Early this month, UConn won their fifth men's basketball championship in dominating fashion, capping off six straight performances with wins by double digits. However, if you're already missing March Madness, it's hard not to already wonder who's going to be in contention for next year. Can Uconn repeat, becoming the first since the 2007 Florida Gators?? Was FAU's run a fluke? Will San Diego State be in the mix? All these questions and more will be answered below.

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Top 5 Early Favorites to Win NCAA Tournament 2024

1. Kentucky

While freshman guard Cason Wallace has already declared for the NBA Draft, It's yet to be seen whether senior forward Oscar Tshiebwe is going to use his extra year of eligibility. Either way, the Wildcats will stay in good hands. Kentucky coach John Calipari is about to bring in one of the most star-studded recruiting classes we've seen in a while, highlighted by four players in the top 11. This is arguably the Wildcats' best incoming recruiting class since the 2013 class, which went 29-11 losing in the NCAA Championship game to Uconn.

The Wildcats will be just fine in the 2024 tournament.

2. Duke

Duke is going to take a giant leap in the post-Mike Krzyzewski era. In what will be coach Jon Scheyer's second year, the Blue Devils are in good shape moving forward.

Returning to this team will be junior guard Jeremy Roach, who posted career highs in PPG this past season. Joining Roach again will be freshman guard Tyrese Proctor, who down the stretch showed promising growth, highlighted by his 16 point performance and six assists against Tennessee in the Round of 32. This pairing will look to blossom, alongside freshman sensation in forward Kyle Flipokowski, who will also return. 

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Though the Blue Devils may lose their 5-star recruit in Mackenzie Mgbako, with the return of these aforementioned players, the Cameron Crazies should be crazy excited.

 3. Uconn

Before the 2023 tournament, the UConn Huskies hadn't won a tournament game since 2016 and had endured many coaching changes. Fast forward to April 2023, they have silenced all critics, becoming the first team since well… also Uconn in 2011, to start the season ranked outside the AP Top 25, and win the whole thing. 

Here is where things get interesting–freshman guard Jordan Hawkins is likely to participate in the 2023 NBA Draft, and projects to be a mid-to-late first-round pick. In the upcoming weeks, we will learn more and more about junior forward Adama Sanago, who was a dominant force for the Huskies this year. Even if both of UConn's leading scorers leave, Uconn is still in good hands as freshman center Donovan Clingan will likely develop and blossom with increased minutes as a starter. 

4. FAU

No, FAU's run to the Final Four was not a fluke. Going 35-4 is not easy, especially in the Conference-USA, where two other teams not only had at least 29 wins, but were winners of both the NIT and CBI. The Owls showed they belonged all season, and losing at the buzzer in the Final Four proves it. Plus, Dusty May's squad will be just fine as star guard Johnell Davis and the rest of the starting lineup will be returning. With tournament experience now under their belt, this team will be poised to get right back to the Final Four. Look out for the Owls!

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5. Miami

Miami followed up their Elite Eight appearance in 2021, by making it to the Final Four in 2022, where they lost to a UConn team that won the national championship–and the Canes aren't going anywhere next year. Rather, their seeding here is the culmination of two strong seasons that have them on the cusp of winning their first-ever national championship.

The Canes will be bringing back a trio of starters in Nijel Pack, Wooga Poplar, and Norchad Omier. Pack is one of the most efficient shooters in all of college basketball, who has shot at least 40 percent from three in his three seasons. Down the stretch, Poplar has shown promising results, including his 16 point affair against Texas in the Elite Eight. Then, there's Omier, who has averaged a double-double in each of his three college basketball seasons. Omier is one of the best forwards in college basketball, highlighted by his ability to finish in the paint, and dominant rebounding.

But wait, there's more: while we will wait to see whether ACC Player of the year and fourth-year junior Isaiah Wong declares for the NBA Draft, Miami will still be a force to be reckoned with and could potentially utilize the transfer portal and NIL deals, which in the last year landed them two of their starters in Pack and Omier. Don't count the Canes out in 2024.

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* Originally published on April 25, 2023, by Nicholas Nathanson