1
Michigan
This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney — from a team that finished 37-3 and won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr., Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.
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37-3
2
Florida
This ranking is based on the Gators returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, Urban Klavsar and Isaiah Brown — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kentucky transfer Denzel Aberdeen and 7-foot center Jones Lay.
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27-8
3
Illinois
This ranking is based on the Illini returning six of the top nine scorers — specifically Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis and Brandon Lee — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo and three-star prospects Ethan Brown and Landon Davis.
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28-9
4
Michigan St.
This ranking is based on the Spartans returning six of the top eight scorers — specifically Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Divine Ugochukwu and Cam Ward — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Mdelock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.
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27-8
5
Duke
This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top six scorers — specifically Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr — from a team that finished 35-3 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.
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35-3
6
Arkansas
This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning two of the top four scorers — specifically Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews, Furman transfer Cooper Bowser and four-star prospect Abdou Toure.
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28-9
7
UConn
This ranking is based on the Huskies returning four of the top eight scorers — specifically Solo Ball, Silas Demary, Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart — from a team that finished 34-6 and advanced to the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County.
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34-6
8
Arizona
This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov — from a team that finished 36-3 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit, five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes.
2
36-3
9
Gonzaga
This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Braden Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery — from a team that finished 31-4 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Houston transfer Isiah Harwell and four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Jack Kayil.
1
31-4
10
Iowa St.
This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top six scorers — specifically Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman — from a team that finished 29-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Robert Morris transfer Ryan Prather Jr., Northwestern transfer Tre Singleton, Bradley transfer JaQuan Johnson, Kansas State transfer Taj Manning, Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III, four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins and three-star prospect Yusef Gray Jr.
1
29-8
11
Virginia
This ranking is based on the Cavaliers returning five of the top 10 scorers — specifically Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Chance Mallory, Johann Gunloh and Elijah Gertrude — from a team that finished 30-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will eventually be joined by a recruiting class — but Virginia currently has zero prospects committed.
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30-6
12
Houston
This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr., Kent State transfer Delrecco Gillespie and four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie and
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30-7
13
Texas
This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning two of the top 10 scorers — specifically Matas Vokietaitis and Declan Duru — from a team that finished 21-15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by TCU transfer David Punch, Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson, four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling.
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21-15
14
Purdue
This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and Jack Benter — from a team that finished 30-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan.
1
30-9
15
St. John’s
This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Dylan Darling, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will eventually be joined by a recruiting class — but St. John’s currently has zero prospects committed.
1
30-7
16
N. Carolina
This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top 10 scorers — specifically Henri Veesaar, Jarin Stevenson and Jaydon Young — from a team that finished 24-9 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas and four-star prospect Maximo Adams.
2
24-9
17
Louisville
This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning the fifth-leading scorer — specifically Adrian Wooley — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad and former G League player London Johnson.
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24-11
18
Texas Tech
This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically JT Toppin, Josiah Moseley and Luke Bamgboye — from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Dakari Spear.
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23-11
19
USC
This ranking is based on the Trojans returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie — from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff.
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18-14
20
Alabama
This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Aden Holloway and London Jemison — from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison and four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie.
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25-10
21
Nebraska
This ranking is based on the Cornhuskers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Connor Essegian and Cale Jacobsen — from a team that finished 28-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Belmont transfer Sam Orme and four-star prospects Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.
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28-7
22
Vanderbilt
This ranking is based on the Commodores returning three of the top 10 scorers — specifically Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing and Mike James — from a team that finished 27-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield.
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27-9
23
Kansas
This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers — specifically Kohl Rosario — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Taylen Kinney and four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett.
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24-11
24
Iowa
This ranking is based on the Hawkeyes returning five of the top eight scorers — specifically Cooper Koch, Cam Manyawu, Kael Combs, Tate Sage and Isaia Howard — from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Ethan Harris and three-star prospect Jaidyn Coon.
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24-13
25
TCU
This ranking is based on the Horned Frogs returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Xavier Edmonds, Micah Robinson, Liutauras Lelevicius, Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson — from a team that finished 23-12 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by JUCO prospect Trent Lincoln.
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23-12
26
Saint Louis
This ranking is based on the Billikens returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Trey Green, Amari McCottry, Kellen Thames, Ishan Sharma and Quentin Jones — from a team that finished 29-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Jermel Thomas.
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29-6
