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

6. Kansas Jayhawks 

2023-24 season record: 23-11 (10-8 Big 12)

We’ll never know what the fate of Kansas would’ve been had star wing Kevin McCullar not gotten injured before the postseason. But this was always a flawed roster that had limited depth. So far, Coach Bill Self has made early moves to address it and make sure they’re good on the perimeter.

The first offseason pickup for the Jayhawks was Riley Kugel, a 6’5 wing from Florida. He averaged 9.2 ppg and didn’t have that “breakout” campaign many thought in the preseason but he still has pro potential and can go off for big outings. Also joining him is Zeke Mayo, who was the Summit League Player of the Year last season at South Dakota State. The 6’3 guard put up 18.8 ppg and 3.5 apg, shooting 39% from three-point range.

Among the returning players on the roster are starting forward KJ Adams, as well as freshmen Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell. The program has a top-10 incoming freshmen class as well, led by five-star big man, Flory Bidunga.

There are three big decisions to watch for with the other starters. Both Hunter Dickinson and Dajuan Harris Jr. have covid years available, while freshman Jonny Furphy could declare and stay in the NBA Draft. If all three ultimately come back, Kansas could make another case for being the No. 1 preseason team once again.