Busting Brackets
Fansided

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

By Tristan Freeman

Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) talks with head coach Nate Oats during the Final Four semifinal game against Connecticut at State Farm Stadium.
Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) talks with head coach Nate Oats during the Final Four semifinal game against Connecticut at State Farm Stadium. / Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 26
Next

15. Xavier Musketeers

Xavier finished under .500 last season due in part to the depleted frontcourt, thanks to injuries. Former All-Big East starter Zach Freemantle and starting forward Jerome Hunter missed all of last season but not only are back but are cleared to play and likely start again this year.

Joining the frontcourt are a pair of seniors in John Hugley and Lassina Traore. Hugley comes over from Oklahoma and reportedly is down around 40 pounds, while Traore averaged a double-digit at Long Beach State and gives them a physical presence. Cam’Ron Flecther is a versatile combo forward from FSU who can defend but also has past injury issues.

Despite losing leading scorers Quincy Olivari and Desmond Claude, the backcourt for the Musketeers should be just as well. Point guard Dayvion McKnight (12.4 ppg and 4.8 apg) is back to run the offense, while Dante Maddox (Toledo), Marcus Foster (Furman), and Ryan Conwell (Saint Louis) all averaged 15+ ppg at their previous spots, while Conwell being one of the top shooters in NCAA Basketball.

With Boise State transfer Roddie Anderson III and Trey Green backing up McKnight at point, there’s plenty of depth throughout the roster at Xavier. Assuming Freemantle and Hunter are 100% by opening night, expect a major bounce-back campaign for the program.

Home/NCAA Basketball News