Way-Too-Early Top 30: Ranking No. 6 to No. 10
First off, my apologies for how long it has taken in getting this entire preseason Top 30 out there. My intention wasn’t to drag this out over the span of about a month, but that’s how it’s turned out…hopefully, it has provided a good look at what we might be able to expect in 2024-25, though I certainly don’t plan on having this right. In fact, there’s a very good chance a team not even in this Top 30 ends up in the Top 25 pretty early on! When I think about the best teams in the country, there’s a list of at least 50 programs that comes to mind. 50 teams that I think can be considered amongst the nation’s best if one or two things goes their way. This season is going to be a fun one, and there’s quite a bit of parity, both within conferences and on a national scale. I can’t wait for tip-off. We’ve got two more editions of this ranking to go through, starting with my No. 6, No. 7, No. 8, No. 9, and No. 10 teams today. Hope everyone is having a great week!
10. Washington & Lee (2023-24 record: 29-3)
W&L seemed to play its best basketball last season when the lights shone the brightest. In the ODAC Tournament, Shenandoah held a three-point lead with the clock below a second in regulation before Mary Schleusner sent the game into OT with a incredible, catch-and-shoot 3-pointer at the buzzer. They won that game, claiming the tournament title, then followed with three straight NCAA Tournament wins over Vassar, Catholic, and Rhode Island College. All three opponents were nationally-ranked and Catholic and RIC were both playing on their home courts. The Generals’ success was one of the biggest storylines that emerged from this year’s national tournament.
As we look ahead to 2024-25, there will certainly be a few differences between this year’s team and the previous one. For one, W&L will be led by a new head coach, as Christine Clancy announced her resignation on April 26. At the time of this writing, a new head coach had not yet been announced. On the floor, standout guard Hannah Malik graduated and will play her fifth year at Emory. Malik was the go-to 3-point shooter throughout last season, as the Raleigh native started 32 games and averaged 13.9 points per contest.
But there will be plenty of constants as well, core pieces from the 2023-24 squad that should translate well into the upcoming season. That, of course, includes Mary Schleusner, who took center stage in the Generals’ exceptional win over RIC in the Sweet 16. Schleusner, a 6-1 forward/center who is entering her junior year, plays at such a remarkably high level and was a focal point in W&L’s historic season. As both a freshman and a sophomore, her talent was evident, and entering this season, I can’t see a reason why she wouldn’t be the preseason pick for National Player of the Year. It’s hard to even put into words what she did last season, averaging 23.9 points and 17.2 rebounds per game. And the ODAC isn’t an easy league. Need further proof? Go back and watch the film from W&L’s victory over RIC, when Schleusner put up 34 points and 33 rebounds. Her offensive rebounding is a huge asset, too, giving the Generals’ plenty of second-chance scoring opportunities. She averaged 5.4 offensive boards per game last season, which certainly helped W&L post a +12.2 rebounding margin over 32 games.
But what helps me put W&L into the Top 10 is that the Generals never seemed overly reliant on Schleusner. She was the focal point of the offense, no doubt, but there was a level of offensive balance that forced opponents to guard all five on the floor, rather than just Schleusner. In three of W&L’s four NCAA Tournament games, they dished out 10 or more assists. And defensively? W&L’s cohesion was present all year on that end of the floor, culminating in the 71-55 victory over RIC, in which the Generals held the Anchorwomen to 16 points below their scoring average.
Quinn McGuinness and Elka Prechel should lead the backcourt for W&L, as returning starters who enter their junior seasons. Prechel could end up being the main 3-point shooter, after going 73-of-215 from beyond the arc a year ago. McGuinness, who played 27.2 minutes per game (third-most on the team) last season, tallied a team-high 84 assists, and really sees the floor well with the ball in her hands.
No. 9 UW-Whitewater (2023-24 record: 25-5)
UW-Whitewater is in the Top 10 mix nearly every year, and it’s not only because of past history. Every year, it seems the Warhawks have a solid amount of returning talent, and this coming season won’t be any different. Kacie Carollo, Katie Hildebrandt, and Maggie Trautsch lead the way into 2024-25 as seniors, ready for another deep NCAA Tournament run.
The Warhawks reached the Elite Eight last year before falling to Transylvania on their home court, and really put together an exceptional season as a whole. Whitewater didn’t lose until Jan. 24—when UW-La Crosse pulled off a surprising upset in WIAC play—and put up resume-building wins over Concordia Moorhead, Carroll, Illinois Wesleyan, and UChicago in the first half of the season. After a minor bump in the road with back-to-back losses in late January/early February, Whitewater got back on track and finished the year strong, playing especially well in the NCAA Tournament, including in an 89-65 second-round win over Elyce Knudsen and the Millikin Big Blue.
I think one of the biggest takeaways for me from last year was just how important Kacie Carollo is to that team. She certainly had the stats to back it up, averaging 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31.6 minutes/game. A dynamic guard, she can shoot it from almost anywhere on the floor and runs the offense well while maintaining intensity on the defensive end at the same time. While Carollo being out with injury wasn’t the only reason UW-Stout took down Whitewater, 69-60, on Feb. 3, it certainly played a role, especially considering no player for the Warhawks had more than two assists on that particular night. It was much of the same offensively a week later, in a narrow win over UW-La Crosse with Carollo still unable to play. Credit to Aleah Grundahl for putting the team on her back and scoring 39, but the ball movement and flow of the offense didn’t quite seem to be at the level it typically was with Carollo as the primary ballhandler.
Speaking of Grundahl, she leaves Whitewater as one of the most decorated players to have come through that program. She started every game she played in over a five-year span, making 127 starts, became the first player in league history to win WIAC Player of the Year three times, and was also the first Jostens Trophy recipient in program history. Grundahl leaves behind a significant hole in that Whitewater roster, and one that won’t be easily filled.
That said, I really like the chances for Katie Hildebrandt to have a big year in the post and help fill that void that Grundahl leaves behind. Hildebrandt, who transferred from North Dakota State prior to last season, started 29 games and averaged 24.3 minutes/game with a stat line of 9.7 PPG and 4.6 RPG. A 6-2 forward, Hildebrandt really stood out as a defensive force, staying out of foul trouble for the most part and leading the team in blocks, with 40.
Trautsch, a 5-10 guard who is effective when she is playing off the ball, will return for her senior year after making 24 starts. She was sidelined for the final six games of the year, but should be healthy and ready to go next season. Also look for Bri McCurdy to take a step forward after gaining invaluable experience as a freshman, having started 30 games at guard for the Warhawks.
All in all, losing Grundahl and Lunden Alexander is tough, as both had a significant impact last season. But with three seniors leading the way, and a solid amount of returning depth, I think Whitewater is poised for another big year.
No. 8 WashU (2023-24 record: 17-9)
When it comes to “up-and-coming” teams for the next couple of seasons, WashU leads the pack, without question. Four freshmen started at least nine games last season, including Lexi Harris, whose 16.1 points per game led the team. Catherine Goodwin started 25 contests for the Bears. Sophomore forward Jordan Rich averaged 21.3 minutes per game, coming off the bench in 20 of her 26 games. Not only does WashU have plenty of depth heading into 2024-25, but there is a tremendous talent level there as well that will allow the Bears to contend for the UAA title.When you see a team that was so heavily reliant on freshmen and sophomores go 10-4 in one of the nation’s toughest conferences (the UAA), beat an eventual Final Four team on its home court (#7 Wartburg on Dec. 30 in Waverly), and reach the NCAA Tournament, it definitely raises the expectations for the following year.
There were certainly some peaks and valleys over the course of the 2023-24 campaign, as evidenced by the 17-9 record. An 0-2 start to the season in New York City was slightly disappointing, though Johns Hopkins and MIT turned out to be high-level teams. The same could be said about losses to Illinois Wesleyan and UW-Oshkosh, games that added to WashU’s SOS but hurt their overall winning percentage. A three-game losing skid to open UAA play caused many (including myself) to push WashU out of the Top 25 picture, and to an extent, the NCAA Tournament Pool C conversation. But then WashU surged, with nine wins in its final 10 regular season games, reaching the national tournament for the second straight year.
Harris was a big part of the overall success of the season, giving the Bears a strong post presence. It was especially key early on, as senior guard Jessica Brooks (who averaged 16.6 PPG) was out with an injury until December, creating a need within the main rotation for consistent scoring. The Bears, as they did all season, had plenty of offensive contributions, but that predicament somewhat seemed to create more of an opportunity for Harris to take charge immediately as her first collegiate season got going. A sought-after recruit coming out of Marietta, Georgia, Harris had offers from Penn, Drexel, and other high-academic D1s before choosing WashU. At 6-3, her height was an advantage for the Bears, as she averaged 7.4 rebounds per game and blocked a total of 30 shots. The D3hoops.com Region 8 Rookie of the Year, Harris played with great maturity as a freshman, and there’s good reason to think that Harris will be in for an All-American season as a sophomore.
It won’t be only Harris leading WashU into 2024-25, though. Six of the seven players who averaged at least 20 minutes per game should return, and the backcourt will definitely be strong once again. Brooks does have additional remaining eligibility, though it’s unclear if she will return. Regardless, there will be plenty to like about the guards WashU has back, including Goodwin. In the first round NCAA Tournament loss to UW-Stout, Goodwin had 14 points in 26 minutes and led the team in assists last season, with 81. Sidney Rogers returns for her sophomore year as a top-notch defender, and had several big defensive plays throughout last season while leading WashU in steals. Alyssa Hughes, another key member of the Bears’ freshman class last season, converted on 36.8% of her 3-point attempts, and was also 19-of-22 at the free throw line.
Forward Brenna Loftus will also be back as a senior, giving WashU some serious firepower in the post with Loftus at the 4 and Harris at the 5. It doesn’t seem that the Bears have a weak point, and they always seem to schedule well. I expect we’ll see WashU tested pretty early on, and with a bit more consistency this time around as compared to last season, I can easily envision a scenario in which the Bears reach the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Additionally, they’ll be under the direction of a new head coach, as it was announced yesterday that head coach Randi Henderson accepted a spot on Iowa’s coaching staff. That doesn’t change my ranking at all, but it’s something to keep an eye on pertaining to this program as we head into the next several weeks.
No. 7 Scranton (2023-24 record: 28-3)
Scranton was fairly senior-heavy last season, but much like several of the teams I’ve already written about over the last few weeks, the Lady Royals have multiple standouts utilizing that fifth year of eligibility, which makes them dangerous heading into 2024-25. Head coach Ben O’Brien guided Scranton to a 28-3 season last year, winning the Landmark Conference Tournament before reaching the Elite Eight. It’s one of those things that’s come to be expected from Scranton women’s hoops, with the consistency and high level of success. What was notable last year was the Landmark was three-deep when it came to NCAA Tournament contenders, and Scranton did take its two regular season losses in league play. But when it counted most, in the Landmark Tournament, the Lady Royals took down Elizabethtown and Catholic back-to-back and entered the national tournament with a ton of momentum.
Kaci Kranson, who had 32 points in that conference tournament semifinal against ETown, stole headlines all year, as the 5-11 guard put together an outstanding sophomore campaign. She was excellent as a freshman in 2022-23, and kept it going last year, at 15.8 PPG and 6.9 RPG. Heading into this season, she’s one of the top scoring guards in D-III women’s basketball, and that’s not an easy feat, considering how many talented playmakers there are in this division. She can score at all three levels, which is something I love to see, and Kranson also posted a free throw percentage of 80% (84-of-105), which ranked second in the Landmark behind ETown’s Summer McNulty. Kranson is a go-to weapon on the offensive end, and her rebounding is also a valuable asset for Scranton, as she pulled down 30 more rebounds last season compared to her freshman year in 3.3 fewer minutes/game.
But also look out for Kaeli Romanowski in the backcourt. A transfer guard, Romanowski led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio last season (1.8) while playing a team-high 26.6 minutes per game. She really facilitates the offense well and averaged 9.1 PPG in her first season at Scranton, while also stepping up big-time defensively, with 95 steals. Maddie Hartnett is another name to keep an eye on at the guard position, as the fifth-year senior started 25 games last year, contributing well on both ends of the floor. While her scoring was low for much of the season, she did have a 20-point performance in the conference title game, Hartnett contributes in ways that don’t even show up on the stat sheet. She’s a solid defender and really strengthens Scranton’s backcourt as an experienced guard.
Bringing back Maddy Ryan as a fifth-year at the forward position will be huge as well. Ryan averaged 23.6 minutes/game last season and has been a fixture in the starting lineup for the two full seasons. She averaged 9.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG in 2023-24, and shot 43.5% from the field. Having a forward like Ryan makes Scranton multi-dimensional, with so many guards leading the way. Defenses certainly can’t key in on the backcourt too much, as Ryan is a scoring threat from short-range.
The biggest loss from last year’s team is Hannah Angelini, who graduated following five years at Scranton. She averaged 25.1 minutes/game and dished out 50 assists last season. While she won’t be on the floor, she’ll still be helping lead the Lady Royals in a big way in her first year as an assistant coach.
Besides Angelini, Scranton should return all of its starters from last year, in addition to bringing back key contributors like guard Meghan Lamanna (who had 10 double-digit scoring performances as a true freshman last year) and guard Allie Lynch (who made 10 starts and gave Scranton quality minutes off the bench). Depth won’t be an issue, from the looks of it. Scranton is poised for another memorable year, and I’m excited to see how it plays out for this group.
6. Hope (2023-24 record: 26-4)
Hope went into last season with an entirely new starting lineup, having graduated all five starters from the 2022-23 roster. Just making the NCAA Tournament would’ve been a success. But leave it to Brian Morehouse. There’s a reason why he reached 600 wins faster than any other coach in the history of college basketball.
Not only did Hope reach the national tournament, but the Flying Dutch made a run to the Sweet 16, becoming more and more cohesive as the season progressed. The depth on the roster showed up as nine players averaged at least 16 minutes per game, five players tallied 7.5 points per game or more, and seven dished out at least 29 assists. Hope wasn’t reliant on one or two starters, which made the Flying Dutch a tough matchup. One night it could be Sydney Vis stepping up with a high-scoring performance, as she did against Trine on Feb. 10. The next it could be Terin Maynard coming off the bench to lift Hope to victory, as she did in a 62-55 win over Albion, hitting two 3-pointers and scoring 12 points. That multi-faceted approach, especially from an offensive standpoint, kept opponents on their toes.
Jada Garner will return for her senior year in 2024-25, and was a big part of Hope’s ability to find an offensive rhythm. Garner averaged 23.4 minutes/game, with a team-high 2.9 assists/game, and shot 51 percent from beyond the arc. Sydney Vis is another focal point in the returning group, as a 5’10 forward who really made the most of her 20.9 minutes/game on the floor last season. Much like the Hope teams of past years, having that inside scoring presence really seemed to open up the offense and Vis led the team in scoring, at 12.4 points per game. Additionally, she grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game and had 54 steals on the defensive end. As for the presence in the post, Raven Jemison also had plenty to do with that, especially from a rebounding perspective, with a team-high 5.5 boards per game. Jemison, a senior last season, appears to have two years of eligibility remaining, and if she returns, the combo of Vis and Jemison will certainly be tough to stop. Karsen Karlblom should be a key component as a junior guard as well, as Karlblom put together some memorable performances in her first season as a starter, including a 17-point showing against UW-Platteville and a 13-point effort in the win over Millikin.
Ultimately, Hope could realistically return its entire roster from last season, which would be huge considering the success of that team. The chemistry is there, and Hope is coming off a Sweet 16 run. That’s a dangerous formula and I really think the MIAA could be one of the most entertaining leagues in the country in 2024-25. It won’t shock me if they have three teams in the national tournament, as Calvin, Trine, and Hope, all return tremendous amounts of talent and are poised for 20-win seasons. Much like the CCIW last year with IWU, Millikin, and Carroll, don’t be surprised if the MIAA trio is ranked in the Top 25 by December. Hope seems to be in the frontrunner out of that league, and what’s impressive is the team brand of basketball I saw throughout last year. There were certainly highs and lows, some of which can probably be attributed to the youth of the main rotation, but the bottom line was the Flying Dutch played balanced on both ends of the floor, and were relentless defensively. When you have that, you don’t need one player to score 20 a game. Because you have three or four who will come through with seven or eight points apiece. This is a well-coached group that knows how to win, and has the necessary experience now to be in that Top 5 mix. Anticipate another great year ahead in Holland.