This is the most exciting time to be a college basketball fan since the early 80’s. We are witnessing the game changing both on and off the court right in front of our very eyes.
It is rare to see the program that spent 5 years building via old fashion four year commits. The old heart and pride of college basketball is a group of three to seven players playing together for four years is long gone.
It is more like rec league rules now, pick a different team every year for six years now if you want. We watch players go from conference to conference chasing something they will never truly grab, pride.
We have a new regime of college basketball coaches more eager than ever to grow their name and brand. I am not sure we will ever see another coach sit at a program for more than 10 years, the demand for change is a disease this generation is fond of.
Here are eight programs that have built a super team this season that will be fun and exciting to watch.
College Basketball Super Teams 2024-25
Kansas Jayhawks
The returning core alone dubs this team in my opinion a super team with Harris Jr, Dickinson, and Adams Jr. This is a team who underachieved last season due to lack of depth and perimeter scoring. With one call to AJ Storr coach Bill Self fixed that.
Storr averaged 17 points at Wisconsin last season and is looking to become a top 5 pick in next years draft. This is a huge pickup by Kansas. Coach Self did not stop there, he added more perimeter scoring.
Rylan Griffen from Alabama averaged 11 points per game with lethal outside shooting. Also Zeke Mayo who could be the x factor on this team coming off the bench playing important minutes. Mayo, transfer from South Dakota State averaged 19 points, 6 boards, and 4 assist on 47% shooting last season and is returning to his hometown in Lawrence, Kansas.
Oh yeah, and the number 17 and 32nd ranked freshman on ESPN’s top 100 list isn’t too shabby as well.
UConn Huskies
Back to back national champions, UConn looks to go after a third title. The Huskies are a unique mix of both transfer and home grown talent. They are returning five of their top scorers from last season in Karaban, Johnson, Diarra, Ball, and Stewart.
This is a core who went out last season, for some the last two seasons, and won a championship. Add transfer Aiden Mahaney who led St. Mary’s to a 26-8 record last season averaging 14 points per game. Also Tarris Reed Jr from Michigan who is an underrated big man due to the lack of success Michigan had last season.
The number 9, 34, and 58 ranked freshman are also committed and looking to help UConn three peat.
Iowa State Cyclones
This might be the most home grown team on this list. The Cyclones who under coach Otzelberger have been building a winning culture the past three seasons look to get even better this year.
Returning their top 4 scorer’s from last seasons sweet 16 team in Lipsey, Momclilovic, Gilbert, and Jones. Iowa State added four players who averaged double digits or close to it elsewhere and a whole ton of size in the portal over the summer.
Nate Heise, 6’5 junior from Northern Iowa averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds last season. Dishon Jackson, 6’11 Sophomore from Charlotte averaged 11 points and 6 rebounds last season. Add in 6’8 Joshua Jefferson who averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds at St. Mary’s as well as 6’10 junior Brandton Chatfield from Seattle who averaged 9 and 5 last season on 60% shooting.
This team will still have one of the top defense’s in the country and have gotten bigger and better in the front court, yikes!
Baylor Bears
Baylor has vamped and revamped this program under coach Drew beautifully. This season is a little different, as far as fir power goes. Baylor is returning Love, Nunn, and Ojianwuna from last season and adding a whole lot of bang around them.
Jeremy Roach from Duke is a huge addition to the back court, who averaged 14 points for Duke last season. Norchad Omier was one of the top big man in the ACC last season and is bringing his double-double average of 17 points and 10 rebounds to Waco. Jalen Celestine, 6’7 guard from California will add size and scoring.
This freshman class is one of the best on paper. Drew has number 3, 23, and 48 of the top 100 recruits lined up and ready to put on that Baylor green.
College Basketball
St. John’s Red Storm
Coach Rick Pitino is entering his second year as head coach of the Red Storm, he challenged his players in the middle of last season and they answered.
St. John’s is returning Luis Jr, Wilcher, Dunlap, Ejiofor, and Ayo. All of these players understand what is expected from them in this program and you can almost feel the culture forming.
Add in my personal favorite point guard in the game right now, Seton Hall transfer Kadary Richmond to run the show along side Deivon Smith from Utah. Richmond averaged 16 points, 7 boards, and 5 assist last season. While Smith averaged 13 points, 6 boards, and 7 assist. Are we looking at a top 5 backcourt in the league next season?
Adding in size, 6’7 Aaron Scott who averaged 11 points last season for North Texas and 7’1 Vincent Iwuchukwu from USC. This roster is set up for Big East Basketball at it’s finest.
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue will be without Zach Edey this season for the first time in a while. Their magic run last season will be remembered in Purdue hallways for decades to come. Coach Painter is returning an elite back court who we have seen grow from season to season and added a 7’3 big man.
Smith, Loyer, Kaufman-Renn, Colvin, and Heide will return to run the perimeter while Daniel Jacobsen will man the middle. Jacobsen is that 7’3 big I was telling you about.
While Painter was quiet in the transfer portal not getting a single player, this program has a lot of talent already on it. Smith and Loyer taking that next step will make or break this Boilermaker team.
Arizona Wildcats
One of the biggest things for this Wildcat team is the return of the backcourt, Love and Lewis. These two were finding their groove late into last season and look to build on that. Krivas and Bradley also return for coach Lloyd.
Coach Lloyd went for quality over quantity in the transfer portal and struck gold. Horizon conference player of the year last season Trey Townsend who averaged 17 and 8 last season at Oakland. Anthony Dell’orso will be looking to become a house hold name after averaging 20 points and 7 boards per game last season at Campbell.
On top of all of that good news, Arizona has the number 19 and 93 ranked recruit coming in.
Arkansas Razorbacks
This was a tough choice for me, the Calipari hype is insufferable at the moment from Arkansas fans. Yet, one thing is for sure, this Razorbacks team is built to compete. Brazile will be the only player returning from last seasons team.
Johnell Davis, one of the deemed best point guards in the league from Florida Atlantic will man the point. NBA prospect DJ Wagner followed coach Cal from Kentucky along with Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic. Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee round out the transfers.
Freshman phenom coach Calipari has an excellent freshman class coming in as well in his first season with Arkansas. Number 15, 26, and 38 int ESPN’s top 100 will be in Arkansas red next season.
College Basketball Super Teams Honorable Mentions
Indiana. College Basketball is back!
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports.You can follow him onthe X via @RowanDonaghey
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