The weather is changing, kids are back in school and we’re starting to get that itch for men’s college basketball again. But we’re not quite there yet. Teams are still adding players — or in Memphis‘ case, an entire staff of coaches.
Despite the incremental roster changes of the past month, there’s no movement for this edition of the Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings. So, we’re going to go through each team and address the biggest question it faces.
There’s still one more update coming before the start of the 2024-25 season, when we’ll do a clean sweep of the rankings. We wouldn’t want to look back and be wrong about anything in five months, of course.
Last updated: Sept. 9, 2024
Previous ranking: 1
Can Bill Self find the right perimeter combination? Riley Kugel decommitting and Elmarko Jackson‘s knee injury cleared the backcourt rotation up a bit, but Self is still adding elite transfer AJ Storr, high-level shooter Rylan Griffen, Summit League Player of the Year Zeke Mayo and veteran high-major starter Shakeel Moore to returning starter Dajuan Harris Jr.
Projected starting lineup
Dajuan Harris Jr. (8.5 points per game)
Zeke Mayo (18.8 PPG at South Dakota State)
AJ Storr (16.8 PPG at Wisconsin)
K.J. Adams Jr. (12.6 PPG)
Hunter Dickinson (17.9 PPG)
Previous ranking: 2
Will Alabama be as effective offensively with a bigger lineup? Some of the Tide’s best performances in 2023-24, especially late in the season, came with Grant Nelson or Jarin Stevenson — two players who could stretch the floor — at the center spot. This season, Rutgers transfer Clifford Omoruyi will anchor the post. Omoruyi is one of the best interior defenders in the country and will dramatically upgrade the Tide at that end of the floor.
Projected starting lineup
Mark Sears (21.5 PPG)
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 PPG)
Chris Youngblood (15.3 PPG at South Florida)
Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG)
Clifford Omoruyi (10.4 PPG at Rutgers)
Previous ranking: 3
Can Hassan Diarra make the step up to the starting lineup? In addition to all the NBA talent the Huskies have produced the past couple of years, Dan Hurley has also had one of the best bench guards in the country in Diarra. Last season’s Big East Sixth Man Award winner started just four games the past two seasons, but he should have the ball in his hands in 2024-25.
Projected starting lineup
Hassan Diarra (6.1 PPG)
Aidan Mahaney (13.9 PPG at Saint Mary’s)
Liam McNeeley (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
Alex Karaban (13.3 PPG)
Samson Johnson (5.4 PPG)
Previous ranking: 4
Can Kelvin Sampson replace Jamal Shead this season? Shead developed into one of the nation’s premier point guards during his time with the Cougars, combining elite defensive ability and clutch playmaking. Now Sampson has to turn to Oklahoma transfer Milos Uzan to run the show. Uzan’s familiarity with the Big 12 should help, but there will be a learning curve.
Projected starting lineup
Milos Uzan (9.0 PPG at Oklahoma)
L.J. Cryer (15.5 PPG)
Emanuel Sharp (12.6 PPG)
J’Wan Roberts (9.5 PPG)
Ja’Vier Francis (6.0 PPG)
Previous ranking: 5
Will Gonzaga be better defensively without its best defender? Gonzaga’s second-half turnaround last season was impressive, but the Zags will need to be more consistent at stopping the ball and protecting the rim — without Anton Watson. One big addition is Tarleton State transfer Emmanuel Innocenti, an elite defender who should help at that end of the floor.
Projected starting lineup
Ryan Nembhard (12.6 PPG)
Nolan Hickman (14.0 PPG)
Michael Ajayi (17.2 PPG at Pepperdine)
Ben Gregg (9.0 PPG)
Graham Ike (16.5 PPG)
Previous ranking: 6
Is there enough up front? Baylor is as loaded as any team in the country on the perimeter, with Duke transfer Jeremy Roach and elite recruit V.J. Edgecombe joining returnees Jayden Nunn and Langston Love. Miami transfer Norchad Omier should anchor the team down low, but Scott Drew doesn’t have a ton behind him besides Josh Ojianwuna. Baylor playing small could be a theme.
Projected starting lineup
Jeremy Roach (14.0 PPG at Duke)
Jayden Nunn (10.5 PPG)
V.J. Edgecombe (No. 3 in ESPN 100)
Langston Love (11.0 PPG)
Norchad Omier (17.0 PPG at Miami)
Previous ranking: 7
Will T.J. Otzelberger find more offensive pop in his team? Iowa State has been one of the elite defenses in the country the past three seasons, but it has also been in the bottom half of the Big 12 in offensive efficiency in each of those campaigns. Curtis Jones moving into the starting lineup could be a boost offensively, while the additions of transfers Dishon Jackson (Charlotte) and Nate Heise (Northern Iowa) should help as well.
Projected starting lineup
Tamin Lipsey (12.4 PPG)
Curtis Jones (11.0 PPG)
Keshon Gilbert (13.7 PPG)
Milan Momcilovic (10.9 PPG)
Dishon Jackson (11.4 PPG at Charlotte)
Previous ranking: 8
Can Cooper Flagg prove he really is the best player in the country? It’s a big question, of course, but those are the expectations being placed on Flagg from well before he stepped on campus in Durham. Only three freshmen have won the Wooden Award: Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson. Flagg is good enough to be in contention to be the fourth, and Duke will need him to be.
Projected starting lineup
Tyrese Proctor (10.5 PPG)
Caleb Foster (7.7 PPG)
Cooper Flagg (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
Maliq Brown (9.5 PPG at Syracuse)
Khaman Maluach (five-star)
Previous ranking: 9
Can Arizona get rid of its March bugaboo? The Wildcats have been a 1- or 2-seed in each of the past three NCAA tournaments, but they have yet to reach the Elite Eight, losing to 5-seed Houston, 15-seed Princeton and 6-seed Clemson. While their record (and seeding) might take a hit moving to the Big 12, playing in the best league in the country should prepare them better for single-elimination hoops.
Projected starting lineup
Jaden Bradley (7.0 PPG)
Caleb Love (18.0 PPG)
KJ Lewis (6.1 PPG)
Trey Townsend (17.3 PPG at Oakland)
Motiejus Krivas (5.4 PPG)
Previous ranking: 10
Will UNC be as dominant down low as it has been in recent seasons? It doesn’t look like it just yet. Dominating in the paint and on the glass has been a staple of successful Carolina basketball teams under both Roy Williams and Hubert Davis — but after swinging and missing on a slew of portal centers last spring, the Tar Heels’ typical size and proven production just isn’t there. Key transfer Ven-Allen Lubin is only 6-foot-8, while Jae’Lyn Withers and Jalen Washington haven’t been consistent.
Projected starting lineup
Elliot Cadeau (7.3 PPG)
RJ Davis (21.2 PPG)
Ian Jackson (No. 7 in ESPN 100)
Cade Tyson (16.2 PPG at Belmont)
Ven-Allen Lubin (12.3 PPG)
Previous ranking: 11
Is JP Pegues the answer at point guard? Bruce Pearl hasn’t had high-level point guard play in a few years, dealing with the inconsistent decision-making of Wendell Green in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and the growing pains of five-star freshman Aden Holloway last season. Furman transfer Pegues was arguably the best player in the SoCon, but he’ll have a lot on his shoulders. Freshman Tahaad Pettiford is the other option.
Projected starting lineup
JP Pegues (18.4 PPG at Furman)
Denver Jones (9.1 PPG)
Miles Kelly (13.9 PPG at Georgia Tech)
Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 PPG)
Johni Broome (16.5 PPG)
Previous ranking: 12
Can A&M find its groove early? The Aggies have followed a similar script the past two seasons. In 2022-23, they started 6-5 with losses to Wofford and Murray State before winning 19 of their next 22 games. Last season, they were 7-4 and 15-13 before winning five in a row and making a run to the SEC semifinal and earning a bid. Early-season games against Ohio State, Oregon, Creighton, San Diego State, Wake Forest, Texas Tech and Purdue won’t make a hot start easy, though.
Projected starting lineup
Wade Taylor IV (19.1 PPG)
Manny Obaseki (7.0 PPG)
Zhuric Phelps (14.8 PPG at SMU)
Henry Coleman III (8.8 PPG)
Pharrel Payne (10.0 PPG at Minnesota)
Previous ranking: 13
Can Tennessee maintain its offensive uptick without Dalton Knecht? The Volunteers’ best team of the Rick Barnes era was also its best offensive unit since 2019. Much of that could be attributed to Knecht, the SEC Player of the Year who is now with the Los Angeles Lakers. But Barnes had the Vols playing faster and shooting more 3s, two things that should carry over to this season. Transfers Chaz Lanier (North Florida) and Darlinstone Dubar (Hofstra) will be tasked with producing offense early and often.
Projected starting lineup
Zakai Zeigler (11.8 PPG)
Chaz Lanier (19.7 PPG at North Florida)
Jahmai Mashack (4.5 PPG)
Darlinstone Dubar (17.8 PPG at Hofstra)
Felix Okpara (6.6 PPG at Ohio State)
Previous ranking: 14
Is D.J. Wagner poised to take a step forward? In reality, Wagner probably caught too much flak for his freshman season performance. Was he the No. 1 freshman in the country? No, but he still averaged 9.9 points and 3.3 assists, starting 28 games for a team that was a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament. That said, he’ll need to be more consistent, more efficient and a better shooter — because Boogie Fland is essentially the only backup guard for the Razorbacks.
Projected starting lineup
D.J. Wagner (9.9 PPG at Kentucky)
Johnell Davis (18.2 PPG at Florida Atlantic)
Karter Knox (No. 26 in ESPN 100)
Trevon Brazile (8.6 PPG)
Jonas Aidoo (11.4 PPG at Tennessee)
Previous ranking: 15
How does Greg McDermott replace 36-plus points per game? Out the door are Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander, Creighton’s leading scorers last season. In their place are transfers Pop Isaacs (Texas Tech) and Jamiya Neal (Arizona State). Isaacs was a third-team All-Big 12 pick, while Neal brings size to the wing. They’ll both have to shoot the 3 better than they did a year ago, though.
Projected starting lineup
Steven Ashworth (11.1 PPG)
Pop Isaacs (15.8 PPG at Texas Tech)
Jamiya Neal (11.0 PPG at Arizona State)
Mason Miller (5.6 PPG)
Ryan Kalkbrenner (17.3 PPG)
Previous ranking: 16
What does a post-Zach Edey world look like in West Lafayette? Matt Painter has to figure out a way to keep Purdue’s success going without the back-to-back Wooden Award winner — but he has earned a 5-seed or better in eight straight NCAA tournaments, so there’s some optimism. Much of the paint responsibilities will fall on returnees Trey Kaufman-Renn and Caleb Furst, and intriguing freshman Daniel Jacobsen.
Projected starting lineup
Braden Smith (12.2 PPG)
Fletcher Loyer (10.6 PPG)
Camden Heide (3.4 PPG)
Trey Kaufman-Renn (6.4 PPG)
Daniel Jacobsen (four-star)
Previous ranking: 17
What happens at the point guard position? All-American Tyler Kolek is off to the NBA, and backup point guard Sean Jones is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last January. Shaka Smart could opt to move Kam Jones to the point guard spot; he’s a big-time scorer and shooter, but he has shown playmaking ability. Stevie Mitchell could also handle the ball more often.
Projected starting lineup
Kam Jones (17.2 PPG)
Stevie Mitchell (8.8 PPG)
Chase Ross (6.1 PPG)
David Joplin (10.8 PPG)
Ben Gold (5.0 PPG)
Previous ranking: 18
Will all the pieces fit offensively? Last season, the Hoosiers never quite put it together. They were a dreadful shooting team, they turned the ball over too much and they couldn’t string together quality performances. But then Mike Woodson went out and landed Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle and Oumar Ballo, among others. Questions remain: Can Ballo and Malik Reneau play together? Where does Mackenzie Mgbako fit? Can anyone in the starting lineup make 3s consistently? There’s plenty of talent, though.
Projected starting lineup
Myles Rice (14.8 PPG at Washington State)
Kanaan Carlyle (11.5 PPG at Stanford)
Mackenzie Mgbako (12.2 PPG)
Malik Reneau (15.4 PPG)
Oumar Ballo (14.2 PPG at Arizona)
Previous ranking: 19
Is Jizzle James‘ late-season surge a sign of things to come? The 6-foot-1 point guard started just two games last season, in which he totaled 46 points and six assists. Those were the Bearcats’ final two games of the season. Day Day Thomas, who started the other 35 games at the PG spot, also returns. But if Cincinnati is going to finally break through and get to the NCAA tournament, James’ dynamism might be key.
Projected starting lineup
Jizzle James (8.8 PPG)
Dan Skillings Jr. (12.9 PPG)
Simas Lukosius (11.8 PPG)
Dillon Mitchell (9.6 PPG at Texas)
Aziz Bandaogo (6.6 PPG)
Previous ranking: 20
Will Ole Miss start to play Chris Beard’s defense? In Beard’s last four seasons at Texas Tech and his lone full season at Texas, his teams never ranked outside the top 20 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. Last season in Oxford? No. 141 at KenPom, 12th in the SEC. That has to change. The additions of Dre Davis (Seton Hall) and Mikeal Brown-Jones (UNC Greensboro) are a good start.
Projected starting lineup
Sean Pedulla (16.4 PPG at Virginia Tech)
Matthew Murrell (16.2 PPG)
Dre Davis (15.0 PPG at Seton Hall)
Jaemyn Brakefield (12.9 PPG)
Malik Dia (16.9 PPG at Belmont)
Previous ranking: 21
Who will emerge as Walter Clayton Jr.’s sidekick? Last season, Clayton — one of the best scorers in the country — had big-time collegiate scorer Zyon Pullin next to him in the backcourt, Tyrese Samuel up front and Riley Kugel‘s occasional offensive outbursts on the wing. This season, Todd Golden will need FAU transfer Alijah Martin to return to his form of two seasons ago and Will Richard to take a step forward.
Projected starting lineup
Walter Clayton Jr. (17.6 PPG)
Alijah Martin (13.1 PPG at Florida Atlantic)
Will Richard (11.4 PPG)
Alex Condon (7.7 PPG)
Rueben Chinyelu (4.7 PPG at Washington State)
Previous ranking: 22
Are there enough shots to go around? Rodney Terry made upgrading the team’s offense a priority in the spring, so there is no shortage of high-level scorers on the roster. Jordan Pope (Oregon State) and Tramon Mark (Arkansas) were their team’s leading scorers last season, Tre Johnson was an elite scorer in the 2024 class and Arthur Kaluma put up 14.4 points at Kansas State. Two other incoming transfers also averaged double figures at their previous stops. How will the Longhorns balance the offense?
Projected starting lineup
Jordan Pope (17.6 PPG at Oregon State)
Tramon Mark (16.2 PPG at Arkansas)
Tre Johnson (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
Jayson Kent (13.5 PPG at Indiana State)
Kadin Shedrick (7.7 PPG)
Previous ranking: 23
How long will it take Mark Pope to piece things together? While there are other teams in the rankings that underwent rebuilds, none were as significant as Kentucky’s. Zero players returned to Lexington from last season, and Pope is bringing only one with him from BYU. There are a lot of intriguing players — and ample experience — on the Wildcats’ roster, but it could take time for them to mesh.
Projected starting lineup
Kerr Kriisa (11.0 PPG at West Virginia)
Otega Oweh (11.4 PPG at Oklahoma)
Jaxson Robinson (14.2 PPG at BYU)
Andrew Carr (13.5 PPG at Wake Forest)
Amari Williams (12.2 PPG at Drexel)
Previous ranking: 24
What will UCLA’s rotation look like? Mick Cronin is clearly putting last season’s 16-17 campaign behind him, bringing in six high-level transfers and two ESPN 100 recruits and letting everyone battle for minutes. Returnee Dylan Andrews has to fend off Louisville transfer Skyy Clark at the point, while McDonald’s All-American Trent Perry will fight for minutes, too. Who starts between Lazar Stefanovic, Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey? Do William Kyle III‘s defensive abilities get him on the floor early?
Projected starting lineup
Dylan Andrews (12.9 PPG)
Sebastian Mack (12.1 PPG)
Kobe Johnson (10.9 PPG at USC)
Lazar Stefanovic (11.5 PPG)
Tyler Bilodeau (14.3 PPG at Oregon State)
Previous ranking: 25
Are Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper ready to carry Rutgers? This is going to be the most anticipated season in Rutgers men’s basketball history. The Scarlet Knights are bringing in Bailey and Harper, two of the top three picks in ESPN’s most recent 2025 NBA mock draft. And Steve Pikiell is going to rely on both heavily from day one. He has surrounded them with veteran transfers, but Rutgers’ success this season will be determined by how quickly its two star freshmen can produce.
Projected starting lineup
Dylan Harper (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
Jeremiah Williams (12.2 PPG)
Jordan Derkack (17.0 PPG at Merrimack)
Ace Bailey (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
Zach Martini (8.4 PPG at Princeton)
Dropped out: None
Next in line:
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Xavier Musketeers
Oregon Ducks
Kansas State Wildcats
Maryland Terrapins
