The Future Looks Bright: The Top 25 Teams to Watch in the 2024-25 College Basketball Season
The collegiate basketball season never ends, as teams discovered the day after Selection Sunday when they accessed the transfer portal, which already had over 1,000 names on it.
While roster building is underway nationwide, it is never too early to begin planning for the 2024–25 season.
In light of this, allow us to present the inaugural FOX Sports Way-Too-Early top 25 men’s college basketball rankings.
As plots develop in the spring and summer, we will update this, but let us get started!
1. UConn Huskies
In our way-too-early top 25, we had the Huskies ranked No. 4 in April of last year, following Dan Hurley’s departures of Adama Sanogo, Andre Jackson, and Jordan Hawkins. Hurley seems to have restored the blue blood in Storrs because that did not appear to matter. I will not be duped once more. For the time being, Connecticut is ranked first.
2. Duke Blue Devils
Cameron Indoor Stadium is the place to say hello to the Cooper Flagg era. The 17-year-old sensation’s flexibility, defensive potential, and wingspan make him an intriguing prospect who might go all the way to the top choice in the 2025 NBA Draft. With 6-foot-11 Patrick Ngongba and wings Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel joining them, the Blue Devils boast the top recruiting class in the country.
3. Kansas Jayhawks
I think the Jayhawks will rebound and finish in the top five the following season, despite having a dismal season by their standards. Bill Self has not spent any time in adding Zeke Mayo of South Dakota State and Riley Kugel of Florida, two excellent transfers. Considering that Dajuan Harris and KJ Adams are probably coming back, the most important query is this: Will Hunter Dickinson return for his last collegiate basketball season? We will find out. Flory Bidunga, a five-star center, is the rookie to watch.
4. Iowa State Cyclones
Re-signed are Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert for the Cyclones, who finished their season 29-8 and made it to the Sweet 16. With Milan Momcilovic expected to return and other possible offseason signings in the wings, T.J. Otzelberger’s club has a lot of proven commodities in a world where many others are unknown. The veteran backcourt is still in place.
5. Gonzaga Bulldogs
6. Arizona Wildcats
With an 88-20 record during the Tommy Lloyd era, the Wildcats have one of the best records in college basketball during the past three years, yet they have been just as disappointed as any team in the NCAA Tournament. When they go to the Big 12, they will play against teams like Kansas, Houston, Iowa State, and others in their league. How will they manage the change? With Kylan Boswell, Jaden Bradley, and KJ Lewis back, coupled with a top-five recruiting class led by Carter Bryant and Joson Sanon, Lloyd has the talent to be among the best in the country.
7. Tennessee Volunteers
Because they have won at a high level in recent seasons and will have recognizable players back, starting with point guard Zakai Zeigler, the Volunteers are ranked in the top 10. Jahmai Mashack and Jordan Gainey should both improve, and big guy Jonas Aidoo should make a comeback. Though Dalton Knecht will probably head to the NBA, Tennessee will have the resources to add transfer portal support as well.
8. Houston Cougars
There is no denying Kelvin Sampson. Over the past three seasons, he has gone 97-15. This year, coach led his school to the Big 12, where they won the regular-season championship despite many people expecting some growing pains. I believe that Jamal Shead is still undetermined, but LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp are back. Sampson will locate some quality supplemental players in the portal, and Houston will have sufficient roster continuity to finish in the top ten.
9. Purdue Boilermakers
Zach Edey is a two-time national player of the year and an all-time college great, so the Boilermakers will be saying farewell to him, but with his talent and experience returning, their team will be far superior to many others throughout the nation. Braden Smith is an All-American, Matt Painter leads a top-15 recruiting class, Mason Gillis will be back, Fletcher Loyer will only get better, and Camden Heide is a breakout prospect. The Boilers will continue to churn forward.
10. Marquette Golden Eagles
The Kam Jones Show deserves to seize the lead at this point. For the last two seasons, Tyler Kolek was as outstanding as any point guard in college basketball; still, it seemed that Jones was not given the credit he always deserved. The rising senior, who scored over 17 points per game on average during the previous season, will be the leader of Shaka Smart’s team, which has won 56 games in total over the previous two years. Robust defender Stevie Mitchell is expected to return, along with David Joplin and Ben Gold, who together form an incredibly talented and adaptable front line. While Tre Norman and Zaide Lowery should improve as sophomores, do not overlook Chase Ross and what he could contribute to this squad.
11. North Carolina Tar Heels
12. Florida Gators
13. Baylor Bears
14. Alabama Crimson Tide
15. Auburn Tigers
16. Creighton Bluejays
17. Saint Mary’s Gaels
18. Miami Hurricanes
19. UCLA Bruins
20. Arkansas Razorbacks
21. BYU Cougars
22. Mississippi State Bulldogs
23. Maryland Terrapins
24. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
25. Xavier Musketeers
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.