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Connecticut is fresh off a repeat men's championship, one which they earned in an even more impressive fashion than the 2022-23 title. The Huskies began the year with a preseason ranking of 6, but entered the tournament as the No.1 over-all seed and finished with a record of 37-3 to improve upon the prior year's 31-8 mark. They also improved from 13-7 in the Big East in 2022-23 to 18-2 this season.
The fact that UConn entered the year needing to replace 8 players lost from their roster, makes the outcome of the season that much more remarkable. Roster moves under the transfer portal system, powered by the NIL money grab, make it foolish to even attempt to predict the outcome of next season. But let's be foolish with this one statement, anyway - UConn will be among the favorites and pose a serious threat to 3-peat.
We'll continue to track the NCAA college basketball offseason movement, but coach Dan Hurley will figure it out. UConn and Hurley are at the top of the list of attractive transfer destinations for the top players who are looking to make their mark on a championship team. Jon Rothstein, who authors the article on the FanDuel.com research site, sees Houston as the preseason No.1 team with Alabama, Duke, Iowa State and North Carolina rounding out the Top 5. He has UConn at No. 11.
Hurley knew he had lost projected lottery pick Stephon Castle, as well as the championship game most outstanding player Tristen Newton, and senior Cam Spencer - all to the NBA Draft. On April 12, his 7'2" sophomore center Donovan Clingan declared for the draft after being an integral part of both national championships. Clingan is also a projected lottery pick after logging 74 games with per-40-minute averages of 33.3 points, 21.9 rebounds and 7.2 blocks. Newton and Spencer are expected 2nd-round picks.
This year's draft will take place June 26-27, 2024. The first round will take place on Wednesday, June 26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York - home of the Brooklyn Nets. The second round will be held at ESPN's Seaport District Studios in New York on Thursday, June 27.
Other recent news circulating around the draft is Bronny James' moves on April to 5th to enter the transfer portal and declare for the draft. He suffered cardiac arrest on July 20, 2023 during a workout at the Galen Center. He was found to have a congenital heart defect that was treatable and four days later, he was dining out with his dad, Lebron, and the James family. He didn't make his college debut until December 10 and never spoke to reporters during the season. He had very unimpressive numbers of 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds while starting six of 25 games for the Trojans. He shot just 37% from the field, 27% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line. (Excerpt: Bronny James declares for NBA Draft and enters transfer portal.
Currently, UConn (+1300) has the 3rd-best NCAA Championship odds at FanDuel.com behind Duke (+1100) and Kansas (+1200). The Blue Devils have the top incoming team with a record five 5-stars while Rutgers, Alabama, Baylor and UNC each signed two 5-stars.
1. Houston (+1500 National Championship Odds)
2. Alabama
3. Duke
4. Iowa State
5. North Carolina
6. Arizona
7. Creighton
8. Kansas
9. Gonzaga
10. Purdue
11. UConn
12. Auburn
13. Clemson
14. Saint Mary's
15. Baylor
16. Texas A&M
17. Marquette
18. Florida
19. Ohio State
20. Wisconsin
21. Xavier
22. Dayton
23. Tennessee
24. Michigan State
25. Texas
Major head coaching moves during the offseason saw John Calipari leave Kentucky and sign with SEC foe Arkansas, while Mark Pope leaves BYU to steer the ship in Lexington. Meanwhile, FAU lost Dusty May to Michigan while the Owls inked Baylor assistant John Jakus as May's replacement. The popular Pat Kelsey leaves the College of Charleston for Louisville while former Cardinals' head coach Chris Mack (2018-2022) winds up with the College of Charleston.
Chris Holtmann was hired by DePaul after Ohio State fired him, despite going to four straight NCAA tournaments to begin his tenure in Columbus. The Buckeyes turned internally to longterm assistant Jake Diebler.
West Virginia hired Darian Devries who becomes Bob Huggins' permanent replacement after Josh Eilert served in an interim role this past season. Depending on who you listen to, Huggins either resigned or was forced out last summer after a DUI arrest.