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3 programs on the rise in college basketball

Kirk Irwin / Getty Images Sport / Getty

This year's NCAA tournament was disappointing for many of the teams that were eliminated before the Sweet 16. But a few of those programs - whether due to an incoming freshman class or valuable experience gained in recent seasons - showed they're on the rise despite losing early this time around.

Here's why the following schools should each be poised for a deeper run in the 2019 tournament:

UCLA

The Bruins have historically been a powerhouse, but have been inconsistent since their last deep tournament run a decade ago. UCLA's best finishes since 2008 have been reaching a pair of Sweet 16s, as the school hasn't been able to match the success of its past.

This season, the Bruins had to deal with some early controversy, as LiAngelo Ball and two other freshmen were caught shoplifting in China during an overseas trip, ending their seasons before they began. And while Ball, who was soon pulled off the team by his family, was the famous name, both Jalen Hill and Cody Riley - who were ultimately suspended for the entire campaign - were top-50 recruits coming in.

Those two players should be back next year, while three more top-50 recruits will be making their way to UCLA, including the son of Shaquille O'Neal, Shareef. And although the Bruins will likely lose Aaron Holiday to the NBA, they'll have a potentially dominant frontcourt moving forward.

Providence

Providence has become a staple in March, as head coach Ed Cooley has revived a program that had missed out on the NCAA tournament for nine straight years. However, while the Friars have now cracked the field in five consecutive seasons, they haven't made a deep run. But, the school is still trending upward.

A couple top-50 recruits will be making their way to Providence to replenish the senior-laden roster, and Cooley's excellent leadership will incorporate them while taking a step forward. Plus, the Friars survived after losing Ben Bentil and Kris Dunn, and should do the same with another deep roster likely led by Alpha Diallo next season.

Florida

The Gators suffered an early exit at the hands of Texas Tech in the second round, but Michael White's squad will be back in no time.

Florida will welcome four-star Canadian guard Andrew Nembhard next season. Nembhard is a combo guard with a silky outside shot and a crafty drive-and-dish game. The 18-year-old shined at the Nike Crown League in Toronto last summer, and if he adds a few much-needed pounds to his skinny frame, expect Nembhard to blossom into a key fixture for the Gators sooner rather than later.

Senior starters Egor Koulechov and Chris Chiozza will be missed, but junior guard Jalen Hudson had already established himself as the leading man at Florida midway through this year, and he should be better than ever in his final season.

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