The 2024-25 school basketball season is upon us, and from a battle on a aircraft to buzzer-beater upsets, there’s already an awesome quantity of motion to make amends for.
We’ll observe the highest 16 groups, gamers of the week, high prospects and the nation’s most fun performs every week, so keep updated with our school basketball protection all season lengthy!
Right here’s the primary of many complete lists within the thrilling world of school hoops!
UConn (2-0)
After back-to-back nationwide championships and Dan Hurley opting to return to Storrs after an offseason of bottomless cash baggage being thrown his approach, UConn debuts on the high of our rankings with a reloaded roster of star gamers and prospects.
The Huskies greater than earned the highest spot with their work in recent times and it’ll take lots to knock them off the mantle this season.
Kansas (2-0)
It was a disappointing finish to a promising season for the Jayhawks a 12 months in the past, and Invoice Self knew he had a little bit of strain to proper the ship this offseason. By an impressive efficiency within the switch portal and the return of three stars in Dajuan Harris, Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams he’s off to an excellent begin with a win over North Carolina to point out for it.
Duke (2-0)
If anybody can finish UConn’s spectacular run on expertise alone, look no additional than the Blue Devils. Deservedly so, Cooper Flagg will get a whole lot of the hype, however Jon Scheyer’s group is loaded with loads of different stars who can take over and anybody who watches Duke this season will study quickly sufficient.
Auburn (2-0)
In a “neutral-site” sport in opposition to the College of Houston within the metropolis of Houston, therefore the sarcasm, Auburn overcame mid-week drama to provide you with essentially the most spectacular win of the primary week of the season. Extremely-touted prospect Tahaad Pettiford, a projected 2026 first-round decide, took over late with 21 factors (15 within the second half) to spark the victory.
Alabama (2-0)
It could be a brand new season, however Alabama continues to be placing up a ridiculous quantity of 3-point makes an attempt (and factors) to remain true to its identification. Mark Sears guarantees to be one of many high gamers in school basketball and is off to a strong begin with 19.5 factors per sport for the Tide.
Gonzaga (2-0)
The Zags appeared to get a whole lot of their anger out from a 2021 Nationwide Championship loss to Baylor in a rematch in Spokane on the season’s opening night time. Mark Few’s squad dismantled the Bears 101-63 regardless of an absurd poster by VJ Edgecombe on Few’s son within the last minutes. We’ll discuss extra about that play a little bit later.
North Carolina (1-1)
North Carolina’s lack of success in opposition to the Jayhawks (0-5 since 2008) continued on Friday night time however a dramatic second-half comeback in a hostile atmosphere confirmed that the Tar Heels can hold with anybody, wherever. RJ Davis is again and poised to be an All-American as soon as once more with a core of developed teammates and gifted transfers to construct on final season’s crash out within the Candy 16 to Alabama.
Houston (1-1)
Regardless of the loss, Houston must be inspired by its defensive effort in opposition to a gifted Auburn staff that doubtless gained’t be held to 74 factors fairly often this season. The Cougars shall be a power to be reckoned with as soon as once more within the NCAA Event.
Indiana (2-0)
Maybe no person had a greater time within the switch portal than Mike Woodson. The Hoosiers have a whole lot of hype and a whole lot of hope in his fourth season and an elite frontcourt is an enormous purpose why. Look out for Indiana within the Huge Ten this season.
Iowa State (1-0)
It’s tough to not be an enormous fan of Iowa State with what T.J. Otzelberger has performed in Ames, however a high 5 preseason rating is a bit too excessive. Nonetheless, the Cyclones shall be one of many high groups in a loaded Huge 12 and it begins with a tenacious defensive mindset that may frustrate anybody in school hoops.
Arizona (2-0)
Arizona’s season will warmth up in a rush with a visit to Madison and a date with Duke as its subsequent two video games on the schedule. Thus far, so good for the Wildcats although who beat the brakes off Canisius and Previous Dominion.
Tennessee (2-0)
The Vols acquired off to an excellent begin with two snug wins, together with a high-major street win over Louisville by 22 factors. It’ll be the standard defensive identification that carries them and after back-to-back seasons reaching the second weekend, confidence must be via the roof in Knoxville.
Rutgers (1-0)
It’s a brand new age in Piscataway. Two elite prospects are bringing the highlight to the basketball program, however query marks nearly all over the place else shouldn’t be neglected. Even when the staff outcomes don’t mirror it instantly, the Scarlet Knights shall be a deal with to observe all season lengthy.
Baylor (1-1)
Although a 38-point loss to Gonzaga was a whole catastrophe, issues may’ve acquired even worse with No. 16 Arkansas awaiting them on Saturday. The Bears responded with a bounceback win and nonetheless belong among the many nation’s greatest for difficult themselves early on.
Marquette (2-0)
Shaka Good misplaced two absolute studs in Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro who shall be tough to interchange, however he managed to return a strong core headlined by Kam Jones who confirmed out within the staff’s first two video games. The Golden Eagles shall be a participant in a struggling Huge East as soon as once more.
Kentucky (2-0)
The begin to the Mark Pope period in Lexington couldn’t have gone significantly better because the new-look Wildcats seemed quick and recent of their two opening wins. They’ll get their first actual check of the season within the Champions Traditional in opposition to Duke, however after consecutive 100-point video games to start the 12 months, there’s loads of purpose for confidence even with out John Calipari and his five-star expertise.
Subsequent 5: Ohio State, UCF, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas
Gamers of the Week:
Ryan Kalkbrenner, No. 15 Creighton Blue Jays
How does 49 factors within the season opener sound? Kalkbrenner did simply that to start his fifth season with the Blue Jays on 20-22 taking pictures together with a pair of 3-pointers to point out his improvement in that space. He’s 3-3 within the younger season from past the arc and any consistency from past the arc will do wonders for his draft inventory.
Mackenzie Mgbako, No. 17 Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers introduced in a wonderful class of transfers, nevertheless it was a returning sophomore who stole the present this week. Mgbako seemed unstoppable with 31 factors, 9 rebounds and 4-5 3-PT taking pictures to guide Indiana to an 80-61 win over SIUE. There are three stars within the Indiana frontcourt who can take over at any given time; it simply occurred to be the 6’9 sophomore this week.
Tre Johnson, No. 19 Texas Longhorns
It wasn’t all unhealthy for Texas in its loss to Ohio State in Las Vegas on Monday. 5-star freshman Tre Johnson went ballistic with 29 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists on 5-10 taking pictures from each inside and outdoors the 3-point line. He backed it up with 28 extra factors on higher effectivity in opposition to Houston Christian on Friday. Count on his projected lottery standing to be shored up much more after an enormous debut.
Will Riley, Illinois Preventing Illini
There was a serious roster shakeup in Champaigne this offseason and five-star freshman Will Riley is without doubt one of the new faces that followers are enthusiastic about. He wasted no time rewarding that pleasure with 31 factors in his debut in simply 25 minutes off the bench. The 6’8 freshman from Ontario is a ridiculous 8-11 from past the arc to start his profession and a prospect to observe transferring ahead.
Tahaad Pettiford, No. 11 Auburn Tigers
The true freshman went from fouling out in 19 minutes with out scoring in his debut in opposition to Vermont to breaking out as a star in opposition to the very best protection in school basketball. Pettiford was sensational on Saturday night time and the Tigers don’t pull out a win over No. 4 Houston with out his 21 factors and 5 triples off the bench.
Play of the Week
I believe Joe Few could be wishing that his dad didn’t put him into the sport in Monday’s bloodbath in opposition to Baylor after what V.J. Edgecombe did to him within the last minutes. This outrageous poster dunk, which will be seen beneath from all angles, reveals precisely why the Baylor freshman has an athleticism grade of 9 on our website and why he’s at present slotted as a high three decide within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Test it out!
Video Credit score: BaylorAthletics YouTube
