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Top 25 players in college hoops: 20-16

theScore

During the opening week of the 2019-20 season, theScore's John Chick and Chicco Nacion will be counting down the top 25 players in college hoops. We'll reveal five every day leading up to the first weekend of play.

25-21 | 20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1

20. Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois

Dosunmu was the biggest bright spot for a 12-21 Illinois squad last season and was named to the All-Big Ten freshman team. Expectations are higher for the Fighting Illini in 2019-20, and it starts with Dosunmu's lightning-quick speed, already showcased to great effect in transition during his first collegiate campaign.

That figures to continue in his sophomore year, thanks to coach Brad Underwood's up-tempo style. Dosunmu is still refining his shot, but his athleticism and prototypical NBA wing dimensions already have him projected as a first-round pick next June.

19. Tristan Clark, Baylor

Clark is the latest in a line of solid Baylor power forwards, following in the steps of names such as Quincy Acy, Cory Jefferson, and Royce O'Neale. The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder was a force inside last season, shooting close to 74% from the floor, blocking 2.4 shots per game, and logging a PER of 30.9.

Clark enters his junior year headlining the preseason All-Big 12 team and could help the Bears give Kansas a run for the conference title.

18. Isaiah Stewart, Washington

Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Stewart, the No. 3 prospect in the 2019 ESPN 100, joins fellow top-10 recruit Jaden McDaniels on defending regular-season Pac-12 champion Washington. The 6-foot-9 center comes into college basketball with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, a powerful post game, and a high motor.

The Rochester, New York, native figures to be the catalyst for the Huskies on both ends of the floor. As a freshman, his defensive impact should exceed his offensive one - he absolutely dominated the paint at the prep level as a rebounder and rim-protector.

17. Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State

Haliburton remains a popular pick to make a sophomore leap. While he was an important starter for Iowa State as a freshman, his summer run for Team USA at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup sent pundits atwitter.

Haliburton posted a staggering 82.5 true shooting percentage in seven tournament games in Greece. He now takes over lead guard duties in Ames following the graduation of Nick Weiler-Babb and the pro departure of Lindell Wigginton.

16. Anthony Cowan Jr., Maryland

Maryland enters the season ranked in the preseason top 10 for just the second time in the last decade. Expectations are high for the Terrapins, who are led by senior point guard Cowan - one of four returning starters. The Maryland native starts the year on the 2020 Bob Cousy Award watch list and as a unanimous preseason All-Big Ten team selection.

Cowan has led the Terps in assists every year he's been in College Park, as well as topping the team in scoring the past two seasons. He's one of just four players in program history with 1,300 points and 430 assists.

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