The first tip-off of the 2025–26 college basketball season comes on Nov. 3. With just under six weeks left, the excitement leading up to opening day is starting to build up. Still, we don’t have official preseason rankings, schedules are being finalized and, apparently, the coaching carousel is still taking its course. While we wait for the actual basketball to start, these are the offseason storylines I found to be interesting and also important for this year of college hoops.
Bruce Pearl steps down
The most recent big news, and maybe the biggest of the offseason, came Monday, when Bruce Pearl announced his retirement from the head coaching role at Auburn University. While there were some whispers — which felt insignificant at the time — of his early departure from the role, this was very unexpected, especially considering that just five months ago the Tigers were playing in the Final Four after earning the No. 1 overall seed in the March Madness tournament. Pearl will now take on the title of special assistant to the athletic director, shutting down the rumors of his possible Senate run in Alabama this year. His son, Steven Pearl, will take on the full-time head coaching role. This marks yet another early retirement from one of the sport’s best coaches, following Tony Bennett, who abruptly stepped away from his role at the University of Virginia in October 2024.
Bill Self’s big bet on Peterson
Darryn Peterson, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the 2025 class, will be suiting up for Kansas University this year with high hopes. While the Jayhawks have rostered numerous top high schoolers in the past, Jayhawks Head Coach Bill Self seems to think this prospect will be one of the best he’s ever had. On an episode of ‘Inside College Basketball Now’ with Jon Rothstein, Self explained that Peterson has the ability to be the go-to guy on his team this upcoming season, going on to say that, “If he’s that guy, then he’ll put up numbers that are as good as anyone we’ve had here.” While those are some lofty expectations, especially considering the plethora of stars that have attended Kansas, one rarely hears Self talk about his players in such high regard. I think Peterson could be one of, if not the best player in college basketball this season. And with how Kansas has performed in the last couple of seasons, they could really use it.
Can Kelvin Sampson finally go the distance?
Houston University was 2 points away from finally topping the sport and getting their hands on the NCAA Champion trophy. But yet again, Cougars Head Coach Kelvin Sampson fell just short of the finish line. It feels like every year now the Cougars are at least top five in the rankings and running through the Big 12. Now, Sampson has had postseason success at Houston, with two Final Fours to show for, and the roster he has for the 2025–26 season could be his most talented one yet. With the Cougars bringing back crucial players like Emmanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler, along with adding a five-star center Chris Cenac Jr., don’t be surprised if Houston is the favorite to win it all come March.