NCAA Basketball: Instant reactions to 2024-25 preseason AP Top 25 release
The preseason AP Top 25 was released on Monday, signaling that the start of the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season is right around the corner, tipping off exactly three weeks from now.
Although the AP Top 25 is simply a preseason ranking with zero sample size that has no bearing on where a team will be seeded on Selection Sunday, it is a good illustrator of where a team initially stands amongst the consensus of the national media.
Whether a team is ranked too high or too low, the objective answer lies ahead when the ball tips on Nov. 4. But for now, it's subjective. Let’s react.
Finally, Cincinnati gets its preseason love
Returning six of its eight top scorers off last year’s 22-win team, the 20th-ranked Bearcats are locked and loaded and are by far Wes Miller’s best team yet. Add in transfers Dillon Mitchell (Texas) and Connor Hickman (Bradley) and suddenly, the Bearcats are among the deepest teams in the Big 12.
The SEC or the Big 12?
Take your vote for the best conference in NCAA Basketball this season. The SEC has nine teams ranked in the AP Top 25. The Big 12 has five teams ranked in the top 10. There will be no such thing as an off night in these two conferences.
Illinois = snubbed?
Perhaps the biggest snub in the AP Top 25 release is Illinois, which has the second-highest talent rank in the country, according to BartTorvik’s preseason projections. The Fighting Illini may have many new pieces and question marks regarding how its roster rotation will shake out, but there is no denying the talent Brad Underwood has assembled on this year’s squad.
Overrated: Marquette, Rutgers
It feels wrong to say Marquette is overrated. After all, Shaka Smart’s Golden Eagles have earned back-to-back two-seeds in the NCAA Tournament. However, Marquette may need some time to gel as it adjusts to life without Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro. Kam Jones, you are up next.
As for Rutgers, this isn’t necessarily a knock on the Scarlet Knights. They should be very good this season. It’s more so a bump for the teams not currently ranked: Illinois, Xavier and Texas Tech, to name a few. Despite the unwavering optimism with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, the computers aren’t too fond of Rutgers just yet. KenPom’s preseason rankings have the Scarlet Knights ranked 63rd.
Underrated: Ole Miss, UCLA
Experience wins and Chris Beard has assembled one of the oldest teams in college basketball. Led by returnees Matthew Murrell, Jameyn Brakefield and Jaylen Murray with many highly-coveted transfers including Sean Pedulla (VT), Dre Davis (Seton Hall) and Malik Dia (Belmont), the offense won’t be the issue in Oxford. Its revamped, versatile frontcourt should help subdue its rebounding woes last season. The 24th-ranked Rebels are a second-weekend threat and should catapult up these rankings come November.
Last season did a number on Mick Cronin and he is making sure what transpired last year never happens again. The 22nd-ranked Bruins are among the deepest teams in the country. Its second-unit is capable of starting at any point in time -- that’s how deep the Bruins are this year. Can Mick Cronin piece everything together and keep everyone happy? In the wide-open Big Ten, I’d like to say so.
ACC preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season. dark. Next. ACC preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season
Plenty of mid-majors receive votes
It’s always good to see mid-majors getting the preseason love. Will Wade has made McNeese State a giant in Lake Charles. Anything shy of an NCAA Tournament berth is a disappointment for this group. Boise State -- arguably the top team in the Mountain West -- earned some preseason recognition. Boise State’s Tyson Degenhart may be the best player in the MWC this year. Josh Schertz brings over Robbie Avila to Saint Louis and Grand Canyon under Bryce Drew was listed as the top mid-major team to buy stock into this season. Tyon Grant-Foster. Remember the name.