NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2024-25 season

17. Creighton Bluejays

Looking at “trios,” there wasn’t a better one in NCAA Basketball than the Bluejays, with three players averaging at least 17 ppg. Two of them are gone in Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander, two star perimeter players. The good news is that the one who’s back is Ryan Kalkbrenner, who averaged 17.3 ppg and 7.6 rpg and is a multi-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Two other starters are back. Steven Ashworth (11.1 ppg and 4.2 apg) had his struggles in the first half of last season but became a consistent double-digit scorer in the last 10 games and proved to be a quality shooter. Mason Miller (5.6 ppg) shot 45% from deep in limited action, while Fredrick King, Issac Traudt, and freshman Jackson McAndrew give them frontcourt depth.

Creighton also added two key transfers that are likely to start. Pop Isaacs led Texas Tech with 15.8 ppg shot 35% from the field last season, and can be a high-volume scorer. Jamiya Neal is a 6’6 wing from Arizona State who also was a double-digit scorer. Freshmen Ty Davis and Larry Johnson give them backcourt depth to backup Ashworth.

Watch for Fedor Zugic, a 6’6 international freshman from Europe. If he’s cleared to play by the NCAA, he could be a big impact player on the offense.