There was no Arkansas, Indiana, UCLA, Syracuse or Villanova in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Even programs like Miami and Kansas State, which made deep runs during the 2023 NCAA Tournament, were left out in 2024. From a conference standpoint, it was particularly jarring when the dust settled on the 68-team bracket and just three Big East teams were included.
But regardless of who doesn’t make it, the party always goes on, and the 2024 Big Dance delivered. Now, as the 2024-25 college basketball season approaches, those teams and many others who were left on the outside looking in during last season’s Selection Sunday are charting a path back to college basketball’s big stage.
Missing the Big Dance can provide some coaches with the clarity they need to make the roster and philosophy changes needed to ensure it doesn’t happen in back-to-back seasons. Florida, North Carolina, Texas Tech are three prominent examples of teams that missed the field in 2023 but were back in the field of 68 in 2024.
The Red Raiders went through a complete overhaul under first-year coach Grant McCasland. Florida made steady strides in Year 2 under coach Todd Golden. And UNC enjoyed a bit of addition by subtraction as the departure of mercurial guard Caleb Love crystalized the team’s hierarchy and helped the Tar Heels win the ACC.
College basketball rankings: The Top 100 and 1 best players entering the 2024-25 season
Kyle Boone
So as the new season approaches, which teams that were left out of the 2024 NCAA Tournament are poised to make it to the Big Dance in 2025? Our writers made their picks for this week’s Dribble Handoff.
…..
