The old guys are back in charge in college basketball this season.

After recent years with the focus locked on one-and-done talent, it’s the seniors – guys like No. 1 Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine, No. 3 Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield and No. 5 Virginia’s Malcolm Brogdon – leading some of the nation’s best teams.

It’s created a throwback look to when upperclassmen stuck around elite programs instead of bolting early for the NBA.

Coaches are loving the dynamic.

In this week’s Top 25, six top-10 teams and 14 teams in the poll have seniors as leading scorers – and in some cases there’s more than one in a leading role.

The best example of that success is Valentine, who has grown from a complimentary scorer for a Final Four team to a leader for national player of the year.

The 6-foot-5 guard, who will miss 2-3 weeks due to minor knee surgery, is averaging 18.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists. He’s also had two triple-doubles this year, including a 29-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist performance to hand No. 2 Kansas its only loss.

“I can get a lot better,” Valentine said earlier this month. “I need to work on my defense. And, I need to make the most of every possession.”

This senior-led formula has worked well for coach Tom Izzo before. His 2000 national championship team had strong leadership with seniors Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson.