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

24. UCLA Bruins

It’s often been said that UCLA failed last season partly due to the struggles among the international freshmen core. They all struggled and have since left, outside of 7’2 "center Aday Mara. Adem Bona, the team’s starting center and quality rim protection, was the notable departure.

Besides Mara, the other key returning players for UCLA are all guards who averaged double figures. Dylan Andrews led the team with 12.9 ppg and 3.7 apg, while Sebastian Mack and Lazar Stefanovic also return with key roles. Brandon Williams, who started 14 games last season, could be a sophomore candidate to watch.

What makes the Bruins so interesting next season is the 8-man class of newcomers. Four-star guards Eric Feeny and Trent Perry will be looking to get spots in the rotation, but it’ll be tough based on the transfer group. Skyy Clark averaged over 13 ppg at Louisville, while Kobe Johnson was a starter at USC and an all-defensive performer. Dominick Harris shot over 45% from three-point range and was a double-digit scorer at LMU.

They’ll need the frontcourt transfers to have an impact on replacing Bona, with OK State forward Eric Daily and former Oregon State forward Tyler Bilodeau as guys to watch. Even William Kyle III, an all-league defender from South Dakota State, should help improve the team’s defense for this season. It may take a while for the rotation to be figured out, but there’s a lot of proven talent for Coach Mick Cronin to work with.