It feels like just yesterday the confetti was falling for the Florida Gators, and the Houston Cougars were left to ponder what might have been. Six months have flown by since that championship game, and the college basketball landscape has already shifted dramatically. Now, with the 2025-26 season's tipoff just a couple of weeks away, the preseason rankings are out, and it's a fascinating glimpse into who's poised to make some noise.
Honestly, these 'way-too-early' lists can feel a bit like guesswork, especially with how much college basketball rosters can churn in an offseason. But this year, things seem to have settled a bit quicker. Many of the top programs locked down their key pieces early, and a good number of players who might have considered the NBA draft decided to stick around for another college season. It means the teams we're looking at now have a pretty solid foundation.
So, who's at the top of this year's heap? It's a tight race, but the Purdue Boilermakers are getting the nod at number one. They're bringing back a powerhouse core, including Braden Smith, who's already being talked about as a Wooden Award favorite, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, another All-American caliber player. Add in two more starters from their Sweet 16 run and some serious depth, and you've got a team built for a deep run. The big question for Purdue, as it often is, will be their defense. Last season, their 2-point defense wasn't exactly stellar, a noticeable change from the Edey era. If they can tighten that up, they're absolutely the team to beat.
Then you've got the Florida Gators, looking to go back-to-back. Coach Todd Golden has been busy, revamping the backcourt with some serious transfer talent like Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, who are expected to start. They already had a strong frontcourt with potential NBA talent like Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh, so this starting five is stacked. There might be some early bumps as everyone gels, but the raw talent is undeniable.
Rounding out the top three are the Houston Cougars. Despite that heartbreaking title game loss, their consistent success – three straight No. 1 seeds and four seasons with at least 32 wins – speaks volumes about Kelvin Sampson's program. They've got three starters back, including potential first-rounders Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler, and they've also landed one of the nation's top recruiting classes. That blend of returning experience and fresh, elite talent makes them a perennial threat.
UConn, always a force under Dan Hurley, is right there at number four. While last season's team wasn't quite the championship juggernaut of years past, Hurley has reloaded. Solo Ball and Alex Karaban are poised for big seasons, and Tarris Reed Jr. showed flashes of dominance. With transfers Silas Demary Jr. and Malachi Smith shoring up the point guard spot, and five-star recruit Braylon Mullins adding serious scoring punch, the Huskies are back in the title conversation.
And you can't talk about the top teams without mentioning St. John's. Rick Pitino led them to their first outright Big East title in decades, and he's gone scorched earth in the transfer portal to defend it. The list of transfers – Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Oziyah Sellers, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, Dylan Darling – is frankly astounding. Add in the returning Zuby Ejiofor, who might just be the best big man not named JT Toppin, and St. John's looks like a serious contender.
It's shaping up to be another thrilling season, and these top teams are just the beginning. The next few weeks will be crucial as teams finalize their rotations and build that all-important chemistry. It's going to be a fun ride.
