NCAA Basketball: Team MVPs for way-too-early top-25 power rankings for 2024-25
15. Xavier Musketeers - F Zach Freemantle
It's hard to know what can be expected from Zach Freemantle after he missed all of last season following foot surgery. Before he was hut in March 2023, however, Freemantle was one of Xavier's most important players, averaging 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in 2022-23. Any return to form for Freemantle could mean big things for the Musketeers.
14. Ole Miss Rebels - G Matthew Murrell
Matthew Murrell is back for one more season at Ole Miss after flirting with a professional career. The senior guard was All-SEC Second Team last year and is already one of the best scorers and top five three-point shooters in the history of the Rebels program. After flying under the radar during Chris Beard's first season, Murrell makes the Rebels instant contenders for an SEC crown.
13. Indiana Hoosiers - F Malik Reneau
If Mike Woodson is going to turn the Hoosiers ship around, Malik Reneau will be the reason why. As a sophomore, he averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Indiana's season is fully vested in the performance of the big man, who was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention a year ago.
12. Arizona Wildcats - G Caleb Love
The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year had unfinished business in deciding to return to Tucson and Tommy Lloyd for a last dance. Caleb Love - who will likely go down in history as the last Pac-12 Player of the Year - averaged a career-high 18.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game during his first season with the Arizona Wildcats. The North Carolina transfer should form a formidable duo with Jaden Bradley.
11. Texas A&M Aggies - G Wade Taylor IV
It feels like Wade Taylor IV has been in College Station since the 12th Man was invented, but he's got another turn to take for Buzz Williams. The guard was the Preseason SEC Player of the Year and largely lived up to the hype, averaging 19.1 points per game. Tyrece Radford's departure puts more on Taylor to be the leader in the backcourt.