School basketball rankings: Houston, North Carolina lead way-too-early High 25 And 1 for 2024-25 season

Houston
This rating relies on Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars returning each rotation piece apart from Damian Dunn from a workforce that received the Massive 12 by two video games and earned a No. 1 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. A backcourt of Jamal Shead, LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp would give Houston an opportunity to make a second Closing 4 in a five-year span. 2 32-5
2

N. Carolina
This rating relies on Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels returning 4 of the highest six scorers – particularly RJ Davis, Harrison Ingram, Elliot Cadeau and Seth Trimble – from a workforce that received the ACC and secured a No. 1 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. UNC can also be including a top-10 recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Ian Jackson and Drake Powell that ought to give this system an opportunity to make a twenty second look within the Closing 4. 3 29-8
3

Iowa St.
This rating relies on TJ Otzelberger’s Cyclones returning the highest 4 scorers from a workforce that received 29 video games and earned a No. 2 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. Each Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert might compete for Massive 12 Participant of the Yr honors and place Iowa State to perhaps make what can be this system’s first journey to the Closing 4 since 1944. 1 29-8
4

Kansas
This rating relies on Invoice Self’s Jayhawks returning three of the highest six scorers – particularly Hunter Dickinson, KJ Adams and Dajuan Harris – from a workforce that secured a No. 4 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. Kansas has already added Riley Kugel (Florida) and Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State) from the switch portal and ought to be again close to the highest of the Massive 12 subsequent season. 9 23-11
5

Duke
This rating relies on Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils returning two of the highest six scorers – particularly Jeremy Roach and Caleb Foster – from a workforce that secured a No. 4 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. Duke additionally has the game’s top-ranked recruiting class headlined by Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 prospect within the Class of 2024 who might shortly become school basketball’s largest attraction. 10 27-9
6

UConn
This rating relies on Dan Hurley’s Huskies returning 5 of the highest 9 scorers – particularly Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson, Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart – from a workforce that received the 2024 NCAA Event. Clearly, UConn has rather a lot to exchange, however some packages deserve the advantage of the doubt, and Hurley’s program is certainly one in all them. 5 37-3
7

Gonzaga
This rating relies on Mark Few’s Zags returning each rotation piece apart from Anton Watson from a workforce that superior to the Candy 16 of the 2024 NCAA Event. Gonzaga ought to be again within the NCAA Event for an unbelievable twenty sixth straight time subsequent March. 18 27-8
8

Auburn
This rating relies on Bruce Pearl’s Tigers returning three of the highest 5 scorers – particularly Johni Broome, Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones – from a workforce that secured a No. 4 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. The addition of five-star freshman Tahaad Pettiford will present depth for an Auburn program that is participated in 5 of the previous six NCAA Tournaments. 3 27-8
9

Purdue
This rating relies on Matt Painter’s Boilermakers returning six of the highest eight scorers – all people apart from Zach Edey and Lance Jones – from a workforce that superior to the title recreation of the 2024 NCAA Event. The Boilermakers have completed within the high 25 at KenPom.com 9 straight years, and there is no cause to suppose that streak will not proceed subsequent season even with out the two-time Nationwide Participant of the Yr. 7 34-5
10

Alabama
This rating relies on Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide returning each rotation piece apart from Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada from a workforce that superior to the 2024 Closing 4. Sears might moderately return, which might push Alabama a lot larger, however for now he is listed as gone right here based mostly on the place most draft analysts have him projected to be picked if he enters the 2024 NBA Draft. 11 25-12
11

Creighton
This rating relies on Greg McDermott’s Bluejays returning each rotation participant apart from Baylor Scheierman and Francisco Farabello from a workforce that superior to the Candy 16 of the 2024 NCAA Event. A trio of Trey Alexander, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth would make Creighton among the many Massive East favorites. 1 25-10
12

Arizona
This rating relies on Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats returning 5 of the highest eight scorers – all people apart from Oumar Ballo, Keshad Johnson and Kylan Boswell – from a workforce that received the Pac-12 and secured a No. 2 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. Arizona’s top-five recruiting class headlined by Carter Bryant and Joson Sanon ought to assist make this system’s transition to the Massive 12 comparatively easy. 4 27-9
13

BYU
This rating relies on Mark Pope’s Cougars returning each related participant – most notably Jaxson Robinson and Fousseyni Traore – from a workforce that secured a No. 6 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. The one apparent factor that might push BYU out of the preseason High 25 And 1 is that if the Kentucky job had been to fall to Pope, who’s a UK graduate and member of the 1996 nationwide championship workforce that was coached by Rick Pitino. 4 23-11
14

Saint Mary’s
This rating relies on Randy Bennett’s Gaels returning each rotation piece apart from Alex Ducas from a workforce that received the West Coast Convention and secured a No. 5 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. The Aidan Mahaney/Augustas Marciulionis backcourt ought to be probably the greatest out west. 10 26-8
15

Texas A&M
This rating relies on Buzz Williams’ Aggies returning 4 of the highest 5 scorers – all people besides Tyrece Radford – from a workforce that superior to the second spherical of the 2024 NCAA Event. Wade Taylor might enter the season as the favourite to win SEC Participant of the Yr for the second straight season. NR 21-15
16

Tennessee
This rating relies on Rick Barnes’ Volunteers returning 5 of the highest eight scorers from a workforce that secured a No. 2 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. The lack of Dalton Knecht is big, however Tennessee ought to nonetheless simply make the NCAA Event for the fifth straight 12 months. 10 27-9
17

Marquette
This rating relies on Shaka Sensible’s Golden Eagles returning each rotation participant – apart from Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro – from a workforce that secured a No. 2 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. Kam Jones, the Golden Eagles’ main scorer, might moderately additionally enter the NBA Draft, however he’ll be projected again right here till he signifies in any other case. 10 27-10
18

Clemson
This rating relies on Brad Brownell’s Tigers returning 5 of the highest six scorers – all people apart from Joe Girard – from a workforce that secured a No. 6 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. So long as PJ Corridor and Chase Hunter each use their additional years of eligibility to return to Clemson, the Tigers ought to be an element within the ACC once more. NR 24-12
19

Baylor
This rating relies on Scott Drew’s Bears returning 4 of the highest seven scorers – all people besides Ja’Kobe Walter, RayJ Dennis and Yves Missi – from a workforce that secured a No. 3 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. The addition of a top-10 recruiting class headlined by five-star wing VJ Edgecombe ought to assist offset the departures and have Baylor in its sixth straight NCAA Event. 10 24-11
20

Miami
This rating relies on Jim Larranaga’s Hurricanes returning three of the highest 4 scorers – all people besides Norchad Omier – from a workforce that struggled final season and missed the NCAA Event however is anticipated to bounce again sturdy. Miami’s top-10 recruiting class headlined by five-star guard Jalil Bethea is among the many causes one other tough 12 months just isn’t anticipated. NR 15-17
21

Wisconsin
This rating relies on Greg Gard’s Badgers returning 4 of the highest six scorers – all people besides AJ Storr and Tyler Wahl – from a workforce that secured a No. 5 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. Yr 10 for Gard ought to end in a seventh NCAA Event look, which highlights how he is efficiently adopted Naismith Memorial Corridor of Famer Bo Ryan at Wisconsin. 3 22-14
22

Seton Corridor
This rating relies on Shaheen Holloway’s Pirates returning six of the highest eight scorers – all people besides Al-Amir Dawes and Jaden Bediako – from a workforce that received the 2024 NIT. Kadary Richmond ought to return for a fifth season and emerge as a attainable possibility for Massive East Participant of the Yr. NR 25-12
23

Rutgers
This rating relies on Steve Pikiell’s Scarlet Knights solely returning one double-digit scorer (Jeremiah Williams) from a workforce that completed beneath .500. However the enrollment of five-star prospects Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper will give Rutgers two doubtless top-10 picks within the 2025 NBA Draft and sufficient expertise to start out the season with a quantity beside its title. NR 15-17
24

Texas
This rating relies on Rodney Terry’s Longhorns returning 4 of the highest six scorers – all people besides Max Abmas and Dyland Disu – from a workforce that secured a No. 7 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. Texas can also be enrolling a top-15 recruiting class headlined by five-star guard Tre Johnson, who ought to begin within the backcourt alongside Tyrese Hunter. NR 21-13
25

Florida
This rating relies on Todd Golden’s Gators returning six of the highest 9 scorers – all people apart from Zyon Pullin, Tyrese Samuel and Riley Kugel – from a workforce that secured a No. 7 seed within the 2024 NCAA Event. The star ought to as soon as once more be Walter Clayton, who averaged 17.6 factors in his first season within the SEC. NR 24-12
26

Ohio St.
This rating relies on Jake Diebler’s Buckeyes returning 4 of the highest seven scorers – particularly Bruce Thornton, Felix Okpara, Dale Bonner and Devin Royal – from a workforce that missed the NCAA Event however closed with an 8-3 document after Diebler changed Chris Holtmann in February. The addition of Meechie Johnson (South Carolina) through the switch portal was a pleasant early get for an Ohio State program that ought to be related once more in Diebler’s first full season. NR 22-14