Just like everything else in college basketball, the pecking order of the top conferences seems to shuffle from year to year. With the constant churn of the transfer portal and a fresh round of coaching changes, this feels like the right moment to take stock of the Power 5. The goal: to predict which leagues are poised for the most success, whether by racking up tournament bids, producing true championship contenders or simply standing out in overall competitiveness.

1. Southeastern Conference

One consistency is the SEC’s place atop the Power 5. After accumulating a record of 14 NCAA bids in 2025 (out of 16 SEC teams), the league’s top teams have reloaded. Reigning champions, Florida is back in contention with the No. 6 transfer class, while Kentucky came in just ahead at No. 5. Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas are all likely preseason top-25 teams. As 14 of the 16 schools sit in Bart Torvick’s predicted top 50, depth and star power keep the league at No. 1.

2. Big 12

The Big 12 may not match the SEC’s volume of bids, but the top of this conference is loaded.  Houston again has one of its best rosters under head coach Kelvin Sampson, while Brigham Young brings in a top-15 transfer class and expected No. 1 draft pick AJ Dybantsa. Texas Tech kept the 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin from their Elite Eight run. Also, Arizona and Iowa State project as top-tier teams. This firepower makes the Big 12 dangerous.

3. Big Ten

The Big Ten impressed in March, with all eight of its tournament teams reaching the second round, matching the SEC’s total. They also match the SEC in the predictive rankings, notching 14 teams in Bart Torvick’s top 50. Gary Parrish’s “Top 25 and 1” features seven Big Ten teams, including two in the top 10. If the predictions hold, the league has a strong argument for the No. 2 spot.

4. Big East

After a strong stretch, the Big East looks headed for a dip. Just four teams crack Torvick’s top 50, the lowest in the Power 5. Coaching changes at Villanova and Xavier, plus limited portal success, leave most of the league scrambling. The exceptions are St John’s, with the No. 1 transfer class in the nation, and UConn, returning a large portion of their 2025 squad. Both could be preseason top-five and are why the Big East ranks above the ACC.

5. Atlantic Coast Conference

The ACC has consistently fallen last in recent years. Once the sport’s premier league, it now offers only a few serious contenders. Duke remains elite with Torvick’s No. 2 ranking, and Louisville could be a real threat in March, but the rest of the league doesn’t offer much. Until the depth improves, the ACC is secure here at the bottom.