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We’re a few weeks away from the 2024-25 college basketball season starting, and there are many headlines to be excited about. We’ve seen a lot of movement in the offseason with teams and players. Some exciting rookies want to make a name for themselves at some of the more storied programs. We’re witnessing major conference realignment and much more. Here’s what I’m intrigued by heading into a new college basketball season.
5. 2025 NBA & WNBA Classes
The future couldn’t be any brighter than it is with these upcoming draft classes in both the NBA and WNBA. Guys like Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and many more have the potential to be franchise-changing players. It’ll be fun watching them in their freshmen seasons solidifying or building up their draft stocks.
The same can be said about the upcoming WNBA draft class consisting of Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Kiki Iriafen, Te-hina Paopao, Aneesah Morrow, and many more. And who knows what hidden gems we’ll come across this season? I feel as if this is a time when everyone is out to prove themselves the most. There isn’t a clear favorite yet, so everyone is out for that number one spot.
4. Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo backcourt
Man, oh, man! This is arguably the most electric backcourt in the nation. Hannah Hidalgo is coming off a stellar Freshman season where she cemented herself as a two-way threat. Olivia Miles is finally returning from an injury that kept her out of the 2023-24 season.
Two dynamic guards finally seeing the court together for a full season should make any hoop fan excited. Coming off an ACC Championship, I expect this team to be one of the best in the nation once again, especially led by this star duo. It should be a good year in South Bend for the Lady Fighting Irish.
3. Effects of Conference Realignment
Conference realignment is fun for some and ridiculous for others. This offseason, we’ve seen the Pac-12 turn into the Pac-2 as many of their schools joined the ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12. We’ve started to see the effects of it in college football, but I’m interested to see how it’ll affect basketball.
That being said, I’m looking forward to seeing what records get broken, rivalries get formed, and how the strength of schedules gets affected. The Pac-12 was arguably the deepest conference last year in WBB. With USC and UCLA in the Big Ten, Colorado and Arizona in the Big 12, and Stanford in the ACC, conference play should bring us some of the best hoops of the season before the tournament starts.
2. Juju and the new look USC Trojans Squad
The University of Southern California is back and has reloaded with one of the best squads they’ve had in some time. With star guard Juju Watkins returning, and standout transfers Kiki Iriafen and Talia Von Oelhoffen joining them, and their spectacular freshmen class, the Trojans are looking better than ever. Last year, this team ended up as the No.2 ranked team in the nation and made it to the Elite Eight. It’ll be interesting to see how they build off that momentum this season, especially with them moving into the Big Ten conference.
1. Duke 2024-25 Roster
This roster is loaded with talent and looks like one of the more complete teams Duke has had under the Scheyer Era. Led by phenom Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils are looking to make a statement. Players such as Isaiah Evans, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach have received high praise since coming to Cameron. With Caleb Foster coming back from injury and Tyreese Proctor returning as well, this team is serious. I’ve been impressed by what I have seen so far from this young squad, so I definitely will be paying attention to see how their season plays out. Being regarded as one of the best teams in the nation, we’ll see if that can translate to actual success on the court this season. That being said, this squad will be tested every night as many look to knock off one of the nation’s best teams.
Bonus: Paige Bueckers Returning
Paige Bueckers has been one of the best players in the country since stepping foot on UConn’s campus. Last season, she led the Huskies to another Final Four appearance before falling short to Iowa. I believe with many team members returning, they’ll be back as one of the nation’s best. Heading into the season they’re currently ranked No.2 in the AP Poll. It also seems that many have forgotten or overlooked Paige for several reasons. As the projected No.1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, look for Paige to put an exclamation point on her collegiate career. Bueckers and the Huskies will be a team to watch as they look to add another National Championship to the collection.
As always, the college basketball season brings us some of the best basketball in the sport. The buildup to March Madness can sometimes be better than the madness itself. It’ll be interesting to see how this season shapes out. It should be one for the books!
An avid sports fan and journalist who’s main focus is the lovely game of basketball. If I’m not covering the game, I’m either playing ball or watching it.
