A year ago at this time, UConn was coming off a first-round NCAA tournament exit with plenty of pressure to take the next step from good to great. The Huskies broke through in a big way, starting 14–0 and, after a bumpy January, ripping through the NCAA tournament to claim a fifth national title.
There are a few stories like this every year in college basketball: the sport’s breakthrough teams. They won’t all go on to win championships, but here’s a look at five teams ready to take the next step in 2023–24 … and maybe even make a deep run in March.
Kirthmon F. Dozier/USA TODAY NETWORK
