Big 12 Basketball: Preseason power rankings entering 2024-25 season

6. Cincinnati Bearcats

There is only one team in the Big 12 that returns 70% of its minutes. That’s the Cincinnati Bearcats. According to an article by the Athletic, the Bearcats also return its top-eight players by minutes -- a stellar starting point as the 2024-25 college basketball season rapidly approaches.

Add in Texas transfer Dillon Mitchell and Braley transfer Connor Hickman -- who shot 40% from three -- and all of a sudden, the Cincinnati Bearcats are among the deepest teams in college basketball. Hickman helps solve its perimeter woes and Mitchell, a former five-star prospect, has the makings for a breakout campaign.

This is Wes Miller’s best team yet. The Bearcats have a preseason top-25-caliber roster and are poised to make noise in the daunting Big 12.

5. Arizona Wildcats

The storyline for Arizona’s offseason was the return of All-American Caleb Love, among the top returnees in NCAA basketball. Love improved his shooting averages across the board last season and is in line for another big-time year in Tucson as the Wildcats enter their first year in the Big 12.

Although Arizona lost big man Oumar Ballo (Indiana) and Kylan Boswell (Arizona), adding the reigning Horizon League POY Trey Townsend was a sweeping splash in the transfer portal. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 17.3 PPG and 8.1 RPG on an Oakland squad that upset Kentucky in the Round of 64.

It won’t be just the Townsend/Love show, either. Jaden Bradley and KJ Lewis are breakout candidates to watch out for. Incoming four-star forward, Carter Bryant, is another intriguing piece .7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas may be in line for a big season, too. The silver lining? Tommy Lloyd has pieces to work with on a team that will be a second-weekend threat in March.