NCAA Basketball: Biggest roster needs of each WTE top-25 team for 2024-25 season
3. Houston Cougars
Biggest need: Mold a point guard
With a high volume of returnees next year, Houston will undoubtedly be one of the top teams in the country come November. However, the biggest loss of them all -- Jamal Shead, the heartbeat of the Cougars -- will depart for the 2024 NBA Draft. To address the departure of Shead, Kelvin Sampson added Oklahoma transfer Milos Uzan, who averaged 9.0 PPG and 4.4 APG on 30+ MPG. With Uzan tasked to fill the point guard void, it is up to Sampson to mold him into a roster with a high volume of retention.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Biggest need: point guard depth
Alabama is in a unique position with 11 scholarships filled already with two more scholarships available. Departures of Rylan Griffen and Nick Pringle to the transfer portal alongside Aaron Estrada (eligibility) hurts but it also gives Nate Oats the ability to address the portal -- one of his strengths -- and fill potential holes in terms of what is needed. As of now, Alabama is presumably looking to add a rim-protecting big (landed in the top 12 in Rutgers’ transfer Cliff Omoruyi) and a back-up point guard with Auburn transfer Aden Holoway set to visit the Crimson Tide on Thursday, according to Nick Kelly of the Tuscaloosa News. Whether Mark Sears decides to leave or not, adding depth at the point guard spot would be an ideal starting point for a talented Alabama squad.
Next. Tramon Mark, Myles Rice among top 50 early transfer commitments. Tramon Mark, Myles Rice among top 50 early transfer commitments. dark
1. Duke Blue Devils
Biggest need: Veteran point guard
Big news shook Durham this week when starting point guard Jeremy Roach elected to enter the portal. With sure-fire first-round pick Jared McCain heading to the 2024 NBA Draft, that leaves the need for John Scheyer to go after a veteran point guard in the portal. The top recruiting class in the country, headlined by Cooper Flagg, gives Duke an extremely high upside entering 2024-25 but the majority of the recruits fill a small forward-type role, further demonstrating the need for a veteran point guard to run the ship in Durham in 2024-25.