NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season

1. Purdue Boilermakers

2022-23 season record: 29-6 (15-5 Big Ten)

When big man Trevion Williams left the year prior, it was expected that 7’4 center Zach Edey would be a breakout candidate to watch. Not only did he do that but he became the clear best player in all of NCAA Basketball, averaging 22.3 ppg and 12.9 rpg en route to winning both Big Ten and National Player of the Year.

Edey’s decision to return instantly made the Boilermakers national title contenders again, also helped by the fact that almost the entire rotation is back as well. The guard duo of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer had quality freshmen campaigns and should take another step in their respective developments. And Southern Illinois transfer Lance Jones (13.8 ppg and 2.4 apg) should be an upgrade over guards David Jenkins and Brandon Newman in the backcourt.

The frontcourt isn’t just about Edey either. Forwards Caleb Furst and Trey Kaufman-Renn are former top-60 prospects and should take another leap, while Mason Gillis and Brian Waddell are expected to contribute as well inside. One other player to watch on this roster is freshman Myles Colvin, an athletic guard/wing with high potential.

Purdue’s shocking first-round loss to Fairleigh Dickinson has been a topic all of offseason. But they were the best team in the regular season and dominated the Big Ten. Michigan State and Duke brings back a ton of production and Kansas always has a roster loaded with talent. But none of them, or anyone else in NCAA Basketball, has a player that can dominate a game like Edey has and will.

And with a more experienced supporting case around him, look for the Boilermakers to not only make up for what happened last March but potentially repeat what the 2018-19 Virginia Cavalier roster did… go from losing as a 1 seed in the first round to winning it all in the following year.