New Power 36 college basketball rankings after NBA draft early entry withdrawal deadline

The NBA draft early entry withdrawal deadline is now in the rear-view mirror and we have more of an understanding of the rosters for next season.

Arguments can be made for a number of teams in the top spot, but the nod early goes to Alabama over Kansas, Gonzaga and two-time champ UConn. And then there’s this: multiple top-three team all-Americans are returning in RJ Davis (North Carolina), Mark Sears (Alabama), Hunter Dickinson (Kansas), Johni Broome (Auburn) and Caleb Love (Arizona) as well as honorable mention all-Americans L.J. Cryer (Houston), Graham Ike (Gonzaga), Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State), Great Osobor (Washington via Utah State) and Braden Smith (Purdue).

This is the last season of the extra COVID year and it could be one of the most competitive we’ve seen in quite some time. Here’s the second of our offseason Power 36:

🏆 UCONN WINS 2024 TITLE: How it happened

1. Alabama: Nate Oats could get the Tide back to the Final Four with Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson withdrawing from the draft. They'll join Grant Nelson, Mo Dioubate and Latrell Wrightsell Jr., and immediate impact transfers Houston Mallette, Chris Youngblood, Aden Holloway and Cliff Omoruyi — the best shot-blocker in the transfer portal. This squad is loaded for an SEC/national title run.
2. Kansas: The Jayhawks were determined to get back to title relevancy after injuries derailed their chase last season. Getting Hunter Dickinson, KJ Adams and Dajuan Harris back ensured KU was going to be in the hunt. But then adding AJ Storr, Zeke Mayo and Rylan Griffen pushed the Jayhawks into the top three.
3. Gonzaga: The Zags, like KU, return a core that is deep and talented enough to get them back to a Final Four with Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman in the backcourt and Graham Ike inside. Add Ben Gregg, a healthy Steele Venters and Braden Huff to go along with transfer star Michael Ajayi and the Zags have a real shot to be a team to beat yet again.
4. Houston: The Cougars should be right back in contention for a Big 12 title with the return of LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and transfer Milos Uzan. Losing Jamal Shead will hurt of course, but the defense will still be the anchor of this team and determine its fate.
5. UConn: The Huskies have a core returning with Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson and Solomon Ball. Now add three stars in a newcomer class with transfers Tarris Reed, Aidan Mahaney and freshman Liam McNeely and the Huskies are poised to chase a three-peat.
6. Iowa State: TJ Otzelberger has built a culture of purpose and passion on every possession. Having the backcourt return of Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert catapults the Cyclones back in position to be a Big 12 contender.
7. Baylor: Scott Drew does have a core group returning led by Langston Love, but he loaded up in the portal with Jeremy Roach, Norchad Omier and Jalen Celestine to ensure the Bears aren’t going anywhere in the Big 12.
8. North Carolina: The Tar Heels return the ACC player of the year in RJ Davis and his backcourt mate in Elliot Cadeau, which will plenty to ensure UNC is in the mix in the top of the ACC.
9. Duke: The Blue Devils bring in the No. 1 player in the class in Cooper Flagg. Pairing him with the return of Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor means he will get plenty of post feeds and lobs. But the X factor addition may just be Mason Gillis. He’s a winner and is ready to bust out in his final season.
10. Purdue: The national runner-up has the backcourt returning in Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, rising stars in Trey Kaufman-Renn, Cam Heide and Myles Colvin and another 7-foot star in the making in Daniel Jacobsen.
11. Auburn: The Tigers got Johni Broome back as well as Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones from a team that was increasingly difficult to deal with during the season. The sleeper addition is JP Pegues, who has NCAA Tournament experience and is a big-shot maker.
12. Indiana: The Hoosiers could end up being the Big Ten champs with a roster that returns Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau, Trey Galloway and a portal haul of Oumar Ballo, Myles Rice, Kanaan Carlyle and Luke Goode.
13. Arkansas: John Calipari had to build a roster from scratch and it appears he has a top 15 crew. Johnell Davis, DJ Wagner, Jonas Aidoo, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic is enough to warrant the ranking.
14. Ohio State: Jake Diebler has the pieces to put the Buckeyes in the top three in the Big Ten and in the NCAA Tournament. Bruce Thornton will be one of the top playmakers and the portal haul filled all the holes with Aaron Bradshaw and Micah Parrish the answer inside and Meechie Johnson and Sean Stewart on the perimeter.
15. Marquette: I’m bullish on the Golden Eagles. Kam Jones could be the Big East player of the year. Stevie Mitchell is one of the best defenders in the league. Expect big things from Ben Gold, David Joplin and Sean Jones.
16. Creighton: Ryan Kalkbrenner returns, giving the Bluejays one of the top rim protectors. Steven Ashworth and Mason Miller add the necessary returnees to give Creighton the goods to be a Big East contender.
17. Florida: Todd Golden got the Gators to the NCAA Tournament last season and he returns a core — led by Will Clayton and Will Richard — will get him back again. The addition of Alijah Martin could be a decider to ensure the Gators stay in the mix in the SEC.
18. UCLA: The Bruins didn’t hesitate to dive deep in the transfer portal and the additions of Kobe Johnson, Skyy Clark, Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey should put Mick Cronin’s crew back in play.
19. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have two of the top five players in the class of 2024 in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. Jeremiah Williams leads a core returning crew that should push them back into the NCAA Tournament.
20. Kentucky: Mark Pope has the roster ready to compete immediately near the top of the SEC with Koby Brea, Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa in the backcourt with Andrew Carr and a younger slew of bigs getting it done inside.
21. Arizona: The Wildcats have a stellar recruiting class to go along with four top scorers, including Caleb Love to ensure they have an immediate impact in the Big 12. The McKale Center will immediately be one of the toughest venues in the conference.
22. Tennessee: The Vols get their backcourt intact with Zakai Zeigler and Jordan Gainey. The addition of Felix Okpara will give them the potential anchor in the post. This team will defend, but the key will be can they score at a high clip.
23. Cincinnati: Patience has paid off for Wes Miller and the staff. The Bearcats should have a breakthrough season in the Big 12 with five of top seven scorers returning and the addition of Dillion Mitchell.
24. Xavier: Sean Miller has a squad to be a real threat in the Big East. Jerome Hunter and Zach Freemantle are back with three of their top scorers. All join a stellar portal class, led by Marcus Foster and Cam Fletcher.
25. Texas: The Longhorns’ addition of Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope should provide the necessary pop that Rodney Terry needs as Texas transitions to the SEC.
26. Texas A&M: The Aggies have the core of their team returning. Buzz Williams had the Aggies a defensive pest and continued to improve throughout the season. Fully expect that to occur again.
27. Illinois: Kylan Boswell will be an immediate star for Brad Underwood. He will join Ty Rodgers and give the Illini the 1-2 punch needed next season. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn will have a breakout season and newcomers Tre White, Carey Booth, Jake Davis and a pair of international players will have instant impact.
28. Providence: The Friars got a steal in the portal in Wesley Cardet Jr.. He’s a stat stuffer who should transfer his skills smoothly to the Big East. If Bryce Hopkins is healthy then the Friars could be a top three team in the Big East.
29. Oregon: Jackson Shelstad will be a potential all-Big Ten guard. Kwame Evans Jr., and Nate Bittle will be able to be productive in the league, as well. The pickup of TJ Bamba, gives the Ducks another dependable scorer.
30. Michigan State: The Spartans return a leader in Jaden Akins and a slew of rising stars in Xavier Booker, Coen Carr and a healthy Jeremy Fears. Tom Izzo has been adamant that he wants to get the Spartans back to the top of the Big Ten. He should have a more consistent grew, at the very least.
31. Texas Tech: Grant McCasland recruited a head coach in Jeff Linder from Wyoming and nabbed two high-profile portal additions in JT Toppin and Elijah Hawkins. Virginia: The Cavaliers went hard into the portal and found more offense with Dai Dai Ames, Elijah Saunders, TJ Power and Carter Lang. Ryan Dunn should be the latest go-to star in Charlottesville.
32. Virginia: The Cavaliers went hard into the portal and found more offense with Dai Dai Ames, Elijah Saunders, TJ Power and Carter Lang.
33. San Diego State: Do not sleep on the Aztecs, despite a number of losses to the portal and to exhausted eligibility. Reese Waters and newcomer Nick Boyd should thrive for Brian Dutcher. Magoon Gwath could be the next big thing at Viejas.
34. Clemson: Brad Brownell led the Tigers to the Elite Eight and continues to keep this program in contention for a bid. Having Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin returning should deliver another bid.
35. NC State: The Wolfpack lost a trio of stars from the Final Four run but the return of Michael O’Connell, Jayden Taylor, Ben Middlebrooks and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield as well as the arrival of Dontrez Styles, Mike James, Marcus Hill and Paul McNeil and the Wolfpack should be back in the Dance.
36. Memphis: Penny Hardaway should be the favorite in the AAC with a stellar portal class led by Tyrese Hunter, Dain Dainja and Baraka Okojie.

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