In a thrilling performance during the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Oakland’s leading player, turned in an unforgettable display of skill. He sank 10 3-pointers and amassed 32 points in an upset victory over , a result that effectively ended John Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky. While that performance remains etched in the memories of those who witnessed it, Oakland’s true standout throughout the past season was 6-foot-6 forward . Averaging 17.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, he earned both Horizon League Player of the Year honors and the Most Valuable Player trophy at the Horizon League Tournament. Three weeks ago, he entered the transfer portal, contemplating offers from Michigan State, , and . However, on Wednesday, Townsend bypassed those options and chose to play his fifth season of college basketball at . This decision has propelled the Wildcats to No. 15 in Version 11.0 of the 2024-25 CBS Sports preseason Top 25 and 1 college basketball rankings, with retaining its No. 1 position. Besides Townsend’s transfer, the only other changes in Version 11.0 of the Top 25 and 1 stem from commitments secured by Creighton, Texas, and UCLA. Creighton has added Jamiya Neal, a 6-6 guard who averaged 11.0 points and 5.4 rebounds at Arizona State, boosting their ranking to No. 11. Texas has recruited Tyrese Hunter, a 6-2 guard who averaged a team-high 17.6 points at while shooting 37.1% from beyond the arc, elevating their position to No. 21. UCLA has acquired Mac Etienne, a 6-9 forward who averaged 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds at , helping the team secure both the Summit League regular-season title and the Summit League Tournament. As a result, UCLA now stands at No. 24 in the Top 25 and 1 rankings.
Townsend’s Transfer Boosts Kentucky to Top 15 in Preseason Rankings
