The men’s college basketball season is over, and Connecticut has hung up its nets once again. But they have little time to enjoy the success of winning the national championship. Because it’s already time to look at how the 2024-25 season will play out and who will be a contender to reach the Final Four in San Antonio.
In an era where the transfer portal and coaching merry-go-round are still spinning with major jobs remaining, predicting next season is certainly a difficult task. It’s also unclear which players will take advantage of COVID-19 exemptions to return for a fifth season, or who will enter the NBA Draft.
For this exercise, we assumed that most players return unless they are projected to be a likely top pick in the draft. However, there are many variables, and none of these rankings are set in stone. Nothing is going on here.
1. Duke (27-9)
A six-man recruiting class led by Cooper Flagg, Carman Maluach, Isiah Evans and Conn Knuppel will make Duke one of the most powerful and dangerous teams in the country. It is also one of the youngest. It will be up to coach John Scheier to find the best rotation that hits all the right buttons for a team that on paper looks very likely to win a national title. The Blue Devils will lose multiple starters to the NBA, but guard Tyrese Proctor and forward Mark Mitchell could return.
Follow the madness: NCAA basketball brackets, scores, schedules, teams, and more.
2. Alabama (25-12)
Bringing in back guard Mark Sears would make Alabama a favorite to win the SEC and a return to the Final Four. Another player facing a decision is forward Grant Nelson, who has garnered attention during the tournament. Nate Oats is joined by three top rookies and has already added one potentially impactful transfer in former Pepperdine guard Houston Mallett, who is expected to be a starter.
3. Iowa State (29-8)
The arrow points to the program put in place under coach TJ Otzelberger. Iowa State will have a great backcourt led by Keshon Gilbert, Tamin Lipsey and Curtis Jones. However, the Cyclones have some holes to fill in their frontcourt. ISU will rely on redshirt freshman JT Lock and Charlotte transfer D’Shon Jackson, while hoping for more from returners Milan Momcilovic and Demarion Watson.
4. Kansas State (23-11)
Things will turn around after an unusually weak season for Bill Self’s program, but the Jayhawks’ chances of returning to the top of the Big 12 will largely depend on center Hunter Dickinson returning in his final year of eligibility. It all depends on whether they choose to do so or whether Jonny Furphy stays until 2018. His second year. If that happens, KU will fortify its more veteran roster with the additions of transfers Riley Kugel (Florida State) and Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State).
5. Connecticut (37-3)
The Huskies are gearing up for a rebuild. There are significant losses in the backcourt (Cam Spencer, Tristen Newton, Hassan Diarra), with freshman Stephon Castle and center Donovan Clingan likely to enter the NBA Draft. Expect UConn to be active in the portal and build around Alex Karaban and Samson Johnson, who are expected to return. Trusting Dan Hurley to solve this problem is a wise prediction given the past two seasons.
6. North Carolina (29-8)
First, UNC is awaiting decisions on RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram. Davis is probably good enough to go to the NBA, but Ingram may spend another year as the Tar Heels’ center to hone his skills. Hubert Davis will undoubtedly bring in back guard Elliott Cado, while also working to prepare reserve players such as guard Seth Trimble for bigger roles. UNC has a key recruit arriving on campus who will undoubtedly thrive in the portal.
7. Creighton (25-10)
Baylor Scheierman is leaving after two great years of running the program. Creighton could bring back the fifth-year duo of Ryan Kalkbrenner and Stephen Ashworth, with Ashworth almost certain to return and Kalkbrenner still weighing his options. If Kalkbrenner returns, the Blue Jays will be able to strengthen their team with one of the top big men in the country. Greg McDermott will also be in a top-20 recruiting class. And if guard Trey Alexander can be persuaded to return, Creighton could be a title contender.
8. Tennessee (27-9)
Tennessee lost three key pieces in Dalton Knecht, Josiah-Jordan James, and Santiago Vescovi. Rick Barnes will have to return to the transfer portal to replace Knecht and find scoring on the wing. (Good luck.) But the Volantes will be a veteran team that could be led by four seniors: Zakai Zeigler, Jonas Aidoo, Jermai Masyak and Jordan Gainey. This would be a strong start for a team good enough to win another SEC regular season crown.
9. Purdue (34-5)
It’s hard to imagine the Boilermakers without Zach Eady in the middle. However, the returner next season will be familiar. Fletcher Royer and Braden Smith will return as starting pitchers for their third years. Mason Gillis, who leads the team in 3-point shooting percentage, could stay and join returners Trey Kaufman-Len, Miles Colvin and Camden Heide in bigger roles. Kanon Catchings leads the recruiting class in terms of quality and quantity.
10. Brigham Young (23-11)
The Cougars are comfortably entrenched in the Big 12 in their first season and appear ready to handle the increased competition with four teams from the Pac-12 joining them. How well they do will depend on the status of leading scorer Jackson Robinson (14.2 points). The return of key players such as Husseini Traore and Trevin Nel will make Mark Pope’s side one of the best in the country’s toughest conference.
11. Baylor (24-11)
Jacoby Walter and Yves Missi are expected to enter the NBA Draft, but if either or both are reversed, this valuation would be too low. Still, the Bears are once again talented and will be one of the best teams in the Big 12. Langston Love and Jaden Nunn would form a great backcourt. If Jalen Bridges stays, he could become a mainstay in the frontcourt. Freshmen VJ Edgecombe and Rob Wright will have a big impact.
12. Houston (32-5)
It will be interesting to see how the Cougars fare without Jamal Shehead. If L.J. Cryer stays on for another season, the transition will be much smoother, as is the case with a strong guard group with Emmanuel Sharpe. Jawan Roberts is another player who could return to strengthen the frontcourt along with Javier Francis.
13. Clemson (24-12)
It will be difficult for the Tigers to repeat their trip to the Elite Eight, but many key players could return if they choose to use the extra year. That group includes his P.J. Hall, a standout mailman, guard Chase Hunter, and reserve forward Jack Clark. Joseph Girard III is gone, but Ian Schiefferin, who was named the ACC’s Most Improved Player for the 2023-24 season, is also expected to return.
14. Gonzaga (27-8)
Anton Watson’s run at his hometown school is over, but the Bulldogs shouldn’t slide too far. Forward Graham Icke should also return, along with the backcourt tandem of Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman. Michael Ajayi, who is headed to Pepperdine, could provide another scoring option from the wing. It’s not hard to think Mark Few will be in next year as well, as he’s been to the Sweet 16 eight years in a row.
15. Kentucky (23-10)
Who will be hired to replace John Calipari? Will the recruits be able to put together another great recruiting class? Will returnees like DJ Wagner follow Calipari to Arkansas or hang around? And with as many as four players entering the NBA Draft, could this roster be completely changed next season? The Wildcats will have the talent, but there are also plenty of question marks.
16. St. Mary’s (26-8)
The Gaels retain most of the core group that swept the WCC regular season and tournament titles with center Mitchell Saxen’s decision to return. Aidan Mahaney should also return, along with Augustus Marsiulionis and Joshua Jefferson, giving St Mary’s a great chance to dance for the fourth year in a row and maybe win the league again.
17. University of California, Los Angeles (16-17)
The Bruins suffered a losing setback in a rebuilding year after success in the tournament. They are gearing up for a comeback next season. Mick Cronin has already acquired guards Skye Clark (Louisville) and Kobe Johnson (Southern California) to the portal, joining a core group of four double-digit scorers led by Dylan Andrews and Adem Bona. UCLA will have to adjust to the Big Ten schedule, but it looks well-prepared for the challenge.
18. Market (27-10)
It’s possible the Golden Eagles return all of their key players due to the COVID-19 eligibility year, but All-America point guard Tyler Kolek and forward Oso Ighodalo could take to the next level. expensive. The return of Cam Jones and David Joplin will give Shaka Smart a decent core, but adding size up front will be a priority.
19. Illinois (29-9)
This ranking gives hope that Brad Underwood will open the transfer gate again and bring in key pieces, as losing Terrence Shannon and possibly Marcus Domask and Coleman Hawkins would be a huge setback. Based on. Ty Rogers and Luke Goode have been big contributors this season, and freshmen Dora Gibbs-Lawhorn and Amani Hansberry should make big strides. Underwood has already acquired Jake Davis from Mercer and is pursuing other players. The biggest boost could come from big man Mores Johnson, one of the nation’s top rookies.
20. Arizona (27-9)
After another tournament disappointment, the Wildcats should have another strong regular season. How good will depend on what Caleb Love decides about his future with Omar Baro in the portal. Jaden Bradley and Kylan Boswell should form a strong backcourt, with talented additions like top rookies Carter Bryant and Jamari Phillips. The Big 12 will make adjustments, which could take some time.
21. Wisconsin (22-14)
With forward Tyler Wall gone and swingman AJ Storr entering the portal, coach Greg Gard has some holes to fill. But Chucky Hepburn should be back at the run point, joining John Blackwell and Max Klemmit in the backcourt. Size is back in the frontcourt, especially top rebounder Stephen Crowle, making this a team in the top half of the Big Ten.
22. Indiana State (32-7)
The Sycamores could potentially return the entire starting lineup that played in the NIT title game, but with head coach Josh Schertz departing for St. Louis, all of those players have decisions to make. But if Robbie Avila, Ryan Conwell and the rest of the starters stay, Missouri Valley could also be a winner under Drake’s new coach.
23. Auburn (27-8)
The Tigers will likely need to make some changes as Joni Bloom is likely to enter the NBA Draft. That would leave guard Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 points) as the only double-digit scorer. Aiden Holloway and Tre Donaldson are also mainstays in the backcourt, with top recruit Tahad Pettiford bringing more talent to the group. The concern is how Bruce Pearl will organize his frontcourt. Portal may be your best option.
24. Boise State (22-11)
Boise is at the top of the Mountain West and has a chance to win the tournament under longtime coach Leon Rice. Chibuzo Agbo and Tyson Degenhart may test the draft and portal, but are expected to return. There’s also big man Omar Stanley in the middle. Boise State is hoping for further growth from young guard Roddy Anderson III, who finished his sophomore season on a high note.
25. Rutgers (15-17)
A transition season under coach Steve Pikiell will likely result in a significant jump up the Big Ten standings. First, Rutgers welcomes two impactful true freshmen in Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey to join a backcourt that already includes a veteran scorer in Eastern Michigan transfer Tyson Acuff. Harper and Bailey are the stars of a top-five freshman class in the nation and will give Rutgers a huge influx of talent and athleticism.
