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

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

Coach John Calipari left Kentucky with an empty roster, but he was in the same situation when Eric Musselman left for the USC job. In the end, one player did return in Trevon Brazile, who averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg in 23 starts while dealing with injuries.

Calipari did land two groups of newcomers, one coming over from Kentucky and a couple of marquee transfers. DJ Wagner is a former 5-star prospect who started as a freshman at Kentucky, producing 9.9 ppg. Adou Thiero is a 6’6 combo forward who started 17 games, while Zvonimir Ivisic is a 7’2 center with pro potential and won’t have to wait half a year to be cleared.

The two main transfers are Johnell Davis and Jonas Aidoo. Davis was the Co-AAC Player of the Year at Florida Atlantic, leading the team with 18.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg on 41% shooting from deep. Aidoo was one of the better defensive big men over from Tennessee, averaging 11.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg, as well as nearly two blocks a game.

Depth may be a concern at Arkansas, but there’s a top-5 incoming recruiting class, led by top-10 prospect Boogie Fland, along with wings Karter Knox and Billy Richmond. If the freshmen can make a meaningful impact, this new-look team will be good enough to compete in the SEC.