NCAA Basketball: Team MVPs for way-too-early top-25 power rankings for 2024-25
20. Arkansas Razorbacks - G Johnell Davis
It's a new day at Arkansas, with John Calipari moving over from SEC rival Kentucky. Calipari's reputation with the Wildcats stemmed in large part from his pursuit of the one-and-done prospect. While some will surely find their way to the Razorbacks, Calipari hit the transfer portal hard, with his top get being former Florida Atlantic guard Johnell Davis. The Wooden Award finalist was a key part of the Owls' big run a couple of seasons ago and was an All-AAC First Team selection in 2023-24 after averaging 18.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
19. Purdue Boilermakers - G Fletcher Loyer
The absence of Zach Edey will cast a shadow over Purdue all season long. While there's another classic Matt Painter 7-footer jumping on to the roster, he'll have to work more through his guards this season. That means plenty of responsibility for Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. The latter should be one of the best three-point shooters in the country; he hit 44.4 percent of his threes as a sophomore, ranking 14th in the country.
18. Kentucky Wildcats - G Jaxson Robinson
Calipari is out and Mark Pope is in at Kentucky, where the roster - and roster-building modus operandi - are virtually unrecognizable. The rotation is dotted by seniors, many of whom Pope brought in quickly after moving over from Provo. After flirting with the NBA Draft, Jaxson Robinson followed Pope to Kentucky. Despite coming off the bench, the reigning Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year led the BYU Cougars a year ago with 14.2 points per game.
17. Creighton Bluejays - C Ryan Kalkbrenner
The 7-foot-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner is back for another go-around at Creighton and Greg McDermott likely couldn't be happier. The senior is one of the best shot blockers in the country and is the three-time reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He's an efficient shooter and will be the fulcrum of the team's offensive attack now that Baylor Scheiermamn is with the NBA champions.
16. Tennessee Volunteers - G Zakai Zeigler
Zakai Zeigler is a fan favorite, packing a ton of game into a 5-foot-9 frame. The Long Island native is tenacious on the defensive end, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and becoming just the fourth player in the conference to be named an All-SEC Defensive Team member three times. On offense, Zeigler averaged 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, with his 218 total assists ranking third in single-season Volunteers history.