Alabama has participated in its first Last 4 in historical past and obtained a public pledge of allegiance from its coach, Nate Oats, over the previous week. These are two nice developments.
But it surely’s not all excellent news in Tuscaloosa.
That is as a result of Rylan Griffen, the Crimson Tide’s fourth-leading scorer, has entered the switch portal after beginning 33 video games as a sophomore, which suggests Alabama is now projected to lose three of the highest 4 scorers — particularly Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada and Griffen — from the workforce that made the 2024 Last 4. Unsurprisingly, Oats responded to the departure by shortly securing a dedication from Chris Youngblood, a 6-foot-4 guard who averaged 15.3 factors this previous season at South Florida. However the lack of Griffen and addition of Youngblood remains to be a net-negative for Alabama, in my view, which is why the Crimson Tide are right down to No. 12 in Model 3.0 of the 2024-25 CBS Sports activities preseason High 25 And 1 faculty basketball rankings.
Sears might enhance that rating, although.
The All-American guard hasn’t but introduced his intentions for subsequent season and theoretically might return for a fifth 12 months of faculty basketball. If he does, Alabama will transfer into the highest 10 of the High 25 And 1, maybe even the highest 5. However primarily based on the place most analysts have Sears slotted within the 2024 NBA Draft, the prevailing assumption is that he’ll finally enter and stay within the 2024 NBA Draft, and Alabama’s projected roster in Model 3.0 of the High 25 And 1 is a mirrored image of that perception.
I eliminated BYU from the High 25 And 1.
Mark Pope’s determination to depart BYU and exchange John Calipari at Kentucky on Friday means the workforce I had thirteenth in Model 1.0 of the High 25 And 1 now not exists. (Dallin Corridor and Aly Khalifa are already within the switch portal.) Consequently, the Cougars are utterly out of the High 25 And 1 and have been changed by a Michigan State workforce projected to return six of the highest eight scorers from a roster that simply helped Tom Izzo make his twenty sixth consecutive look within the NCAA Match.
For sure, it is potential, if unlikely, that Pope will ultimately construct a workforce worthy of inclusion within the High 25 And 1 at Kentucky the identical means it is potential, if unlikely, Calipari will ultimately construct a workforce worthy of inclusion within the High 25 And 1 at Arkansas. If both does, I will alter, similar to all the time. However, for now, neither Kentucky nor Arkansas have rosters deserving of a spot. That is why they’re absent.
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High 25 And 1 rankings
Largest Movers
|
Rk |
Groups |
Chg |
Rcrd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
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This rating is predicated on Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels returning three of the highest 5 scorers – particularly RJ Davis, Harrison Ingram and Elliot Cadeau – from a workforce that received the ACC and secured a No. 1 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. 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 Last 4. | — | 29-8 |
2 |
|
This rating is predicated on Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils returning three of the highest six scorers — particularly, Jeremy Roach, Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor — from a workforce that secured a No. 4 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. 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 turn into faculty basketball’s greatest attraction. | — | 27-9 |
3 |
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This rating is predicated on Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars returning eight of the highest 10 scorers – all people moreover Jamal Shead and Damian Dunn – from a workforce that received the Huge 12 by two video games and earned a No. 1 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. A backcourt of LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and Terrance Arceneaux ought to make the Cougars the favourite within the Huge 12 primarily based off of present roster projections even when the lack of Shead is undeniably necessary. | — | 32-5 |
4 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match. Each Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert might compete for Huge 12 Participant of the 12 months honors and place Iowa State to possibly make what can be this system’s first journey to the Last 4 since 1944. | — | 29-8 |
5 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match. Kansas has already added Riley Kugel (Florida) and Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State) from the switch portal and needs to be again close to the highest of the Huge 12 subsequent season. | — | 23-11 |
6 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match. Clearly, UConn has rather a lot to exchange, however some applications deserve the advantage of the doubt, and Hurley’s program is unquestionably considered one of them. | — | 37-3 |
7 |
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This rating is predicated on Mark Few’s Zags returning each rotation piece moreover Anton Watson from a workforce that superior to the Candy 16 of the 2024 NCAA Match. Gonzaga needs to be again within the NCAA Match for an unimaginable twenty sixth straight time subsequent March. | — | 27-8 |
8 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match. The addition of five-star freshman Tahaad Pettiford and Furman switch JP Pegues ought to have Auburn in rivalry to possibly make a second Last 4. | — | 27-8 |
9 |
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This rating is predicated on Matt Painter’s Boilermakers returning six of the highest eight scorers – all people moreover Zach Edey and Lance Jones – from a workforce that superior to the title sport of the 2024 NCAA Match. The Boilermakers have completed within the high 25 at KenPom.com 9 straight years, and there is not any purpose to assume that streak will not proceed subsequent season even with out the two-time Nationwide Participant of the 12 months. | — | 34-5 |
10 |
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This rating is predicated on Greg McDermott’s Bluejays returning each rotation participant moreover Baylor Scheierman and Francisco Farabello from a workforce that superior to the Candy 16 of the 2024 NCAA Match. A trio of Trey Alexander, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth would make Creighton among the many Huge East favorites. | 1 | 25-10 |
11 |
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This rating is predicated on Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats returning 5 of the highest eight scorers – all people moreover 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 Match. Arizona’s top-five recruiting class headlined by Carter Bryant and Joson Sanon ought to assist make this system’s transition to the Huge 12 comparatively clean. | 1 | 27-9 |
12 |
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This rating is predicated on Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide returning eight of the highest 11 scorers – all people besides Mark Sears, Aaron Estrada and Rylan Griffen – from a workforce that superior to the 2024 Last 4. The addition of five-star freshman Derrion Reed and transfers Houston Mallette (Pepperdine) and Chris Youngblood (USF) will assist offset the departures — and Alabama will simply transfer into the highest 10 if Sears opts to return reasonably than enter the 2024 NBA Draft. | 2 | 25-12 |
13 |
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This rating is predicated on Randy Bennett’s Gaels returning each rotation piece moreover Alex Ducas from a workforce that received the West Coast Convention and secured a No. 5 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. The Aidan Mahaney/Augustas Marciulionis backcourt needs to be probably the greatest out west. | 1 | 26-8 |
14 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match. Wade Taylor might enter the season as the favourite to win SEC Participant of the 12 months for the second straight season. | 1 | 21-15 |
15 |
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This rating is predicated on Shaka Sensible’s Golden Eagles returning each rotation participant moreover Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro from a workforce that secured a No. 2 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. Kam Jones’ announcement that he’ll return means Marquette can have a fourth-year guard who simply averaged 17.2 factors per sport to construct round. | 1 | 27-10 |
16 |
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This rating is predicated on Brad Brownell’s Tigers returning 5 of the highest six scorers – all people moreover Joe Girard – from a workforce that secured a No. 6 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. So long as PJ Corridor and Chase Hunter each use their further years of eligibility to return to Clemson, the Tigers needs to be an element within the ACC once more. | 1 | 24-12 |
17 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match. 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 Match. | 1 | 24-11 |
18 |
|
This rating is predicated on Rick Barnes’ Volunteers returning two of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Zakai Zeigler and Jordan Gainey — from a workforce that received the SEC and secured a No. 2 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. The departures of Dalton Knecht, Jonas Aidoo and Josiah-Jordan James are enormous, however Tennessee ought to nonetheless simply make the NCAA Match for the fifth straight 12 months. | 1 | 27-9 |
19 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match 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 is just not anticipated. | 1 | 15-17 |
20 |
|
This rating is predicated 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 Match. 12 months 10 for Gard ought to end in a seventh NCAA Match look, which highlights how he is efficiently adopted Naismith Memorial Corridor of Famer Bo Ryan at Wisconsin. | 1 | 22-14 |
21 |
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This rating is predicated on Steve Pikiell’s Scarlet Knights solely returning one double-digit scorer (Jeremiah Williams) from a workforce that completed under .500. However the enrollment of five-star prospects Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper will give Rutgers two probably top-10 picks within the 2025 NBA Draft and sufficient expertise to start out the season with a quantity beside its identify. | 1 | 15-17 |
22 |
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This rating is predicated on Todd Golden’s Gators returning six of the highest 9 scorers – all people moreover Zyon Pullin, Tyrese Samuel and Riley Kugel – from a workforce that secured a No. 7 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. The addition of Sam Alexis offers Florida a 6-9 ahead who averaged 10.8 factors and 9.1 rebounds at Chattanooga as a sophomore. | 2 | 24-12 |
23 |
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This rating is predicated 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 Match. 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. | — | 21-13 |
24 |
|
This rating is predicated on Shaheen Holloway’s Pirates returning 5 of the highest eight scorers – all people besides Al-Amir Dawes, Dre Davis and Jaden Bediako – from a workforce that received the 2024 NIT. Kadary Richmond ought to return for a fifth season and emerge as a potential possibility for Huge East Participant of the 12 months. | 1 | 25-12 |
25 |
|
This rating is predicated on Jake Diebler’s Buckeyes returning 4 of the highest 9 scorers – particularly Bruce Thornton, Felix Okpara, Devin Royal and Evan Mahaffey – from a workforce that missed the NCAA Match however closed with an 8-3 file after Diebler changed Chris Holtmann in February. The additions of heralded switch Meechie Johnson and his youthful brother, five-star guard Marcus Johnson, ought to assist Ohio State be related once more in Diebler’s first full season. | 1 | 22-14 |
26 |
|
This rating is predicated on Tom Izzo’s Spartans returning six of the highest eight scorers – all people moreover Tyson Walker and Malik Corridor – from a workforce that secured a No. 9 seed within the 2024 NCAA Match. That needs to be sufficient for Izzo to increase his streak of NCAA Match appearances to 27. | NR | 20-15 |
In: Michigan State
Out: BYU