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 UConnmeanwhile, 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?

Dukemeanwhile, 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 Harperthough.

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 Jayhawks

2023-24 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 Tide

2023-24 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 Huskies

2023-24 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 Cougars

2023-24 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 Cyclones

2023-24 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 Bulldogs

2023-24 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 Devils

2023-24 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)
Could Knueppel (No. 18 in ESPN 100)
Cooper Flagg (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
Khaman Maluach (five-star)

8. Baylor Bears

2023-24 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 Heels

2023-24 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 Gift (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 Wildcats

2023-24 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)
Motiejs Krivas (5.4 PPG)

11. Auburn Tigers

2023-24 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 Pegas (18.4 PPG at Furman)
Denver Jones (9.1 PPG)
Miles Kelly (13.9 PPG at Georgia Tech)
Chad Baker-Mazara (10.0 PPG)
of John Broome (16.5 PPG)

12. Tennessee Volunteers

2023-24 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 Aggies

2023-24 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 Boilermakers

2023-24 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 Rent (10.6 PPG)
Myles Colvin (3.3 PPG)
Camden Heath (3.4 PPG)
Trey Kaufman-Renn (6.4 PPG)

15. Creighton Bluejays

2023-24 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)
Neal University (11.0 PPG at Arizona State)
Mason Miller (5.6 PPG)
Ryan Kalkbrenner (17.3 PPG)

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

2023-24 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

DJ 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 Hoosiers

2023-24 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)
Thus Carlyle (11.5 PPG at Stanford)
Mackenzie Conference (12.2 PPG)
Malik Reneau (15.4 PPG)
Oumar Ballo (14.2 PPG at Arizona)

18. Marquette Golden Eagles

2023-24 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 Longhorns

2023-24 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)
Tram 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 Bearcats

2023-24 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)
Sims Lukosius (11.8 PPG)
Dillon Mitchell (9.6 PPG at Texas)
Aziz Bandaogo (6.6 PPG)

21. Florida Gators

2023-24 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 Bruins

2023-24 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 Wildcats

2023-24 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 Rebels

2023-24 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)
Dr. Davis (15.0 PPG at Seton Hall)
Jaemyn Brakefield (12.9 PPG)
Malik He (16.9 PPG at Belmont)