The 2022-2023 college basketball season is coming to a close. Fans will be looking forward to next season, even if it is hard to forecast. Things will be even more up in the air with so many players in the transfer portal. Either way, here is the way too early 2024-2025 college basketball top 25.
25. UCLA Bruins
UCLA had a rough season, but they do have the highest-ranked portal class with Kobe Johnson and Skyy Clark.
24. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Pop Isaacs is in the transfer portal, which could end up hurting. If he ends up returning, the Red Raiders could be much higher on this list.
23. Saint Mary’s Gaels
Aidan Mahaney and Augustas Marciulionis are both set to return after helping the Gaels earn a five-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
22. Ohio State Buckeyes
Bruce Thornton is set to return, while Meechie Johnson decided to transfer back to the Buckeyes to give them some real life to start the Jake Diebler era.
21. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee had a great season and made the Elite Eight. They lose a ton from that team and will have to fill plenty of roster spots around Zakai Zeigler, Jonas Aidoo and Jordan Gainey.
20. Seton Hall Pirates
Kadary Richmond has remaining eligibility and Seton Hall made a good run to the NIT Tournament finals. With Shaheen Holloway making progress in year one, they can take another step forward next season.
19. Texas Longhorns
While Max Abmas is gone, Tyrese Hunte returns with Dillon Mitchell. More pieces need to be added, but they’ll have a good start with those two.
18. Xavier Musketeers
Xavier had a down year, but Jerome Hunter and Zach Freemantle are expected to return after not playing last season. Dayvion McKnight also returns at point guard.
17. Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas has made a splash hire in luring John Calipari away from Kentucky. All of his recruits will likely follow, which makes Arkansas intriguing for next season, although more transfers will have to be added to make year one a large success for the Razorbacks.
16. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Hunter Sallis showed great improvement and several other players are returning surrounding him.
15. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
It may be a shocker to some, but Rutgers has the fourth-best recruiting class in the country. If Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper live up to the hype, Rutgers could challenge for a top spot in the Big Ten.
14. Syracuse Orange
Judah Mintz and JJ Starling had good seasons and now Eddie Lampkin is joining the fold as well.
13. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona has plenty of players with an extra COVID year. Oumar Ballo and Pelle Larsson could be keys to the team being ranked highly, but Kylan Boswell’s progression could really put this team in a great spot.
12. Houston Cougars
Houston always reloads, but will have a tough time replacing Jamal Shead. LJ Cryer could return for an extra season, which would really help things.
11. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike could both be back to lead the team to another Sweet 16. The transfer of Michael Ajayi also helps.
10. Baylor Bears
The Bears have a possible star coming in as a freshman with V.J. Edgecombe and could also have several returning players surrounding him.
9. Marquette Golden Eagles
Tyler Kolek could use a COVID year, while Kam Jones has eligibility remaining. Those two could combine to make one of the best backcourt in the countr again.
8. Duke Blue Devils
Duke has the top recruiting class in the country. If they are able to get anyone to return, this team will be top 10 when real preseason polls come out.
7. UConn Huskies
UConn has had two amazing season in a row, but that will be hard to keep up with Tristen Newton, and likely several others leaving the program this offseason.
6. North Carolina Tar Heels
R.J. Davis could return to use one more year of eligibility, which would have UNC as ACC contenders again. Armando Bacot will be moving on.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
If Grant Nelson and Mark Sears each use an extra year of eligibility, Alabama could even be ranked higher. Nate Oats has things rolling in Tuscaloosa.
4. Auburn Tigers
Auburn had a lot of depth and a possible return of star big man Johni Broome could push them towards a Final Four.
3. Iowa State Cyclones
T.J. Otzelberger had a great first season in Ames. With Tamin Lipsey returning, the Cyclones can compete at the top of the Big 12.
2. Purdue Boilermakers
Zach Edey may be leaving, but Purdue has talent across the board. Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer will lead the team in the future.
1. Kansas Jayhawks
Getting Hunter Dickinson to use a COVID season is critical for this ranking, but they also have transfers to be excited about. Riley Kugel and Zeke Mayo will help give them more depth at guard then they had this season.
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