Ben Kenney
April 9, 2024 6:18 am CT
The 2023-24 college basketball season came to an end Monday night as the Connecticut Huskies won their second consecutive national championship.
The game, and the end of the NCAA Tournament, signal the start of the offseason as teams begin their preparations for 2024-25. It seems like the offseason has already begun, however, as the transfer portal cycle has been ongoing for weeks.
Related:Tracking Wisconsin basketball’s reported transfer portal visits and targets
There aren’t many teams nationally that can skip out on the portal activity — except for maybe UConn after two straight national titles with every NCAA Tournament win by more than 10 points.
Wisconsin basketball is among that first group. The Badgers must replace the departing production of A.J. Storr and Tyler Wahl, plus reload the roster before a pivotal 2024-25 season. 2023-24 saw Greg Gard’s team tangibly improve from its last season, especially on offense. The upcoming season must see another year of significant improvement if the Badgers are to have any success in March.
With the offseason officially underway, ESPN already released its way-too-early top 25 for next season. The Badgers made the list, even with more transfer portal activity expected from nearly every team in the nation:
1
Duke Blue Devils
March 24, 2024; Brooklyn, New York; Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) reacts against the James Madison Dukes in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center. Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 27-9
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 7
Returning Contributors: Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster, Mark Mitchell
Additions: Cooper Flagg (No. 1 in ESPN 100), Khaman Maluach (five-star)
2
Gonzaga Bulldogs
March 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few celebrates after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center. Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 27-8
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 12
Returning Contributors: Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, Graham Ike
Additions: Michael Ajayi (Pepperdine transfer)
3
Kansas Jayhawks
March 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self during the second half in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center. Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 23-11
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 27
Returning Contributors: Dajuan Harris Jr., K.J. Adams Jr.
Additions: Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State transfer), Riley Kugel (Florida transfer), Flory Bidunga(No. 9 in ESPN 100)
4
UConn Huskies
Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley and players celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers in the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium. Patrick Breen/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023-24 Result: 37-3 (national champions)
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 1
Returning Contributors: Solomon Ball, Jayden Ross, Jaylin Stewart, Samson Johnson
Additions: Ahmad Nowell(No. 31 in ESPN 100)
5
Iowa State Cyclones
March 23, 2024; Omaha, Nebraska; Iowa State Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger looks on during the first half against the Washington State Cougars in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center Omaha. Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 29-8
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 8
Returning Contributors: Tamin Lipsey, Keshon Gilbert, Milan Momcilovic
Additions: Nate Heise (Northern Iowa transfer), Dishon Jackson (Charlotte transfer)
6
Purdue Boilermakers
March 24, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter looks on during the first half against the Utah State Aggies at Gainbridge FieldHouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 34-5 (national championship loss)
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 3
Returning Contributors: Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Camden Heide, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Caleb Furst
7
Houston Cougars
March 24, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) and forward J’Wan Roberts (13) celebrate after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies in overtime in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 32-5
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 2
Returning Contributors: Emanuel Sharp, Terrance Arceneaux, J’Wan Roberts, Ja’Vier Francis
Additions: Chase McCarty (No. 98 in ESPN 100)
8
Arizona Wildcats
March 2, 2024; Tucson, Arizona; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd on the sidelines against the Oregon Ducks during the first half at McKale Center. Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 27-9
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 6
Returning Contributors: Kylan Boswell, Jaden Bradley, KJ Lewis, Motiejus Krivas
Additions: Carter Bryant(No. 20 in ESPN 100)
9
Tennessee Volunteers
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 27-9
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 5
Returning Contributors: Zakai Zeigler, Jordan Gainey, Jahmai Mashack, Jonas Aidoo, Tobe Awaka
10
Baylor Bears
Feb. 26, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas; Baylor Bears guard RayJ Dennis (10) reacts after a made basket against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 24-11
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 15
Returning Contributors: Jayden Nunn, Langston Love, Josh Ojianwuna
Additions: Robert Wright III (No. 25 in ESPN 100), V.J. Edgecombe (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
11
Marquette Golden Eagles
Feb. 21, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart looks on during the first half against the DePaul Blue Demons at Fiserv Forum. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 27-10
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 13
Returning Contributors: Sean Jones, Kam Jones, Stevie Mitchell, David Joplin, Ben Gold
12
Alabama Crimson Tide
Feb. 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats gives direction during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 25-12 (Final Four)
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 14
Returning Contributors: Davin Cosby Jr., Rylan Griffen, Sam Walters, Jarin Stevenson
Additions: Derrion Reid(No. 8 in ESPN 100)
13
Florida Gators
Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) drives the lane against the Colorado Buffaloes on Friday, March 22, 2024, during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Florida Gators and Colorado Buffaloes are tied 45-45 at halftime.
2023-24 Result: 24-12
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 26
Returning Contributors: Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, Denzel Aberdeen, Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon
14
BYU Cougars
March 14, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri; Brigham Young Cougars guard Jaxson Robinson (2) drives to the basket around Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Pop Isaacs (2) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 23-11
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 18
Returning Contributors: Dallin Hall, Trevin Knell, Richie Saunders, Fousseyni Traore, Aly Khalifa
15
North Carolina Tar Heels
Feb. 26, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) with guard RJ Davis (4) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 29-8
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 9
Returning Contributors: Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington
Additions: Ian Jackson (No. 16 in ESPN 100), Drake Powell (No. 13 in ESPN 100)
16
Saint Mary's Gaels
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 26-8
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 20
Returning Contributors: Jordan Ross, Augustas Marciulionis, Aidan Mahaney, Luke Barrett, Mitchell Saxen
17
Miami Hurricanes
March 12, 2024; Washington, D.C.; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga reacts after a foul call in their game against the Boston College Eagles in the first half at Capital One Arena. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 15-17
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 96
Returning Contributors: Nijel Pack, Wooga Poplar, Matthew Cleveland, Lynn Kidd
Additions: Jalil Bethea (No. 6 in ESPN 100)
18
Auburn Tigers
March 22, 2024; Spokane, Washington; Auburn Tigers forward Jaylin Williams (2) reacts during the second half of a game against the Yale Bulldogs in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 27-8
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 4
Returning Contributors: Aden Holloway, Denver Jones, Chad Baker-Mazara, Chaney Johnson
Additions: Tahaad Pettiford (No. 27 in ESPN 100)
19
UCLA Bruins
Feb. 18, 2024; Los Angeles, California; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin (right) talks with guard Brandon Williams (5) against the Utah Utes in the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 16-17
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 98
Returning Contributors: Dylan Andrews, Sebastian Mack, Lazar Stefanovic, Berke Buyuktuncel
Additions: Kobe Johnson (USC transfer)
20
Maryland Terrapins
Jan. 27, 2024; College Park, Maryland; Maryland Terrapins head coach Kevin Willard reacts during the first half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Xfinity Center. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 16-17
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 62
Returning Contributors: DeShawn Harris-Smith, Julian Reese
Additions: Ja’Kobi Gillespie (Belmont transfer), Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech transfer), Derik Queen (No. 10 in ESPN 100)
21
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Dec. 29, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Steve Pikiell coaches during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC). Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 15-17
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 100
Returning Contributors: Jeremiah Williams, Emmanuel Ogbole
Additions: Dylan Harper (No. 3 in ESPN 100), Tyson Acuff (Eastern Michigan transfer), Ace Bailey (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
22
Dayton Flyers
Nov. 23, 2022; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Dayton Flyers forward DaRon Holmes II (15) controls the ball as Wisconsin Badgers guard Chucky Hepburn (23) defends during the first half at Imperial Arena. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 25-8
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 32
Returning Contributors: Javon Bennett, Enoch Cheeks, Koby Brea, Nate Santos, Isaac Jack
23
Kentucky Wildcats
March 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts to a play in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 23-10
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 23
Returning Contributors: Zvonimir Ivisic
Additions: Boogie Fland(No. 15 in ESPN 100), Travis Perry(No. 71 in ESPN 100), Billy Richmond(No. 39 in ESPN 100), Jayden Quaintance(No. 14 in ESPN 100)
Note: John Calipari is reportedly taking the Arkansas job, which could lead to transfers and roster turnover.
24
Wisconsin Badgers
March 10, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Greg Gard watches the game from in front of his team bench during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 22-14
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 17
Returning Contributors: Chucky Hepburn, John Blackwell, Max Klesmit, Steven Crowl
Additions: Daniel Freitag
25
Cincinnati Bearcats
March 14, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas; Cincinnati Bearcats center Chris Vogt (33) shoots the ball against Houston Cougars forward Reggie Chaney (32) and guard DeJon Jarreau (3) during the second half at Dickies Arena. Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports
2023-24 Result: 22-15
Final KenPom Ranking: No. 39
Returning Contributors: Day Day Thomas, ji*zzle James, Dan Skillings Jr., Simas Lukosius, Josh Reed
26
26-30- Texas Longhorns
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- San Diego State Aztecs
- Michigan State Spartans
- New Mexico Lobos
27
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