The marquee MTEs and tournaments of November have lengthy handed, the convention challenges and neutral-site nonconference showdowns of the previous few weeks are within the rearview mirror — and it is virtually time to show the web page to the rhythm of full-blown convention play.
But not fairly but. The final week of December is all the time a hodgepodge in terms of scheduling; some leagues are beginning convention play, whereas different groups nonetheless have a bye sport (or within the case of a handful of groups beneath, one final huge nonconference tilt) remaining to complete out the 2024 slate.
The huge motion this previous week got here from Kentucky’s loss to Ohio State, which dropped the Wildcats out of the highest 5. They face a brutal five-game stretch to open SEC play — vs. Florida, at Georgia, at Mississippi State, vs. Texas A&M and vs. Alabama — that can vault them again among the many nationwide title contenders or ship them additional down the rankings.
With the calendar turning to 2025 in a number of days, it is time to look ahead. And since we’re in a giving temper, let us take a look at one factor every top-25 group wants within the second half of the 2024-25 season.
Previous rating: 1
Johni Broome to remain wholesome. There hasn’t been a extra dominant group in faculty basketball this season — Auburn is placing up historic effectivity numbers via the primary two months. But when Broome went down with a shoulder harm a few minutes into the Tigers’ sport towards Georgia State final week, their title hopes flashed earlier than their eyes. Luckily, Broome returned a number of days later towards Purdue — and completed with 23 factors and 11 boards.
Next seven days: vs. Monmouth (Dec. 30)
Previous rating: 2
Igor Milicic Jr. to seek out his taking pictures stroke. Much of the enchantment for the 6-foot-10 Croatian huge man when he entered the portal centered round his capacity to make pictures from the perimeter regardless of his measurement. And whereas he has been much more productive than anticipated across the rim, Milicic returning to kind from 3 can be a lift for the Vols. He’s taking pictures simply 25% from behind the arc — together with an 0-for-8 effort towards Illinois — after making higher than 38% final season.
Next seven days: vs. Norfolk State (Dec. 31)
Previous rating: 3
Their offensive resurgence to proceed. Iowa State is a authentic nationwide championship contender due to its enhancements on the offensive finish this season. The Cyclones’ usually stifling protection below T.J. Otzelberger continues to be there (albeit barely much less dominant), however this season they’ve additionally been among the finest offensive groups within the nation. If that pattern continues in Big 12 play — and there was no signal of slowing down — the Cyclones will likely be close to the highest of the rankings all season.
Next seven days: at Colorado (Dec. 30)
Previous rating: 5
No freshman wall. Given the power — or lack thereof — of the ACC this season, Duke could be very prone to be favored in each sport the remainder of the best way. There will likely be nights the Blue Devils can undergo the motions and nonetheless come out with a win, merely due to their measurement defensively and shotmakers on the offensive finish — so long as Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach proceed to carry out at a excessive stage. Jon Scheyer has no selection however to rely closely on his freshmen.
Next seven days: vs. Virginia Tech (Dec. 31)
Previous rating: 6
Three-pointers to begin falling. In every of Nate Oats’ six seasons on the helm in Tuscaloosa, his groups have ranked close to the highest of the rankings in 3-point try fee. This 12 months is not any completely different. The Crimson Tide are twenty fifth nationally in try fee, with practically 49% of their area objectives coming from 3. But not like final season, after they shot 37.3% from 3, they’re making simply 31.3% of their perimeter pictures — within the backside 100 nationally. Will that quantity flip round?
Next seven days: vs. South Dakota State (Dec. 29)
Previous rating: 7
A marquee win. Florida is certainly one of simply 4 unbeaten groups left in faculty basketball, however the Gators have but to notch a signature win to place them into the highest tier of groups this season. Of their 12 wins this season, the most effective one is over North Carolina, and the Gators wanted a late surge to win that one. Fortunately, the most effective league within the historical past of the game gives loads of alternatives.
Next seven days: vs. Stetson (Dec. 29)
Previous rating: 8
Defensive rebounding. Oregon is among the shock groups in faculty basketball this season, with its lone loss coming at dwelling to UCLA earlier this month. As the Ducks totally enter Big Ten play, will probably be crucial to scrub up on the defensive glass. It has been a problem, even in wins. Oregon State grabbed 17 offensive boards, Texas A&M had 21, Alabama had 15, even Stephen F. Austin had 19. More bodily opponents in league play will add extra strain.
Next seven days: vs. Weber State (Dec. 29)
Previous rating: 4
Shoot extra 3s. This one is not a secret, as Mark Pope has talked about his group needing to try extra pictures from behind the arc — nearer to 30-35 per sport. Pope’s group final 12 months at BYU tried greater than 50% of its pictures from 3; this 12 months’s group is 118th nationally in 3-point try fee at 41.8%. The Wildcats tried simply 22 towards Ohio State, 21 towards Louisville and have hit the 30-shot mark solely as soon as of their previous seven video games.
Next seven days: vs. Brown (Dec. 31)
Previous rating: 9
Continue forcing turnovers. Marquette is among the many finest within the nation in steal proportion and defensive turnover proportion, rating within the prime 12 within the nation in each classes. Not stunning for a Shaka Smart group. But within the group’s two losses this season, to Iowa State and Dayton, Marquette compelled 19 mixed turnovers. The Golden Eagles must pressure turnovers in an effort to get simple baskets; since they hardly ever get to the free throw line, that is certainly one of their few methods to get simple factors towards good groups.
Next seven days: at Providence (Dec. 31)
Previous rating: 10
AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen to make an influence. Kansas had among the finest portal lessons within the nation final spring, with Storr (Wisconsin) and Griffen (Alabama) on the coronary heart of it. South Dakota State switch Zeke Mayo has began to make his presence felt, however Bill Self wants Storr and Griffen to do the identical. Storr is averaging 7.9 factors after placing up 16.8 final season, whereas Griffen is averaging 6.9 factors and taking pictures 33.3% from 3 after 11.2 and 39.2% final season.
Next seven days: vs. West Virginia (Dec. 31)
Previous rating: 11
Wade Taylor to return quickly. Taylor, one of many elite scorers in faculty basketball, missed A&M’s win final week over Houston Christian with an undisclosed harm. Buzz Williams did not sound too involved, and Taylor appeared to be in good spirits on the sideline, however an absence of any size would make issues robust for A&M’s offense. Taylor has scored in double figures in each sport this season and he has additionally been essentially the most environment friendly he has been in his faculty profession.
Next seven days: vs. Abilene Christian (Dec. 28)
Previous rating: 12
Improved 3-point protection. UConn has utterly turned its season round because the three losses in three days on the Maui Invitational, however the Huskies are nonetheless having hassle defending the three. In the three Maui losses, opponents shot 52.7% from 3. And even throughout the six-game successful streak since then, groups are nonetheless taking pictures practically 39% from 3 — within the 300s nationally over that stretch. Some of it’s variance, however the longer it lasts, the extra of a problem it turns into.
Next seven days: at DePaul (Jan. 1)
Previous rating: 13
An inside presence in SEC play. Chris Beard must make do with what he has on this roster, and the most important concern comes on the inside. They have not been an awesome rebounding group towards a middling nonconference schedule, and Trey Kaufman-Renn went for 25 factors and 13 boards within the Rebels’ one loss. Moreover, Purdue grabbed practically 41% of its missed pictures. Ole Miss is among the smallest groups in Division I, so so much will fall on Malik Dia — and much more spot minutes for 7-foot-2 John Bol.
Next seven days: at Memphis (Dec. 28)
Previous rating: 16
Graham Ike on the court docket. We’ve documented Gonzaga’s taking pictures woes on this house earlier than — they usually’re on the uptick the previous couple of video games. But Ike, who has been one of the productive bigs within the nation all through his faculty profession, has struggled mightily in two of the Zags’ three losses. He had 5 factors in 14 minutes towards West Virginia and three factors in 12 minutes towards UConn. He was terrific towards Kentucky however struggled within the last minutes. Mark Few wants him to dominate come March.
Next seven days: at UCLA (Dec. 28)
Previous rating: 17
Sam Godwin to carry his personal. Oklahoma begins just one participant taller than 6-foot-7, which helps clarify why the Sooners rank within the backside third nationally in defensive rebounding proportion, 2-point protection and block proportion. Michigan’s Vladislav Goldin went for 26 factors and 10 rebounds. Arizona’s Motiejus Krivas had 14 factors and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes. The 6-foot-10 Godwin is Oklahoma’s finest asset down low, and he has proven flashes, together with 20 factors and 14 boards towards Oklahoma State.
Next seven days: vs. Prairie View A&M (Dec. 29)
Previous rating: 22
Better 3-point protection. One of the catalysts for Chris Jans’ top-25 protection the previous two seasons has been elite perimeter protection; opponents shot simply 31.1% from 3 two years in the past and 29.8% final season, the eighth-best mark within the nation. This season, groups are taking pictures 35.6% from the perimeter towards the Bulldogs, which ranks within the backside 100 nationally. In their solely lack of the season, to Butler in late November, the Bulldogs went 12-for-22 from behind the arc.
Next seven days: vs. Bethune Cookman (Dec. 30)
Previous rating: 18
An announcement begin to Mountain West play. San Diego State, which has gained three of the previous 5 MWC regular-season championships and is 7-2 up to now two NCAA tournaments, was picked fourth within the league’s preseason ballot. A month into the season, the Aztecs are the lone consultant within the prime 25 and personal wins over Houston and Creighton. But they begin league play with Utah State, the league’s second-best group to date this season, and a highway journey to preseason favourite Boise State. If San Diego State comes out with a two-game sweep, it is the Aztecs’ league to lose.
Next seven days: vs. Utah State (Dec. 28)
Previous rating: 19
Stay the course. Houston entered the marketing campaign ranked within the prime 5 nationally, a Final Four favourite after successful 97 video games over the previous three seasons. But the Cougars misplaced three of their first seven video games and their finest win coming into 2025 is a house victory over Butler. Not to worry, although: Houston had late leads within the last minutes of every of its three losses and was nonetheless within the strategy of discovering a late-game Jamal Shead substitute the primary month of the season. The Cougars are prone to be double-digit favorites in every of their subsequent seven video games, so an increase again into the highest 5 should not be counted out.
Next seven days: at Oklahoma State (Dec. 30)
Previous rating: 23
Hope the latest 3-point uptick is actual. Through the primary eight video games of the season, Michigan State was one of many worst taking pictures groups within the nation. The Spartans ranked No. 361 within the nation in 3-point proportion, making simply 22.4% of their perimeter makes an attempt. Over their previous 4 video games, although, they’re as much as forty first within the nation in 3-point proportion, making 41% of their 3-pointers. They’ve made at the very least eight 3s in three of the 4 video games after not hitting that mark in any respect of their first eight.
Next seven days: vs. Western Michigan (Dec. 30)
Previous rating: 14
Improved transition protection. Overall, UCLA’s protection has been elite, rating within the prime 5 in adjusted defensive effectivity and No. 1 in defensive turnover proportion. But they are often weak in some areas. According to CBB Analytics, they’ve allowed 16.5 fast-break factors per sport of their two losses — which might rank No. 360 nationally. Synergy has them within the fifteenth percentile in transition protection. It’s additionally value noting that the 2 groups that beat the Bruins — New Mexico and North Carolina — have a few of the finest isolation gamers within the nation: Donovan Dent for the Lobos, RJ Davis and Ian Jackson for the Heels.
Next seven days: vs. Gonzaga (Dec. 28)
Previous rating: Unranked
Backcourt well being. For one purpose or one other, Wes Miller has had his complete backcourt rotation accessible for zero video games to date this season. Dan Skillings Jr. underwent a knee process in mid-November; Jizzle James is the one one to play each single sport. Day Day Thomas missed the primary three video games with a foot harm; Connor Hickman missed final sport with a foot problem; and CJ Fredrick Jr. has missed a number of video games with an ankle harm. Once Hickman returns, which needs to be quickly, all 5 needs to be able to go.
Next seven days: at Kansas State (Dec. 30)
Previous rating: 15
Win the free throw battle. As EvanMiya.com identified, all three of Dayton’s losses have come when its opponents tried greater than 16 free throws. Going a step additional, the three losses have been the one video games this season the place the Flyers shot fewer free throws than their opponents. North Carolina was a whopping 27-for-34 from the stripe, Iowa State was 25-for-29 and Cincinnati went 16-for-21. Some of that’s late-game fouling to get the ball again, nevertheless it’s a pattern to watch.
Next seven days: vs. La Salle (Dec. 31)
Previous rating: 21
Figure out the turnover scenario. Purdue’s struggles towards strain have been a theme for the Boilermakers since they collapsed late towards Fairleigh Dickinson’s strain within the 2023 NCAA match. The arrival of Lance Jones final season gave Purdue a secondary ball handler and eased a few of these points. But whereas Braden Smith is among the elite level guards nationally, he must shoulder virtually all the ballhandling obligations. Just take a look at the turnover splits. In wins, they flip it over simply 10.1 occasions per sport (thirty seventh nationally, per CBB Analytics). In losses? 16.8 per sport, down at No. 357 nationally.
Next seven days: vs. Toledo (Dec. 29)
Previous rating: 24
Defend. It’s not even one thing particular at that finish of the ground. They’ve struggled in practically each aspect. Teams are taking pictures practically 40% from 3-point vary towards Baylor. They’re taking pictures higher than 50% from contained in the arc. Baylor is No. 303 at KenPom in efficient area aim proportion protection. The Bears are within the backside third nationally in defensive free throw fee. In Baylor’s three losses, Gonzaga, Tennessee and UConn all scored at the very least 1.25 factors per possession. None of that’s sustainable within the Big 12.
Next seven days: vs. Arlington Baptist (Dec. 27), vs. Utah (Dec. 31)
Previous rating: 20
Avoid a repeat of final season. Sounds easy, however no person thought Memphis would go from prime 10 to utterly lacking the postseason a 12 months in the past. The Tigers have been 15-2 and gained their first 4 video games in AAC play earlier than the wheels fell off they usually went 7-8 of their last 15 video games. They’re higher this season, and wins over UConn, Michigan State and Clemson ought to have endurance, however Memphis can also be a group that bought blown out at dwelling by Arkansas State lower than three weeks in the past. The AAC is weaker than a 12 months in the past, however Memphis will nonetheless have doubters till it avoids the identical missteps as 2023-24.
Next seven days: vs. Ole Miss (Dec. 28)
Dropped out: St. John’s Red Storm (No. 25)
