2024-25 Way-too-early Top 25 college basketball rankings 8.0: Arkansas, Auburn add to roster through transfer portal
The transfer portal is closed, but many college basketball teams continue working on their 2024-25 roster as they recruit the remaining players and wait on NBA Draft decisions. Arkansas is among the last teams to put a full rotation together, joining the national conversation.
Before getting into the top contenders next season, there are some rules to the exercise which must be noted. Some teams, players and coaches still have decisions to make before the tip off, so the list is always in flux. Here are the guidelines you need to know:
All NBA Draft decisions will not be made for the player, despite the early entry deadline. They are considered back unless they have been listed in the latest On3 Mock Draft. Any other decisions will be accounted for when the player announced their plan moving forward. In addition, this is the final year of COVID eligibility rules, and each roster has been traced the best it can to determine which players hold additional eligibility. Waivers and senior decisions will shape the final roster.
Here is a way-too-early look at what the Top 25 rankings could look like in the 2024-25 season.
1. Alabama
Key returns: Mark Sears*, Grant Nelson, Latrell Wrightsell, Jarin Stevenson*Key additions: Derrion Reid, Aidan Sherrell, Houston Mallette, Chris Youngblood, Naas Cunningham, Aden Holloway, Labaron Philon, Clifford OmoruyiKey departures: Aaron Estrada, Rylan Griffen, Nick Pringle, Sam Walters
Alabama made big headlines by adding former Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi to the starting lineup. The Crimson Tide is now talented and deep at every positions with only two NBA Draft decisions left from Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson.
2. Houston
Key returns: LJ Cryer, J’Wan Roberts, Emanuel Sharp, Ja’Vier Francis, Terrance ArceneauxKey additions: Milos Uzan*Key departures: Damian Dunn, Jamal Shead
Houston was passed by Kansas for the top spot after more additions over recent weeks, but now moved back toward the top after seeing a conference rival lose a commitment in the transfer portal.
3. Kansas
Key returns: Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams, Hunter DickinsonKey additions: Zeke Mayo, Flory Bidunga, AJ Storr, Rakease Passmore, Rylan GriffenKey departures: Kevin McCullar Jr., Nick Timberlake, Johnny Furphy*
Kansas lost a commitment from former Florida guard Riley Kugel, who will not transfer in. The result is a slight drop below Big 12 rival Houston as the depth of the roster takes a hit.
4. UConn
Key returns: Alex Karaban*, Hassan Diarra, Samson JohnsonKey additions: Tarris Reed, Ahmad Nowell, Liam McNeeley, Aidan MahaneyKey departures: Tristen Newton, Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle, Cam Spencer
UConn made a splash in the transfer portal, and now on the recruiting trail for landing five-star forward Liam McNeeley after his de-commitment from Indiana. They look to three-peat next.
5. Duke
Key returns: Tyrese Proctor, Caleb FosterKey additions: Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, Patick Ngongba, Darren Harris, Maliq Brown, Mason Gillis, Sion James*, Cameron SheffieldKey departures: Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Mark Mitchell, Jeremy Roach
The No. 1 recruiting class belongs to Duke and Jon Scheyer. Top-ranked recruit Cooper Flagg is joined by a talented group on the way in, plus a clear transfer portal plan to build out with veterans and potential wing options. Rice transfer Cameron Sheffield is the latest depth piece.
6. Baylor
Key returns: Langston Love, Jayden NunnKey additions: VJ Edgecombe, Rob Wright, Jason Asemota, Jeremy Roach, Norchad OmierKey departures: Ja’Kobe Walter, Yves Missi, RayJ Dennis, Jalen Bridges
Baylor bounced back up the way-too-early Top 25 this month by adding a commitment from former Miami center Norchad Omier. The talent level and experience will make the Bears a contender pending NBA decisions.
7. Gonzaga
Key returns: Graham Ike, Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, Braden Huff, Steele VentersKey additions: Michael Ajayi*, Khalif Battle, Emmanuel InnocentiKey departures: Anton Watson
Gonzaga added to the backcourt multiple times through the transfer portal and helped solidify the defense on the wing by adding Emmanuel Innocenti to the rotation.
8. Auburn
Key returns: Johni Broome, Chad Baker-Mazara, Denver Jones, Dylan CardwellKey additions: Tahaad Pettiford, JP Pegues, Ja’Heim Hudson, Miles Kelly*Key departures: Jaylin Williams, Aden Holloway, KD Johnson, Tre Donaldson
Auburn got a transfer portal commitment from Miles Kelly this week to sure up the wing scoring and provide help to the backcourt which includes veteran transfer JP Pegues.
9. Iowa State
Key returns: Keshon Gilbert, Tamin Lipsey, Curtis Jones, Milan MomcilovicKey additions: Nate Heise, Dishon Jackson, Brandton Chatfield, Joshua JeffersonKey departures: Tre King, Robert Jones, Hason Ward
Iowa State added Joshua Jefferson to a group which already promised to enter the season inside the Top 10 of the preseason rankings. The Cyclones looks ready for another year atop the analytic machines.
10. Creighton
Key returns: Trey Alexander*, Steven Ashworth, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Mason MillerKey additions: Jackson McAndrew, Jamiya Neal, Pop IsaacsKey departures: Baylor Scheierman
Creighton remains in the Top 10 of the updated way-too-early Top 25 thanks to a pair of backcourt additions. Pop Isaacs and Jamiya Neal promise to keep things moving as the team reloads in the Big East title race.
Ranking 11-25
11. North CarolinaKey returns: RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, Seth TrimbleKey additions: Ian Jackson, Drake Powell, Cade Tyson, Ven-Allen LubinKey departures: Armando Bacot, Cormac Ryan, Harrison Ingram*
12. ArizonaKey returns: Pelle Larsson*, Caleb Love*, Jaden Bradley*, KJ Lewis, Motiejus KrivasKey additions: Joson Sanon, Carter Bryant, Jamari Phillips, Trey Townsend*, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell’OrsoKey departures: Keshad Johnson, Oumar Ballo, Kylan Boswell
13. TexasKey returns: Kadin Shedrick, Chendall WeaverKey additions: Tre Johnson, Tramon Mark, Julian Larry, Jayson Kent, Jordan PopeKey departures: Max Abmas, Dylan Disu, Tyrese Hunter, Dillon Mitchell
14. MarquetteKey returns: Kam Jones, David Joplin, Stevie Mitchell, Chase Ross, Sean Jones, Ben GoldKey additions: N/AKey departures: Oso Ighodaro, Tyler Kolek
15. ProvidenceKey returns: Bryce Hopkins, Jayden PierreKey additions: Bensley Joseph, Christ Essandoko, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Wesley Cardet*Key departures: Devin Carter, Josh Oduro, Ticket Gaines
16. TennesseeKey returns: Zakai Zeigler, Jordan GaineyKey additions: Darlinstone Dubar, Felix Okpara, Igor Milicic*, Chaz Lanier*Key departures: Dalton Knecht, Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James, Jonas Aidoo, Tobe Awaka
17. UCLAKey returns: Lazar Stefanovic, Dylan Andrews, Sebastian MackKey additions: Trent Perry, Kobe Johnson, Skyy Clark, Eric Dailey, Tyler Bilodeau, William Kyle, Dominick HarrisKey departures: Adem Bona
18. ClemsonKey returns: Chase Hunter*, PJ Hall*, Ian Schieffelin, Chauncey Wiggins, Jake HeidbrederKey additions: Viktor Lahkin, Jaeden Zackery, Myles FosterKey departures: RJ Godfrey
19. FloridaKey returns: Walter Clayton*, Will Richard*, Alex Condon, Micah HandlogtenKey additions: Sam Alexis, Rueben Chinyelu, Alijah MartinKey departures: Zyon Pullin, Riley Kugel, Tyrese Samuel
20. Purdue Key returns: Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-RennKey additions: Kanon CatchingsKey departures: Zach Edey, Lance Jones, Mason Gillis
21. IndianaKey returns: Trey Galloway, Malik Reneau, Mackenzie Mgbako Key additions: Bryson Tucker, Myles Rice, Oumar Ballo, Kanaan Carlyle, Luke Goode, Langdon HattonKey departures: Xavier Johnson, Anthony Walker, Kel’el Ware
22. USCKey returns: N/AKey additions: Clark Slajchert, Josh Cohen, Bryce Pope, Matt Knowling, Saint Thomas, Isaiah Elohim, Chibuzo Agbo*, Rashaun Agee, Terrance Williams*, Desmond Claude, Kevin PattonKey departures: Boogie Ellis, Isaiah Collier, Kobe Johnson, DJ Rodman, Joshua Morgan, Oziyah Sellers, Vincent Iwuchukwu
23. ArkansasKey returns: N/AKey additions: Karter Knox, Boogie Fland, Billy Richmond, Jonas Aidoo, Johnell Davis*, Zvonimir Ivisic, Adou Thiero, DJ WagnerKey departures: El Ellis, Jeremiah Davenport, Jalen Graham, Makhi Mitchell, Trevon Brazile, Devo Davis, Keyon Menifield, Tramon Mark, Khalif Battle
24. Texas A&MKey returns: Wade Taylor, Andersson Garcia, Henry Coleman, Solomon Washington, Jace Carter, Manny Obaseki, Hayden HefnerKey additions: CJ Wilcher, Pharrel Payne, Zhuric PhelpsKey departures: Tyrece Radford
T-25. CincinnatiKey returns: Day Day Thomas, Simas Lukosius, Aziz Bandaogo, Dan Skillings, Jizzle James, CJ FredrickKey additions: Tyler Betsey, Connor Hickman, Dillon MitchellKey departures: Viktor Lakhin, Jamille Reynolds
T-25 Ole MissKey returns: Matthew Murrell*, Jaemyn Brakefield, Jaylen Murray, TJ CaldwellKey additions: John Bol, Mikeal Brown-Jones, Malik Dia, Davon Barnes, Dre Davis, Sean PedullaKey departures: Allen Flanigan
The post 2024-25 Way-too-early Top 25 college basketball rankings 8.0: Arkansas, Auburn add to roster through transfer portal appeared first on On3.
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