Men's CBB 2024 wrapped: Dan Hurley, UConn pull off back-to-back NCAA championships, Cooper Flagg arrives to the show and more

It was quite a year for men’s college basketball. Dan Hurley cemented his status as one of the best coaches in NCAA history, leading the UConn Huskies to another national championship. Legendary coach John Calipari shocked fans when he decided to leave Kentucky and join Arkansas in a blockbuster SEC switch.

UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley hoists the championship trophy after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers in the national championship game at State Farm Stadium. Photo: Imagn

There was also the arrival of teen phenom Cooper Flagg, who finally made his much-anticipated debut in the collegiate ranks last month after joining the Duke Blue Devils. As another year comes to a close, here are the top 5 moments that shaped NCAA men's basketball in 2024.

1. Dan Hurley and UConn Huskies capture back-to-back NCAA titles

History beckoned for Dan Hurley and the UConn Huskies entering the 2023-24 NCAA season. Winning back-to-back national championships has proven difficult in Division I, with the Florida Gators the last team to accomplish that feat in 2007. Hurley and his team made it look so easy, winning their six games in the 2024 NCAA Tournament by an average of 23.3 points to defend the title.

UConn crushed Stetson (91-52), Northwestern (75-58), San Diego State (82-52) and Illinois (77-52) before beating Alabama 86-72 in the Final Four and defeating Purdue 75-60 in the national championship game. Tristen Newton was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four, averaging 16.0 points and 8.0 assists in the wins over Alabama and Purdue.

Hurley made history with the championship, becoming the second active head coach in the NCAA to capture multiple national titles. He joined Kansas Jayhawks' Bill Self in the exclusive list. Rick Pitino also won two championships in his coaching career, but the NCAA vacated the title he had captured with the Louisville Cardinals in 2013.

2. John Calipari leaves Kentucky to join Arkansas in blockbuster SEC move

John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats were a match made in heaven. The legendary coach helped restore the men's basketball program to its former glory, leading Kentucky to four Final Four appearances during his 15-year reign as coach, including winning the NCAA title in 2012.

All good things must come to an end, though. Kentucky's string of poor performances in the NCAA Tournament in recent years, including first-round exits in 2022 and 2024, piled pressure on Calipari. He announced his decision to resign last April, weeks after the Wildcats lost to No. 14 seed Oakland. It didn't take long for Calipari to find a new job, signing a five-year contract to become the Arkansas Razorbacks' next coach.

3. Cooper Flagg finally makes his NCAA debut with Duke

Cooper Flagg's much-anticipated NCAA debut with the Duke Blue Devils finally transpired on Nov. 4 in their season opener against the Maine Black Bears. He didn't disappoint in his first official game with Duke, recording 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 30 minutes of action.

Flagg, projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been a vital cog for the Blue Devils this season. He leads the team in several statistical categories, including points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Flagg is averaging 16.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks through 12 games.

4. Veteran coaches Tony Bennett and Jim Larranaga resign due to NIL

Two of the college basketball world's best coaches left their posts in 2024, with Virginia's Tony Bennett and Miami's Jim Larranaga citing the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era as the main reason behind their departures. Bennett, who led the Cavaliers to the NCAA title in 2019, abruptly retired on Oct. 18, just 18 days before the start of the 2024-25 season.

Larranaga, who led the Hurricanes to their first Final Four appearance last year, also made a sudden exit. He left Miami on Thursday after starting the season with a 4-8 slate, saying he was exhausted from dealing with the NIL and the transfer portal.

5. Zach Edey leads Purdue to NCAA title game after another dominant campaign

Zach Edey ended his final year with Purdue with a bang, leading the Boilermakers to their first national championship game since 1969. The 7-4 center was a beast for Purdue, averaging 25.2 points per game to lead the nation in scoring. He also improved his rebounding, collecting a career-best 12.2 boards per contest.

Zach Edey (#15) of the Purdue Boilermakers walks across the court in the first half against the Connecticut Huskies during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game. Photo: Getty

Edey was also a menace on the defensive end, averaging 2.2 blocks per game. His dominant performances earned him unanimous National Player of the Year honors in the 2023-24 season. Edey accomplished such a feat in back-to-back seasons, making him the first NCAA player to do so in over 50 years.