1
Houston
This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a team that finished 35-5 and advanced to the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, Sam Houston transfer Kalifa Sakho, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr. and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings.
—
35-5
2
Duke
This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Tyrese Proctor, Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster – from a team that finished 35-4 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star freshmen Cameron Boozer and Shelton Henderson and four-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia and Cayden Boozer.
—
35-4
3
Purdue
This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top six scorers – specifically Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Daniel Jacobsen and C.J. Cox – from a team that finished 24-12 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff.
—
24-12
4
UConn
This ranking is based on the Huskies returning four of the top seven scorers – specifically Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed and Jaylin Stewart – from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr., five-star freshman Braylon Mullins and four-star freshmen Darius Adams and Eric Reibe.
—
24-11
5
BYU
This ranking is based on the Cougars returning four of the top 10 scorers – specifically Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker, Keba Keita and Mihailo Boskovic – from a team that finished 26-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Baylor transfer Robert Wright, five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa and four-star freshmen Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess.
13
26-10
6
UCLA
This ranking is based on the Bruins returning three of the top four scorers – specifically Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr. and Skyy Clark – from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class featuring New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent, Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker, Kansas City transfer Jamar Brown and San Diego transfer Steven Jamerson.
1
23-11
7
Arizona
This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning four of the top eight scorers — specifically Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Motiejus Krivas and Anthony Dell’Orso — from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Harvard transfer Evan Nelson, five-star freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, and four-star freshman Dwayne Aristode.
1
24-13
8
Michigan
This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Roddy Gayle Jr. and L.J. Cason — from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois transfer Morez Johnson Jr., North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau, UCLA transfer Aday Mara and four-star freshmen Trey McKenney and Winters Grady.
3
27-10
9
Alabama
This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning four of the top 11 scorers – specifically Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Aden Holloway, Derrion Reed and Aidan Sherrell – from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Miami transferJalil Bethea, Florida State transfer Tayor Bol Bowen, Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson and four-star freshmen London Jemison, Davion Hannah and Amari Allen.
2
28-9
10
Iowa St.
This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top five scorers – specifically Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey – from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan, Purdue Fort Wayne transfer Eric Mulder, Eastern Washington transfer Mason Williams and four-star freshman Jamarion Batemon.
2
25-10
11
Florida
This ranking is based on the Gators returning seven of the top 10 scorers – specifically Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Denzel Aberdeen. Reuben Chinyelu, Sam Alexis, Urban Klavzar and Micah Handlogten – from a team that finished 36-4 and won the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star freshmen CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd.
2
36-4
12
St. John’s
This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning five of the top 10 scorers – specifically Zuby Ejiofor, Simeon Wilcher, Vince Iwuchukwu, Jaiden Glover and Sadiku Abine Ayo – from a team that finished 31-5 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins and Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon.
2
31-5
13
Louisville
This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning two of the top six scorers – specifically J’Vonne Hadley and James Scott – from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely, Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell, Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley, five-star freshman Mikel Brown and four-star freshman Sananda Fru.
1
27-8
14
Texas Tech
This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning five of the top 11 scorers – specifically JT Toppin, Christian Anderson, Kevin Overton, Leon Horner and Eemeli Yalaho – from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by redshirt freshmen Marial Akuentok.
1
28-9
15
Kentucky
This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top seven scorers — specifically Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison – from a team that finished 24-12 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance, Alabama transfer Mouhamed Dioubate, Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe, Tulane transfer Kam Williams and four-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
1
24-12
16
Auburn
This ranking is based on the Tigers returning two of the top three scorers – specifically Chad Baker-Mazara and Tahaad Pettiford – from a team that finished 32-6 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall, JUCO transfer Abdul Bashir and four-star freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Kaden Magwood.
1
32-6
17
Michigan St.
This ranking is based on the Spartans returning four of the top eight scorers – specifically Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears and Carson Cooper – from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by FAU transfer Kaleb Glenn and four-star freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott.
1
30-7
18
Oregon
This ranking is based on the Ducks returning four of the top 10 scorers – specifically Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, Kwame Evans Jr. and Jamari Phillips – from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Elon transfer TK Simpkins and three-star freshman JJ Frakes.
1
25-10
19
Kansas
This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers – specifically Flory Bidunga – from a team that finished 21-13 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Illinois transfer Tre White, Loyola Chicago transfer Jayden Dawson and five-star freshman Darryn Peterson – plus Elmarko Jackson, a former five-star prospect who missed this season with a knee injury.
—
21-13
20
Texas
This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning three of the top six scorers – specifically Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Chendall Weaver – from a team that finished 19-16 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by FAU transfer Matas Vokietaitis, Purdue transfer Camden Heide, Xavier transfer Dailyn Swain and four-star freshman John Clark.
—
19-16
21
Arkansas
This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning four of the top nine scorers – specifically DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III – from a team that finished 22-14 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas.
—
22-14
22
Ohio St.
This ranking is based on the Buckeyes returning four of the top six scorers – specifically Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal, John Mobley Jr. and Sean Stewart – from a team that finished 17-15 and missed the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by Wright State transfer Brandon Noel, Santa Clara transfer Christoph Tilly, Indiana transfer Gabe Cupps and four-star freshmen A’mare Bynum and Dorian Jones.
—
17-15
23
Tennessee
This ranking is based on the Vols returning three of the top eight scorers – specifically Felix Okpara, J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips – from a team that finished 30-8 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey, Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie and four-star freshmen Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown.
—
30-8
24
Wisconsin
This ranking is based on the Badgers returning three of the top nine scorers – specifically John Blackwell, Nolan Winter and Jack Janicki – from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by San Diego State transfer Nick Boyd, Virginia transfer Andrew Rohde, Portland transfer Austin Rapp and four-star freshman Zach Kinziger.
—
27-10
25
N. Carolina
This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top six scorers – specifically Seth Trimble, Ven Lubin and Drake Powell – from a team that finished 23-14 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell, Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans, five-star freshman Caleb Wilson and four-star freshmen Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon.
—
23-14
26
Gonzaga
This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top 10 scorers – specifically Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne and Emmanuel Innocenti – from a team that finished 26-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Jalen Warley, Colgate transfer Braeden Smith and four-star freshman Davis Fogle – plus the return of Steele Venters, who has missed the past two seasons with injuries.
—
26-9
