The NCAA's Tuesday deadline forced some players to make quicker decisions on whether to stay in school or enter the NBA draft.

These players may not have tested the draft process under the old rules.

While the NBA early-entry deadline still looms for April 29, there is a sense that the players who made public pronouncements that they are staying aren't going to spurn their school and head to the NBA by the late April deadline.

So what do some of the 16 most significant decisions mean right now? Let's take a look.

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AP Photo/Darron Cummings Cody Zeller's return keeps Indiana in the top spot for next season. Cody Zeller's return keeps Indiana in the top spot for next season.

1. Indiana will remain a pre-preseason No. 1 because Cody Zeller and Christian Watford decided to return. The Hoosiers haven't had this kind of offseason buzz in over a decade. They will have a Big Ten and national player of the year candidate in Zeller.

2. Michigan can be a Final Four contender under coach John Beilein because Trey Burke is returning for his sophomore season. Burke was the star on a veteran team last season and his loss would've meant a huge void at point for the Wolverines. He will only shine brighter as a sophomore and add more depth to a talent-laden conference.

3. Baylor now has a legit shot to stay in the Big 12's top three because Quincy Miller and Pierre Jackson will both be back. The Bears were already losing Quincy Acy, while Perry Jones III bolted for the NBA. Jackson told coach Scott Drew he was thinking about the NBA, but his return means the backcourt (with Brady Heslip) will stay intact. Miller was a must to add athleticism and length in the frontcourt again.

4. Trevor Mbakwe received a sixth season of eligibility after injuring his knee in November. He could have gone to the NBA and not returned to Minnesota. But he decided to play another season for the Gophers, which means they'll be in the hunt for a top-three Big Ten finish with basically everyone back.

5. Murray State is going to be an OVC favorite, a top-30 team and have a national player of the year candidate all because guard Isaiah Canaan decided to return for his senior season. Head coach Steve Prohm decided not to go to Mississippi State -- and for good reason. He has a chance to land a more secure job or simply stay put and continue to build a mid-major power.

6. Texas will finally be able to show maturity and improvement from one season to the next with point guard Myck Kabongo's decision to stay. The Longhorns were gutted by the early-entry draft last year and had to essentially start over. They still made the NCAAs, but it was a struggle. Kabongo can now work on his craft and become a real threat at the position.

7. Jared Sullinger is leaving, but Ohio State won't fall too much after DeShaun Thomas decided to return and become more of a focal point. Thomas now can become a featured player. He still needs to work on his back-to-the-basket game, but he's a real threat facing the hoop.

8. Florida will be an SEC title contender if rising star Bradley Beal does indeed decide to come back (he still has the option of going pro before April 29) and with Patric Young developing a well-rounded game. The guard play has been sporadic and having Kenny Boynton Jr. back helps, but the wing and frontcourt players were more reliable this past season. With their return, Billy Donovan would have a chance for a third straight Elite Eight -- or more.

9. North Carolina had injured reserve guards that can make up for the loss on the perimeter. But if James Michael McAdoo had bolted, the Tar Heels might have taken a step back. Now that won't occur.

10. NC State is an ACC favorite in large part because the Wolfpack bought into Mark Gottfried's coaching and the natural maturation of talent. C.J. Leslie's return -- assuming he doesn't still bolt -- means there won't be an interruption in the Wolfpack's rise. This is a legit top-10 team in the preseason.

11. Duke has thrived with veteran post players. The Blue Devils have been able to survive a revolving door on the perimeter. So getting Mason Plumlee to come back means the frontcourt should be secure.

12. Lehigh shocked Duke with an NCAA tournament upset. Don't be surprised if the Mountain Hawks make their way into the Top 25 at some point next season with guard C.J. McCollum coming back to school. He will be a preseason All-America candidate.

13. Doug McDermott had the buzz of a player of the year candidate before Anthony Davis and Thomas Robinson took over. They both left for the NBA so McDermott becomes one of the favorites for the award, and Creighton is the pick to win the Missouri Valley with everyone but Antoine Young back.

14. Mike Moser could have taken his rebounding skills to the NBA, and UNLV would have taken a step back. Moser wasn't ready, and as a result, the Runnin' Rebels aren't going to fall in the Mountain West or nationally next season.

15. There is so much turnover in the SEC that any decision involving a key player returning can alter the standings. BJ Young's decision to come back to Arkansas should help the Hogs stay relevant in a league that will be wide open after Kentucky and Florida.

16. Elias Harris has had multiple opportunities to go overseas and play. But he has stayed loyal to Gonzaga. And that commitment has paid off in the form of a consistent winner. The Zags will be the WCC favorites and one of the best teams in the West again.