College Basketball: 2024-2025 Season (Men and Women)

[JohnBM01]

College basketball is full of madness. Chaos can happen. Schools large and small all compete to prove they are the best on the collegiate hardwood. Will your school make the tournament this season for a National Championship? Can your beloved school(s) prove to be ready to play basketball on the next level (should they go pro or even semi-pro)? The changing landscape of college basketball is only going to enhance the unpredictable nature of the sport.

To get you psyched for this upcoming season, let's look back on last season. Here are all or most of the champions of various collegiate basketball seasons from this past season:


--- 2023-2024 Season Champions - Retrospect ---
NCAA D1 Men: Connecticut
NCAA D1 Women: South Carolina (undefeated!)
NCAA D2 Men: Minnesota State-Mankato
NCAA D2 Women: Minnesota State-Mankato
NCAA D3 Men: Trine
NCAA D3 Women: New York
NIT Men: Seton Hall
NIT Women: Saint Louis
CBI: Seattle
CIT: Norfolk State
WBIT: Illinois <<< WBIT: Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament
NAIA Men: Freed-Hartman (TN)
NAIA Women: Dordt (IA)
NJCAA D1 Men: Barton (KS)
NJCAA D1 Women: Hutchinson (KS, undefeated!)
NJCAA D2 Men: National Park College
NJCAA D2 Women: Kirkwood
NJCAA D3 Men: Dallas-North Lake
NJCAA D3 Women: Minnesota West
UAAP Men: La Salle
UAAP Women: U. of Santo Tomas (UST)
NCAA Philippines: San Beda

While we mainly focus on NCAA Division 1 basketball, I welcome all of you college basketball fans to talk about ANY level of basketball that interests you. I'll have no problem allowing (for example) talk about an NCAA Division 2 school or some very good NAIA basketball. I even snuck in NCAA Philippines and UAAP college basketball out in the Philippines. That's why I title these threads as "College Basketball" and not just "NCAA Basketball" or anything. So if you're any kind of college hoops fan, this is your thread on GTPlanet. I'll be here to discuss news updates and more from time to time.

Ready to discuss college basketball for 2024-2025? Let's get it! GO!

 

[JohnBM01]

When I make threads like this, it is usually with the intent to discuss more than what is normally discussed. Having said that, let me share a little story.

In NCAA Philippines men's basketball, the Generals of EAC (Emilio Aguinaldo College) battled the defending champion San Beda Red Lions recently. EAC has been a part of NCAA Philippines 2009. In their time, they have NEVER defeated San Beda. They were 0-27 all-time heading into this recent match. On their 28th try in Season 100 of NCAA Philippines, they not only won but won convincingly by a score of 68-55. Two Generals were in double figures contributing to the win.

If you're awaiting college hoops to tip off here in the United States, wait about next month to about early November.

 

[JohnBM01]

Okay, GTPlaneteers... let's talk Preseason ranks. Here are the Top 25 Preseason ranks in NCAA Division 1 basketball for men and women:

--- NCAA 2024-2025 Division 1 Men's Preseason Ranks ---
01: Kansas
02: Alabama
03: Connecticut <<< defending NCAA D1 Men's Champions
04: Houston
05: Iowa State
06: Gonzaga
07: Duke
08: Baylor
09: North Carolina
10: Arizona
11: Auburn
12: Tennessee
13: Texas A&M
14: Purdue
15: Creighton
16: Arkansas
17: Indiana
18: Marquette
19: Texas
20: Cincinnati
21: Florida
22: UCLA
23: Kentucky
24: Ole Miss
25: Rutgers

--- NCAA 2024-2025 Division 1 Women's Preseason Ranks ---
01: South Carolina <<< defending NCAA D1 Women's Champions, and undefeated!
02: Iowa
03: Connecticut
04: North Carolina State
05: USCal
06: LSU
07: Texas
08: Oregon State
09: Stanford
10: UCLA
11: Notre Dame
12: Indiana
13: Baylor
14: Gonzaga
15: Colorado
16: Ohio State
17: Duke
18: Virginia Tech
19: Kansas State
20: Syracuse
21: Oklahoma
22: Utah
23: Creighton
24: West Virginia
25: Iowa State

And there you go. If you wish to discuss these Preseason rankings, feel free to do so.

 

[Joey D]

Wait, what?

Bennett, who led Virginia to 2019 title, to retire

Tony Bennett, 55, posted a 364-136 record at Virginia, guiding the program to a national title in 2019 and two ACC tournament titles.

www.espn.com

 

[JohnBM01]

It's been a surprising story, Joey D. I am not sure if it's a loss of passion, health concerns, unhappiness with current school, or simply retiring for the heck of it. This is a huge departure for the University of Virginia's men's basketball team.

 

[JohnBM01]

Former Virginia men's basketball coach, Tony Bennett, says he is an unfit coach for today's college sports environment. It is an interesting take for him to say that. This seems like changing of the guard and adapting to a new realm. You know, the classic stuff and classic train of thought won't cut it in a new realm of college sports (let alone college basketball). That is what this all sounds like to me in regards to Tony Bennett stepping down. What would be troubling would be if more classic, old school coaches start following Tony Bennett's lead trying to adapt to this new landscape of college sports.

It's something to watch and ponder about; but not really with any intense concern, at least not yet. Just follow the narrative, so to speak.

 

[Omnis]

Was watching highlights and saw Cooper Flagg in blue and white and was like hey alright @Jordan and then I realized it was Duke. Whoops!

 

[Jordan]

Wait, what?

Bennett, who led Virginia to 2019 title, to retire

Tony Bennett, 55, posted a 364-136 record at Virginia, guiding the program to a national title in 2019 and two ACC tournament titles.

www.espn.com

Former Virginia men's basketball coach, Tony Bennett, says he is an unfit coach for today's college sports environment. It is an interesting take for him to say that. This seems like changing of the guard and adapting to a new realm. You know, the classic stuff and classic train of thought won't cut it in a new realm of college sports (let alone college basketball). That is what this all sounds like to me in regards to Tony Bennett stepping down. What would be troubling would be if more classic, old school coaches start following Tony Bennett's lead trying to adapt to this new landscape of college sports.

It's something to watch and ponder about; but not really with any intense concern, at least not yet. Just follow the narrative, so to speak.

I think the NIL fallout is changing what it's like to coach college sports.

Although they never come out and say it explicitly, I've seen it cited as motivations that other coaching legends like Coach K and Nick Saban decided it was time to move on. That's not what they signed up for.

I really hope it's a problem the powers-that-be can solve because — although I fully support players being able to earn money from their own names and likenesses — it feels like it has completely changed the dynamics of the sport for the worse.

 

[JohnBM01]

Well in the past, Jordan, I feared that something like this would make student-athletes go to school more for money rather than get a quality education. We know that some of the best in sports adapt to changing landscapes and still prove to be winners. That is no different for coaches. What I ponder is, will the whole NIL thing throw around college sports in a wild way to where college basketball (in this case) isn't as entertaining anymore?

I should probably discuss this topic in my College Sports in General thread, but this is surely a hot topic for all college sports, let alone basketball.

 

[JohnBM01]

It is late news, but I want to offer my condolences to Amir Abdur-Rahim. He was the coach for the University of South Florida's men's basketball team. He died from complications during undergoing a medical procedure. He was 43 years old. Ben Fletcher was named the interim head coach for the USF Bulls.

The Men's South Florida Bulls won the AAC regular season conference Championship posting a 25-8 record overall and a 16-2 record in the AAC. They didn't make the NCAA Tournament, but they did make the NIT. South Florida fell in the 2nd Round of the NIT to the Virginia Commonwealth Rams.

It's going to be tough for South Florida this season, having to play with heavy hearts. It's sad when you have a player on your team who dies. It must feel worse when your coach or some other personnel dies. The character of a team can completely change when a coach leaves or dies. Again- spare some thoughts for men's basketball at the University of South Florida.


On a lighter note... this Monday, FOX Sports 1 will have themselves a night of Big East basketball being aired. This is a good sign as it will soon be time to hit the collegiate hardwood and ball 'till you fall.

 

[JohnBM01]

As a friendly reminder, college basketball tips off for real this month. It is time for that campaign of regular season hustle to hopefully make the Tournament in March. College basketball will soon tip off for the men and women across various leagues and sanctions here in America. Get ready for it all starting with games to be played in NCAA Division 1 starting this Monday!

 

[JohnBM01]

College basketball fans of GTPlanet, get psyched! We have a lot of college basketball tonight across America. FOX Sports 1 will show a lot of Big East basketball tonight. Locally, my Houston Cougars will host the Jackson State Tigers. The top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks will host the Howard Bison.


No matter who you favorite team(s) is/are, enjoy the new season of college basketball!


[OMISSION] Jordan's Kentucky Wildcats will host the Wright State Raiders tonight.

 

[Joey D]

The Golden Grizzlies looked half way decent tonight. Sure, they weren't playing anyone that was going to give them trouble, but they looked put together at least. I can't wait until the 16th when they're scheduled to take on Kansas. They have some good matchups this year too. They have Boise State on Wednesday and Illinois the following Wednesday. They will also take on Michigan State. I'm really hoping I'll have a chance to drive down there on a weekend they're playing since my son really wants to see a game.

I guess I'll have to watch Arizona this year, too, since that's where Trey Towsend ended up.

 

[JohnBM01]

Oakland Golden Grizzlies basketball back in session, huh, Joey D? Well, anything can happen. Even Transfer Portal can add a quirky touch to college hoops. Maybe Oakland wins the Horizon League back-to-back seasons. Maybe Oakland can make a nice March Madness run. The season just started, but it's glad to go hooping again.

Meanwhile here in Houston, Houston Cougars no problem with the Jackson State Tigers- a 97-40 win.

 

[Dolph Drago]

I only saw part of the second half of Purdue's opener against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. It's weird not seeing Edey on the court. Anyway, it ended up a 17 point win, though the lead was cut to 7 several times. Turnovers plagued the team last season, and if they don't clean it up, this year is looking to be much of the same.

 

[JohnBM01]

Yesterday, the 4th-ranked University of Houston suffered their first loss of this men's college basketball season. The Houston Cougars couldn't top the 11th-ranked Auburn Tigers, losing 74-69. Still a lot of season to go.

 

[JohnBM01]

Among tonight's college basketball games, we have a match in Atlanta involving two powerhouse programs. It's Duke vs. Kentucky. This may not be the infamous 1992 matchup between these two, but it's still Duke Blue Devils against Kentucky Wildcats. Certainly I know who our Jordan is pulling for in this one.

Plenty of other games on tap for tonight also, so go enjoy some college hoops tonight, mates!

 

[JohnBM01]

Winning 77-69, Bill Self becomes the all-time winningest men's basketball coach at Kansas University. He knocked down his 591st win as coach of the program, as the Jayhawks downed the Michigan State Spartans. My congratulations to Bill Self. Bill Self even said Phog Allen is still the best-ever coach at KU. Classy gesture by him. Still- congratulations, Bill Self!

 

[JohnBM01]

Hey, Dolph Drago... Boiler Up! The 13th ranked Purdue Boilermakers pulled off a pretty sweet win earlier tonight. Purdue downed the 2nd-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide with an 87-78 win. I wanted to see how Purdue would do now that Zach Edey moved on to the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. Well, the Boilermakers are 4-0 overall and 4-0 at home. So far, so good, I guess for Purdue...


[OMISSION] Happy times for Dolph Drago, heartbreak for Omnis. The College of Charleston Cougars stunned the Florida Atlantic Owls on a 119-116 win in Double Overtime in Charleston.

 

[Dolph Drago]

Dang! I missed the game. Sounds like it would have been a good one to catch. As fun as it was watching Edey dominate with high scoring games time after time, they've done a good job of spreading the ball around so far this season with multiple guys putting up points.

 

[JohnBM01]

I just learned today the university formerly known as IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis) is now IU-Indianapolis (or IU-Indy). Indiana University and Purdue University split up with their Indianapolis campus. Now it is just Indiana University-Indianapolis. It's probably easier to say out than what IUPUI stands for. The team is still the IU-Indy Jaguars.

 

[Dolph Drago]

I just learned today the university formerly known as IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis) is now IU-Indianapolis (or IU-Indy). Indiana University and Purdue University split up with their Indianapolis campus. Now it is just Indiana University-Indianapolis. It's probably easier to say out than what IUPUI stands for. The team is still the IU-Indy Jaguars.

Heh. You'd think I'd have known about that, but no.

On a related note to Purdue - the latest rankings have them at #6. How in the world they are ranked that high after losing Edey and company I have no idea. I'll take it, though.