Despite the constant changes in men’s college basketball, one objective stays the same: reaching the Final Four.

This season promises to be unique for men’s college basketball, similar to the shifts seen in college football. With over 350 Division I teams, many notable schools, players, and coaches have switched affiliations, all vying for a spot in San Antonio on April 5 and 7.

With the dynamic nature of college sports, this year’s outcomes are unpredictable. While some previous top teams may falter, others could rise as new contenders. To gear up for what should be another thrilling march to March Madness, here are some significant narratives for the upcoming 2024-25 college basketball season:

Can UConn Achieve a Three-Peat?

It has been over five decades since the last men’s national champion accomplished a three-peat—back in the era of John Wooden and UCLA. Will the Huskies make history as the second team to do so?

UConn was the favored team last season, but this time their chances seem less certain. They have lost most of last season’s starters, yet Alex Karaban remains, bringing two championship rings with him. Hassan Diarra returns, and Samson Johnson may fill the role left by big man Donovan Clingan. Freshman five-star recruit Liam McNeely could also provide the shooting ability the team needs.

UConn is projected to win the Big East and will face significant challenges before conference play starts. They’ll compete in the competitive Maui Invitational and then match up against Baylor, Texas, and Gonzaga within an 11-day period. By the start of Big East play, we might know if UConn continues to be a powerhouse.

Can Cooper Flagg Meet Expectations?

No player has gained as much attention this summer as Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. He entered the 2024 class as the top recruit and solidified his star status with an impressive performance at an Olympic training camp, where he showcased his skill against NBA stars.

Flagg is highly versatile on the court, and he is anticipated to be a candidate for national player of the year. He leads what could be Duke’s top recruiting class, featuring four other five-star prospects along with Mason Gillis, a pivotal transfer from Purdue, contributing to their Final Four journey.

It’s been a while since Duke won a national championship, with 2015 marking their longest dry spell since their first title in 1991. At 17-years-old, Flagg is expected to propel Duke into the championship picture before declaring for the NBA draft next year.

Conference Realignment Trends

This year, 23 teams will find themselves in new conferences, and several are set to make impressive debuts.

The Big 12 is even more competitive with Arizona among four teams joining the ranks, potentially making them a dark horse for the title. Under Tommy Lloyd’s leadership, the team has achieved 88 wins over the past three seasons, winning the Pac-12 tournament in the last two years.

Texas and Oklahoma step into another tough conference—the SEC. In the coaches poll, the Longhorns rank No. 19 and are bringing in multiple transfers, positioning them as strong contenders. UCLA is another team poised to cause a stir in the Big Ten after overhauling its roster via the transfer portal, making the conference highly competitive.

New Coaching Changes in Men’s Basketball

Who would have imagined that Andy Enfield would leave Southern California for Southern Methodist, triggering one of the most dramatic coaching changes in recent memory?

Eric Musselman is now at the helm of USC after departing from Arkansas. The significant shift sees John Calipari moving from Kentucky to take over Musselman’s position at Arkansas. Calipari has faced criticism for underwhelming performances in March and hopes to revitalize the Razorbacks, who haven’t made a Final Four appearance since 1995 and last won a conference title in 2000.

The Wildcats are looking to tap into former star Mark Pope’s success as he transitions from player to coach. Although he didn’t achieve great heights at Brigham Young, he did establish them as a regular tournament participant. They hope to turn the page with a talent boost that can ease any nostalgia for his predecessor. Additionally, Dusty May is now leading Michigan after a successful stint at Florida Atlantic.

Keep an eye on other new coaching hires such as: Pat Kelsey at Louisville, Kyle Smith at Stanford, Darian DeVries at West Virginia, Danny Sprinkle at Washington, and Ron Sanchez taking over Virginia following Tony Bennett’s unexpected retirement.

Will Kansas and Bill Self Bounce Back from Last Season’s Setbacks?

Kansas is starting the season as the top-ranked team yet again, just like last year, but will they…
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Will they deliver this time? Last season, the Jayhawks kicked off with a strong start at 13-1, but then they encountered difficulties, ending with a 10-10 record. They managed to secure a lucky first-round victory over Samford in the tournament, only to be overwhelmed by Gonzaga in the subsequent round.

Hunter Dickinson is returning, and Kansas has made some significant additions through the transfer portal, bringing in guards Zeke Mayo and AJ Storr, along with Rylan Griffen, who played an essential role in Alabama’s Final Four run. They also welcome promising freshman Flory Bidunga, who could enhance the team’s interior play alongside Dickinson.

Kansas will face some tough challenges early in the season, with matchups against North Carolina, Michigan State, Duke, and Creighton all within the first month. Following an exhibition loss to Arkansas in October, fans might be feeling uneasy. Nevertheless, as the top-ranked team, there’s immense pressure to avoid another collapse.

Could there be a first-time Final Four team?

Alabama reached the Final Four for the first time in their history last season. They’re among the favorites to replicate that success, but could another team achieve their first Final Four appearance this year?

Strong candidates include Creighton, which is positioned well to challenge UConn in the Big East, Tennessee, who narrowly missed the tournament last season, and Texas A&M, featuring Wade Taylor IV, a potential SEC player of the year.