The 2023-24 men’s college basketball season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a number of talented teams returning their core players and several highly touted recruits entering the fold, there are sure to be plenty of memorable moments throughout the year.
One of the most intriguing storylines to watch will be the continued development of last year’s national champion, Kansas. The Jayhawks lost a lot of talent to the NBA, but they still have a number of key players returning, including last year’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Jalen Wilson. If Wilson can continue to improve and the Jayhawks can get some solid contributions from their newcomers, they will be a force to be reckoned with once again.
Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23
Here are 9 important points about the upcoming season:
- Kansas is the defending national champion.
- Kentucky is the preseason No. 1 team.
- Duke is a perennial powerhouse.
- North Carolina is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season.
- Gonzaga is always a contender.
- Houston is a rising star.
- Baylor is a dark horse.
- UCLA is a team to watch.
- Villanova is a veteran team.
These are just a few of the storylines to watch in the 2023-24 college basketball season. It promises to be a memorable year with plenty of great teams and players to follow.
Kansas is the defending national champion.
The Kansas Jayhawks are coming off a historic season in which they won their first national championship since 2008. Led by All-American forward Jalen Wilson, the Jayhawks overcame a number of challenges throughout the season to reach the Final Four, where they defeated North Carolina and Villanova to claim the title.
Wilson is back for his senior season, and he is joined by a number of other key players from last year’s team, including guard Dajuan Harris and forward KJ Adams. The Jayhawks also added a number of talented newcomers, including five-star recruit Gradey Dick. With a strong core of returning players and a talented incoming class, Kansas is poised to make another run at the national championship this season.
However, the Jayhawks will have to replace several key players from last year’s team, including guard Remy Martin and forward Zach Clemence. Martin was the team’s leading scorer last season, and Clemence was a key contributor on both ends of the court. The Jayhawks will also need to find a way to replace the leadership of point guard Kevin McCullar, who was a steadying force for the team last season.
Despite the losses, the Jayhawks are still the team to beat in the Big 12 Conference and one of the favorites to win the national championship. Wilson is one of the best players in the country, and he is surrounded by a talented cast of supporting players. If the Jayhawks can stay healthy and develop some consistency, they have the potential to be a special team this season.
The Jayhawks will open their season on November 7th against Omaha. They will then face a tough non-conference schedule that includes games against Duke, Kentucky, and UCLA. The Jayhawks will begin Big 12 play on January 3rd against Oklahoma State.
Kentucky is the preseason No. 1 team.
The Kentucky Wildcats are the preseason No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 poll, and for good reason. Kentucky has one of the most talented rosters in the country, led by a trio of five-star recruits in Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston, and Shaedon Sharpe. Wallace is a dynamic point guard who can score, pass, and defend, while Livingston is a versatile forward who can play inside and out. Sharpe is a gifted scorer who is one of the best shooters in the country.
In addition to their three five-star recruits, Kentucky also has a number of other talented players, including returning starters Sahvir Wheeler and Oscar Tshiebwe. Wheeler is a veteran point guard who provides leadership and stability, while Tshiebwe is a dominant rebounder and defender. Kentucky also added a number of talented newcomers, including five-star recruit Adou Thiero and four-star recruit Ugonna Onyenso.
With so much talent on their roster, Kentucky has the potential to be one of the best teams in the country this season. However, the Wildcats will need to develop some chemistry and consistency in order to reach their full potential. Kentucky has a lot of new players this season, and it will take some time for them to learn how to play together. If the Wildcats can gel as a team, they have the potential to be a special team this season.
Kentucky will open their season on November 7th against Howard. They will then face a tough non-conference schedule that includes games against Michigan State, Gonzaga, and Louisville. Kentucky will begin SEC play on January 7th against Mississippi State.
Duke is a perennial powerhouse.
Duke is one of the most successful college basketball programs in history, with five national championships and 16 Final Four appearances. The Blue Devils are known for their up-tempo style of play and their ability to recruit some of the best players in the country.
- Tradition: Duke has a rich tradition of success, dating back to the early days of the program. The Blue Devils have won five national championships, more than any other ACC school. Duke has also produced some of the greatest players in college basketball history, including Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and Zion Williamson.
- Coaching: Duke has been led by some of the greatest coaches in college basketball history, including Mike Krzyzewski, who retired after the 2021-22 season. Krzyzewski won five national championships at Duke and is considered one of the best coaches of all time. Jon Scheyer is now the head coach at Duke, and he is looking to continue the program’s success.
- Recruiting: Duke is one of the best recruiting schools in the country. The Blue Devils consistently land some of the top recruits in the country, which gives them a chance to compete for national championships every year. Duke’s 2023 recruiting class is ranked No. 1 in the country, and it features five-star recruits Dariq Whitehead and Kyle Filipowski.
- Facilities: Duke has some of the best facilities in college basketball. The Blue Devils’ home arena, Cameron Indoor Stadium, is one of the most iconic venues in the sport. Duke also has a state-of-the-art practice facility, which gives the players access to the best training facilities in the country.
With its tradition, coaching, recruiting, and facilities, Duke is well-positioned to continue its success in the years to come. The Blue Devils are a perennial contender for the national championship, and they are always one of the most exciting teams to watch in college basketball.
North Carolina is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in which they finished 14-19 and missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. The Tar Heels were plagued by injuries and inconsistency last season, and they never seemed to find their footing.
Hubert Davis is entering his third season as head coach at North Carolina, and he is hoping to lead the Tar Heels back to the NCAA Tournament. Davis has a talented roster to work with, led by Armando Bacot, Caleb Love, and RJ Davis. Bacot is one of the best big men in the country, and he is coming off a season in which he averaged 16.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game. Love is a dynamic guard who can score and pass, and he is coming off a season in which he averaged 15.9 points and 4.6 assists per game. Davis is a sharpshooting guard who can provide a scoring boost off the bench.
In addition to their three leading scorers, the Tar Heels also have a number of other talented players, including Leaky Black, Puff Johnson, and D’Marco Dunn. Black is a versatile forward who can play inside and out, and he is a lockdown defender. Johnson is a talented wing who can score and rebound, and he is coming off a season in which he averaged 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Dunn is a five-star recruit who is one of the most athletic players on the team.
The Tar Heels have a lot of talent on their roster, but they will need to develop some chemistry and consistency in order to reach their full potential. North Carolina has a tough non-conference schedule this season, which includes games against Purdue, Michigan, and UCLA. The Tar Heels will need to play well in these games in order to build confidence and momentum heading into ACC play.
Gonzaga is always a contender.
Gonzaga is one of the most consistent programs in college basketball, and they are always a contender for the national championship. The Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Tournament for 23 consecutive seasons, and they have reached the Sweet Sixteen or better in each of the last 10 seasons. Gonzaga has also reached the Final Four four times in the last 10 years, including a national championship game appearance in 2021.
- Coaching: Gonzaga’s success is due in large part to their head coach, Mark Few. Few has been the head coach at Gonzaga since 1999, and he has led the Bulldogs to unprecedented success. Few is one of the best coaches in the country, and he is known for his ability to develop his players and get the most out of his team.
- Recruiting: Gonzaga is also known for its ability to recruit talented players. The Bulldogs consistently land some of the best recruits in the country, and they have a strong track record of developing those players into stars. Gonzaga’s 2023 recruiting class is ranked No. 10 in the country, and it features five-star recruit AJ Johnson.
- Experience: Gonzaga has a lot of experience playing in big games. The Bulldogs have played in the NCAA Tournament every year for the past 23 seasons, and they have reached the Sweet Sixteen or better in each of the last 10 seasons. Gonzaga’s players are used to playing under pressure, and they know what it takes to win in March.
- Teamwork: Gonzaga is a team-oriented program. The Bulldogs play unselfishly and they are always willing to sacrifice individual glory for the good of the team. Gonzaga’s players are close both on and off the court, and they are always looking out for each other.
Gonzaga is a well-coached, talented, and experienced team. The Bulldogs are always a contender for the national championship, and they are one of the most exciting teams to watch in college basketball.
Houston is a rising star.
The Houston Cougars are one of the most exciting teams in college basketball. The Cougars have reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons, and they have reached the Sweet Sixteen twice in that span. Houston is led by head coach Kelvin Sampson, who is one of the best coaches in the country. Sampson has a proven track record of success, and he is known for his ability to develop his players and get the most out of his team.
- Recruiting: Houston has been able to recruit some of the best players in the country in recent years. The Cougars’ 2023 recruiting class is ranked No. 13 in the country, and it features four-star recruits Jarace Walker and Terrance Arceneaux. Houston has also been able to land some talented transfers in recent years, including Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mark.
- Experience: Houston has a lot of experience playing in big games. The Cougars have reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons, and they have reached the Sweet Sixteen twice in that span. Houston’s players are used to playing under pressure, and they know what it takes to win in March.
- Teamwork: Houston is a team-oriented program. The Cougars play unselfishly and they are always willing to sacrifice individual glory for the good of the team. Houston’s players are close both on and off the court, and they are always looking out for each other.
- Home court advantage: Houston plays its home games in the Fertitta Center, which is one of the best home court advantages in college basketball. The Fertitta Center is a loud and intimidating environment, and it is very difficult for opposing teams to win there. Houston has a 32-game winning streak at the Fertitta Center.
Houston is a well-coached, talented, and experienced team. The Cougars are one of the rising stars in college basketball, and they are a legitimate contender for the national championship.
Baylor is a dark horse.
The Baylor Bears are a dark horse candidate to win the national championship this season. The Bears are coming off a disappointing season in which they finished 19-15 and missed the NCAA Tournament, but they have a lot of talent returning this season.
Baylor’s leading scorer from last season, LJ Cryer, is back for his junior season. Cryer is a dynamic guard who can score from anywhere on the court. He is also a good defender and rebounder. Baylor also has a number of other talented players returning, including Adam Flagler, Keyonte George, and Flo Thamba.
In addition to their returning players, Baylor also has a talented recruiting class coming in. The Bears’ 2023 recruiting class is ranked No. 11 in the country, and it features five-star recruit Dillon Mitchell.
Baylor has a lot of talent on their roster, but they will need to develop some chemistry and consistency in order to reach their full potential. The Bears have a tough non-conference schedule this season, which includes games against Michigan State, Gonzaga, and UCLA. Baylor will need to play well in these games in order to build confidence and momentum heading into Big 12 play.
If Baylor can stay healthy and develop some chemistry, they have the potential to be a major player in the Big 12 and a contender for the national championship.
UCLA is a team to watch.
The UCLA Bruins are a team to watch in the 2023-24 college basketball season. The Bruins are coming off a disappointing season in which they finished 20-14 and missed the NCAA Tournament, but they have a lot of talent returning this season.
UCLA’s leading scorer from last season, Jaime Jaquez Jr., is back for his senior season. Jaquez is a versatile forward who can score inside and out. He is also a good rebounder and defender. UCLA also has a number of other talented players returning, including Tyger Campbell, Adem Bona, and Jaylen Clark.
In addition to their returning players, UCLA also has a talented recruiting class coming in. The Bruins’ 2023 recruiting class is ranked No. 2 in the country, and it features five-star recruits Isaiah Collier and Evan Manjikian.
UCLA has a lot of talent on their roster, but they will need to develop some chemistry and consistency in order to reach their full potential. The Bruins have a tough non-conference schedule this season, which includes games against Kentucky, Gonzaga, and Villanova. UCLA will need to play well in these games in order to build confidence and momentum heading into Pac-12 play.
If UCLA can stay healthy and develop some chemistry, they have the potential to be a major player in the Pac-12 and a contender for the national championship.
Villanova is a veteran team.
The Villanova Wildcats are one of the most experienced teams in the country. The Wildcats have four seniors and three juniors in their starting lineup, and they have a number of other experienced players coming off the bench.
- Leadership: Villanova’s experienced players provide the team with a lot of leadership. The Wildcats have a number of players who have been through big games and know what it takes to win. Senior guard Justin Moore is the team’s leader on and off the court. Moore is a talented scorer and defender, and he is one of the best leaders in the country.
- Chemistry: Villanova’s experienced players have developed a great chemistry on and off the court. The Wildcats have been playing together for several years, and they know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Villanova’s chemistry is one of the team’s biggest strengths.
- Experience: Villanova’s experienced players have been through a lot of big games. The Wildcats have reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons, and they have reached the Final Four twice in that span. Villanova’s players know what it takes to win in March, and they are not afraid of the big stage.
- Depth: Villanova has a lot of depth on their roster. The Wildcats have a number of experienced players who can come off the bench and contribute. Villanova’s depth will be a major advantage for the team this season.
Villanova’s veteran team is one of the team’s biggest strengths. The Wildcats have a lot of leadership, chemistry, experience, and depth. Villanova is a legitimate contender for the national championship this season.
### FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23:
Question 1: Who is the defending national champion?
Answer: Kansas
Question 2: Who is the preseason No. 1 team?
Answer: Kentucky
Question 3: Who are some of the top contenders for the national championship?
Answer: Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Houston, Baylor, UCLA, Villanova
Question 4: Who are some of the top players to watch?
Answer: Jalen Wilson (Kansas), Cason Wallace (Kentucky), Dariq Whitehead (Duke), Armando Bacot (North Carolina), Drew Timme (Gonzaga), Jarace Walker (Houston), Adam Flagler (Baylor), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (UCLA), Justin Moore (Villanova)
Question 5: What are some of the key storylines to watch?
Answer: Kansas’s quest to repeat as national champions, Kentucky’s attempt to win their first national championship since 2012, Duke’s return to prominence, North Carolina’s attempt to bounce back from a disappointing season, Gonzaga’s continued success, Houston’s rise to prominence, Baylor’s quest to return to the Final Four, UCLA’s attempt to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2008, Villanova’s quest to win their third national championship in six years
Question 6: Where can I find more information about the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23?
Answer: ESPN, CBS Sports, NCAA.com
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23. For more information, please visit the official website of the NCAA.
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### Tips
Here are a few tips for following the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23:
1. Watch the games: The best way to follow the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23 is to watch the games. You can watch the games on TV, online, or on the radio. If you can’t watch the games live, you can always catch the highlights on ESPN, CBS Sports, or NCAA.com.
2. Read about the teams and players: There are a number of great websites and magazines that cover college basketball. You can read about the teams and players on these websites and magazines to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses.
3. Follow the teams and players on social media: Many of the teams and players in the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23 have social media accounts. You can follow these accounts to get updates on the teams and players, as well as their thoughts on the season.
4. Attend games in person: If you have the opportunity, attending games in person is the best way to experience the excitement of college basketball. You can buy tickets to games online or at the box office.
Following these tips will help you stay up-to-date on the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23 and enjoy the season.
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### Conclusion
The Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With a number of talented teams returning their core players and several highly touted recruits entering the fold, there are sure to be plenty of memorable moments throughout the year.
Some of the top storylines to watch this season include Kansas’s quest to repeat as national champions, Kentucky’s attempt to win their first national championship since 2012, Duke’s return to prominence, North Carolina’s attempt to bounce back from a disappointing season, Gonzaga’s continued success, Houston’s rise to prominence, Baylor’s quest to return to the Final Four, UCLA’s attempt to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2008, and Villanova’s quest to win their third national championship in six years.
With so much talent and so many great storylines, the Ap Top 25 Basketball 2024-23 season is sure to be one to remember.
Thank you for reading!