's decision to return for his senior season means he could be a First Team All-American. It also means Kansas and Iowa State will have a third legitimate challenger for the Big 12 crown.

10. GONZAGA

Notable players definitely gone: Kevin Pangos, Gary Bell, Angel Nunez, Byron Wesley
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Kyle Wiltjer, Przemek Karnowski, Domantas Sabonis, Silas Melson, Kyle Dranginis, Eric McClellan, Josh Perkins
Others expected to join the roster: None

Why the Zags are ranked here: Gonzaga should return six of the top nine players from a team that won 35 games and made the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Kyle Wiltjer will have a strong case to be a preseason First Team All-American.

11. WICHITA STATE

Notable players definitely gone: Darius Carter, Tekele Cotton
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker, Evan Wessel, Shaquille Morris, Rashard Kelly
Others expected to join the roster: Conner Frankamp, Markus McDuffie, Landry Shamet, Eric Hamilton, Tyrone Taylor

Why the Shockers are ranked here: Gregg Marshall, Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker are all returning, which equals heaven for Wichita State. Kansas transfer Conner Frankcamp adds another shooter to the rotation. The Shockers should cruise in the MVC.

12. VILLANOVA

Notable players definitely gone: Darrun Hilliard, JayVaughn Pinkston, Dylan Ennis
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Ryan Arcidiacono, Daniel Ochefu, Josh Hart, Phil Booth, Kris Jenkins
Others expected to join the roster: Jaylen Brunson, Donte Divincenzo, Tim Delaney

Why the Wildcats are ranked here: The Wildcats return enough to win the Big East. A Jaylen Brunson-Ryan Arcidiacono backcourt should be tons of fun.

13. INDIANA

Notable players definitely gone: Max Hoetzel, Stanford Robinson
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Yogi Ferrell, James Blackmon, Troy Williams, Robert Johnson, Hanner Mosquera-Perea, Nick Zeisloft, Emmitt Holt
Others expected to join the roster: Thomas Bryant, Juwan Morgan, Ogugua Anunoby

Why the Hoosiers are ranked here: What was Indiana missing this season? A competent big man. What is Thomas Bryant? A competent big man. So the Hoosiers should have no issues making the NCAA Tournament again -- now that Yogi Ferrell is definitely returning.

14. SMU

Notable players definitely gone: Yanick Moreira, Cannen Cunningham, Ryan Manuel
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Nic Moore, Markus Kennedy, Ben Moore, Sterling Brown, Ben Emelogu
Others expected to join the roster: Semi Ojeleye, Shake Milton, Cedrick Barefield

Why the Mustangs are ranked here: The reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year (Nic Moore) is back. That means SMU should make the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years for the first time since 1984 and 1985.

15. ARIZONA

Notable players definitely gone: T.J. McConnell, Brandon Ashley, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Others expected to leave: Stanley Johnson
Notable players expected to return: Kaleb Tarczewski, Gabe York, Elliott Pitts, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Dusan Ristic
Others expected to join the roster: Kadeem Allen, Alonzo Trier, Ray Smith, Justin Simon, Chance Comanche, Ryan Anderson

Why the Wildcats are ranked here: Yes, I know, Stanley Johnson is considering returning to Arizona, and, if so, the Wildcats will be higher than 14. But the smart money still has Arizona's freshman star declaring for the NBA Draft. So that's the projection ... for now.

16. WISCONSIN

Notable players definitely gone: Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker, Traevon Jackson, Josh Gasser, Duje Dukan
Others expected to leave:
Notable players expected to return: Nigel Hayes, Bronson Koenig
Others expected to join the roster: Brevin Pritzel, Alex Illikainen, Charlie Thomas, Khalil Iverson

Why the Badgers are ranked here: Will Wisconsin have a top-20 roster? No ... especially now that Sam Dekker is definitely leaving school. But Bo Ryan will still be the coach. So the Badgers belong in the top 20.

17. GEORGETOWN

Notable players definitely gone: Joshua Smith, Aaron Bown, Jabril Trawick, Mickael Hopkins
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, L.J. Peak, Isaac Copeland, Paul White, Tre Campbell
Others expected to join the roster: Jessie Govan, Marcus Derrickson, Kaleb Johnson

Why the Hoyas are ranked here: D'vauntes Smith-Rivera returning is enough to make Georgetown a top-20 team. That's a difference-making decision for the John Thompson III.

18. MICHIGAN

Notable players definitely gone: Max Biefeldt
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Caris LeVert, Zak Irvin, Derrick Walton, Kameron Chatman, Aubrey Dawkins, Ricky Doyle, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Mark Donnal, Spike Albrecht
Others expected to join the roster: Moritz Wagner

Why the Wolverines are ranked here: Caris LeVert's injury this season cost Michigan a chance to make another NCAA Tournament. But it probably forced him back to school for an extra year, and next season's Wolverines will benefit.

19. UTAH

Notable players definitely gone: Delon Wright, Dalin Bachynski
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Jakob Poeltl, Brandon Taylor, Jordan Loveridge, Dakarai Tucker, Chris Reyes, Kyle Kuzma, Brekkott Chapman
Others expected to join the roster: None

Why the Utes are ranked here: The Utes' return to national relevance won't just be a one-year thing under Larry Krystkowiak. He's building something special, and Utah should be really good again now that Jacob Poeltl is definitely returning to school.

20. BAYLOR

Notable players definitely gone: Royce O'Neale, Kenny Chery
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Rico Gathers, Taurean Prince, Johnathan Motley, Lester Medford, Ish Wainright
Others expected to join the roster: King McClure, Joseph Acuil, Wendall Mitchell, Jake Lindsey

Why the Bears are ranked here: The Bears will miss Kenny Chery plenty. But a nice core -- led by Rico Gathers -- should keep Scott Drew's program nationally relevant.

21. MIAMI

Notable players definitely gone: Joe Thomas, Manu Lecomte, Deandre Burnett
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Sheldon McClellan, Angel Rodriguez, Tonye Jekiri, Davon Reed, Ivan Cruz Uceda, Omar Sherman, Ja'Quan Newton, James Palmer
Others expected to join the roster: Kamari Murphy, Anthony Lawrence Jr.

Why the Hurricanes are ranked here: Most relevant players from a team that played for the NIT title is back, and the Hurricanes will add Oklahoma State transfer Kamari Murphy. So Miami probably won't be on the wrong side of the bubble again next season.

22. TEXAS A&M

Notable players definitely gone: Kourtney Roberson, Jordan Green
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Jalen Jones, Alex Caruso, Danuel House, Alex Robinson, Antwan Space, Davonte Fitzgerald, Peyton Allen, Tonny Trocha-Moreios
Others expected to join the roster: Anthony Collins, Tyler Davis, D.J. Hogg, Elijah Thomas, Admon Gilder

Why the Aggies are ranked here: The Aggies have a top-five recruiting class. That, combined with some quality returning pieces, should have A&M in the NCAA Tournament.

23. VCU

Notable players definitely gone: Treveon Graham, Briante Weber
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: JeQuan Lewis, Melvin Johnson, Mo Alie-Cox, Jordan Burgess, Terry Larrier, Doug Brooks, Jonathan Williams
Others expected to join the roster: Korey Billbury

Why the Rams are ranked here: VCU lost Shaka Smart but still has a talented roster. New coach Will Wade has inherited a nice situation.

24. LSU

Notable players definitely gone: Jordan Mickey, Jarell Martin
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Tim Quarterman, Josh Gray, Keith Hornsby, Jalyn Patterson
Others expected to join the roster: Ben Simmons, Antonio Blakeney, Brandon Sampson

Why the Tigers are ranked here: Ben Simmons might be the best freshman in the country next season, and Antonio Blakeney is super-talented, too. So the losses of Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are possible to overcome in Baton Rouge.

25. FLORIDA STATE

Notable players definitely gone: Kiel Turpin
Others expected to leave: None
Notable players expected to return: Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Montay Brandon, Devon Bookert, Phil Cofer, Jarquez Smith, Boris Bojanovsky, Robbie Berwick
Others expected to join the roster: Dwayne Bacon, Malik Beasley, Terrance Mann, Christ Koumadje

Why the Seminoles are ranked here: Leonard Hamilton received good news when Xavier Rathan-Mayes announced he would return to Florida State for at least another season. Consequently, the Seminoles will be almost as talented as anybody in the ACC.

26. CINCINNATI

Notable players definitely gone: Jermaine Sanders, Deshaun Morman
Others expected to leave:
Notable players expected to return: Octavius Ellis, Shaquille Thomas, Gary Clark, Troy Caupain, Farad Cobb, Quadri Moore, Coreontae DeBerry, Kevin Johnson
Others expected to join the roster: Jacob Evans, Justin Jenifer

Why the Bearcats are ranked here: Mick Cronin will be back on the sideline next season, and he has a lot of tough and experienced players returning with him. The Bearcats will likely be the biggest threat to SMU in the American Athletic Conference.