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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
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8. UConn Huskies

Head coach Dan Hurley had multiple chances to leave the Big East program, with the Kentucky Wildcats and Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA making big pushes. But he’s back as arguably the best head coach in NCAA Basketball and the rare chance to win three straight national championships.

But that will be difficult, considering they sent four players alone to the NBA. The one starter who is back is Alex Karaban, who averaged 13.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg on 38% shooting from deep. He’s a prime breakout candidate as a junior go-to option, and UConn will need that to be part of a top-10 caliber team.

Other returning rotation players include senior Hassan Diarra, Solomon Ball, Jayden Ross, and bigs Samson Johnson and Youssouf Singare. Then there is the transfer duo of guard Aidan Mahaney (13.9 ppg at Saint Mary’s) and Tarris Reed, a center from Michigan who produced 9.0 ppg and 7.2 rpg.

5-star freshman wing Liam McNeeley will have a large role. If he has the same kind of impact as Stephon Castle last season as a freshman, the Huskies will be the favorite to win the Big East and potentially try for national title No. 3.

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