After two straight seasons of the Connecticut Huskies decimating the NCAA Tournament, college basketball looks a lot more wide open to start the 2024-25 season.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley briefly flirted with the Los Angeles Lakers job this offseason but opted to return to Storrs. Even with the Huskies turning over almost an entirely new starting lineup, UConn once again finds itself atop the oddsboard in the quest for a three-peat.

Some familiar blueblood programs are positioned near the top with the Huskies. The Kansas Jayhawks and Duke Blue Devils round out the top tier of national title contenders this preseason. Both programs added major talent infusions — with Duke freshman Cooper Flagg looking like the preseason Player of the Year favorite.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the main contenders in college basketball this season.

2024-25 men’s college basketball championship winner odds

The top of the preseason oddsboard offers Connecticut (+850) and Kansas (+850) as the current co-favorites.

New faces populate the UConn starting lineup around returning forward Alex Karaban. The Huskies remain loaded on the perimeter. Saint Mary’s transfer Aidan Mahaney and Big East Sixth Man of the Year Hassan Diarra offer plenty of big-game experience. Five-star freshman Liam McNeeley could be the program’s next one-and-done prospect.

Replacing lottery pick Donovan Clingan inside is UConn’s major question. Reserve big man Samson Johnson and Michigan transfer Tarris Reed Jr. hope they are up to the task. The Huskies are talented at multiple spots, potentially deep once again. But this lineup isn’t nearly as battle-tested as last season’s dominant squad. Then again, UConn was picked to finish third in the Big East preseason poll last year and still steamrolled the entire sport.

It’s easy to like what the Jayhawks have to offer. Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self surrounded the returning trio of point guard Dajuan Harris Jr., big man Hunter Dickinson and athletic forward KJ Adams Jr. with talented transfers. Wisconsin wing AJ Storr gives the Jayhawks a gifted scorer. Alabama shooter Rylan Griffen and South Dakota State transfer Zeke Mayo add much-needed floor spacing.

Following a disappointing second-round exit, the Jayhawks needed more shooting and depth. The portal was fruitful for Kansas and should give the Jayhawks a boost come March.

Excitement abounds for Duke (+900) thanks to the No. 1 recruiting class and potential No. 1 draft pick Flagg. Perhaps the most impactful freshman in college basketball since Zion Williamson, the athletic forward’s game-changing ability on both ends of the floor drives the Blue Devils’ chances.

If Flagg lives up to his star billing, Duke’s rotation offers plenty of support. Junior guard Tyrese Proctor is experienced at setting up others. Talented scorer Kon Knueppel and rim protector Khaman Maluach should also play heavy minutes as freshmen. Believing Duke can win a title this year is believing its outstanding newcomers will live up to the hype.

Three intriguing programs comprise the second tier of betting favorites entering the 2024-25 season. Some publications have the Alabama Crimson Tide (+1200), Houston Cougars (+1500), and Gonzaga Bulldogs (+1700) ranked in the top three of their preseason Top 25 rankings.

The depth and overall talent at Alabama might be the best in the country. Final Four bound last season, point guard Mark Sears, forward Grant Nelson and shooter Latrell Wrightsell Jr. return to the starting lineup. Head coach Nate Oats hopes last season’s suspect defense (No. 111 nationally according to KenPom) and rebounding improve with the arrival of Rutgers transfer big man Clifford Omoruyi. The Crimson Tide have the offensive firepower to compete with any team if their defense improves.

Houston returns four starters from last season’s Sweet 16 team. Replacing point guard Jamal Shead, however, will be key to the Cougars’ season. If Oklahoma transfer Milos Uzan seamlessly transitions into Houston’s lead guard, the Cougars could win their second straight Big 12 title. The trio of L.J. Cryer, J’Wan Roberts and Emanuel Sharp will share scoring responsibilities. Houston’s second unit is also full of promising upside from Joseph Tugler and Terrance Arceneaux — who both were injured by the end of last season.

A solid returning core makes Gonzaga a title contender again. The Bulldogs should blitz the undermanned WCC ahead of an NCAA tournament where they’ve reached the Sweet 16 nine straight times. Similar to Alabama, elite offense and a questionable defense (No. 51 adjusted defensive efficiency last season) is the Zags’ preseason storyline. Point guard Ryan Nembhard gets a boost from talented portal additions Michael Ajayi and Khalif Battle. Gonzaga’s frontcourt rotation of Graham Ike, Ben Gregg and Braden Huff should also match well against most teams.

A trio of strong programs stays in the national title picture among the third tier of contenders. The North Carolina Tar Heels (+2000) return All-American candidate RJ Davis as he leads one of the best backcourts in the country. Armed with multi-guard lineups that should play fast, the key to unlocking North Carolina’s potential is replacing the interior scoring and rebounding of Armando Bacot.

The Baylor Bears (+2000) and Iowa State Cyclones (+2000) give the Big 12 four teams in the top nine of the preseason national title oddsboard. Baylor reloaded in the transfer portal with Duke point guard Jeremy Roach and Miami forward Norchad Omier. Following a strong summer with the Bahamian national team, freshman wing VJ Edgecombe looks like a potential game-changer on both ends of the floor for the Bears.

Iowa State owned the nation’s No. 1 defense last season but struggled for consistent offense. The veteran backcourt of Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert returns plenty of production. The Cyclones need the new-look frontcourt of Charlotte transfer Dishon Jackson and Saint Mary’s transfer Joshua Jefferson to step up after Iowa State lost three key frontcourt pieces during the offseason.

(Photo of Dan Hurley and Alex Karaban: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)