Dick Vitale reveals Sweet 16 college basketball rankings for 2024-25 season
It’s never too early for preseason rankings. On Thursday, iconic broadcaster Dick Vitale released his Sweet Sixteen teams heading into the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season.
A lot has changed in college basketball since last season. In the 2024-25 campaign, conference realignment will be official, with programs such as USC and Texas competing against unfamiliar foes. Additionally, hundreds of players joined new teams this offseason via the NCAA Transfer Portal.
Vitale considered each of these changes in his rankings, ultimately placing a familiar blue-chip program at the No. 1 spot.
1. Kansas Jayhawks
It’s no surprise to see the Jayhawks soar to the top of Vitale’s rankings. The team will return COVID senior Hunter Dickinson, fifth-year guard Dajuan Harris Jr. and senior KJ Adams Jr.
Additionally, Kansas boasts a monstrous transfer class, including Rylan Griffen (Alabama), AJ Storr (Wisconsin), Riley Kugel (Florida) and Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State). After falling to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, Kansas will be more motivated than ever to succeed.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama head coach Nate Oats didn’t hesitate to make a splash in his third season at the helm of the program. The Crimson Tide lost three of its last four games before the Big Dance. However, they found their rhythm at the perfect time, reaching the Final Four for the first time in program history.
Alabama will return three of its top five scorers: Mark Sears, Grant Nelson and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Oats acquired talent in the transfer portal too, adding Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers) and Aden Holloway (Auburn). Alabama will also have three four-star freshmen on its roster next year.
3. UConn Huskies
UConn has won back-to-back national championships and Dan Hurley is hungry for more. The UConn head coach turned down lucrative offers from both Kentucky and the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. Instead, he hopes to continue to build his dynasty in Storrs, Connecticut.
The Huskies will return Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson, Solomon Ball and Jaylin Stewart for the 2024-25 season. The team also landed colossal commitments from 2024 five-star Liam McNeeley and St. Mary’s transfer guard Aidan Mahaney.
4. Houston Cougars
With head coach Kelvin Sampson at the helm, Houston will always be in national title contention. Next season will be no exception. The Cougars will run it back with eight of their top 10 scorers from last season.
LJ Cryer and Emmanuel Sharp will run the backcourt while Ja’Vier Francis and J’Wan Roberts anchor the frontcourt. Former Oklahoma guard Milos Uzan was the only player Houston added via the transfer portal this offseason. He averaged 9.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season for the Sooners.
5. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State made a statement last season, posting a 29-8 overall record and taking home its first Big 12 Tournament title under head coach TJ Otzelberger. The Cyclones will return their top four scorers in the 2023-24 season.
Junior Tamin Lipsey will headline the group. He averaged 12.4 points while shooting 39.1% from beyond the arc last season. Iowa State also brought in four transfers, including former St. Mary’s forward Joshua Jefferson, who averaged 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per contest last year.
6. North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina standout RJ Davis wasn’t satisfied with the Tar Heels’ Sweet Sixteen finish. The 2024 ACC Player of the Year will return to the Tar Heels, joining Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble, Jae’Lyn Withers and Jalen Washington.
The Tar Heels also notably added transfer Cade Tyson (Belmont), who averaged 16.2 points per game last season and was an All-MVC Second-Team selection. Finally, North Carolina will integrate 2024 five-star prospects Ian Jackson and Drake Powell into its star-studded roster.
7. Baylor Bears
Scott Drew had no shortage of opportunities to leave Baylor this offseason, but the 53-year-old head coach opted to stay. Now, the Bears will look to make his decision worthwhile. The team added three transfers in the spring, including standouts Jeremy Roach (Duke) and Norchad Omier (Miami).
Additionally, Baylor retained Langston Love, Jayden Nunn and Josh Ojianwuna. The team also boasts the No. 4 class in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to On3 Industry Rankings. VJ Edgecombe — the No. 1 shooting guard in the class — is the most noteworthy name of the bunch.
8. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Despite a lackluster regular season last year, Gonzaga still made a run to the Sweet Sixteen in March. Head coach Mark Few and Co. will aim to reach even greater heights next season, with starters Ryan Nembhard, Graham Ike, Ben Gregg and Nolan Hickman running it back.
Moreover, Gonzaga added a surplus of talent via the portal, including Khalif Battle (Arkansas), Michael Ajayi (Pepperdine), Emmanuel Innocenti (Tarleton State) and Braeden Smith (Colgate). Battle averaged 14.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per outing last season.
9. Duke Blue Devils
10. Auburn Tigers
11. Purdue Boilermakers
12. Arizona Wildcats
13. Arkansas Razorbacks
14. Texas A&M Aggies
15. Kentucky Wildcats
16. St. John’s Red Storm