In making this list, I project potential lineups and will sometimes include \u201cPortal TBD\u201d in a starting spot. There\u2019s 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 \u201cPortal TBD\u201d 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\u2019m also trying to project who will return and not leave for the NBA and baking that into these rankings. I\u2019m 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\u2019s possible a college basketball team can pay that player more than he\u2019d make next season in the NBA.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll update these rankings periodically until the start of the season, but this is a super-early look at who I think will be good.<\/p>\n
Note: All recruiting rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.<\/p>\n
1. Illinois<\/p>\n
Starters: Portal TBD, Jake Davis, Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic<\/p>\n
Notable returners: Zvonimir Ivisic, Ty Rodgers, Brandon Lee, Jason Jakstys<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
There\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s possible Underwood has unearthed another way-better-than-expected freshman. Maybe not at Wagler\u2019s level, but his recent history suggests we should probably expect a leap out of one of those freshmen. I\u2019ve 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
2. Michigan<\/p>\n
Starters: Elliot Cadeau, Brandon McCoy Jr., Trey McKenney, Portal TBD, Aday Mara<\/p>\n
Notable returners: Oscar Goodman, Malick Kordel, Winters Grady, LJ Cason (will likely redshirt)<\/p>\n
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)<\/p>\n
The Wolverines\u2019 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 \u2014 and I\u2019m betting on Mara \u2014 then the Wolverines will be a title favorite again, especially if coach Dusty May can find another elite big in the portal.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s ceiling. But a backcourt of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney gives this team a pretty high floor, assuming a solid frontcourt comes together.<\/p>\n
3. Arizona<\/p>\n
Starters: Portal TBD, Caleb Holt, Ivan Kharchenkov, Dwayne Aristode, Motiejus Krivas<\/p>\n
Notable returners: Sidi Gueye<\/p>\n
Newcomers: Cameron Holmes (No. 34, 6-6 SF)<\/p>\n
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<\/a> 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\u2019s able to find his guy between the transfer portal or international portal.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 4. Florida<\/p>\n Starters: Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu<\/p>\n Notable returners: CJ Ingram, Alex Lloyd, Alex Kovatchev, AJ Brown<\/p>\n Other newcomers: Jones Lay (UR, 7-0 C)<\/p>\n 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\u2019re both back, that\u2019ll 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\u2019re in an excellent starting spot.<\/p>\n 5. Duke<\/p>\n Starters: Deron Rippey Jr., Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, Cameron Williams, Patrick Ngongba II<\/p>\n Notable returners: Cayden Boozer<\/p>\n Other newcomers: Bryson Howard (No. 12, 6-4 SG), Maxime Meyer (No. 107, 7-1 C)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s been some rumblings for a while about Kansas\u2019 Flory Bidunga ending up a Blue Devil. What this team is missing is the no-doubt All-American they\u2019ve 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\u2019s still one of the best roster builders in this modern era. He has the luxury of coaching<\/a> at Duke, but he is also smart in making sure the pieces fit together. Pretty safe assumption he\u2019ll enter every year with a roster good enough to be in the top five.<\/p>\n 6. UConn<\/p>\n Starters: Silas Demary, Solo Ball, Jayden Ross, Portal TBD, Eric Reibe<\/p>\n Notable returners: Jaylin Stewart, Jacob Furphy<\/p>\n Newcomers: Colben Landrew (No. 24, 6-6 SF), Junior County (No. 27, 6-4 SG)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019ll see what happens up front.<\/p>\n 7. Michigan State<\/p>\n Starters: Jeremy Fears Jr., Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Coen Carr, Cam Ward<\/p>\n Notable returners: Divine Ugochukwu, Jesse McCulloch<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 Jesse McCulloch or four-star signee Ethan Taylor \u2014 but my bet is that coach Tom Izzo will just go with his best five players in the starting lineup and figure it out.<\/p>\n 8. Iowa State<\/p>\n Starters: Killyan Toure, Jamarion Batemon, Milan Momcilovic, Blake Buchanan, Dominykas Pleta<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \n Coach Otzelberger is staying at Iowa State, and his resources should improve. (Jeff Le \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n 9. Arkansas<\/p>\n Starters: Jordan Smith Jr., Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond, Portal TBD, Portal TBD<\/p>\n Notable returners: Isaiah Sealy<\/p>\n Other newcomers: JJ Andrews (No. 16, 6-6 SF), Abdou Toure (No. 22, 6-5 SF)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s not Darius Acuff Jr. as a scorer, but he\u2019ll likely turn Arkansas\u2019 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.<\/p>\n 10. Nebraska<\/p>\n Starters: Portal TBD, Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Berke Buyuktuncel, Portal TBD<\/p>\n Notable returners: Connor Essegian, Cale Jacobsen<\/p>\n Newcomers: Colin Rice (No. 80, 6-7 SF), Jacob Lanier (No 90, 6-5 SF)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 11. Iowa<\/p>\n Starters: Portal TBD, Kael Combs, Tate Sage, Cooper Koch, Portal TBD<\/p>\n Notable returners: Cam Manyawu, Isaia Howard, Trevin Jirak, Trey Thompson (redshirted)<\/p>\n Newcomers: Ethan Harris (No. 112, 6-9 PF)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019s run to the Elite Eight; it\u2019s probably time to start banking on Iowa being good every season.<\/p>\n 12. Gonzaga<\/p>\n Starters: Mario Saint-Supery, Jack Kayil, Davis Fogle, Braden Huff, Portal TBD<\/p>\n Notable returners: Ismaila Diagne, Emmanuel Innocenti, Parker Jefferson<\/p>\n Newcomers: Luca Foster (No. 48, 6-5 SF), Sam Funches (No. 103, 6-10 C)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s a really good addition, and I love the potential of the backcourt with Kayil and Mario Saint-Supery.<\/p>\n 13. Purdue<\/p>\n Starters: Omer Mayer, C.J. Cox, Jack Benter, Caden Pierce, Daniel Jacobsen<\/p>\n Notable returners: Gicarri Harris, Antione West Jr., Raleigh Burgess (redshirted)<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n Are you ready for the Omer Mayer breakout? Mayer didn\u2019t 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\u2019s going to be Mayer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 14. Houston<\/p>\n Starters: Portal TBD, Mercy Miller, Chase McCarty, Chris Cenac, Joseph Tugler<\/p>\n Notable returners: Cedric Lath, Bryce Jackson (redshirted)<\/p>\n Newcomers: Arafan Diane (No. 17, 7-1 C), Ikenna Alozie (No. 41, 6-2 CG)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s waited his turn and developed, but coach Kelvin Sampson could use another guard or two to complete his rotation.<\/p>\n 15. Kansas<\/p>\n Starters: Taylen Kinney (13, 6-1 PG), Kohl Rosario, Portal TBD, Portal TBD, Portal TBD<\/p>\n Notable returners: Jamari McDowell, Samis Calderon<\/p>\n Newcomers: Davion Adkins (No. 55, 6-9 center), Trent Perry (No. 92, 6-5 SF), Luke Barnett (No. 132, 6-4 SG)<\/p>\n The portal departures have quickly thinned KU\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s pretty wild that we\u2019re in a time when KU can have its starting frontcourt enter the portal, but here we are. That being said, Self wasn\u2019t going to return<\/a> if KU wasn\u2019t heavily invested in making sure he has a talented roster.<\/p>\n \n 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)<\/p>\n 16. Saint Louis<\/p>\n Starters: Trey Green, Quentin Jones, Kellen Thames, Amari McCottry, Portal TBD<\/p>\n Notable returners: Ishan Sharma, Jax Kerr<\/p>\n Newcomers: Jermel Thomas (No. 176, 6-2 PG)<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 17. TCU<\/p>\n Starters: Brock Harding, Micah Robinson, Liutauras Lelevicius, David Punch, Xavier Edmonds<\/p>\n Notable returners: Tanner Toolson<\/p>\n Newcomers: Trent Lincoln (No. 1 JC, 6-3 PG), Ryan Hunt (UR JC, 7-0 C)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 18. Texas<\/p>\n Starters: Portal TBD, Portal TBD, Camden Heide, Dailyn Swain, Matas Vokietaitis<\/p>\n Notable returners: Simeon Wilcher, Nic Codie, Declan Duru<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n Matas Vokietaitis became a real weapon in March, scoring 55 points in UT\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 19. Kentucky<\/p>\n Starters: Portal TBD, Collin Chandler, Kam Williams, Portal TBD, Malachi Moreno<\/p>\n Notable returners: Trent Noah<\/p>\n Newcomers: Mason Williams (No. 125, 6-2 PG)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28565348-scaled.jpg\")
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