Mar 28, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Curtis Jones (5) and guard Keshon Gilbert (10) talk to the referee against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the semifinals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
With Monday’s national championship game passing by, the 2023-24 college basketball season has come to a close, which brings on the look-ahead days to what the future holds for teams.
While transfer portal moves are still happening, a number of sites have put out their ‘Way Too Early Top 25’ rankings that are typically published around this time.
Iowa State’s near the top of a lot of them, too, coming in the top five in six of the top major outlets’ rankings.
Sporting News is the highest on the Cyclones, with T.J. Otzelberger’s squad coming in at No. 2 in their rankings. Alabama is the No. 1 there, and Baylor is just behind the Cyclones at No. 5. Houston and Arizona come in at No. 12 and No. 18, respectively, and the outlet is bullish on Kansas, with the Jayhawks at No. 19.
CBS has Iowa State as the No. 3 team in the country, with Houston taking the top spot and North Carolina at No. 2. Kansas is No. 4, with Arizona and BYU at No. 12 and No. 13, respectively. Baylor rounded out the Big 12 programs in the ranking at No. 19.
USA Today has the Cyclones at No. 3 behind Duke and Alabama – putting Iowa State as its top Big 12 team going into the 2024-25 season, as things stand. Kansas is just behind them at No. 4. Other Big 12 teams ranked include No. 10 BYU, No. 11 Baylor, No. 12 Houston, No. 20 Arizona. For what its worth, the outlet ranked No. 22 Indiana State despite the departure of coach Josh Schertz and star Robbie Avila.
The Athletic puts Iowa State at No. 4, behind Duke, Gonzaga and Houston. Kansas is No. 7, Arizona’s at No. 11, BYU’s at No. 13, and Baylor lands at No. 15 in the poll.
ESPN has the Cyclones at No. 5 in the country, behind Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and UConn. Iowa State is one of seven Big 12 teams slated in the set of rankings, and the conference holds five spots in the outlet’s top 10. Houston came in at No. 7, Arizona at No. 8, Baylor at No. 10, BYU at No. 14, and Cincinnati at No. 25.
Field of 68 slates Iowa State at No. 5 as well, behind Kansas, Alabama, Duke and North Carolina. Six Big 12 teams come in the outlets’ rankings: No. 7 Baylor, No. 8 Houston, No. 12 Arizona and No. 24 Cincinnati.
