Sports
Men's college basketball Top 25: Alabama, Gonzaga, Houston lead updated rankings
After the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed on Wednesday night, we finally have a clearer picture of what rosters will look like when the season starts in November.
This transfer portal season has been as crazy as ever, and a lot has changed since we last did this exercise on championship night. It’s possible that a few of these teams will make some late portal additions or sign an overseas prospect or two, but today marks the first day when putting out a super-early Top 25 actually makes sense. So here it is, starting with a No. 1 team that is very much there because of the last-second withdrawal decision by a star player.
Previous rank: 6
Projected starters: Mark Sears, Chris Youngblood (transfer), Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Grant Nelson, Clifford Omoruyi (transfer)
Top reserves: Aden Holloway (transfer), Derrion Reid (freshman), Jarin Stevenson, Houston Mallette (transfer), Aiden Sherrill (freshman), Mouhamed Dioubate, Naas Cunningham (freshman), Labaron Philon (freshman)
Nate Oats has assembled the best 3-point shooting team in the country. In addition to Sears and Wrightsell, he signed three transfer guards who all made 50-plus 3s last season, and two of the three (Youngblood and Mallette) shot 40-plus percent from 3. Oats also improved his defense with former Rutgers center Omoruyi, who anchored the fifth-ranked defense in college hoops, and he signed four top-40 freshmen. This is a ridiculously deep roster with arguably the best offensive weapon in the country (Sears) and enviable athleticism and positional size. Alabama’s defense has teeter-tottered between elite and mediocre the last four years with adjusted defensive ranks of third, 92nd, third and 111th. So the Crimson Tide are due to be good on that end again. That’s the only real question mark here, because we know this team will have no problem scoring.
2. Gonzaga
Previous: 2
Projected starters: Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Steele Venters, Ben Gregg, Graham Ike
Top reserves: Braden Huff, Michael Ajayi (transfer), Khalif Battle (transfer), Dusty Stromer
Gonzaga returns four of five starters and gets back Venters, the 2022-23 Big Sky Player of the Year who missed last season with a torn ACL. Last year, the Zags took off when Mark Few moved Gregg into the starting lineup at the three. Few has the lineup versatility to go big again if that’s what’s best. Huff would start for most high-major programs. Gonzaga’s bench might just be good enough to form a top-25 team by itself. Battle averaged 26.7 points over his last nine games at Arkansas; Stromer shot 36.6 percent from 3 as a freshman and started 14 games; Ajayi averaged 17.2 points and shot 47 percent from 3 at Pepperdine; and Braeden Smith, who is redshirting, was the Patriot League player of the year at Colgate. Like Alabama, the Zags need to improve on defense, but this is another team that should score easily. Few has smartly surrounded Ike with floor spacers to give him room to feast in the post.
Previous: 3
Projected starters: Milos Uzan (transfer), LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, J’Wan Roberts, Ja’Vier Francis
Top reserves: Joseph Tugler, Terrance Arceneaux, Ramon Walker, Mercy Miller (freshman), Chase McCarty (freshman)
When Tugler suffered a season-ending foot injury on Feb. 27, Houston was the best team in college hoops, according to metrics, and clearly the best defensive team. Houston’s adjusted defensive efficiency was 84.6; the next best was Iowa State at 89.9. The Cougars lost their most important player in Jamal Shead, but the rest of the rotation is back. Uzan has already proven to be a quality Big 12 guard at Oklahoma, and Houston’s only real issue late in the year was depth. Tugler and Arceneaux give a huge boost there. They’re the best two pro prospects on the team. Kelvin Sampson would probably tell you he has seven starters. Also worth noting: Houston has won 30-plus games three straight seasons, and that followed a Final Four run. Always bet on Sampson.
Previous: 7
Projected starters: Dajuan Harris Jr., Rylan Griffen (transfer), AJ Storr (transfer), KJ Adams, Hunter Dickinson
Top reserves: Zeke Mayo (transfer), Elmarko Jackson, Flory Bidunga (freshman), Zach Clemence, Rakease Passmore (freshman), Jamari McDowell
The Jayhawks looked like a team from another era last season. When they were playing well, their ball movement was exquisite, and they ran beautiful offense. But it was hard to sustain without enough shooting and a perimeter scorer who could create his own. It was only the third time in Bill Self’s tenure that KU ranked outside the top 40 in adjusted offense. That’s where the transfers come in. Self addressed the playmaking and shooting problem with Griffen, Storr and Mayo. Self also has more lineup versatility with big wings like Griffen and Storr who can man the four in smaller lineups, and then a more athletic backup five in Bidunga to take over when Dickinson is struggling guarding ball screens. This is still somewhat of a throwback startling lineup with a non-shooter like Adams at the four, but the roster construction makes more sense on paper.
Tamin Lipsey leads an Iowa State team with high expectations. (Jay Biggerstaff / Getty Images)
5. Iowa State
Previous: 4
Projected starters: Tamin Lipsey, Keshon Gilbert, Milan Momcilovic, Joshua Jefferson (transfer), Dishon Jackson (transfer)
Top reserves: Curtis Jones, Nate Heise (transfer), Demarion Watson, Brandton Chatfield, Nojus Indrusaitis (freshman), Dwayne Pierce (freshman)
The best defense in college basketball last season should be back near the top, as three starters return and T.J. Otzelberger replaces the other two with strong defenders in Jefferson and Jackson. Saint Mary’s had the No. 7 defense last season with Jefferson in the lineup, per Bart Torvik. And Otzelberger has proven he can build elite defenses, finishing top 10 in adjusted defense in his first three years in Ames. The Cyclones are going to guard. Otzelberger also has been nails at finding underrated transfers who thrive in his system. Last year it was Gilbert and Jones. We can probably expect that Jackson, Heise and Chatfield will surpass expectations. This will be the first time Otzelberger’s Cyclones will have to deal with lofty preseason expectations, but it seems like he has the type of culture that will not let that poison their egos.
6. Duke
Previous: 1
Projected starters: Caleb Foster, Tyrese Proctor, Mason Gillis (transfer), Cooper Flagg (freshman), Khaman Maluach (freshman)
Top reserves: Maliq Brown (transfer), Kon Knueppel (freshman), Isaiah Evans (freshman), Darren Harris (freshman), Patrick Ngongba II (freshman), Sion James (transfer)
Jon Scheyer seemed to be trying to bring in complementary players out of the portal, building around the talents of Flagg with low-usage, high-efficiency guys like Gillis, Brown and James. It wouldn’t be shocking if this is the best team in college basketball based on the talent level. With so much youth, I want to see it first. But Scheyer will likely bring two five-stars off the bench in Evans and Knueppel while starting two projected lottery picks in the frontcourt. This team could be elite defensively, as Proctor found his calling on that end last year and both Flagg and Maluach project as high-level shot blockers. Duke has great positional size, with everyone in the rotation at 6-foot-5 or taller. Flagg is the key to the offense. He needs to be able to score and allow Duke to play through him to set up others, similar to how Scheyer used Kyle Filipowski. Leaning on freshmen only works when those are top-end lottery picks. Scheyer is banking on Flagg living up to the hype.
7. Connecticut
Previous: 5
Projected starters: Hassan Diarra, Aidan Mahaney (transfer), Solomon Ball, Alex Karaban, Samson Johnson
Top reserves: Tarris Reed Jr. (transfer), Liam McNeeley (freshman), Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross, Ahmad Nowell (freshman), Isaiah Abraham (freshman)
We’re at the point now where you just assume Dan Hurley’s plan will work. He has nailed roster construction the last few years and built offensive and defensive schemes ideal for his talent. Adding shooting this spring with Mahaney and McNeeley was huge, and Karaban decided to return for a run at a three-peat. Hurley’s offense hums when the Huskies can hunt early 3s and they have optimal floor spacing. That’s not the specialty of sophomores Ball, Stewart and Ross. For UConn to hit its ceiling, Mahaney needs to play to his potential. Diarra is more of a complementary guard, and Mahaney basically replicated his freshman season this past year when it was expected he’d make a star’s leap. He replaces the off-the-dribble playmaking from Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer, and that’s why his success is so important. Hurley has again set it up so his centers can split time and give opponents two different looks. This roster doesn’t appear as talented as the last two, but underrating UConn early has also become a yearly tradition.
Previous: 8
Projected starters: Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, Chaz Lanier (transfer), Igor Milicic Jr. (transfer), Felix Okpara (transfer)
Top reserves: Jordan Gainey, Darlinstone Dubar (transfer), JP Estrella, Cameron Carr, Cade Phillips, Bishop Boswell (freshman)
Tennessee has been a top-five seed for six straight NCAA Tournaments and plugged any potential holes in the portal. We know this team is going to be elite defensively, because Rick Barnes constructs rosters with defense in mind. The question mark is on the offensive end and replacing Dalton Knecht. That’s likely by committee, but the hope is that North Florida transfer Lanier can step into the go-to guy role. Lanier is coming off a season in which he averaged 19.7 points and shot 44 percent from 3. Zeigler was one of the best two-way point guards in the country the second half of the season and is one of the best setup men in the country, so the ball will likely be in his hands a lot. And this roster has even more shooting than it did a year ago with guys like Lanier, Darlingstone and Gainey all considered knockdown shooters. The wildcard on this roster is Carr. His body wasn’t quite ready as a freshman, but he’s got the tools to be a star. The Vols are so deep on the perimeter that he doesn’t need to be that yet, but a breakout sophomore season could be in the works.
Previous: 11
Projected starters: Jaden Bradley, Caleb Love, KJ Lewis, Trey Townsend (transfer), Motiejus Krivas
Top reserves: Tobe Awaka (transfer), Anthony Dell’Orso (transfer), Carter Bryant (freshman), Emmanuel Stephen (freshman)
Arizona had the 10th-best defense in college basketball last season and could be even better this year. The Wildcats upgrade on the defensive end with Krivas and Bradley in for the departed Oumar Ballo and Kylan Boswell. Arizona was 20 points per 100 possessions better with Bradley on the floor without Boswell compared to when Boswell played without Bradley, per CBB Analytics. The return of Love is the big story here. He was much more efficient in an Arizona uniform than he was at UNC, and Tommy Lloyd has enough around him that he doesn’t have to go into hero mode. The addition of Trey Townsend gives Arizona more offensive punch from the four spot. Lloyd loves to play fast, and this roster is built to do so.
Previous: 10
Projected starters: JP Pegues (transfer), Miles Kelly (transfer), Denver Jones, Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell
Top reserves: Chad Baker-Mazara, Tahaad Pettiford (freshman), Jahki Howard (freshman), Chaney Johnson, Chris Moore, Ja’Heim Hudson (transfer)
Auburn returns three of its top four leading scorers from a team that finished fourth at KenPom. The big returner here is Broome, who was one of the most effective big men in the country. Bruce Pearl leaned heavily on his depth last season and will likely do so again, but the one guy who may log heavy minutes is Broome, who will play at both the four and five with Jaylin Williams no longer around. Broome and Cardwell logged only 12 minutes together last season, per CBB Analytics, but they’ll likely start alongside each other this season. Kelly, Georgia Tech’s leading scorer last season, gives the Tigers another consistent scorer on the perimeter. Auburn could elevate into a top-five team if the point guard play is better and not as inconsistent as it has been in recent years. The Tigers addressed that in recruiting by landing Pegues, who averaged 18.4 points and 4.8 assists at Furman, and Pettiford, the second-ranked point guard in the 2024 class.
11. Texas A&M
Previous: 21
Projected starters: Wade Taylor IV, Zhuric Phelps (transfer), Manny Obaseki, Solomon Washington, Pharrel Payne (transfer)
Top reserves: Andersson Garcia, Jace Carter, C.J. Wilcher (transfer), Henry Coleman III, Hayden Hefner, Andre Mills (freshman)
When Buzz Williams moved Obaseki into the starting lineup with eight games to go, the Aggies became one of the best teams in the country. They won six of eight and ranked as the fifth-best team over that timespan, per Torvik, and ended up losing to top-seeded Houston in overtime. Tyrece Radford, a big part of that run, is gone, but Williams brought in another athletic attacking guard to replace him in Phelps. Payne, who will likely start at center, is an upgrade from what A&M had at that position, and he fits perfectly with this group. He was Minnesota’s best offensive rebounder — ranking 67th nationally — and with Garcia, Washington and Coleman back, the Aggies will likely once again lead the country in offensive rebounding rate. That allowed A&M to still have a good offense during a horrible shooting year, but the shooting should get better. Taylor is bound to shoot it better, and A&M added some shooting off the bench with Wilcher, who made 50 3s and shot 39.4 percent for Nebraska last season.
RJ Davis is back after earning first-team All-America honors. (Greg Fiume / Getty Images)
12. North Carolina
Previous: 9
Projected starters: Elliot Cadeau, RJ Davis, Ian Jackson (freshman), Cade Tyson (transfer), Jalen Washington
Top reserves: Seth Trimble, Ven-Allen Lubin (transfer), Drake Powell (freshman), Jae’Lyn Withers, Zayden High
North Carolina is going to be different without a low-post threat like Armando Bacot on the blocks, but the loss that stings is Harrison Ingram staying in the NBA Draft. Ingram was a Swiss Army knife for the Tar Heels and played a big role in the massive defensive leap they made last season. The offense should still be pretty good, especially if RJ Davis can duplicate or come close to repeating last season. I’m also intrigued to see Cadeau as a sophomore. He struggled shooting the ball as a freshman but he also played a facilitating role at a pretty high level considering his age. If the shot ever comes around, that’s a high-level college point guard. Tyson, a career 44.6 percent 3-point shooter at 6-7, was a smart addition. Lubin gives them some low-post scoring either off the bench or starting at the four. There’s enough talent and experience that it’s an ideal situation for two five-stars to come into. If either Jackson or Powell plays at a one-and-done level and Cadeau makes a sophomore leap, this could be a top-five team.
13. Purdue
Previous: 12
Projected starters: Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Camden Heide, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Caleb Furst
Top reserves: Myles Colvin, Daniel Jacobsen (freshman), Will Berg, Kanon Catchings (freshman), Gicarri Harris (freshman), Raleigh Burgess (freshman), Brian Waddell
Purdue’s KenPom finishes in the five years that proceeded the Zach Edey era: 9, 19, 5, 9, 24. It’s going to be difficult to replace Edey, but Matt Painter won a lot of basketball games before Edey showed up and he’ll continue to do so. Painter has a really good core returning, led by Smith, who became a killer in pick-and-roll last season as both a scorer and distributor. If you asked college coaches to rank the best point guards in the country, he’d be near the top. Purdue got a head start on what life without Edey would be like last summer when it went on a foreign tour without him and Kaufman-Renn led the team in scoring. Painter also has three centers on the bench who could be next in line as dominant low-post scorers. The 7-foot-2 Berg has been learning behind Edey the last two years, and then Painter signed two centers in Jacobsen and Burgess. Jacobsen was a standout last weekend at the tryouts for the U.S. U-18 team. When I asked two coaches there who stood out, both mentioned Jacobsen, with one saying he’ll eventually be a star. He’s 7-3, skilled and playing at Purdue, so odds are in his favor.
14. Marquette
Previous: 14
Projected starters: Kam Jones, Stevie Mitchell, Chase Ross, David Joplin, Ben Gold
Top reserves: Sean Jones, Tre Norman, Zaide Lowery, Al Amadou, Caedin Hamilton (redshirt freshman), Damarius Owens (freshman), Royce Parham (freshman)
In the six games that Tyler Kolek missed late in the season, Jones averaged 20.8 points and 4.5 assists. So we’ve seen Marquette operate when it’s the Kam Jones Show, and he cooked. I’m not a big sports betting guy, but if there are futures for the 2024-25 All-America team and you can get good odds on Jones, I’d make that gamble. It’s going to be a different look without Kolek and Oso Ighodaro, but Shaka Smart keeps betting on development and it’s made him look really, well, smart. Gold started to show more as a passer his sophomore season in the Ighodaro role, and he adds shooting to the mix. Joplin should be highly motivated after a somewhat disappointing junior season that included a bad finish when he went 2-of-10 against NC State in the Sweet 16. Ross has had flashes that suggest he can be a really good college guard. The Golden Eagles will need him to take on more of an offensive role. These next two years should really show if Smart’s philosophy of staying out of the portal can work long-term, but he’s earned the benefit of the doubt so far.
Previous: 15
Projected starters: Jeremy Roach, Jayden Nunn, Langston Love, VJ Edgecombe (freshman), Norchad Omier (transfer)
Top reserves: Josh Ojianwuna, Jalen Celestine (transfer), Rob Wright (freshman), Jason Asemota (freshman)
That projected starting lineup is tiny — basically four guards and the 6-7 Omier — but it should be able to score pretty easily. Baylor has leaned heavily on the pick-and-roll game in recent years, and Roach and Omier should be a strong combination. Edgecombe is the swing guy on this team. If he’s a high-level producer right away, then the Bears have a chance to be elite offensively. The worry is whether they’ll be able to stop anyone. Omier is skilled enough to play the four, and Baylor does have a lot of size on the bench. Scott Drew could also start the 6-foot-10 Ojianwuna next to Omier and slide the 6-foot-5 Edgecombe to the three, but he’d lose some scoring. It could take some time to figure out the combinations that work, but it helps that Drew has size on the wing off the bench in Celestine (6-6) and Asemota (6-8).
Walter Clayton Jr. pulled out of the NBA Draft and is returning to Florida. (Alan Youngblood / AP)
16. Florida
Previous: 19
Projected starters: Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin (transfer), Will Richard, Sam Alexis (transfer), Alex Condon
Top reserves: Rueben Chinyelu (transfer), Thomas Haugh, Denzel Aberdeen, Isaiah Brown (freshman)
Florida has one of the best guard trios in the country in Clayton, Martin and Richard. All three made at least 70 3s last season and are good enough to carry an offense when they’re hot. The Gators’ issue last season was on the defensive end, and Todd Golden strengthened that by landing two shot blockers out of the portal in Alexis and Chinyelu. One of those two will likely start alongside Condon, the Aussie big man who is poised for a breakout sophomore season. Golden had his best season at San Francisco in his third year. This will be Year 3 at Florida, and I’d bet on it being his best year yet.
Previous: Not ranked
Projected starters: Tre Donaldson (transfer), Rubin Jones (transfer), Roddy Gayle Jr. (transfer), Danny Wolf (transfer), Vladislav Goldin (transfer)
Top reserves: Nimari Burnett, Sam Walters (transfer), Will Tschetter, Justin Pippen (freshman), Durral Brooks (freshman)
It’s hard to completely turn over a roster and have a cohesive group in Year 1, but this is a bet on Dusty May pulling it off. May is really good at role definition and getting his guys to buy in. The Wolverines are going to be huge, starting the 7-foot twin towers and then bringing shooters off the bench in the 6-foot-10 Walters and 6-foot-8 Tschetter. Walters can play the three, Gayle (6-4) could play the two and Jones (6-5) can play the point, so May could conceivably play one of the biggest lineups in college basketball. And you could make an argument that has the potential to be Michigan’s best lineup. May just coached the team that ranked No. 1 in minutes continuity and 276th in average height, so this will be a different challenge. But out of the total portal rebuilds, this is the one I’m betting on that the pieces fit best.
Previous: NR
Projected starters: Elijah Hawkins (transfer), Chance McMillian, Darrion Williams, JT Toppin (transfer), Fede Federiko (transfer)
Top reserves: Kevin Overton (transfer), Kerwin Walton, Devan Cambridge, Eemeli Yalaho, Christian Anderson (freshman)
Grant McCasland has landed the Mountain West Freshman on the Year in back-to-back portal classes, with Toppin following Williams. Both are future NBA players, and Texas Tech has one of the best 2-3-4 combinations in the country. Williams was fantastic the last two months of the season. He had a 10-game stretch when he averaged 17.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and shot 64.2 percent from 3. Toppin gives the Red Raiders another interior scorer and should help the defense. And you could argue McMillian is an upgrade from Pop Isaacs. Isaacs could carry the Red Raiders for stretches, but his efficiency didn’t justify his usage. McMillian is a low-usage, high-efficiency player who is more athletic, a better shooter and a better defender. Hawkins slides into the Joe Toussaint role and Federiko for Warren Washington. Cambridge got a medical redshirt and provides energy off the bench, while both Overton and Walton provide shooting and scoring off the bench.
Previous: NR
Projected starters: Myles Rice (transfer), Trey Galloway, Mackenzie Mgbako, Malik Reneau, Oumar Ballo (transfer)
Top reserves: Kanaan Carlyle (transfer), Luke Goode (transfer), Bryson Tucker (freshman), Gabe Cupps, Anthony Leal, Langdon Hatton (transfer), Rob Dockery (redshirt freshman), George Turkson (freshman)
If going by portal rankings and name recognition, no one had a better offseason than Indiana. Mike Woodson has shown a preference for playing through the post, and he has two of the best low-post scorers in the Big Ten now in Reneau and Ballo. Indiana had spacing issues last year, but Rice, Carlyle and Goode should help. Rice (27.5 percent) and Carlyle (32 percent) did not shoot the ball well from 3 as freshmen, but both are good foul shooters and it’s within reason to expect progression from deep based on their mechanics and skill. Both should also help in the shot creation department, which was an issue for the Hoosiers last year. Overall, Indiana is just way more talented and deep. Cupps, who started last year, might be sixth in line on IU’s depth chart at guard. All that guard depth also will allow IU some lineup versatility. When one of the bigs goes to the bench, Mgbako can slide to the four and get more shooting and skill on the floor. It’s a huge year for Woodson. Based on this class, Indiana’s donors are coming through financially, but that could quickly change if results don’t follow.
20. Illinois
Previous: NR
Projected starters: Kylan Boswell (transfer), Kasparas Jakucionis (freshman), Ty Rodgers, Carey Booth (transfer), Tomislav Ivisic (freshman)
Top reserves: Tre White (transfer), Ben Humrichous (transfer), Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Jake Davis (transfer), Morez Johnson (freshman)
This could look like a reach to put Illinois this high, but Brad Underwood has earned the trust. Underwood has prioritized size and skill, and this roster is oozing with upside. Underwood got busy in the portal early and then topped off his class with two international signings whom I’m projecting will both start. Jakucionis, a 6-5 guard, is one of the best young prospects overseas. An NBA scouting contact mentioned Kirk Hinrich as a comp. If Jakucionis were an American, he’d likely be one of the five-stars in this class. Ivisic, a 7-footer, is the twin brother of current Arkansas and ex-Kentucky big man Zvonimir Ivisic. Illinois also added four transfers who play the three or four and stand between 6-6 and 6-10, all of whom can shoot. And the other two freshmen, Johnson and Jason Jakstys, are 6-9 and 6-10 power forwards. Jakucionis, Boswell and Rodgers will be the keys to making it work, as Underwood has gone to a strategy of spreading the floor and leaning on his guards to create advantages. Look for all three to get a shot at continuing the booty ball offense that the Illini adopted for Marcus Domask.
Previous: NR
Projected starters: Isaiah Swope (transfer), Josiah Dotzler (transfer), Gibson Jimerson, Kalu Anya (transfer), Robbie Avila (transfer)
Top reserves: Kobe Johnson (transfer), Larry Hughes II, A.J. Casey (transfer), Kellen Thames
Indiana State led the nation in effective field-goal percentage last season and ranked fourth the year before; Josh Schertz was in Terre Haute for just three seasons. The man knows how to build an elite offense quickly, and he’s got a head start here with both Avila and Swope following him. Avila is, as Schertz calls him, the hub of his offense. He’s one of the most skilled, unique bigs in college basketball, and if you put just a little bit of shooting and speed around him, it’s probably going to work. Swope was Indiana State’s best scorer before knee problems slowed him midseason, and the offseason will allow him to finally get healthy. Schertz was able to convince Jimerson to take his name out of the portal, keeping one of the best shooters in the country at SLU. He’s a perfect fit for Schertz’s system. Dotzler is a player Schertz loved in high school and gets him on the rebound after struggling to crack the rotation at Creighton. Johnson gives SLU a defensive stopper on the perimeter and was a starter last season for West Virginia. He’ll likely battle Dotzler for that final starting spot on the perimeter. It’s a really good roster in the Atlantic 10, and based on Schertz and Avila’s history together, the offense should sing. The Billikens should be the preseason favorite to win the league.
Previous: NR
Projected starters: Jizzle James, Dan Skillings Jr., Simas Lukosius, Dillon Mitchell (transfer), Aziz Bandaogo
Top reserves: Day Day Thomas, Connor Hickman (transfer), CJ Fredrick, Tyler Betsey (freshman), Tyler McKinley (freshman), Arrinten Page (transfer), Josh Reed
Wes Miller had the 19th-best defense last season and quietly landed one of the most athletic fours in the country in Mitchell, who should make Cincy’s defense even better. It’s not going to be easy scoring in the paint against the length of Mitchell and Bandaogo, who are both pogo sticks. Mitchell was once thought to be a one-and-done, lottery-pick talent. He still has the measurables and athleticism to eventually turn into a pro, and maybe a new system and coach will help him reach his potential. The Bearcats were also in need of shooting, as Lukosius was the only real threat from deep last season once Fredrick was injured. They will benefit from Fredrick receiving a sixth year of eligibility and from Hickman, who averaged 14.5 points and shot 40.2 percent from 3 on a good Bradley team. James and Skillings both played their best ball late in the year; if they both make a leap, don’t be shocked if the Bearcats sneak into the top tier of a very deep Big 12.
Zach Freemantle, shown here way back in 2020, should be healthy again for Xavier. (Joe Robbins / Getty Images)
23. Xavier
Previous: NR
Projected starters: Dayvion McKnight, Dante Maddox Jr. (transfer), Ryan Conwell (transfer), Zach Freemantle, John Hugley IV (transfer)
Top reserves: Trey Green, Dailyn Swain, Jerome Hunter, Marcus Foster (transfer), Lassina Traore (transfer), Cam’Ron Fletcher (transfer)
Remember Freemantle? He averaged 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game on a team that was 17-5 and 9-2 in the Big East before he injured his foot two years ago. After two surgeries, Freemantle is healthy, and Sean Miller has surrounded him with one of the best portal classes in the country. Conwell, who averaged 16.6 points and shot 40.7 percent from 3 for Indiana State, is the up-transfer guard I have the most faith in translating to the high-major level. He has the athleticism and playmaking chops to make an impact. Miller has a good mix of playmakers and shooters on the perimeter and depth at every position.
Previous: 25
Projected starters: Lamont Butler (transfer), Kerr Kriisa (transfer), Koby Brea (transfer), Andrew Carr (transfer), Amari Willams (transfer)
Top reserves: Otega Oweh (transfer), Collin Chandler (freshman), Brandon Garrison (transfer), Ansley Almonor (transfer), Travis Perry (freshman)
It feels like Kentucky is a team full of really good complementary players without a star. But you could have said the same about BYU a year ago, and that team spent most of the year in the Top 25 and had one of the best offenses in college basketball. Mark Pope made it clear he loves shooting and landed two of the best shooters in the portal in Kriisa and Brea. Butler and Oweh give him some athleticism and defensive chops on the perimeter, and Williams and Garrison should do the same on the interior. The one guy who could end up turning into a star is Chandler, a four-star prospect in the 2022 class who spent the last two years on a mission trip. He could change the calculus. But Pope has proven himself as a strong X’s-and-O’s coach, and this is the deepest and most talented roster he’s ever had. Star or no star, this team is probably going to score the ball efficiently and win a lot of games.
25. St. John’s
Previous: NR
Projected starters: Deivon Smith (transfer), Kadary Richmond (transfer), Aaron Scott (transfer), R.J. Luis, Vincent Iwuchukwu (transfer)
Top reserves: Lefteris Liotopoulos (freshman), Zuby Ejiofor, Jaiden Glover (freshman), Simeon Wilcher, Brady Dunlap
Rick Pitino landed two of the best point guards in the portal in Smith and Richmond. Both are ball-dominant guards, and it’s justified to question their fit together, but it’s also justified to bank on Pitino getting the absolute best out of them. Outside of Luis, who averaged 10.9 points after transferring from UMass last season, and Scott (11.0 points per game at North Texas) the roster is mostly unproven. But give Pitino an elite backcourt and a former highly-ranked center in Iwuchukwu, and I’m betting one of the best coaches in the history of the game will figure out a way to win. Those two guards would have been the best players on his team last season, and that group just barely missed the NCAA Tournament.
Next up: Arkansas, UCLA, Louisville, Rutgers, Memphis, Creighton, Maryland, Saint Mary’s, Michigan State, Ohio State, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Georgia, Princeton, Texas, Providence
(Top photos of Ryan Nembhard, Grant Nelson and Dajuan Harris Jr.: Mitchell Layton, Andy Lyons and Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
We’re only two weeks into the league new year and every NFL team has been deemed offseason champion, offseason chump or somewhere in between. But no one’s offseason to-do list is completely checked off in such little time.
So, what is your team still missing? Is it a need that can be filled in the 2025 NFL Draft in April or is there still a signing to be made? The Athletic’s NFL writers answer those questions, as they dish below on the remaining needs and wants for all 32 teams.
Arizona Cardinals
GM Monti Ossenfort is off to a solid start. The Cardinals made one of free agency’s biggest moves with the signing of Philadelphia pass rusher Josh Sweat, filling perhaps the team’s greatest need. Ossenfort also signed Cleveland’s Dalvin Tomlinson, a sturdy, dependable defensive tackle. Shoring up the offensive line — the Cardinals need help at guard — is the obvious next step. The Cardinals can address this in the draft. At No. 16, they should have options should they choose to go this direction. They also could use a productive veteran receiver to complement Marvin Harrison, Jr.. — Doug Haller
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons taped over their holes at edge rusher and in the secondary by signing outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and safety Jordan Fuller and re-signing last year’s starting cornerback Mike Hughes, but none of those moves are the final fixes at those positions. That leaves any of the spots as options when the Falcons are on the clock with the 15th pick of the first round. Given Atlanta’s historically bad pass rush, edge rusher should still probably be the betting favorite, though. — Josh Kendall
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens got a little clarity along their offensive line by re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley. They’ve added a backup quarterback (Cooper Rush) and a third quality wide receiver (DeAndre Hopkins). However, they’ve done nothing at cornerback beyond losing starter Brandon Stephens in free agency and releasing Arthur Maulet. Baltimore has only four corners on its roster. Marlon Humphrey and 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins are a good duo to start with, but the Ravens need at least two more starting-caliber cornerbacks. They can get one in the draft. It’s asking a lot to hit on two quality rookies ready to play immediately when you have other needs. — Jeff Zrebiec
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have starters in place almost throughout the entire roster. That is, except for their second cornerback position. Last season’s starter, Rasul Douglas, remains a free agent and they traded 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam. Their only move to replenish the position was to sign Dane Jackson, primarily a No. 3 cornerback. Top starter Christian Benford is one of the best players on the team, but he’s a free agent after 2025, further complicating the potential depth of the need. The Bills would likely want to get him under contract if they can to help the need. After striking out on Elam with their top pick and finding several later draft gems at the position, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Bills are a slam dunk to use their first-round pick on a cornerback this year. — Joe Buscaglia
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers made a flurry of moves to address a defense that was among the worst in NFL history last year. But even after signing ex-Raider Tre’Von Moehrig to a three-year, $51 million contract and re-signing backup/special teams regular Nick Scott, general manager Dan Morgan still has work to do in a safety room that is being overhauled. Moehrig said he is looking forward to helping the young players “coming from college or whoever else we bring.” Morgan is expected to target a safety in the draft, but he could still add another in the late stages of free agency. — Joseph Person
Chicago Bears
The Bears added five new starters up front this offseason: guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. Adding a draft pick or two will also improve the trenches. The depth at linebacker and safety now stands out. Linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety Kevin Byard are entering the final years of their contracts, while there is an affordable exit point in linebacker Tremaine Edmunds’ deal after 2025. Safety Jaquan Brisker has a history of concussions. Addressing both positions in the draft makes sense. — Adam Jahns
Cincinnati Bengals
Hard to pin down just one need. The Bengals didn’t fill many needs in free agency outside of the bank accounts of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. They need two starting guards, a backup swing tackle, any form of pass-rush juice on the defensive line, a linebacker to start next to Logan Wilson and probably a long-term replacement for safety Geno Stone. But they don’t need receivers! The Bengals will need to find starters in the third wave of free agency as well as nail the draft to make the rest of the pieces fit around Joe Burrow, Chase and Higgins. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns
Past overspending and the disastrous commitment to Deshaun Watson made the Browns value-only shoppers in the first wave of free agency, and it’s hard to make the case the team has improved at all. Quarterback remains the biggest need, both for the present and future. Kenny Pickett was acquired in a trade ahead of the new league year and is the only healthy quarterback on the roster. The Browns are still in the market for a veteran starter and will certainly be drafting a quarterback next month. But whether that player comes with the No. 2 pick or at some point on the draft’s second day remains to be seen. The Browns continue to keep an eye on things with Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson, but real hope lies only in drafting the right young passer. — Zac Jackson
Dallas Cowboys
There’s not an absolute No. 1, but running back is as close as it gets. They added some depth pieces in free agency with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, but they’re still lacking that unquestioned No. 1 back. Rico Dowdle had that role most of last year. He’s now in Carolina. The Cowboys, one of the NFL’s worst rushing teams last season, need an upgrade. The most likely path continues to be early in next month’s draft.
This is considered a quality running back draft class. Dallas should’ve drafted a back in one of the first four rounds either last year or the year before. It didn’t happen and now it’s a must. If Ashton Jeanty is still available at No. 12, it just makes too much sense. — Jon Machota
Denver Broncos
There might as well be a neon “Help Wanted!” sign hovering above Denver’s backfield. Javonte Williams joined the Cowboys in free agency, leaving the Broncos without a running back on the roster who has rushed for at least 500 yards in a season. There isn’t a huge bar to clear to outpace what Williams did last season — 3.7 yards per carry and 8.2 attempts per game — but the question is who will Denver target in a draft rich with running back talent. Omarion Hampton looms as a first-round option, but Denver should be able to get a difference-making rusher without using the 20th pick. — Nick Kosmider
Detroit Lions
What the Lions do at the edge spot opposite of Aidan Hutchinson remains a question. They released veteran Za’Darius Smith — whom they traded for ahead of the deadline after Hutchinson went down — earlier this month. They re-signed Marcus Davenport, the current projected starter, but he’s played just six total games the last two seasons. A team with Super Bowl aspirations should not count on Davenport to play a starter’s workload and stay healthy over the course of 17 games and the playoffs. The rest of the edge room consists of rotational pieces and depth. The Lions usually address needs in free agency so they don’t have to draft for need, but unless Detroit adds a starting-caliber edge before then, it should be a real priority next month. — Colton Pouncy
Green Bay Packers
The future of Green Bay’s best cornerback, Jaire Alexander, remains uncertain. My guess based on what I’ve heard is still that he doesn’t play for the Packers in 2025. Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell have signed elsewhere in free agency. The Packers brought in Nate Hobbs from the Raiders and still have Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine (Packer fans won’t be thrilled if that’s the top three), but their need for depth at the position is glaring. You could argue wide receiver is a more pressing need since they’ll be without Christian Watson for at least the first half of the season, but cornerback might be atop the priority list entering the NFL Draft in Green Bay next month. — Matt Schneidman
Houston Texans
Offensive line help remains a high priority for a team that surrendered the third-highest sack total in the NFL last season. C.J. Stroud is a quality young quarterback, but the Texans will never see him fully ascend to stardom if they do not invest in protecting him. Houston did sign ninth-year pro Cam Robinson to a one-year deal and added veterans Trent Brown and Laken Tomlinson, but they need a long-term solution and upgrades on the interior. The goal should be to emerge from the draft having used multiple early round picks on a left tackle and an interior lineman. — Mike Jones
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts desperately need to upgrade at tight end, and they’ll likely target one in the draft. Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory are currently atop the depth chart, but that likely won’t hold up for the 2025 season since neither has shown signs of being a No. 1 option. Jelani Woods was supposed to be Indianapolis’ long-term answer at tight end — using his 6-foot-7, 253-pound frame and speed to create constant mismatches — though the 2022 third-round pick has missed the last two seasons due to injury. Perhaps Penn State’s Tyler Warren or Michigan’s Colston Loveland could fill Indy’s years-long void at tight end. — James Boyd
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags still have plenty of needs, but there’s a glaring hole at receiver behind Brian Thomas. Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Tyler Lockett, Josh Reynolds and Elijah Moore are among the best available. It’s probably not a spot where they want to draft a wideout at No. 5, so they should find a lower-cost veteran beforehand. — Jeff Howe
Kansas City Chiefs
With the addition of left tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency, the Chiefs’ biggest priority should be to continue building their defensive line. One of the most underrated parts of the Chiefs loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX was how little effect their pass rush had against quarterback Jalen Hurts. Adding more youth and talent around pass rusher Chris Jones and defensive ends George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu would be a shrewd decision for general manager Brett Veach. — Nate Taylor
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders took care of their biggest need, trading for Geno Smith, and then chipped away at some others in free agency. So we’re going with a four-way tie with linebacker, cornerback, running back and receiver. The Raiders lost both starting linebackers from last year and signed run-stopper Elandon Roberts from the Steelers, but saw the Patriots match an offer sheet for pass-coverage guy Christian Elliss. They also rolled the dice on former first-round pick Eric Stokes at corner and got a bargain in 11th-year change-the-pace running back Raheem Mostert. There is no depth at receiver after Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, though the Raiders will likely sign one in these last ripples of free agency. — Vic Tafur
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers did a fine job methodically plugging holes through free agency. They made moves in every position group, and that has created depth. I still see two needs tied for the biggest remaining: running back and edge rusher. The Chargers have Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree. They need a fourth edge to round out that room and insure against two older players in Dupree and Mack. They have running back Najee Harris, who they signed in free agency. They need a second back with some big-play potential to create a viable one-two-punch in a remade room. — Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams set the table for themselves in free agency to not enter the draft with any glaring needs. It started with keeping quarterback Matthew Stafford for at least one more year, then extending left tackle Alaric Jackson and receiver Tutu Atwell, signing nose tackle Poona Ford, receiver Davante Adams and center Coleman Shelton. Depth concerns were addressed at cornerback and inside linebacker with the signings of Ahkello Witherspoon and Nate Landman. They still need to add at the latter positions, and should be in the draft market for another young receiver, a right tackle to eventually take over for veteran Rob Havenstein, a quarterback to develop and a dynamic tight end. — Jourdan Rodrigue
Miami Dolphins
After losing Jevon Holland in free agency, you could make a compelling case for their biggest needs being at safety or defensive line — what’s the plan next to Zach Sieler? — but the Dolphins cannot enter the 2025 season with Liam Eichenberg penciled in as a starting guard. He’s OK as depth, but Miami must continue to upgrade its interior offensive line, even after signing James Daniels, who is plenty talented but coming off of an Achilles tear. The Dolphins’ running game efficiency nosedived last season, largely because of a substandard offensive line. I expect upgrading the line to be a top priority in the draft. — Jim Ayello
Minnesota Vikings
The difficulty in trying to answer this question reflects how successful a free-agent period the Vikings had. They added two interior offensive linemen (Ryan Kelly and Will Fries). They revamped the interior of their defensive line (Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave). They kept high-end cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. They enhanced their running back room (Jordan Mason). Minnesota still needs a backup quarterback. The cornerback room could use more depth. For now, though, the most glaring question mark is at left guard. The Vikings could opt for Blake Brandel or Walter Rouse, but they could also use the draft to fortify this spot. — Alec Lewis
New England Patriots
This one is rather easy. Despite having perhaps the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL, the Patriots’ biggest need is at left tackle. Their hopes of signing Ronnie Stanley in free agency evaporated when he re-upped with the Ravens, and the other free-agent options weren’t too appealing to them. So as the draft nears, the Patriots remain without a long-term blindside protector for Drake Maye. — Chad Graff
New Orleans Saints
Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo opened last season as the Saints’ starting cornerbacks. Both of them are long gone now. They brought back Isaac Yiadom via free agency after he spent last season in San Francisco. He’s a solid piece and the Saints will likely start Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry. But there’s a reason the Saints pursued Charvarius Ward so vigorously. The draft seems like the direction at this rate, unless the Saints pull off a trade. Taking a cornerback at No. 9 would be a likely stretch unless New Orleans made a bold move for Travis Hunter. — Larry Holder
New York Giants
Despite signing Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million deal, not much has changed for the Giants in their quarterback pursuits: They still need a reliable starter. Winston, who hasn’t played a full season since 2019, isn’t that. While he’ll inject personality to the locker room and in his on-field play, the Giants are still in the hunt for top remaining veteran Aaron Rodgers, per reports. Plus, they have the No. 3 pick in the draft and they have to hope for a new face of the franchise to leave with on that April weekend. — Charlotte Carroll
New York Jets
The Jets need more weapons for Justin Fields. Badly. Yes, they’re in good shape at running back. While Garrett Wilson is there at wide receiver, an argument could be made the Jets have one of the worst groups of targets at both wide receiver and tight end in the NFL — especially at TE, where they added Stone Smartt to a room with Jeremy Ruckert. Fields needs a reliable tight end for the offense the Jets are going to run — someone who can act as a safety valve in the middle of the field while also contributing as a blocker — which is why they’ve been heavily tied to Penn State’s Tyler Warren. At receiver, Allen Lazard is the current No. 2 — and he might still get cut. After him it’s just Tyler Johnson, Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson. — Zack Rosenblatt
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles need more options at safety. After trading C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans for Kenyon Green, an offensive guard, the Eagles created a vacancy for the starting spot opposite Reed Blankenship. Sydney Brown is the presumptive frontrunner. The 2023 third-round pick showed promise while starting in six games during his rookie season, which ended with a Week 18 ACL tear. Brown’s recovery timeline necessitated Gardner-Johnson’s arrival. His departure signals the Eagles’ faith in Brown. But it’d behoove them to acquire another option, likely in the draft. Among the three other safeties under contract, Tristin McCollum is the only one who has ever started in a game. — Brooks Kubena
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the combine that “ideally” he hoped to have his quarterback in place before the start of free agency. But now here we sit, two weeks after the NFL’s negotiating window opened, and the Steelers still don’t know who their starting quarterback will be in 2025. Four-time NFL MVP and soon-to-be 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers continues to hold the franchise hostage. It’s reached the point that people in Pittsburgh are throwing their support behind Mason Rudolph as a possible starter in 2025. Eventually, the glaring hole at defensive tackle will become the No. 1 priority in the draft. But until a QB is in place, it’s hard to think about anything else. — Mike DeFabo
The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted Aaron Rodgers for a visit last week, but continue to wait to see if the quarterback will join the team. (Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers lost three-fourths of their 2024 starting defensive line in free agency. An argument can be made that the team finally should find a bookend for Nick Bosa at defensive end. But the most glaring weakness is defensive tackle. As it stands now, Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens are the top players there. The upcoming draft is deep at the position, and the 49ers should bring in both a quick, penetrating defensive tackle and big body who can occupy double teams and clog the opponent’s running game. – Matt Barrows
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s only addition to the offensive line in free agency was Josh Jones, who signed a one-year, $4 million contract to be a backup. The Seahawks are set at tackle with Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, but the interior of the offensive line isn’t very strong. General manager John Schneider has acknowledged that the front line is the team’s main deficiency, but he prefers to address it through the draft rather than throw big money at average players. Now he must hit on several players in the draft to fix the team’s most glaring weakness. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bringing back Lavonte David was significant, but the Bucs still have a need at inside linebacker. David played well last year, but he’s 35, so he might not play as well or be as healthy in the coming season. And even if he plays well again, a replacement is likely to be needed for 2026. Aside from David, the Bucs still are searching for another inside linebacker. The team remains hopeful about 2023 fifth-round pick SirVocea Dennis, but he has yet to start a game. Free-agent pickup Anthony Walker also could be a factor. The Bucs have a need at cornerback as well. Their primary need, however, is inside linebacker. — Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans
The Titans did much to address their biggest weakness, offensive line — though the jury’s out on Dan Moore Jr. as a satisfactory answer at left tackle — and plugged a couple other holes on a roster full of them. That leaves receiver and edge as glaring areas of concern. Harold Landry has been cut. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has signed with the Dolphins. And those were problem spots with those guys. It would be very surprising if the Titans don’t address both positions in some way before the draft. Then, if Cam Ward at No. 1 is indeed the choice, pick No. 35 figures to be devoted to one of the two. This is a bad year to not have a third-round pick, which was traded to the Chiefs last year for L’Jarius Sneed. — Joe Rexrode
Washington Commanders
Splashy trades for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel addressed the offense’s primary needs. Moves on the defensive front have been more quantity over quality, particularly on the line. Enough to improve last season’s 30th ranked run defense or upgrade the pass rush? Maybe on the margins, but no DE with high-end potential exists. The remaining free-agent options are solid but trend older or risky. Trading for Trey Hendrickson might no longer be an option but it’s also a pricey one on multiple fronts if executed. The Commanders likely will draft help in the first two rounds. That means raising the group’s potential but what about Washington’s 2025 ceiling? — Ben Standig
(Top photos: Al Bello and Robin Alam / Getty Images)
Sports
Glenn Jacobs, WWE legend and Tennessee mayor, willing to do 'anything' for charity wrestling match vs Tim Walz
Glenn Jacobs, the former WWE legend known as Kane who is now serving as mayor of Tennessee, said Tuesday he’s willing to agree to a stipulation to make a pro wrestling-style match against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz happen.
Jacobs, the mayor of Knox County, explained more about his idea for the match in an appearance on OutKick’s “The Ricky Cobb Show.” It came after Walz claimed on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s podcast he could kick the butts of most President Donald Trump supporters.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs (Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“You know, obviously, my first reaction when I saw what he said was, ‘You gotta be kidding me man, Tim Walz is saying that?’ Then I thought to myself, ‘Wait a second, this could be really cool.’ We could have a charity wrestling match, have some fun, and the proceeds would go to a good cause.
“We would split the gate 50/50 between my chosen organization and his chosen organization. I’m not going to hurt him, I promise. I was the consummate professional, ask anybody I worked with. I make it look good, but I didn’t hurt people. I pride myself on that. And I’m willing to agree to a stipulation. If I have to wrestle with one hand tied behind my back or wear a blindfold or whatever, I’ll do anything to get him in the ring.”
KURT ANGLE, WWE LEGEND AND OLYMPIC HERO, COMPARES WYATT HENDRICKSON’S WIN TO OTHER HUGE SPORTS UPSETS
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Jacobs said he believes that Walz would have fun and that the two could maybe even become friends after stepping out of the squared circle.
“And what he is going to find is actually fun, and I think afterward we could be friends. We’d disagree on politics, but I think that we could be friends and we’d have newfound respect for each other.”
Kane takes down two top stars during a WWE Raw event on February 27, 2012. (Ryan/Corbis via Getty Images)
Jacobs backed Trump during the 2024 presidential election. Walz was tapped as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, but the two fell short of Trump and JD Vance.
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The Boras Classic began Tuesday with No. 1 Corona, No. 2 Huntington Beach and No. 4 La Mirada all coming away with impressive victories to set up playoff-like matchups in the quarterfinals Wednesday.
Corona (8-0) will play Santa Margarita (7-2) at 3 p.m. at JSerra. Huntington Beach (7-0) will play La Mirada (7-1) at 3 p.m. at Mater Dei.
Corona 6, Gahr 0: For the seventh time in eight games, the Panthers recorded a shutout. This time it was sophomore Mason Sims going the distance, striking out six and giving up three hits. Jesiah Adrade had two doubles.
Santa Margarita 13, Paloma Valley 2: Warren Gravely had three RBIs for the Eagles. Gavin Spiridonoff homered and Brody Schumaker had two hits.
Huntington Beach 4, Aquinas 1: Trevor Goldenetz hit a two-run double and Otto Espinoza struck out seven in five innings to help hand Aquinas its first defeat.
La Mirada 7, Birmingham 0: A grand slam in the first inning by Travis Friend and a two-run homer by Bear Calvo gave pitcher Jacob Oropeza all the run support he needed in five scoreless innings.
Vista Murrieta 2, Maranatha 1: A sacrifice fly by Michael Velardez in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie and lifted Vista Murrieta to a win in the Boras Classic. Vaughn Necker struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings. Zach Strickland struck out nine in five innings for Maranatha, which received a home run from Trevor Rivas.
Carlsbad 8, Cypress 4: Lucas Johnson had three hits for Carlsbad. Paul Dominguez homered for Cypress.
Oaks Christian 11, Calabasas 1: The Lions opened Marmonte League play with an impressive victory. James Latshaw was four for four and Carson Sheffer had three hits. Ty Hanley gave up one run in six innings.
Servite 5, Oregon Jesuit 4: The Friars (9-2) won in nine innings. Tomas Cernius homered for Servite.
Josh Stonehouse celebrates a double to help Crespi improve to 11-0 with a 9-0 win over Loyola.
(Craig Weston)
Crespi 9, Loyola 0: Jackson Eisenhauer threw four scoreless innings to raise his scoreless innings streak to 30 this season as the Celts improved to 11-0 and 6-0 in the Mission League. Josh Stonehouse had three RBIs.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 2, Sierra Canyon 1: The Knights won their fourth straight Mission League game. Juju Diaz-Jones gave up one run in five innings and Patrick Arranaga got the save.
Bishop Alemany 15, St. Francis 2: Sophomore Chase Stevenson collected four hits to help the Warriors pick up their first Mission League win under new coach Randy Thompson.
Harvard-Westlake 12, Chaminade 2: James Tronstein was three for three with two RBIs and Jake Kim had a home run and three RBIs for Harvard-Westlake.
Bishop Amat 4, St. Paul 1: The Lancers scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to win the Del Rey League game. Izaac Muniz struck out 11 in 5 2/3 innings. Joaquin Ortiz had three hits.
Thousand Oaks 10, Agoura 5: Dane Holt homered and also drew four walks to lead the Lancers.
Westlake 6, Newbury Park 5: Mason Charles had a walk-off hit in the seventh for Westlake. He finished with three hits and four RBIs.
Newport Harbor 3, Edison 2: Gavin Guy drove in the winning run with two out in the 10th inning for Newport Harbor. Cody Kruis had three hits for Edison.
Marina 7, Los Alamitos 3: A six-run seventh led Marina to victory. Luke Pratali finished with a double and single for Marina.
Corona del Mar 4, Fountain Valley 2: Marc Solomon homered for Corona del Mar.
Softball
Granada Hills 20, North Torrance 4: Elysse Diaz contributed three doubles and Annabella Ramirez hit two home runs for Granada Hills.
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