NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 8 teams in 2024 Cayman Islands Classic

6. Old Dominion Monarchs

2023-24 season record: 7-25 (3-15 Sun Belt)

Like Hampton, Old Dominion is another last-place team in their respective conference. They also lost the top three scorers but do return key players Devin Ceaser and RJ Blakney. There also are some transfers to watch, including former Siena forward Sean Durugordon and Stephaun Walker, a sophomore from Robert Morris.

The frontcourt has the potential to be one of the best in the Sun Belt but the backcourt outside of Ceaser will be young and unproven. The kind of improvement he makes as the new go-to guard will go a long way in determining how far the Monarchs move up in the standings.

5. South Dakota State Jackrabbits

2023-24 season record: 22-13 (12-4 Summit League)

The Jackrabbits have consistently been a top-tier mid-major program for the past decade, thanks to always having a superstar in the Summit League. But it may finally be time for the team to take a step back, with the top four scorers now gone, including reigning Conference Player of the Year, Zeke Mayo.

The next “star” for South Dakota State could be guard Kalen Garry, who averaged 7.3 ppg as a freshman. Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff has a chance to be a star in the frontcourt as well. But they have a lot to prove before having them as contenders in their conference next season.