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It’s the best time of year! It’s college basketball season! Teams have already begun workouts and practices, and this month will see the first round of games that “don't count”, from so-called "secret" scrimmages to out-and-out exhibition games played for charitable causes. And that means it's that time to unveil The Outlet Sports Ventures preseason Top 10 for the 2024-25 season.
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This Is your Season!
Why Mid - Majors?
After the 2023 Final Four featured two teams from mid-major conferences — FAU from Conference USA, and San Diego State from the Mountain West!
Last season gives me hope for mid-major programs this year, I think a lot of programs are building toward breaking out in 2024-25! They will call me “Crazy” but there are a variety of teams from mid-major conferences that have Final Four potential in the coming season and I’m here to give you my Top Ten.
1. Grand Canyon
2023-24 Record: 30-5
It’s no secret, I'm a big fan of Grand Canyon when it comes to college hoops! This team is super underrated and helped us rake in some serious cash last season. They really hit a high last year, scoring their first-ever NCAA Tournament win! Plus, they even had Alabama—who ended up winning the West Regional—on the edge of their seats in the second round!
Grand Canyon's roster for 2024-25 is stacked with some key players and a bunch of promising transfers. Leading this squad is Tyon Grant-Foster, the reigning WAC Player of the Year. He toyed with the idea of going pro but decided to stick around, and he’s got a real shot at being a 1st Team All-American this season!
2. Boise State
2023-24 Record: 22-11
Its fair to say that the Mountain West deserves some recognition this season. The conference was absolutely rocking last season, filled with tons of teams fighting for the title. Boise State was right in the mix, and they’re coming back strong for 2024-25 with a veteran squad that’s ready to compete in this loaded conference.
Tyson Degenhart is a total standout, being a two-time All-MW 1st Team pick, and big O'Mar Stanley is set to be one of the top inside players in the conference. It's going to be an exciting season and this team should not be taken lightly in the Mountain West!
3. Gonzaga
2023-24 Record: 27-8
We all know that last season was a bit of a tough for Gonzaga, but nonetheless, they still made it to the Sweet 16, keeping that streak alive since 2015. This is a great basketball program that always has a recruiting team that puts in work but they have a solid group coming back, with vets like Graham Ike, Nolan Hickman, and Ryan Nembhard leading the way.
Plus, they added a high-scoring beast in Michael Ajayi from Pepperdine. With this lineup, Gonzaga’s definitely got what it takes to not only be some serious contenders but they certainly will chase that first national championship this season!
4. Dayton
2023-24 Record: 25-8
The departure of All-American forward Da'Ron Holmes creates a significant gap, but Dayton is still poised to be the most talented team in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Forward Nate Santos is ready to step into the role left by Holmes, building on a solid 2023-24 season where he averaged 11.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Additionally, guards Javon Bennett and Enoch Cheeks return as starters from a UD squad that made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and I think this squad could make some noise again this season!
5. Saint Mary's
2023-24 Record: 26-8
Saint Mary's pulled off an outright West Coast Conference championship, wrapping up an impressive turnaround after a rough start to the season. They fought back strong and made it back to the NCAA Tournament.
The Gaels are bringing back Augustas Marciulionis and Mitchell Saxen, who were stars last season. Plus, they’ve added transfers Paulius Marauskas from Arizona and Ashton Hardaway from Memphis, giving them some serious potential both in the frontcourt and backcourt possibly making these boys a problem!
6. Nevada
2023-24 Record: 26-8
Nevada surprised a lot of people last season by making it to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row under coach Steve Alford. While they’ll need to fill the shoes of their top scorers, Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear, they still have starters KJ Hymes, Nick Davidson, and Tre Coleman back, who together averaged over 26 points per game.
Davidson also led the team in rebounding with 7.3 boards per game. One of the most exciting offseason moves was bringing in transfer Kobe Sanders. He was a high-scoring player at Cal Poly, and joining a loaded roster might really help him reach his full potential.
7. Loyola Chicago
2023-24 Record: 23-10
Loyola Chicago really found their groove in the second half of the 2023-24 season, racking up an impressive 15-3 record after the New Year before a tough loss to St. Bonaventure knocked them out of the A-10 Tournament and ended their March Madness dreams.
That disappointing finish has fired up the Ramblers for the upcoming 2024-25 season. They’ll be leaning on some familiar faces, like Des Watson, who averaged 12.6 points per game, and rising star Miles Rubin, who led the team in rebounds and shot over 66% from the field. Plus, they've added All-CAA guard Justin Moore from Drexel, which should give their offense a nice boost on the perimeter!
8. Memphis
2023-24 Record: 22-11
A reset after the disappointing conclusion to 2023-24 should benefit Memphis. The Tigers had a talented roster, but endured inexplicable losing streaks throughout the campaign.
A variety of transfers will play key roles for Memphis, some of whom bring American Athletic Conference experience. PJ Haggerty was an All-AAC honoree at Tulsa, while Tyreek Smith provided interior energy at SMU. Colby Rogers, a Wichita State transfer, earned All-MAAC honors at Siena.
Penny Hardaway also added size from the transfer portal with former Illinois big man Dain Dainja and the return of 7-footer Moussa Cisse, an outstanding rim-protector who spent the 2020-21 campaign with the Tigers.
9. Princeton
2023-24 Record: 24-5
This is not going to be the most popular pic to be on a top 10 of the mid majors, but that’s exactly why Princeton is on my list! This is a program that is constantly underestimated, and what reallly sold me to put them on my top ten was the return of Xaivian Lee! He is a crazy talented guard and honestly it was a huge win for Princeton this offseason. Combined with the return of Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, the Tigers are frontrunners not just in the Ivy League but a team capable of replicating the program's 2023 Sweet 16 run.
Let’s not forget, Lee averaged 17.1 points per game a season, while Pierce produced near-double-double numbers at 16.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. This squad has the potential to make some noise and shock some teams this season!
10. New Mexico
2023-24 Record: 26-10
So coming in at my 10 spot is going to be the Lobos! People are going to continue underestimate this program, even though they keep making strides each year and becoming a better program! I almost put VCU at my 10 spot but then I remembered the run through the Mountain West Tournament that they had and I’m sure they got a good taste of their first Big Dance in a decade and want to go back. I know that The Lobos replaced the star of that run, Jaelen House, but Richard Pitino's not hitting the reset button.
Donovan Dent was outstanding all season and could develop into one of the nation's top combo guards. Tru Washington, a reliable contributor off the bench, should thrive in a more prominent role, and Nelly Junior Joseph gives the Lobos a formidable presence on the inside. This teams got talent, and I think they could surprise the nation once again this season.
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