With the 2024-2025 college basketball season fast approaching, Andy Katz gives his preseason Power 37. There are now 37 at-large bids in the NCAA tournament with the loss of the Pac-12, knocking the automatic qualifier number down to 31. Stay updated throughout the season as Katz will continue to release his Power 37 rankings when the season kicks off on Nov. 4.
🏀 37 at-large bids
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As we enter the last season with an extra Covid year, many veteran stars have returned, looking for one last shot with their teams. This could be one of the most competitive seasons fans have seen in a long time. Let's jump into Katz's preseason rankings:
1. Alabama: Nate Oats returned veteran Mark Sears to try and lead the Tide back to the Final Four. Sears, along with March Madness star Grant Nelson, are joined by impact transfers Houston Mallette, Chris Youngblood, Aden Holloway and Cliff Omoruyi. Each of these guys should play a big role in Alabama's experienced squad as they look to make another deep run in the tournament.
2. Kansas: Similar to Bama, Bill Self returned veteran Hunter Dickinson to lead the Jayhawks' squad, whose season was derailed by injuries as the tournament approached last year. Kansas also held onto KJ Adams and Dajuan Harris, as Self picked up some serious talent in the transfer portal in AJ Storr, Zeke Mayo and Rylan Griffen. If the Jayhawks stay healthy, they should be in a great position to get back into title contention.
3. Gonzaga: Mark Few's squad is looking for its 26th consecutive tournament appearance, and this shouldn't be a problem with all of the talent the Bulldogs returned. Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike will be leaned upon as the Zags still search for their first national title in program history.
4. UConn: The Huskies may have lost many pieces to the draft, but Dan Hurley reloaded in search of UConn's third-straight title. Hurley returned a few key pieces in Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson and Solomon Ball, as well as recruiting five-star freshman Liam McNeeley.
5. Duke: Jon Scheyer brings in the top recruiting class in the nation, featuring four five-stars, headlined by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg. With the return of Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor, the Blue Devils should be primed for another title run.
6. Houston: Kelvin Sampson returns LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp to try and lead the Cougars through a tough Big 12. Houston should have another defensive-dominant squad as they look to take another stab at a deep tournament run.
7. Iowa State: TJ Otzelberger turned around a program that went 2-22 in 2020-2021 to 29-8 with a Big 12 championship last year. The Cyclones returned their backcourt of Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert and should be in a good position to compete for another Big 12/national title.
8. Baylor: Scott Drew returns a small core group, but his team is headlined by a stellar transfer class of Jeremy Roach, Norchad Omier and Jalen Celestine, putting the Bears in another great spot to compete in the Big 12.
9. North Carolina: Hubert Davis returned ACC Player of the Year RJ Davis paired with two five-star freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. The Tar Heels should once again be in a battle atop the ACC.
10. Purdue: Matt Painter held onto his backcourt of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, and the Boilermakers will do their best to replace National Player of the Year Zach Edey with 7-foot-4 freshman Daniel Jacobsen. With this veteran leadership, Purdue should be in contention to get back to the national championship.
11. Indiana: The Hoosiers returned Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau and Trey Galloway, and head coach Mike Woodson was busy in the transfer portal, highlighted by former Arizona big man Oumar Ballo. This strong core should put the Hoosiers in a prime position to find their way back to the tournament after missing last year.
12. Tennessee: The Vols lost superstar Dalton Knecht to the draft, but Rick Barnes returned his backcourt in Zakai Zeigler and Jordan Gainey. Tennessee signed a few key transfers, highlighted by big man Felix Okpara and forward Darlinstone Dubar. The Vols should be in contention atop the SEC once again.
13. Arkansas: Maybe the most anticipated team of the new season, the Razorbacks brought in John Calipari to try and recapture their glory days from the 1990s. Calipari attracted a stellar transfer class featuring Johnell Davis, DJ Wagner, Jonas Aidoo, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic. This core should put the Razorbacks back in contention in the SEC and nationally.
14. Kentucky: Calipari's former team comes in right behind the Razorbacks. The Wildcats may have lost some pieces to the portal, but new head coach Mark Pope has built a solid roster featuring Koby Brea and Lamont Butler in the backcourt and Andrew Carr holding down the paint.
15. Auburn: The reigning SEC tournament champions returned veteran Johni Broome to try and lead the Tigers back to the top of the SEC. With the addition of transfer point guard JP Pegues, Auburn should be right in the middle of a loaded SEC this season.
16. Creighton: Greg McDermott returns one of the nation's top big men in Ryan Kalkbrenner, along with transfer Jamiya Neal, giving the Blue Jays a solid core to compete in the Big East.
17. Arizona: The Wildcats return veteran guard Caleb Love to pair with a solid recruiting class. Tommy Lloyd's squad should be ready to compete in their first year in the Big 12.
18. Illinois: The Fighting Illini picked up Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell to pair with Ty Rodgers. Both of these guys have a real shot at a breakout season as Brad Underwood's squad looks to make its fifth consecutive tournament.
19. UCLA: The Bruins dove deep into the portal, signing key transfers Kobe Johnson and Skyy Clark, to try and get Mike Cronin's squad back to the big dance after missing out last season.
20. Florida: Todd Golden returned his core in Walter Clayton and Will Richard after taking the Gators back to the tournament for the first time in three years. With this core and the addition of Alijah Martin, Florida will be right in the mix of the SEC.
21. Oregon: Dana Altman returned freshman star Jackson Shelstad, as the Ducks look to make their mark in the Big Ten. Alongside Shelstad, Kwame Evans Jr. and Nate Bittle should provide Oregon with the pieces to find themselves in the mix of its new conference.
22. Texas A&M: Buzz Williams has taken the Aggies to the tourney the past two seasons, and with the bulk of their roster returning, including senior point guard Wade Taylor IV, TAMU should be a contender in the SEC.
23. Cincinnati: The Bearcats return their top three scorers from last season, and Wes Miller brought in Texas transfer Dillon Mitchell to bolster a Cincinnati team looking for its first tournament appearance since 2019.
24. Texas Tech: The Raiders are in their second season under Grant McCasland, who led Texas Tech to the tournament in his first season. He dipped into the portal, grabbing JT Toppin and Elijah Hawkins, which should put the Raiders in the hunt in a loaded Big 12.
25. Rutgers: Steve Pikiell is building something in New Jersey, signing two of the top five players in the class of 2024 — Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. These two, along with a returning core, should boost the Scarlet Knights back to the big dance for the first time since 2022.
26. Clemson: The Tigers are coming off an Elite Eight appearance, and Brad Brownell's squad returns two double-digit scorers in Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin. Brownell has found ways to win in a competitive ACC, and the Tigers should be in contention for the tournament again.
27. Texas: Rodney Terry was busy over the offseason, bringing in touted transfers Jordan Pope and Tramon Mark while also singing five-star Tre Johnson. This should spark a Longhorn team that lost its top four scorers from last season as Texas transitions to the SEC.
28. Ohio State: New head coach Jake Diebler sparked a struggling Buckeye team late last season, finishing the year 8-3 after he took over. Duke transfer Sean Stewart will be a key addition alongside leading scorer Bruce Thorton from last year as the Buckeyes look to make it back to the tourney for the first time since 2022.
29. Xavier: Coming off a disappointing season for the Musketeers, Sean Miller attacked the portal, bringing in Ryan Conwell, Dante Maddox Jr. and Marcus Foster to name a few. Xavier is reloaded and should be in store for a bounce-back season in the Big East.
30. Marquette: Shaka Smart has put together back-to-back 27+ win seasons, and with the return of Kam Jones, the Golden Eagles will be a tough team to beat in a stacked Big East.
31. Wake Forest: Steve Forbes is building something in Winston-Salem, bringing in a touted transfer at every position on the court. Watch out for true freshman Juke Harris as well. The Demon Deacons could be a sneaky contender in the ACC.
32. Michigan State: Everyone is discussing Gonzaga's consecutive tournament run, but the Spartans are actually one ahead. Tom Izzo and company are looking for their 27th consecutive appearance — the third-longest streak in NCAA history — and with leader Jaden Akins and plenty of promising young talent, the Spartans could be a real threat once again in the Big Ten.
33. Ole Miss: In his first year at the helm, Chris Beard led the Rebels to a 20-win season for the first time since 2019. Beard brought in a slew of transfers, and he signed four-star 7-foot-2 freshman John Bol, an elite rim protector who should spark a Rebels squad searching for its first tournament appearance since 2019.
34. Mississippi State: Chris Jans has led the Bulldogs to back-to-back tournament appearances for the first time since 2008-2009. With the return of freshman phenom Josh Hubbard, the Bulldogs should not be overlooked in the deep SEC.
35. St. John’s: Rick Pitino picked up some huge senior transfers in Kadary Richmond and Deivon Smith. Both are proven scorers and will provide the Red Storm with some leadership as they aim to compete in a stacked Big East.
36. Providence: Kim English picked up a huge transfer in Wesley Cardet who will be a huge difference-maker for the Friars on the perimeter. Alongside Bryce Hopkins, Providence could be a serious under-the-radar threat in the Big East.
37. Kansas State: The Wildcats are coming off a relatively down year after a stellar 2022-2023 season, but Jerome Tang hauled in the portal, stacking the front court with former Kentucky center Ugonna Onyenso and Illinois forward Coleman Hawkins. Kansas State is well-coached and could be a surprise contender in the Big 12.
Under Consideration: Virginia, Syracuse, Boise State, Pitt, Georgia Tech, NC State, Louisville, Memphis, New Mexico, VCU, Dayton, Saint Louis, Maryland, Wisconsin, San Diego State, Northwestern and UAB.
