NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top-25 power rankings for 2024-25 season

17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2023-24 season record: 15-17 (7-13 Big Ten)

Rutgers not only went under .500 last season but they also will be without 6 of its top 7 scorers from last season that were always eligible. That includes key players like Derek Simpson, Clifford Omoruyi, and Mawot Mag, who all transferred out. The good news is that the team has a historically good recruiting class, currently ranked in the top 3 overall.

The Scarlet Knights have the two highest commits in program history in guards Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. A case can be made that they’re the two best guards in the 2024 class and will instantly become stars in the Big Ten. Also back is Jeremiah Williams, who missed more than half of last season but led the team with over 12 ppg when he was able to play, which was when the team played its best ball.

Now comes the rest of the roster. Jamichael Davis was a solid freshman contributor and adds depth, while Eastern Michigan transfer Tyson Acuff averaged 21.7 ppg last season as one of the top scorers in all of NCAA Basketball.

The frontcourt needs more work, as there’s a clear lack of depth. Princeton transfer Zach Martini averaged 8.4 ppg and shot nearly 40% from deep so he’s a stretch option. But they’ll need an impact center to replace Omoruyi if they want to be legit threats in the Big Ten next season.