A look at the top picks for the National Title in 2025.  Does Hurley Dynasty Go BACK TO BACK TO BACK???

UCONN Bama Gonzaga and Kansas ...

UConn Huskies     Back-to-back-to-back? Don't count out the Huskies, especially not after Dan Hurley rejected the Los Angeles Lakers to stay in Storrs days after Alex Karaban withdrew from the NBA draft to return to college. Karaban is the lone starter back for the reigning national champions, but he should combine with top-10 recruit Liam McNeeley and Saint Mary's transfer Aidan Mahaney to form one of the most dangerous shooting trios in the country. Hassan Diarra's performance at point guard -- and whether Solo Ball or Jaylin Stewart can emerge on the wing -- will be the key for UConn next season.
Projected starting lineup
Hassan Diarra (6.1 PPG)
Aidan Mahaney (13.9 PPG at Saint Mary's)
Liam McNeeley (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
Alex Karaban (13.3 PPG)
Samson Johnson (5.4 PPG)

  Kansas JayhawksAfter entering 2023-24 ranked No. 1, Bill Self had his worst season in Lawrence. He evidently took that to heart, responding by building arguably the most loaded roster in the country. He went into the portal and landed AJ Storr (Wisconsin), Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State) and Rylan Griffen (Alabama). All-American big man Hunter Dickinson opted to return for another season. That's in addition to returning starters Dajuan Harris Jr. and K.J. Adams Jr., who are both looking for their second national title.
Projected starting lineup:Dajuan Harris Jr. (8.5 PPG last season)
Zeke Mayo (18.8 PPG at South Dakota State)
AJ Storr (16.8 PPG at Wisconsin)
K.J. Adams Jr. (12.6 PPG)
Hunter Dickinson (17.9 PPG) Alabama Crimson TideThe return of All-American guard Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson's withdrawal from the NBA draft on deadline day put the Crimson Tide right there with Kansas in the No. 1 debate. Oats overhauled the rest of the roster, landing three potential starters from the portal: Aden Holloway (Auburn), Chris Youngblood (South Florida) and Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers) -- although Youngblood is out until December with an ankle injury. But potential all-league forward Grant Nelson and part-time starter Latrell Wrightsell Jr. are also back from a team that reached the Final Four.Projected starting lineupMark Sears (21.5 PPG)
Aden Holloway (7.3 PPG at Auburn)
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 PPG)
Grant Nelson (11.9 PPG)
Cliff Omoruyi (10.4 PPG at Rutgers)

 Gonzaga Bulldogs   Gonzaga played like a top-10 or top-15 team for the final two months of the 2023-24 season and has brought back everyone except Anton Watson.

 Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike form one of the best inside-outside duos in the country, and the Zags have also welcomed transfers Michael Ajayi (Pepperdine) and Khalif Battle (Arkansas) to add some perimeter pop on the wings. Former Eastern Washington transfer Steele Venters suffered a second straight season-ending injury, which is unfortunate, but Mark Few has the pieces to make up for his absence

.Projected starting lineup
Ryan Nembhard (12.6 PPG)
Nolan Hickman (14.0 PPG)
Michael Ajayi (17.2 PPG at Pepperdine)
Ben Gregg (9.0 PPG)
Graham Ike (16.5 PPG)

And #25 its the Rutgers staff by way of Foggy Bottom, DC :Rutgers will be one of the most fascinating teams in the country this season. The Scarlet Knights have the highest preseason expectations they've had in a long time (and maybe ever), a direct result of Steve Pikiell bringing in Airious Bailey and Dylan Harper, two of the top three recruits in the 2024 class and both projected top-five picks in the 2025 NBA draft. Pikiell also surrounded his two potential stars with veteran scorers. The return of Jeremiah Williams is a boost, along with four transfers -- Tyson Acuff (Eastern Michigan), Zach Martini (Princeton), Jordan Derkack (Merrimack) and PJ Hayes IV (San Diego) -- from the portal.Projected starting lineup

Dylan Harper (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
Jeremiah Williams (12.2 PPG)
Ace Bailey (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
Zach Martini (8.4 PPG at Princeton)
Emmanuel Ogbole (2.1 PPG)

TODAY: Big signings for Duke as the Boozer boys pick Dad's Alma Matter

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/41734701/5-star-brothers-cameron-cayden-boozer-commit-duke-hoops

Last edited by The Dude (10/11/2024 2:01 pm)

While I have never been a fan of Hurley's on-court antics, am happy to give credit where it is due.  What's far less publicized than his consecutive championships at UCONN are his willingness and bravery for openly speaking about his own mental health issues.  He discusses his own panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, and overall depression on The Mental Game podcast with Brandon Saho.  Am sure this will be very inspirational for those who may be similarly suffering.  Definitely worth a listen.