Andy Katz, a reporter for the NCAA, has predicted which teams will win their conferences as the 2024–25 collegiate basketball season draws near. With new faces, shifting dynamics, and an intriguing mix of dominant clubs and up-and-coming challengers, the 2018 season looks fascinating. Here is a summary of Katz’s predictions for the top conference winners in men’s college basketball, ranging from defending national champions hoping to repeat to historic droughts hoping to be ended.
Contents
- 1 Powerhouse Teams and Remaining Champions
- 2 Breaking the Big Ten Title Drought at Purdue
- 3 Kansas: Star Power Leads the Big 12
- 4 Emerging Teams and Rising Stars
- 5 Gonzaga: Still Desiring That Unattainable National Championship
- 6 The Whole List of Conference Winners to Keep an Eye on
- 7 Important Storylines to Watch in Season 2024-2025
- 8 Player Movement and the Transfer Portal
- 9 Coaching shifts and new leadership
- 10 New Challengers
- 11 The National Title Race
Powerhouse Teams and Remaining Champions
UConn: The Big East’s Search for a Recurrence
Andy Katz believes the University of Connecticut Huskies are the team to beat in the Big East going into the 2024–25 season, given they are the reigning NCAA champions. Last year, UConn won their sixth national championship by dominating the tournament. The Huskies are ready to go far again and may even win the Big East this year, thanks to their strong squad and winning history.
Breaking the Big Ten Title Drought at Purdue
Purdue University is another team that is full of hope. The Boilermakers haven’t won a Big Ten tournament in more than 25 years, despite controlling the regular season for years. Purdue hopes to end this protracted skid and finally win the conference title with an experienced team and the acquisition of elite players. They could be a national title contender if they perform well in March.
Kansas: Star Power Leads the Big 12
A consistent force in NCAA men’s basketball, Kansas wants to lead the Big 12 conference once again. Hunter Dickinson, a stellar transfer who could be the key to the Jayhawks’ success, is joining them this year, despite the fact that they have been a dominant force in the NCAA Tournament. Kansas, a March Madness mainstay, will try to reaffirm its supremacy in the Big 12 and beyond.
Emerging Teams and Rising Stars
Duke: A New Era Under Jon Scheyer as Coach
Under coach Jon Scheyer, the Duke Blue Devils are among the ACC’s most thrilling teams to watch. Duke is prepared to reclaim its position as one of the best collegiate basketball schools because of a dynamic roster that has up-and-coming players like Cooper Flagg. According to Katz, the Blue Devils will win the ACC and have a chance to advance far in the playoffs.
Gonzaga: Still Desiring That Unattainable National Championship
The Bulldogs are still vying for their first national championship, but Gonzaga is still one of the most reliable and successful teams in NCAA basketball. Gonzaga is once again anticipated to be a contender in the WCC and beyond thanks to a roster full of talented players and a program that values perfection. As they attempt to finally win that long-awaited championship, Katz has them as the team to beat in the West Coast Conference.
The Whole List of Conference Winners to Keep an Eye on
All of the major NCAA conferences are included in Andy Katz’s forecasts. His predicted conference winners for the 2024–25 campaign are broken out as follows:
- The Atlantic Sun: Lipscomb
- AAC: UAB; A10: VCU; ACC: Duke; America East: Vermont
- Kansas in the Big 12
- Big East: UConn
- Weber State, Big Sky
- High Point in the Big South
- Big West: UC Irvine; Big Ten: Purdue
- CAA: Hofstra
- Ivy League: Princeton; CUSA: Louisiana Tech; Horizon: Milwaukee
- Quinnipiac MAAC
- MAC: Ohio, MVC: Bradley, MEAC: Howard, and Mountain West: New Mexico
- Central Connecticut’s (NEC) OVC for the state: Little Rock
- Colgate in the Patriot League
- Southern Conference: Samford; SEC: Alabama
- Southland Conference: Grambling, McNeese SWAC State.
- Summit League: UMKC
- Sun Belt: Arkansas State
- WAC: Grand Canyon WCC: Gonzaga
Important Storylines to Watch in Season 2024-2025
It looks like this season will be among the most captivating in recent memory. Here are several key developments to watch for:
Player Movement and the Transfer Portal
Numerous teams have profited from significant transfers, and the transfer site has grown to be a significant influence on team roster construction. It will be essential to monitor the transfer market because players like Cooper Flagg at Duke and Hunter Dickinson at Kansas have the ability to alter the trajectory of their teams’ seasons.
Coaching shifts and new leadership
There will be several new dynamics at play this season due to coaching changes in a number of programs. A major plot point will be how teams like Duke, led by Jon Scheyer, and others with new management adapt to these developments.
New Challengers
Look for up-and-coming teams to compete for conference titles, in addition to established powerhouses like Gonzaga, Kansas, and UConn. Strong performances from programs like Bradley in the MVC and Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun might surprise a lot of people.
The National Title Race
Conference titles are significant, but most teams want to win a national championship. As March Madness approaches, teams like Purdue, Kansas, and UConn will be favorites, but this year’s tournament may be extremely open. Watch out for underdogs to make significant progress and potentially upset the bracket.
It looks like the 2024–25 NCAA men’s basketball season will be extremely tough and unpredictable. There are many different narratives to follow, ranging from long-suffering programs seeking to break their title droughts to defending champs hoping to repeat. Andy Katz’s predictions for the upcoming season highlight the intriguing mix of seasoned clubs and hungry challengers, as well as the emergence of new players and coaching changes.
Whether you support the Bulldogs, Jayhawks, or Blue Devils, this season is sure to provide exciting basketball and lots of action leading up to March Madness. Keep a close watch on Katz’s selections as these teams strive for dominance in their respective leagues and beyond.
