Top 25 for 2025

Mr. Kessler- Newspaper Advisor

In this election season, everyone is excited, er, relieved for Tuesday (November 5th) to come and go. Endless ads, texts, calls, and pieces of mail. For many, this is all that has been in front of their face for the last two months.

For Coach Kessler, the focus has been on the start of college basketball season. The season tipped off last night and already there were a plethora of exciting games and storylines. Texas A&M was upset at Central Florida and Gonzaga destroying Baylor were the highlights from the big games.

Last season, Coach Kessler picked Michigan St. as his #1 team…WOOF! However, he also had Purdue and UCONN in his top 10. We have to see if Dan Hurley and UCONN can make it 3 in a row. Let’s see if Coach Kessler can redeem himself this year, or if he has the touch of death once again.

25) St. John’s

24) Rutgers

23) Cincinnati

22) Xavier

21) Illinois

20) Wake Forest

19) Marquette

18) Indiana

17) Auburn

16) Baylor

15) Purdue

14) Tennessee

13) UCLA

12) Creighton

11) Arkansas

10) Arizona- Tommy Lloyd has continued Arizona’s regular season dominance. For all the regular season success, the Cats have flamed out in the tournament rather unspectacularly. We will see how the move to the Big 12 fares for Arizona, as the conference is the best in the nation.

9) North Carolina- Last year the Heels had a bounce back season under coach Hubert Davis, going 28-9 and winning the ACC regular season, earning a #1 seed in the tournament. Returners RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, and Seth Trimble lead the charge for UNC, while a loaded recruiting class of both freshmen and transfers should help bolster the roster.

8) Iowa St.- It is Coach Kessler’s belief that Iowa State’s TJ Otzelberger is a top 3 coach in the country. The Cyclones captured the Big 12 Tournament title and also made the Sweet 16. While Iowa St. may have lower regular season wins, the loaded schedule should have them ready for March.

7) UCONN- If TJ Otzelberger is a top 3 coach in the country, Dan Hurley has every argument to top that list. The Huskies are defending back-to-back champions, the first school to do so since Bill Donovan’s Florida teams in 2006 and 2007. A large overhaul of the roster is a concern, but it was also a concern coming into last year. The Huskies are the most dominant program of the last 25 years, winning all 6 of their titles. Don’t be surprised to see them in the conversation come March.

6) Gonzaga- The Zags did not look good on Monday, they looked great. Graham Ike is as dependable of a big man as there is in the country, while Ryan Nembhard is a maestro running the show. The Zags will do what the Zags do this year. Win the WCC (in their last season in the conference), make the tournament, and make the Sweet 16. Death. Taxes. Mark Few.

5) Houston- The last coach in my top 3 coaches in the country, Kelvin Sampson has things humming down in H-Town. The last 4 season the Cougars were top 5 in Kenpom’s final rankings, and made the second weekend in all 4 of those seasons. While losing Jamal Shead hurts, don’t expect too much of a let down.

4) Kansas- Last year the Jayhawks limped to a 10-8 record in Big 12 play, their worst record under coach Bill Self. However, the team last year lacked depth and had many injury issues. The issues look to be answered in form of the transfer portal bringing a bevvy of quality players to Lawrence. Hunter Dickinson is back as the most hated man in college basketball.

3) Kentucky- I have faith in the Pope. Mark Pope, Kentucky’s new coach, is a bright offensive mind that does stuff completely different than Calipari. Kentucky is Kentucky, so they’ll always be able to bring in top end talent. From what I hear from the boots on the ground in Wildcat country, this team shares the ball more than any UK team since the Tubby Smith days. Coach Kessler is higher on the Cats than others, and believes they will contend for a National Title.

2) Alabama- Mark Sears returns to lead the Tide fresh off their first ever Final Four appearance. Nate Oats squad has shooting, size, and athleticism. Since Oats has taken over the helm, Bama is 117-54 (.684). While the team plays in the rugged SEC, they have many ties to the great state of Michigan. Oats is a former high school coach at Romulus HS in the Detroit area and is assisted by Nouvel’s very own Preston Murphy who is an elite recruiter.

1) Duke- Coach Kessler is really testing this kiss of death thing from last year. If Duke has a bad year, Coach Kessler will be happy. If Duke wins the National Title (as predicted), Coach Kessler will look like Nostradamus. Cooper Flagg (pictured here) is the presumptive #1 pick in next year’s NBA draft. He is joined by fellow Freshmen phenoms Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel, the latter who is on a tear to start the season. Experienced players like Tyrese Proctor, and transfers Sion James (Tulane), Mason Gillis (Purdue), and Maliq Brown (Syracuse) give the Blue Devils a potent defense with enough firepower to cut down the nets in early April.

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