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

9. Baylor Bears

2023-24 season record: 24-11 (11-7 Big 12)

The Bears were one of the key programs in the headlines this week, as Scott Drew was viewed as a frontrunner for the open Kentucky job. However, the head coach decided to remain at Baylor, keeping them both stable long-term and a contender for the next season as expected.

Baylor is going to lose some key pieces. Star freshman Ja’Kobe Walter is a projected top-10 NBA Draft pick, another young star that the program has developed. Rayj Dennis (13.6 ppg and 6.7 apg) is gone, along with starting freshman forward, Yves Missi. The good news is that the program returns a couple of other double-digit scorers.

Assuming that he opts into his extra year, Jalen Bridges will be the focal point of the frontcourt. Guards Jayden Nunn and Langston Love are more than capable of being starters on a good team, while former top-40 prospect Miro Little can take over for Dennis to run the offense.

Baylor also has a top-10 incoming recruiting class, led by top-10 wing prospect, VJ Edgecombe. If he becomes the next “one and done” player, the Bears will once again be Big 12 and Final Four contenders for another year.