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As the early summer months approach, the 2024–25 college basketball season is a few months away. However, the competition is beginning to heat up, with transfer portal players and top recruits joining new programs ahead of the upcoming season.
Just a few months removed from the 2023–24 March Madness, teams are gearing up for a championship run next season. Here's a look at the top five programs in college basketball ahead of the 2024 season:
Top five college basketball programs heading into the 2024 season
#5 Baylor Bears
The Baylor Bears finished 24-11 overall last season, finishing third in a stacked Big 12 Conference and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Coach Scott Drew returns to the program after receiving interest from Louisville and Kentucky in the offseason.
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The Bears will lose some key pieces from last season but have had tremendous success in recruiting and the transfer portal. They brought in Duke guard Jeremy Roach and Miami forward Norchad Omier from the transfer portal to play alongside the returning Jaden Nunn and Langston Love.
They will also feature two top recruits in the backcourt, V.J. Edgecombe and Robert Wright. Baylor has a great mix of veteran experience along with outstanding young talent, making them one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball ahead of the 2024 season.
Also Read: Baylor basketball recruiting: 3 high school prospects for Scott Drew's team ft. Robert Wright III
#4 Houston Cougars
The Houston Cougars finished last season with the best record in a loaded Big 12 Conference. They finished with the highest defensive rating in college basketball, allowing just 57.6 points per game to opponents en route earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Kelvin Sampson returns to lead the Cougars along with backcourt leaders LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp. The loss of Jamal Shead and Damian Dunn will be difficult for Houston to replace.
However, the transfer portal acquisition of Oklahoma guard Milos Uzan should help repair the damage of those departures.
#3 Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama made a run to the Final Four last season as the No. 4 seed after going 25-12 overall last season. Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears led the highest scoring team in the country, averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
Sears will return to Alabama for his fifth season of college basketball in 2024, alongside forward Grant Nelson and guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. Coach Mark Sears also landed Aden Holloway, Chris Youngblood and All-Big Ten center Clifford Omoruyi from the transfer portal as well.
#2 UConn Huskies
The UConn Huskies have their sights set on a historic three-peat after Dan Hurley turned down a massive deal from the LA Lakers to remain with the program. The Huskies will also welcome back forward Alex Karaban and guard Hassan Diarra, who played a significant role in the Huskies championship run last season.
Even with four of the Huskies top-five scorers moving on from the program, Hurley has retooled his roster, bringing in Aidan Mahaney and Tarris Reed from the transfer portal. UConn will also bring the No. 9 recruit in the ESPN 100, Liam McNeeley, a potential starter at forward.
Also Read: UConn HC Dan Hurley ‘proudly’ looks forward to completing 3-peat after rejecting Lakers offer
#1 Kansas Jayhawks
Last season was underwhelming compared to the standard that has been set by Bill Self when the Jayhawks went 23-11, finishing with the fifth-best record in the Big 12. The Jayhawks struggled in the NCAA Tournament, failing to make it out of the second round.
Kansas is emerging as the most imposing team in the nation after restructuring their roster ahead of the 2024 college basketball season. Dajuan Harris Jr., K.J. Adams Jr. and Hunter Dickinson will be back for another season.
The Jayhawks will receive a great deal of experience from the returning players, and adding Zeke Mayo, AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen, thanks to the transfer portal. Although Kansas' class of 2024 recruits may not be the best, they will still have an experienced team with weapons all over the court.
Which college basketball team do you think is the most dangerous heading into the 2024 season? Let's know your college basketball predictions in the comment section:
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