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

22. Dayton Flyers

2023-24 season record: 25-8 (14-4 A-10)

The Flyers were one of the top non-power conference teams in NCAA Basketball last year, earning an at-large bid out of the Atlantic 10. And based on how the roster looks, there’s no reason why they wouldn’t be favorites to win the league again.

Of course, this all comes down to whether or not star big man DaRon Holmes decides to come back for another season. The A-10 Player of the Year led the team with 20.4 ppg and 8.5 rpg and was in the All-American mix but is a potential NBA Draft candidate as well. If he doesn’t come back, the Flyers won’t be in the top 25 mix.

Even without Kobe Elvis, most of the roster is set to return. Koby Brea was one of the best shooters in the country last season, while Nate Santos shot 42% from deep as the starting forward. Guards Javon Bennett and Enoch Cheeks were key contributors, while the team also will have back Malachi Smith, who missed all of this past season with an injury.

Having Smith back to run the offense could be the lift needed for Dayton to remain a consensus top-25 team. They might look to add to the frontcourt depth or may have to find an outright replacement for Holmes. We’ll see what the big man decides to do next.