AP men’s poll: What you need to know about each Top 25 team
ESPN staffOct 14, 2024, 12:10 PM ET
The 2024-25 preseason men’s college basketball AP Top 25 poll results are out!
Kansas enters the season as the No. 1 team, over Alabama. Back-to-back reigning national champion UConn, meanwhile, will start a new season ranked outside the top-2 once again — but we all know what happened the last two times the Huskies did so. Can they run it back and become the first program since John Wooden’s UCLA teams to win three straight titles?
Duke, meanwhile, lands inside the top 10 at No. 7, and will look to capitalize on the talent of its freshmen — led by No. 1 recruit and projected No. 1 NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg — to cut down the nets in April. Don’t sleep on final top 25 entrant Rutgers and its two superstar freshmen Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, though.
As a new season of change thanks to the transfer portal, coaching moves and major conference realignment — hello, Texas in the SEC, Arizona in the Big 12, UCLA in the Big Ten! — approaches (Nov. 4), let’s break down the projected starting lineups and biggest early-season games for each of the 25 teams in the AP rankings.
All times Eastern
1. Kansas Jayhawks2023-24 record: 23-11 (lost to 5-seed Gonzaga in round of 32)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Howard, 8 p.m., ESPN+
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 8 vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Projected starting lineup
Dajuan Harris Jr. (8.5 PPG last season)
Zeke Mayo (18.8 PPG at South Dakota State)
AJ Storr (16.8 PPG at Wisconsin)
K.J. Adams Jr. (12.6 PPG)
Hunter Dickinson (17.9 PPG)
2. Alabama Crimson Tide2023-24 record: 25-12 (lost to 1-seed UConn in Final Four)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. UNC Asheville, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 26 vs. Houston, 8 p.m., TBS
Projected starting lineup
Mark Sears (21.5 PPG)
Aden Holloway (7.3 PPG at Auburn)
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 PPG)
Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG)
Clifford Omoruyi (10.4 PPG at Rutgers)
3. UConn Huskies2023-24 record: 37-3 (Won 2024 national title)
Season opener: Nov. 6 vs Sacred Heart, 7 p.m., FS1
Biggest early-season game: Dec. 4 vs Baylor, 6:30 p.m., FS1
Projected starting lineup
Hassan Diarra (6.1 PPG)
Aidan Mahaney (13.9 PPG at Saint Mary’s)
Liam McNeeley (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
Alex Karaban (13.3 PPG)
Samson Johnson (5.4 PPG)
4. Houston Cougars2023-24 record: 32-5 (lost to 4-seed Duke in Sweet 16)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Jackson State, 8 p.m., ESPN+
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 26 vs. Alabama, 8 p.m., TBS
Projected starting lineup
Milos Uzan (9.0 PPG at Oklahoma)
L.J. Cryer (15.5 PPG)
Emanuel Sharp (12.6 PPG)
J’Wan Roberts (9.5 PPG)
Ja’Vier Francis (6.0 PPG)
5. Iowa State Cyclones2023-24 record: 29-8 (lost to 3-seed Illinois in Sweet 16)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Miss. Valley State, 8 p.m., ESPN+
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 25 vs. Auburn, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Projected starting lineup
Tamin Lipsey (12.4 PPG)
Curtis Jones (11.0 PPG)
Keshon Gilbert (13.7 PPG)
Milan Momcilovic (10.9 PPG)
Dishon Jackson (11.4 PPG at Charlotte)
6. Gonzaga Bulldogs2023-24 record: 27-8 (lost to 1-seed Purdue in Sweet 16)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Baylor, 11:30 p.m., ESPN2
Biggest early-season game: Dec. 7 vs. Kentucky
Projected starting lineup
Ryan Nembhard (12.6 PPG)
Nolan Hickman (14.0 PPG)
Michael Ajayi (17.2 PPG at Pepperdine)
Ben Gregg (9.0 PPG)
Graham Ike (16.5 PPG)
7. Duke Blue Devils2023-24 record: 27-9 (lost to 11-seed NC State in Elite 8)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Maine, 7 p.m., ACC Network
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 12 vs. Kentucky, 9 p.m., ESPN
Projected starting lineup
Tyrese Proctor (10.5 PPG)
Caleb Foster (7.7 PPG)
Kon Knueppel (No. 18 in ESPN 100)
Cooper Flagg (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
Khaman Maluach (five-star)
8. Baylor Bears2023-24 record: 24-11 (lost to 6-seed Clemson in round of 32)
Season opener: Nov. 4 at Gonzaga, 11:30 p.m., ESPN2
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 9 vs. Arkansas, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
Projected starting lineup
Jeremy Roach (14.0 PPG at Duke)
Jayden Nunn (10.5 PPG)
VJ Edgecombe (No. 3 in ESPN 100)
Langston Love (11.0 PPG)
Norchad Omier (17.0 PPG at Miami)
9. North Carolina Tar Heels2023-24 record: 29-8 (lost to 4-seed Alabama in Sweet 16)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Elon, 9 p.m., ACC Network
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 8 vs. Kansas, 7 p.m., ESPN2
Projected starting lineup
Elliot Cadeau (7.3 PPG)
RJ Davis (21.2 PPG)
Drake Powell (No. 14 in ESPN 100)
Cade Tyson (16.2 PPG at Belmont)
Jalen Washington (3.9 PPG)
10. Arizona Wildcats2023-24 record: 27-9 (lost to 6-seed Clemson in Sweet 16)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Canisius, 10 p.m., ESPN+
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 22 vs. Duke, 10:30 p.m., ESPN2
Projected starting lineup
Jaden Bradley (7.0 PPG)
Caleb Love (18.0 PPG)
KJ Lewis (6.1 PPG)
Trey Townsend (17.3 PPG at Oakland)
Motiejus Krivas (5.4 PPG)
11. Auburn Tigers2023-24 record: 27-8 (lost to 13-seed Yale in round of 64)
Season opener: Nov. 6 vs. Vermont, 8 p.m., SEC Network+
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 9 vs. Houston, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU
Projected starting lineup
JP Pegues (18.4 PPG at Furman)
Denver Jones (9.1 PPG)
Miles Kelly (13.9 PPG at Georgia Tech)
Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 PPG)
Johni Broome (16.5 PPG)
12. Tennessee Volunteers2023-24 record: 27-9 (lost to 1-seed Purdue in Elite 8)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Gardner-Webb, 7 p.m., SEC Network+
Biggest early-season game: Dec. 14 at Illinois, 5:30 p.m., Fox
Projected starting lineup
Zakai Zeigler (11.8 PPG)
Chaz Lanier (19.7 PPG at North Florida)
Jahmai Mashack (4.5 PPG)
Igor Milicic Jr. (12.8 PPG at Charlotte)
Felix Okpara (6.6 PPG at Ohio State
13. Texas A&M Aggies2023-24 record: 21-15 (lost to 1-seed Houston in round of 32)
Season opener: Nov. 4 at UCF, 7 p.m.,
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 27 vs. Creighton, 6:30 p.m., Max
Projected starting lineup
Wade Taylor IV (19.1 PPG)
Manny Obaseki (7.0 PPG)
Zhuric Phelps (14.8 PPG at SMU)
Henry Coleman III (8.8 PPG)
Pharrel Payne (10.0 PPG at Minnesota)
14. Purdue Boilermakers2023-24 record: 34-5 (lost to 1-seed UConn in national championship)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 7 p.m., BTN
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 15 vs. Alabama, 8 p.m., Peacock
Projected starting lineup
Braden Smith (12.2 PPG)
Fletcher Loyer (10.6 PPG)
Myles Colvin (3.3 PPG)
Camden Heide (3.4 PPG)
Trey Kaufman-Renn (6.4 PPG)
15. Creighton Bluejays2023-24 record: 25-10 (lost to 2-seed Tennessee in Sweet 16)
Season opener: Nov. 6 vs. UTRGV, 9 p.m., FS2
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 27 vs. Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m., Max
Projected starting lineup
Steven Ashworth (11.1 PPG)
Pop Isaacs (15.8 PPG at Texas Tech)
Jamiya Neal (11.0 PPG at Arizona State)
Mason Miller (5.6 PPG)
Ryan Kalkbrenner (17.3 PPG)
16. Arkansas Razorbacks2023-24 record: 16-17 (lost to South Carolina in SEC tournament second round)
Season opener: Nov. 6 vs. Lipscomb, 8 p.m., SEC Network+
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 9 vs. Baylor, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU
Projected starting lineup
D.J. Wagner (9.9 PPG at Kentucky)
Johnell Davis (18.2 PPG at Florida Atlantic)
Adou Thiero (7.2 PPG at Kentucky)
Trevon Brazile (8.6 PPG)
Jonas Aidoo (11.4 PPG at Tennessee)
17. Indiana Hoosiers2023-24 record: 19-14 (lost to Nebraska in Big Ten tournament quarterfinal)
Season opener: Nov. 6 vs. SIUE, 9 p.m., BTN
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 16 vs. South Carolina, 4 p.m., Peacock
Projected starting lineup
Myles Rice (14.8 PPG at Washington State)
Kanaan Carlyle (11.5 PPG at Stanford)
Mackenzie Mgbako (12.2 PPG)
Malik Reneau (15.4 PPG)
Oumar Ballo (14.2 PPG at Arizona)
18. Marquette Golden Eagles2023-24 record: 27-10 (lost to 11-seed NC State in Sweet 16)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Stony Brook, 8:30 p.m., FS1
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 19 vs. Purdue, 9 p.m., FS1
Projected starting lineup
Kam Jones (17.2 PPG)
Stevie Mitchell (8.8 PPG)
Chase Ross (6.1 PPG)
David Joplin (10.8 PPG)
Ben Gold (5.0 PPG)
19. Texas Longhorns2023-24 record: 21-13 (lost to 2-seed Tennessee in round of 32)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Ohio State, 10 p.m., TNT
Biggest early-season game: Dec. 8 vs. UConn, 5 p.m., ESPN
Projected starting lineup
Jordan Pope (17.6 PPG at Oregon State)
Tramon Mark (16.2 PPG at Arkansas)
Tre Johnson (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
Arthur Kaluma (14.4 PPG at Kansas State)
Kadin Shedrick (7.7 PPG)
20. Cincinnati Bearcats2023-24 record: 22-15 (lost to Indiana State in NIT quarterfinal)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Biggest early-season game: Dec. 14 vs Xavier, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Projected starting lineup
Jizzle James (8.8 PPG)
Dan Skillings Jr. (12.9 PPG)
Simas Lukosius (11.8 PPG)
Dillon Mitchell (9.6 PPG at Texas)
Aziz Bandaogo (6.6 PPG)
21. Florida Gators2023-24 record: 24-12 (lost to 10-seed Colorado in round of 64)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. South Florida, 8:30 p.m., SEC Network
Biggest early-season game: Dec. 17 vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m., ESPN
Projected starting lineup
Walter Clayton Jr. (17.6 PPG)
Alijah Martin (13.1 PPG at Florida Atlantic)
Will Richard (11.4 PPG)
Alex Condon (7.7 PPG)
Rueben Chinyelu (4.7 PPG at Washington State)
22. UCLA Bruins2023-24 record: 16-17 (lost to Oregon in Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Rider, 10:30 p.m., FS1
Biggest early-season game: Dec. 14 at Arizona, 3 p.m., ESPN2
Projected starting lineup
Dylan Andrews (12.9 PPG)
Dominick Harris (14.3 PPG at Loyola Marymount)
Kobe Johnson (10.9 PPG at USC)
Tyler Bilodeau (14.3 PPG at Oregon State)
William Kyle III (13.1 PPG at South Dakota State)
23. Kentucky Wildcats2023-24 record: 23-10 (lost to 14-seed Oakland in round of 64)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. Wright State, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 12 vs. Duke, 9 p.m., ESPN
Projected starting lineup
Lamont Butler (9.4 PPG at San Diego State)
Koby Brea (11.1 PPG at Dayton)
Jaxson Robinson (14.2 PPG at BYU)
Andrew Carr (13.5 PPG at Wake Forest)
Amari Williams (12.2 PPG at Drexel)
24. Ole Miss Rebels2023-24 record: 20-12 (lost to Texas A&M in SEC tournament second round)
Season opener: Nov. 4 vs. LIU, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network+
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 28 vs. BYU, 4:30 p.m., FS1
Projected starting lineup
Sean Pedulla (16.4 PPG at Virginia Tech)
Matthew Murrell (16.2 PPG)
Dre Davis (15.0 PPG at Seton Hall)
Jaemyn Brakefield (12.9 PPG)
Malik Dia (16.9 PPG at Belmont)
25. Rutgers Scarlet Knights2023-24 record: 15-17 (lost to Maryland in Big Ten tournament first round)
Season opener: Nov. 6 vs. Wagner, 6 p.m., BTN
Biggest early-season game: Nov. 27 vs. Alabama, 10 p.m., TBS
Projected starting lineup
Dylan Harper (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
Jeremiah Williams (12.2 PPG)
Airious “Ace” Bailey (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
Zach Martini (8.4 PPG at Princeton)
Emmanuel Ogbole (2.1 PPG)
