Historical past was made Monday evening, as UConn grew to become the primary back-to-back nationwide champions since Florida in 2006 and 2007.
Is a three-peat “in Storrs” for the Huskies subsequent season? Or will Dan Hurley and UConn lastly be knocked from their perch?
Because the title sport fades from reminiscence and the switch portal — and the teaching emptiness at Kentucky — takes heart stage, it is already time to sit up for the 2024-25 season.
Early high 25 rankings range dramatically from outlet to outlet, so let’s lay out the bottom guidelines for the one Manner-Too-Early High 25 it is advisable learn.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
Any participant ranked within the high 60 of ESPN’s 2024 NBA draft rankings is taken into account a departure — for now. Clearly, a crew’s rating shall be adjusted ought to such gamers decide to return to highschool.
Gamers not ranked within the high 60 are included as returnees, except they already introduced their intentions to go away college and switch professional. (Notable gamers this rule impacts: UConn’s Alex Karaban, Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner, BYU’s Jaxson Robinson, Baylor’s Jalen Bridges, half of Kentucky’s roster.)
That is the ultimate offseason impacted by the COVID yr, the place gamers have an additional yr of eligibility because of the COVID-impacted 2020-21 season. We’re not going to attempt to guess what every senior goes to do, so we’re projecting them as departures except they’ve formally introduced they’re returning.
With that out of the best way, it is time to dive in. Solely seven months till the 2024-25 season ideas off!
Duke entered this previous season as a nationwide title contender, however by no means fairly appeared to place all of it collectively for an prolonged stretch and in the end fell within the Elite Eight. Jon Scheyer could have two of the perfect NBA prospects within the nation subsequent season, in No. 1 recruit Cooper Flagg and projected top-five NBA draft decide Khaman Maluach, however the Blue Devils may have level guard points if Jeremy Roach decides to not make the most of his fifth possibility yr.
Projected beginning lineup:
Tyrese Proctor (10.5 PPG)Caleb Foster (7.7 PPG)Cooper Flagg (No. 1 in ESPN 100)Mark Mitchell (11.6 PPG)Khaman Maluach (five-star)
The Zags may convey everybody again besides Anton Watson from a bunch that performed like a top-10 or top-15 crew for the ultimate two months of the 2023-24 season. Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike type top-of-the-line inside-outside duos within the nation, and Mark Few will even welcome Pepperdine switch Michael Ajayi and welcome again former Japanese Washington switch Steele Venters — who missed this previous season with harm — to supply added perimeter pop.
Projected beginning lineup:
Ryan Nembhard (12.6 PPG)Nolan Hickman (14.0 PPG)Michael Ajayi (17.2 PPG at Pepperdine)Ben Gregg (9.0 PPG)Graham Ike (16.5 PPG)
After getting into the 2023-24 season ranked No. 1, Invoice Self had certainly one of his most disappointing seasons since taking up in Lawrence. Hunter Dickinson has the power to return again for one more yr — a yr during which the Jayhawks shall be again within the No. 1 dialog. Even with out him, although, Dajuan Harris Jr. and Okay.J. Adams Jr. are examined veterans and the additions of Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State) and Riley Kugel (Florida) ought to convey much-needed scoring from the wing.
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Projected beginning lineup:
Dajuan Harris Jr. (8.5 PPG)Zeke Mayo (18.8 PPG at South Dakota State)Riley Kugel (9.2 PPG at Florida)Okay.J. Adams Jr. (12.6 PPG)Flory Bidunga (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
Again-to-back-to-back? Do not rely out Dan Hurley and the Huskies. As of proper now, although, it is unattainable to place that type of expectation on their shoulders. There’s an opportunity all 5 starters and sixth man Hassan Diarra are gone: Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer and Diarra are seniors (Diarra has one yr of eligibility if he chooses, although), and Donovan Clingan, Stephon Fortress and Alex Karaban are projected to be drafted in June.
Projected beginning lineup:
Ahmad Nowell (No. 31 in ESPN 100)Solomon Ball (3.5 PPG)Jayden Ross (0.7 PPG)Jaylin Stewart (2.6 PPG)Samson Johnson (5.4 PPG)
T.J. Otzelberger produced one other distinctive season in Ames, profitable the Massive 12 event and incomes a 2-seed within the NCAA event. The backcourt duo of Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert returns intact, Milan Momcilovic ought to take a step ahead and Iowa State has already landed transfers Nate Heise (Northern Iowa) and Dishon Jackson (Charlotte). If Curtis Jones returns for his remaining yr, Iowa State will transfer up.
Projected beginning lineup:
Tamin Lipsey (12.4 PPG)Keshon Gilbert (13.7 PPG)Nate Heise (13.5 PPG at Northern Iowa)Milan Momcilovic (10.9 PPG)Dishon Jackson (11.4 PPG at Charlotte)
The post-Zach Edey period in West Lafayette has formally begun, however do not anticipate Matt Painter’s crew to fall too far within the nationwide dialogue. The Boilermakers will nonetheless convey again top-of-the-line backcourts within the nation in Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn is prepared for a much bigger function within the frontcourt. The questions shall be whether or not Smith and Loyer can take the leap from complementary gamers to go-to guys, and which reserve or freshman breaks out. An excellent guess can be Camden Heide.
Projected beginning lineup:
Braden Smith (12.2 PPG)Fletcher Loyer (10.6 PPG)Camden Heide (3.4 PPG)Trey Kaufman-Renn (6.4 PPG)Caleb Furst (2.2 PPG)
A giant a part of this rating is religion in Kelvin Sampson, who has led the Cougars to the second weekend in 5 straight NCAA event. However the announcement of the return of J’Wan Roberts on Monday night was an enormous enhance, too. L.J. Cryer may additionally select return to Houston for his COVD yr, however he hasn’t introduced his resolution but. Sampson does have to discover a bonafide substitute for Jamal Shead — an All-American and arguably the nation’s finest perimeter defender — on the level guard place.
Projected beginning lineup:
Emanuel Sharp (12.6 PPG)Terrance Arceneaux (5.5 PPG)Chase McCarty (No. 98 in ESPN 100)J’Wan Roberts (9.5 PPG)Ja’Vier Francis (6.0 PPG)
Arizona has a number of shifting elements proper now. Caleb Love, Pelle Larsson and Oumar Ballo all have another yr of eligibility, though it is troublesome to mission any of them returning to Tucson. However Tommy Lloyd could have top-of-the-line perimeter teams in America with Kylan Boswell, Jaden Bradley, KJ Lewis, Joson Sanon and Jamari Phillips. Motiejus Krivas must make strides up entrance and Lloyd will doubtless pursue a extra confirmed participant alongside him within the frontcourt.
Projected beginning lineup:
Kylan Boswell (9.6 PPG)Jaden Bradley (7.0 PPG)KJ Lewis (6.1 PPG)Carter Bryant (No. 20 in ESPN 100)Motiejus Krivas (5.4 PPG)
Dalton Knecht is gone and Rick Barnes’ finest offense in a number of years is out the door with him. But when the extra up-tempo, 3-point-heavy offensive system stays in Knoxville, there must be loads of optimism. Zakai Zeigler is among the finest level guards within the nation, and Jonas Aidoo made vital strides as a junior. The Vols will want somebody on the wing to step up as a scorer, and a sleeper title to turn out to be that man is sophomore-to-be Cameron Carr.
Projected beginning lineup:
Zakai Zeigler (11.8 PPG)Jordan Gainey (6.8 PPG)Jahmai Mashack (4.5 PPG)Jonas Aidoo (11.4 PPG)Tobe Awaka (5.1 PPG)
Scott Drew could have an intriguing assortment of gamers getting into subsequent season, and that does not even embody the potential return of Jalen Bridges, who has one yr of eligibility remaining however is projected as a second-round draft decide. Jayden Nunn and Langston Love are each double-figure scorers, and Robert Wright III and V.J. Edgecombe must be two of the perfect freshmen within the nation. The Bears shall be a perimeter-oriented group, however an inside presence might want to emerge.
Projected beginning lineup:
Robert Wright III (No. 25 in ESPN 100)Jayden Nunn (10.5 PPG)V.J. Edgecombe (No. 4 in ESPN 100)Langston Love (11.0 PPG)Josh Ojianwuna (4.9 PPG)
Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro have doubtless performed their remaining sport in Marquette uniforms, however Shaka Sensible brings again three different starters in star guard Kam Jones, David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell — plus key rotation gamers in Chase Ross, Ben Gold and a probably wholesome Sean Jones. It is a crew that has gained a mixed 58 video games over two seasons and earned a 2-seed in every of the previous two NCAA tournaments — the Golden Eagles should not fade away shortly.
Projected beginning lineup:
Sean Jones (5.8 PPG)Kam Jones (17.2 PPG)Stevie Mitchell (8.8 PPG)David Joplin (10.8 PPG)Ben Gold (5.0 PPG)
We all know Nate Oats goes so as to add lots through the portal, and starters Mark Sears, Grant Nelson and Nick Pringle all have a COVID yr of eligibility remaining. So, this rating can also be going to dramatically change within the coming weeks. As issues at present stand, there’s expertise in Tuscaloosa. Sam Walters and Jarin Stevenson confirmed flashes up entrance and Rylan Griffen is a knockdown shooter. A top-five recruiting class can also be coming to city.
Projected beginning lineup
Davin Cosby Jr. (3.6 PPG)Rylan Griffen (11.3 PPG)Derrion Reid (No. 8 in ESPN 100)Sam Walters (5.6 PPG)Jarin Stevenson (5.4 PPG)
Florida struck gold within the portal final spring and bringing in a couple of extra reinforcements on the wing might be useful for the Gators once more. However they need to have an All-America candidate on the guard place in Walter Clayton Jr., one of many nation’s high scorers, and Will Richard is a double-figure scorer. Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh and a hopefully wholesome Micah Handlogten type a terrific frontcourt group — however one other perimeter piece or two can be enormous.
Projected beginning lineup
Walter Clayton Jr. (17.6 PPG)Will Richard (11.4 PPG)Denzel Aberdeen (3.3 PPG)Thomas Haugh (3.9 PPG)Alex Condon (7.7 PPG)
Mark Pope made certain BYU hit the bottom operating in its first season within the Massive 12, beginning 12-1 and ultimately incomes a 6-seed within the NCAA event. Jaxson Robinson may return, however he is inside the highest 60 of ESPN’s NBA draft rankings. Even with out them, Pope has a core that ought to win video games in March. Dallin Corridor, Trevin Knell and Aly Khalifa had been common starters, whereas Richie Saunders and Fousseyni Traore would slot in seamlessly. Former ESPN 100 recruit Collin Chandler additionally joins this system following his two-year mission.
Projected beginning lineup:
Dallin Corridor (9.0 PPG)Trevin Knell (10.6 PPG)Richie Saunders (9.6 PPG)Fousseyni Traore (10.9 PPG)Aly Khalifa (5.7 PPG)
How the Tar Heels are in the end ranked heading into subsequent season shall be decided by the selections of RJ Davis and Harrison Ingram. Davis is not prone to be drafted and he nonetheless has a COVID yr of eligibility, whereas Harrison Ingram has performed himself into the early second-round dialogue. With out these two, Hubert Davis shall be closely reliant on returning guards Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble, and incoming five-star guards Ian Jackson and Drake Powell.
Projected beginning lineup:
Elliot Cadeau (7.3 PPG)Seth Trimble (5.2 PPG)Ian Jackson (No. 16 in ESPN 100)Drake Powell (No. 13 in ESPN 100)Jalen Washington (3.9 PPG)
The portal departure of Joshua Jefferson hurts, however a 3rd straight WCC regular-season title is not out of the query if Randy Bennett can dip into the portal and discover some frontcourt reinforcements. The duo of Augustas Marciulionis and Aidan Mahaney is sufficient to win loads of video games by itself, and former four-star recruit Jordan Ross may make strides at level guard. Senior heart Mitchell Saxen can also be again up entrance after proving himself as top-of-the-line bigs within the WCC for 2 seasons.
Projected beginning lineup:
Jordan Ross (1.3 PPG)Augustas Marciulionis (12.4 PPG)Aidan Mahaney (13.9 PPG)Luke Barrett (5.5 PPG)Mitchell Saxen (11.8 PPG)
Seeking to shake off a disappointing marketing campaign, Miami has been busy within the portal already, touchdown a few frontcourt gamers in Lynn Kidd (Virginia Tech) and Brandon Johnson (East Carolina). That is on high of the potential returns of Nijel Pack, Wooga Poplar and Matthew Cleveland. However the majority of the thrill facilities round elite recruit Jalil Bethea, this system’s highest-ranked recruit in almost 40 years. He is a dynamic guard who may rework this crew.
Projected beginning lineup:
Nijel Pack (13.3 PPG)Jalil Bethea (No. 6 in ESPN 100)Wooga Poplar (13.1 PPG)Matthew Cleveland (13.7 PPG)Lynn Kidd (13.2 PPG at Virginia Tech)
Does Johni Broome return for one more go-round in faculty? 5 years in the past, the reply would have been an emphatic no. However he is unlikely to be drafted, so perhaps there’s an opportunity. Assuming he leaves, although, Bruce Pearl remains to be loaded on the perimeter. Aden Holloway, Denver Jones and Chad Baker-Mazara will all return, whereas top-30 recruit Tahaad Pettiford ought to make an influence. However the Tigers need assistance up entrance; there’s not a lot there in addition to Chaney Johnson.
Projected beginning lineup:
Aden Holloway (7.3 PPG)Tahaad Pettiford (No. 27 in ESPN 100)Denver Jones (9.1 PPG)Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 PPG)Chaney Johnson (4.7 PPG)
Mick Cronin’s worst season in 15 years is unlikely to be repeated in 2024-25. The Bruins have already hit the portal and landed versatile two-way wing Kobe Johnson from USC and scoring level guard Skyy Clark from Louisville, they usually’re bringing again starters Dylan Andrews, Sebastian Mack and Lazar Stefanovic. There are some questions on the inside: Is Adem Bona leaving for the NBA draft? Will Aday Mara and/or Berke Buyuktuncel return, and can they make strides?
Projected beginning lineup:
Dylan Andrews (12.9 PPG)Sebastian Mack (12.1 PPG)Kobe Johnson (10.9 PPG at USC)Lazar Stefanovic (11.5 PPG)Berke Buyuktuncel (4.5 PPG)
One other crew that underachieved relative to preseason expectations. However Kevin Willard will trot out a revamped beginning group in November. Julian Reese introduced he is returning and former top-50 recruit DeShawn Harris-Smith shall be anticipated to enhance. Then there are the newcomers. Willard has already landed switch guards Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Belmont) and Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech) and is bringing in top-10 recruit Derik Queen, who might be the fulcrum of the offense.
Projected beginning lineup:
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (17.2 PPG at Belmont)Rodney Rice (7.4 PPG at Virginia Tech)DeShawn Harris-Smith (7.3 PPG)Julian Reese (13.7 PPG)Derik Queen (No. 10 in ESPN 100)
Rutgers could have two of the highest six gamers in ESPN’s early 2025 NBA mock draft in Airious “Ace” Bailey and Dylan Harper, the Nos. 2 and three gamers within the ESPN 100, respectively. Each ought to have a transformative influence on the crew subsequent season — however Steve Pikiell must encompass the 2 with some veteran items. The return of Jeremiah Williams is a lift, and Pikiell has already landed Tyson Acuff (Japanese Michigan) and Zach Martini (Princeton) from the portal.
Projected beginning lineup:
Dylan Harper (No. 3 in ESPN 100)Jeremiah Williams (12.2 PPG)Tyson Acuff (21.7 PPG at Japanese Michigan)Ace Bailey (No. 2 in ESPN 100)Emmanuel Ogbole (2.1 PPG)
DaRon Holmes II may depart — he has been dominant for 2 years and is a projected second-round decide — however there’s sufficient on the roster for Dayton to be within the top-25 dialogue once more subsequent season. Starters Nate Santos, Enoch Cheeks and Javon Bennett are all anticipated to return and sixth man Koby Brea, top-of-the-line shooters within the nation, can also be again. If Holmes does depart, Anthony Grant will want an enormous from the portal, though reserves Isaac Jack and Petras Padegimas return.
Projected beginning lineup:
Javon Bennett (8.4 PPG)Enoch Cheeks (8.1 PPG)Koby Brea (11.1 PPG)Nate Santos (11.7 PPG)Isaac Jack (3.1 PPG)
It is a full shot at the hours of darkness at this level. The Wildcats are with out a coach after John Calipari left for Arkansas — and the nation’s No. 2-ranked recruiting class can also be prone to disintegrate. However as of April 8, the one recruit to decommit is Karter Knox, and Kentucky ought to nonetheless appeal to one of many nation’s finest coaches to switch Calipari. We should not write off the Wildcats subsequent season simply but. Count on loads of fluctuation with Kentucky’s rating this offseason.
Projected beginning lineup:
Boogie Fland (No. 15 in ESPN 100)Travis Perry (No. 71 in ESPN 100)Billy Richmond (No. 39 in ESPN 100)Jayden Quaintance (No. 14 in ESPN 100)Zvonimir Ivisic (5.5 PPG)
The lack of AJ Storr hurts the Badgers, particularly given the dynamism he offered on the offensive finish, however Greg Gard nonetheless has Max Klesmit, Chucky Hepburn, Steven Crowl and John Blackwell coming again to type the core of his 2024-25 crew. Wisconsin had its finest offense final season since Bo Ryan was in Madison, however that led to large points on the defensive finish of the ground. Gard must discover higher stability if the Badgers are to advance out of the primary weekend for the primary time since 2017.
Projected beginning lineup:
Chucky Hepburn (9.2 PPG)John Blackwell (8.0 PPG)Max Klesmit (9.9 PPG)Carter Gilmore (1.8 PPG)Steven Crowl (11.2 PPG)
Cincinnati has gained 45 video games the previous two seasons however has but to succeed in the NCAA event in Wes Miller’s three on the helm. That might change, because the Bearcats ought to convey again key gamers Dan Skillings Jr., Day Day Thomas, Simas Lukosius and Jizzle James. Aziz Bandaogo has his COVID yr remaining, which might remedy the dearth of a real massive on the roster. ESPN 100 recruits Tyler Betsey and Tyler McKinley additionally arrive to bolster the rotation.
Projected beginning lineup:
Day Day Thomas (10.4 PPG)Jizzle James (8.8 PPG)Dan Skillings Jr. (12.9 PPG)Simas Lukosius (11.8 PPG)Josh Reed (2.0 PPG)
Subsequent in line:
Texas LonghornsOhio State BuckeyesSan Diego State AztecsMichigan State SpartansNew Mexico Lobos
