NCAA Basketball: Team MVPs for way-too-early top-25 power rankings for 2024-25
5. Iowa State Cyclones - G Keshon Gilbert
Iowa State has quietly assembled a championship-level squad. Keshon Gilbert is the most important part of TJ Otzelberger's team. The guard was an All-Big 12 Second Team performer his first season after transferring over from UNLV, averaging 13.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Between Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey, the Cyclones' veteran-laden squad will be sneaky good right away.
4. Gonzaga Bulldogs - F Graham Ike
Virtually every contributor of note to Gonzaga's rotation this season is expected to be an upperclassman. While Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman are an intriguing guard duo, Graham Ike should be Mark Few's MVP. In his first season with the Bulldogs, Ike made his presence known on the inside with 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 60.9% from the field.
3. Houston Cougars - G LJ Cryer
LJ Cryer was a critical part of Houston earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season, where they fell in the Sweet 16. Rather than go pro, the Baylor transfer decided to return to the Cougars for one more season. The guard was an All-Big 12 Second Team performer, leading Kelvin Sampson's squad with 15.5 points per game.
2. Kansas Jayhawks - C Hunter Dickinson
Hunter Dickinson will turn 24 years old shortly after the start of the 2024-25 season and his experience is going to be key to another Kansas Jayhawks Final Four run. The All-American center averaged 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game during his first season after coming over from Michigan. He will lead a pack of returning stars and major transfers coalescing in Lawrence.
10 sophomore breakout candidates to watch. dark. Next. 10 sophomore breakout candidates to watch
1. Alabama Crimson Tide - G Mark Sears
Mark Sears should have the inside track on winning National Player of the Year. Nate Oats' star guard spurned the NBA Draft for another year in Tuscaloosa after averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists, hitting 44 percent of his threes. Sears led an offense last season dynamic enough to bring the Alabama Crimson Tide to the Final Four. Next year, they could go even deeper.