The college basketball transfer portal opens Tuesday, and the comings and goings in April will have a major impact on what the preseason Top 25 looks like for 2026-27.

But what’s the fun in waiting? Congratulations to Michigan. We’re onto next season.

In making this list, I project potential lineups and will sometimes include “Portal TBD” in a starting spot. There’s a certain assumption of what that player will look like depending on the program, what kind of NIL funds they have and their history with recruiting the portal or that position. Also, a “Portal TBD” might not just be a player coming from another college. It can include players from overseas, who will likely fill some of these spots. I’m also trying to project who will return and not leave for the NBA and baking that into these rankings. I’m not going to be perfect there, but remember that even players projected to go late in the first round are now candidates to return because it’s possible a college basketball team can pay that player more than he’d make next season in the NBA.

I’ll update these rankings periodically until the start of the season, but this is a super-early look at who I think will be good.

Note: All recruiting rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.

1. Illinois

Starters: Portal TBD, Jake Davis, Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic

Notable returners: Zvonimir Ivisic, Ty Rodgers, Brandon Lee, Jason Jakstys

Newcomers: Quentin Coleman (No. 34, 6-4 SG), Lucas Morillo (No. 58, 6-7 SG), Ethan Brown (No. 117 6-4 CG), Landon Davis (No. 150, 6-8 PF)

There’s not a lot of work to be done for the Illini. Go find a point guard, and that could be it, if everyone with eligibility, outside of Keaton Wagler (a projected lottery pick), returns. The Illini bench will be strengthened by the return of Ty Rodgers, a 6-6 wing who has missed the last two years and has the positional size coach Brad Underwood loves.

It’s possible Underwood has unearthed another way-better-than-expected freshman. Maybe not at Wagler’s level, but his recent history suggests we should probably expect a leap out of one of those freshmen. I’ve heard good things about Ethan Brown and the Illini just signed a four-star shooting guard in Quentin Coleman. The frontcourt will be awesome and get ready for David Mirkovic to become an All-America level player. He’s going to have the ball in his hands and is already one of the most unique scorers and creators in the country. This team is big, skilled and just missing a lead guard.

2. Michigan

Starters: Elliot Cadeau, Brandon McCoy Jr., Trey McKenney, Portal TBD, Aday Mara

Notable returners: Oscar Goodman, Malick Kordel, Winters Grady, LJ Cason (will likely redshirt)

Newcomers: Quinn Costello (No. 31, 6-10 PF), Lincoln Cosby (No. 38 6-8, SF), Joseph Hartman (No. 79, 6-6 SG) Malachi Brown (No. 196, 6-5 SF), Marcus Moller (UR, 7-3 C)

The Wolverines’ ability to repeat could depend on what happens with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. Both could leave for the NBA. If one of the two returns — and I’m betting on Mara — then the Wolverines will be a title favorite again, especially if coach Dusty May can find another elite big in the portal.

Brandon McCoy Jr. has slid in recruiting rankings over the last year but at one point he was considered one of the best talents in this class. If May can get that out of him, it raises Michigan’s ceiling. But a backcourt of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney gives this team a pretty high floor, assuming a solid frontcourt comes together.

3. Arizona

Starters: Portal TBD, Caleb Holt, Ivan Kharchenkov, Dwayne Aristode, Motiejus Krivas

Notable returners: Sidi Gueye

Newcomers: Cameron Holmes (No. 34, 6-6 SF)

This is assuming both Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas return. That would ensure that Arizona has one of the best defenses in college basketball again. The key is whether or not coach Tommy Lloyd can land a stud point guard and some reinforcements on the bench. Lloyd is one of the best international recruiters in the game, so odds are he’s able to find his guy between the transfer portal or international portal.

Caleb Holt is one of the best high school prospects in this class and a perfect Brayden Burries replacement. Similar to Koa Peat, he has the built-in advantage of having played under Lloyd for USA Basketball. Also, do not be surprised if Sidi Gueye becomes a solid contributor after barely playing as a freshman. This is the Gonzaga way. Lloyd has a history of developing big men who wait their turn and excel once given the opportunity.

4. Florida

Starters: Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu

Notable returners: CJ Ingram, Alex Lloyd, Alex Kovatchev, AJ Brown

Other newcomers: Jones Lay (UR, 7-0 C)

The Gators will likely add some portal help and one or two of those additions could be starter-level guards, along with some added depth to the frontcourt. Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu are projected back because they can likely make more next year at Florida than the NBA. Condon is probably more up in the air than Chinyelu. If they’re both back, that’ll likely be the best starting frontcourt in the country. The Gators could roll this roster out and likely be preseason top 10 without any additions, and that has to be a great feeling for coach Todd Golden. They’re in an excellent starting spot.

5. Duke

Starters: Deron Rippey Jr., Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, Cameron Williams, Patrick Ngongba II

Notable returners: Cayden Boozer

Other newcomers: Bryson Howard (No. 12, 6-4 SG), Maxime Meyer (No. 107, 7-1 C)

This is a calculated guess at what the roster looks like, consulting with the brilliant Brendan Marks, who lives in the Triangle and is as well-sourced as anyone when it comes to those programs. Patrick Ngongba II could be off to the NBA, but odds are Duke will find an elite replacement if he does. There’s been some rumblings for a while about Kansas’ Flory Bidunga ending up a Blue Devil. What this team is missing is the no-doubt All-American they’ve had the last two years in Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer, the back-to-back national players of the year. What it does have is experience. Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, Cayden Boozer and Ngongba have now been through the wars. Coach Jon Scheyer will attempt to retain both Foster and Boozer, but even if he loses the latter to the transfer portal, he’s still one of the best roster builders in this modern era. He has the luxury of coaching at Duke, but he is also smart in making sure the pieces fit together. Pretty safe assumption he’ll enter every year with a roster good enough to be in the top five.

6. UConn

Starters: Silas Demary, Solo Ball, Jayden Ross, Portal TBD, Eric Reibe

Notable returners: Jaylin Stewart, Jacob Furphy

Newcomers: Colben Landrew (No. 24, 6-6 SF), Junior County (No. 27, 6-4 SG)

The Huskies were nearly 12 points per 100 possessions better with Tarris Reed on the floor compared to when Eric Reibe was at center. It’s possible that coach Dan Hurley goes after some killers in the frontcourt and this team ends up fielding one of the best rosters in the country, allowing Reibe one more year as a backup. Reibe has shown flashes, but this offseason will be important for him from a developmental standpoint. Do not put it past Hurley to recruit an elite center even though he has a solid option returning; his best teams have had two really good players at that position. Solo Ball went from being a 41.4 percent 3-point shooter as a sophomore to sub-30 this season. If he can get back to shooting like he has in the past and Silas Demary has a Tristen Newton-esque jump from Year 1 to Year 2, then the Huskies should have one of the best backcourts. We’ll see what happens up front.

7. Michigan State

Starters: Jeremy Fears Jr., Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Coen Carr, Cam Ward

Notable returners: Divine Ugochukwu, Jesse McCulloch

Newcomers: Jasiah Jervis (No. 26, 6-4 SG), Ethan Taylor (No. 30, 7-0 C), Carlos Medlock Jr. (No. 52, 5-11 PG); Julius Avent (No. 81, 6-7 PF)

This past year I bet against Michigan State in the preseason because I was concerned about a lack of shooting. Not making that mistake again. So long as Jeremy Fears Jr. is around, the floor at Michigan State is really high. The worry this time is low-post scoring with the graduation of Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler. The current projected starting frontcourt has one big who rarely attacks with his back to the basket (Coen Carr) and another who does (Cam Ward) but is more of a four than a five. There are other options at center — Jesse McCulloch or four-star signee Ethan Taylor — but my bet is that coach Tom Izzo will just go with his best five players in the starting lineup and figure it out.

8. Iowa State

Starters: Killyan Toure, Jamarion Batemon, Milan Momcilovic, Blake Buchanan, Dominykas Pleta

Newcomers: Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan (No. 86, 6-10 C), Jackson Kiss (No. 115, 6-8 C), Christian Wiggins (No. 131, 6-4 SG), Yusef Gray Jr. (No. 197, 6-3 PG)

T.J. Otzelberger could have been the next coach at North Carolina, but he signed an extension at Iowa State and now has added backing from the donors and university. Otzelberger was already one of the best evaluators and developers in the sport, but his success and Iowa State’s financial commitment to keeping him in Ames could get him in the door with some even better prospects. On paper, he has five returners good enough to start but could upgrade up front and potentially slide Killyan Toure back to shooting guard and add a portal point guard to replace Tamin Lipsey. The big one to watch here is Milan Momcilovic, who averaged 16.9 points and shot 48.7 percent from 3. Momcilovic could end up leaving for the NBA, but he could also play himself into lottery range in 2027 with another great year.

Coach Otzelberger is staying at Iowa State, and his resources should improve. (Jeff Le / Imagn Images)

9. Arkansas

Starters: Jordan Smith Jr., Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond, Portal TBD, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Isaiah Sealy

Other newcomers: JJ Andrews (No. 16, 6-6 SF), Abdou Toure (No. 22, 6-5 SF)

Jordan Smith Jr. was one of my favorite players on the grassroots circuit the last two summers. He is an elite defender, selfless and raises the effort level of everyone else because he competes at such a high level. He’s not Darius Acuff Jr. as a scorer, but he’ll likely turn Arkansas’ defense from meh to great. To get there, coach John Calipari will need to add some size and rim protection. The backcourt is deep and talented, but the Razorbacks need some bigs.

10. Nebraska

Starters: Portal TBD, Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Berke Buyuktuncel, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Connor Essegian, Cale Jacobsen

Newcomers: Colin Rice (No. 80, 6-7 SF), Jacob Lanier (No 90, 6-5 SF)

Coach Fred Hoiberg should once again have one of the best shooting teams in the country with the return of snipers Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager along with Connor Essegian coming back from injury. Veteran Cale Jacobsen is good enough to start, but Hoiberg will likely target a starting-caliber point guard and big man in the portal.

11. Iowa

Starters: Portal TBD, Kael Combs, Tate Sage, Cooper Koch, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Cam Manyawu, Isaia Howard, Trevin Jirak, Trey Thompson (redshirted)

Newcomers: Ethan Harris (No. 112, 6-9 PF)

The big question here: How will Iowa replace Bennett Stirtz? Stirtz was all-everything for the Hawkeyes, and coach Ben McCollum asks a lot of his lead guard. McCollum also needs to find an anchor in the post to give him size that allows Iowa to be able to match up better with teams like Michigan and Illinois in the Big Ten. What’s to love here is the positional size on the wing with Tate Sage (6-7) and Cooper Koch (6-8), the roster continuity and McCollum pulling the strings. He just proved himself nationally as one of the best tacticians in the sport with Iowa’s run to the Elite Eight; it’s probably time to start banking on Iowa being good every season.

12. Gonzaga

Starters: Mario Saint-Supery, Jack Kayil, Davis Fogle, Braden Huff, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Ismaila Diagne, Emmanuel Innocenti, Parker Jefferson

Newcomers: Luca Foster (No. 48, 6-5 SF), Sam Funches (No. 103, 6-10 C)

This ranking is reliant on Braden Huff being healthy and able to return from his knee injury after he missed the final 17 games of this past season. He becomes the go-to guy with the graduation of Graham Ike. Jack Kayil will likely be one of the top international imports. The 20-year-old guard is currently averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 assists for Alba Berlin, one of the top professional teams in Germany. That’s a really good addition, and I love the potential of the backcourt with Kayil and Mario Saint-Supery.

13. Purdue

Starters: Omer Mayer, C.J. Cox, Jack Benter, Caden Pierce, Daniel Jacobsen

Notable returners: Gicarri Harris, Antione West Jr., Raleigh Burgess (redshirted)

Newcomers: Luke Ertel (No. 46, 6-1 PG), Jacob Webber (No. 63, 6-6 SF), Sinan Huan (No. 70, 7-0 C), Jamyn Sondrup (No. 190, 6-9 C), Rivers Knight (No. 238, 6-8 PF)

Are you ready for the Omer Mayer breakout? Mayer didn’t quite hit like I thought he would as a freshman. He averaged only 14.3 minutes per game but did have good per-40 numbers (15.3 points and 3.2 assists). Now that Braden Smith is gone, it’s going to be Mayer’s show. Coach Matt Painter is missing his usual back-to-the-basket scorer unless one of the freshmen can immediately fill that role, but this is a bet on Painter and Mayer. The Boilermakers also got a head start on the portal with the addition of former Princeton forward Caden Pierce, who was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2024.

14. Houston

Starters: Portal TBD, Mercy Miller, Chase McCarty, Chris Cenac, Joseph Tugler

Notable returners: Cedric Lath, Bryce Jackson (redshirted)

Newcomers: Arafan Diane (No. 17, 7-1 C), Ikenna Alozie (No. 41, 6-2 CG)

The Cougars are going to have an awesome frontcourt, potentially returning both Chris Cenac and Joseph Tugler and then adding Arafan Diane, a 7-foot-1 rebounding machine who could give them the low-post scoring threat they missed this season. The question marks are on the perimeter. The Cougars lose their three starting guards and need to find replacements in the portal. Mercy Miller is one of those program Coogs who is destined to become a really good player because he’s waited his turn and developed, but coach Kelvin Sampson could use another guard or two to complete his rotation.

15. Kansas

Starters: Taylen Kinney (13, 6-1 PG), Kohl Rosario, Portal TBD, Portal TBD, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Jamari McDowell, Samis Calderon

Newcomers: Davion Adkins (No. 55, 6-9 center), Trent Perry (No. 92, 6-5 SF), Luke Barnett (No. 132, 6-4 SG)

The portal departures have quickly thinned KU’s frontcourt with Flory Bidunga, Bryson Tiller and Paul Mbiya already exiting. It is worth noting, however, that Bidunga hit the portal last year and ultimately returned. That’s on the table this cycle as well. The Jayhawks have also long been considered a favorite for Tyran Stokes, the top-ranked player in the 2026 class. The assumption here is that coach Bill Self will get three pretty good players to fill out that starting lineup. It’s pretty wild that we’re in a time when KU can have its starting frontcourt enter the portal, but here we are. That being said, Self wasn’t going to return if KU wasn’t heavily invested in making sure he has a talented roster.

The Billikens head coach will lose hoops cult hero Robbie Avila, but he has a lot more resources for next season at his disposal. (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)

16. Saint Louis

Starters: Trey Green, Quentin Jones, Kellen Thames, Amari McCottry, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Ishan Sharma, Jax Kerr

Newcomers: Jermel Thomas (No. 176, 6-2 PG)

The Billikens showed with a blowout win over Georgia in the first round of the NCAA Tournament that they can play with the high majors. They even put up as good a fight against Michigan as anyone. Obviously the big loss is Robbie Avila, but coach Josh Schertz now has an opportunity (and a budget) to find a bigger, more athletic center to help face the bigger frontlines SLU will eventually see in March. And there’s plenty of offense still around even with the loss of Avila. Trey Green and Ishan Sharma are elite shooters, and Quentin Jones and Kellen Thames are two of the best slashers in the country. Amari McCottry is also valuable as a playmaking four. He could play the Avila role if Schertz ends up with a more traditional center.

17. TCU

Starters: Brock Harding, Micah Robinson, Liutauras Lelevicius, David Punch, Xavier Edmonds

Notable returners: Tanner Toolson

Newcomers: Trent Lincoln (No. 1 JC, 6-3 PG), Ryan Hunt (UR JC, 7-0 C)

The Horned Frogs return four starters from a team that won 11 games in the Big 12. The David Punch-Xavier Edmonds frontcourt was one of the most underrated in the sport. Brock Harding is a really good table setter, and the offense should be even better because of the roster continuity and chemistry that comes with that. Coach Jamie Dixon also has a wild card in Trent Lincoln, a 6-3 point guard who was the No. 1-ranked junior college recruit.

18. Texas

Starters: Portal TBD, Portal TBD, Camden Heide, Dailyn Swain, Matas Vokietaitis

Notable returners: Simeon Wilcher, Nic Codie, Declan Duru

Newcomers: Austin Goosby (No. 28, 6-5 SF), Bo Ogden (No. 40, 6-5 SG), Joe Sterling (No. 96, 6-4 CG), Coleman Elkins (UR, 6-10 C)

Matas Vokietaitis became a real weapon in March, scoring 55 points in UT’s three tourney wins. He ranked third nationally in free-throw rate, and if he can become dependable at the line, he has the potential to be an all-league player. There’s work to do in the portal on the perimeter, but coach Sean Miller has Texas money to throw around. He also signed two top-40 players in Austin Goosby and Bo Ogden, both wings, who could compete for one of those starting spots. The priority has to be landing a point guard.

19. Kentucky

Starters: Portal TBD, Collin Chandler, Kam Williams, Portal TBD, Malachi Moreno

Notable returners: Trent Noah

Newcomers: Mason Williams (No. 125, 6-2 PG)

With the loss of Jaland Lowe, Mouhamed Dioubate, Andrija Jelavic, Jasper Johnson and Brandon Garrison to the portal, Otega Oweh graduating and Jayden Quaintance likely leaving for the NBA, that frees up a lot of money for Kentucky to spend and not a lot of production lost. As should be obvious from reading some of these blurbs above, the point guard market is going to be competitive. But if Mark Pope’s staff can add the right one or two guys, this is a solid roster, and a Malachi Moreno breakout could raise the ceiling. Moreno’s freshman campaign was one of the bright sides to a disappointing season.

20. Virginia

Starters: Chance Mallory, Sam Lewis, Portal TBD, Thijs De Ridder, Johann Grunloh

Notable returners: Silas Barksdale (redshirted), Elijah Gertrude, Martin Carrere

Newcomers: N/A

The international frontcourt of Thijs De Ridder and Johann Grunloh hit this past season, and De Ridder could be an All-America-level player as a sophomore. With those two back, Virginia should have elite rim protection and have one of the best two-point defenses again. There’s a lot of work to be done to add depth outside of the four projected starters. Coach Ryan Odom has yet to sign a 2026 recruit, and the returners outside of the projected starting lineup scored a combined 50 points last season.

21. Miami

Starters: Portal TBD, Portal TBD, Shelton Henderson, Caleb Gaskins, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Dante Allen, Marcus Allen, Salih Altuntas

Newcomers: Caleb Gaskins (No. 13, 6-8 PF)

This is a really solid eight-man rotation, assuming coach Jai Lucas can land a point guard and a big man. Those are two of the tougher spots to fill, but Lucas has proof of concept after Malik Reneau and Tre Donaldson had the best years of their career. Lucas did a great job in his first season, and the talent is there to have a better year next season. Shelton Henderson could be a lottery pick if he can develop a jump shot, and Dante Allen is a solid returner at the guard spot.

22. St. John’s

Starters: Dylan Darling, Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Portal TBD, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Ruben Prey, Lefteris Liotopoulos

Newcomers: N/A

This could be low for Rick Pitino, but he loses a ton up front and the rock of his program in Zuby Ejiofor. This is a straight bet on Pitino to win, and expecting the trio of Dylan Darling, Ian Jackson and Joson Sanon to improve because a summer with Pitino is usually time well spent.

23. Vanderbilt

Starters: Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing, Portal TBD, Portal TBD, Portal TBD

Notable returners: Mike James, Jayden Leverett

Newcomers: Ethan Mgbako (No. 68, 6-6 SF), Anthony Brown (No. 75, 6-1 PG), Jackson Sheffield (No. 97, 6-9 C)

There’s an argument to be made that Tyler Tanner will be the most valuable returner in college basketball if he comes back to school. He averaged 19.5 points and 5.1 assists with a 125.9 offensive rating. Coach Mark Byington will have to go find some starters in the portal, but it’s really valuable to always have the best player on the floor in every game.

24. North Carolina

Starters: Portal TBD, Luka Bogavac, Dylan Mingo, Jarin Stevenson, Henri Veesaar

Notable returners: Jaydon Young

Newcomers: Maximo Adams (No. 21, 6-7 SF), Malloy Smith (UR, 6-5 CG)

It’s hard to know if this will actually be the roster, but if new hire Michael Malone can hold onto the core of what’s returning and the recruits already signed, then the Heels will move up the next time I do these rankings. I’m hedging for now. There’s a lot to like with what’s already in place: the addition of a five-star in Dylan Mingo and another top-25 recruit in Maximo Adams; Henri Veesaar could be one of the best centers in the country, and six rotational players back from a team that made the NCAA Tournament is pretty valuable.

25. Tennessee

Starters: Portal TBD, Amari Evans, Tyler Lundblade, Portal TBD, DeWayne Brown

Notable returners: Ethan Burg, Torey Henderson, Clarence Massamba

Newcomers: Ralph Scott (No. 53, 6-8 SF), Manny Green (No. 137, 6-6 PF), Marquis Clark (No. 253, 6-1 PG)

The Vols already signed one of the portal’s best shooters in Tyler Lundblade, who averaged 15.6 points and shot 40.6 percent from 3 this past season for Belmont, the Missouri Valley champions. Usually the best players in the MVC are up-transfer success stories. The loss of JP Estrella is a big one. He had the potential to be one of the best bigs in the SEC. The Vols have some options in-house to take his starting spot — DeWayne Brown, who is undersized as a center, could be that guy — but they likely need to explore the portal market for another big and a starting point guard.