Kansas Jayhawks: Preseason No. 1 in Men’s College Basketball
The 2024-25 college basketball season is gearing up with excitement, and the Kansas Jayhawks have claimed the top spot in the preseason AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll, released on Monday. This marks the second consecutive year that Kansas has earned this honor, receiving 30 out of a possible 60 first-place votes. The Jayhawks are followed closely by Alabama, which garnered 14 first-place votes, and defending champion UConn, which sits at No. 3 with 11 first-place votes. Houston rounds out the top four with four first-place votes, while Iowa State, ranked No. 5, is the only team in the top five without any first-place votes.
Kansas’ Journey to the Top
Kansas has a storied history in college basketball, and under the leadership of head coach Bill Self, the program has been a perennial powerhouse. This is the fifth time Kansas has started the season as the No. 1 team since Self took over more than two decades ago. However, last season was a challenging one for the Jayhawks. Despite their high expectations, they stumbled to a 23-win season and were unable to advance past the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, largely due to injuries and roster attrition during Big 12 play.
In response to last season’s struggles, Self and his coaching staff have made significant changes in the offseason. They have brought in one of the best transfer classes in college basketball, adding six newcomers through the transfer portal. Among these new faces are guards AJ Storr, Rylan Griffen, and Zeke Mayo, all of whom were double-digit scorers at their previous schools. The Jayhawks will also rely heavily on returning big man and All-American Hunter Dickinson, who is expected to play a pivotal role in their quest for success this season.
The Preseason AP Top 25 Breakdown
The full preseason AP Top 25 poll showcases a competitive landscape in college basketball. Following Kansas at No. 1 are Alabama at No. 2 and UConn at No. 3. Houston, ranked No. 4, and Iowa State at No. 5 highlight the depth of talent in the top tier. Gonzaga, at No. 6, is the only other team to receive a first-place vote, while Baylor and Arizona round out the top ten at No. 8 and No. 10, respectively. Notably, Cincinnati makes its first preseason appearance in the top 25 as a Big 12 school at No. 20.
Big 12 Conference Dominance
The Big 12 has established itself as the premier conference in college basketball, having been rated No. 1 by KenPom.com for the last three years. This season, the conference boasts three teams in the top five—Kansas, Houston, and Iowa State—and five teams in the top ten overall. The addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado further enhances the league’s reputation as a formidable force. Kansas is the favorite to win the Big 12, but reigning champion Houston and Iowa State are expected to be strong contenders, making the conference race highly competitive.
UConn: A New Challenge
UConn, the reigning national champion, finds itself ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll, a position that some may argue is too low given their recent success. Last season, UConn dominated the competition with a 37-3 record, culminating in a national championship. However, the team has undergone significant changes, losing key players like Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer. Despite these departures, head coach Dan Hurley has a solid foundation to build upon, including returning players and promising newcomers like five-star freshman Liam McNeeley. UConn’s ability to maintain its competitive edge will be closely watched as the season unfolds.
Rutgers: A Resurgence
In a noteworthy development, Rutgers has made its way back into the preseason poll for the first time since 1978, landing at No. 25. This resurgence can be attributed to the program-building efforts of head coach Steve Pikiell, who has successfully recruited a top-tier class, including projected NBA Draft lottery prospects Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. The Scarlet Knights are looking to improve upon a challenging 15-17 season, and with the return of leading scorer Jeremiah Williams and a strong group of transfers, expectations are high for Rutgers as they navigate the new-look Big Ten.
Looking Ahead
As the 2024-25 college basketball season approaches, the excitement surrounding the top teams and their respective journeys is palpable. Kansas, Alabama, UConn, and others will vie for supremacy in a landscape that promises to be filled with intense competition and thrilling matchups. The stage is set for a season that could redefine the narratives of these storied programs, and fans are eager to see how it all unfolds.