Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

5. UCLA Bruins

2023-24 season record: 16-17 (10-10 Pac-12)

It was a rare bad year for a Coach Mick Cronin squad, failing to finish over .500 overall. They did have four double-digit scorers but the entire international freshmen core struggled, limiting their ceiling. Big changes have been made, with a bunch of transfers coming in.

As far as last season’s roster goes, defensive standout center Adem Bona has gone pro, while several role players entered the portal. But UCLA was able to retain a trio of double-digit scorers, including guards Dylan Andrews and Sebastian Mack, as well as wing Lazar Stefanovic. 

Joining them is a whopping six transfer commits, with three in the backcourt and frontcourt. On the outside is Skyy Clark (Louisville), Kobe Johnson (USC), and Dominick Harris (LMU). Harris was a top-5 three-point shooter in the country, while Johnson was one of the top defenders in the Pac-12. Skyy is another double-digit scoring option that can run the offense.

Tyler Bilodeau is a 6’9 forward from Oregon State who averaged 14.3 ppg, while Eric Dailey was a freshman standout at OK State, producing 9.3 ppg and 4.8 rpg in 22 mpg. South Dakota State transfer William Kyle III gives them frontcourt depth, while Aday Mara and Berke Buyuktuncel could be sophomore breakout candidates. There’s plenty of depth this time around for Coach Cronin to work with but will it fit together?