The college basketball season is just days away from starting, which means it is a good time to look at teams for this season. Here is The Game Haus’ college basketball preseason top 25.
25. Texas Longhorns
Jordan Pope returns as an efficient point guard for the Longhorns. The backcourt will also feature Tramon Mark and Chendell Weaver from last year’s team, along with Simeon Wilcher who transfers in from St. John’s. Camden Heide and Dailyn Swain transferred in from Purdue and Xavier, respectively, and provide good wing play. More proven play will be needed on the inside, but the rest of the roster has the talent for a run in March.
24. NC State Wolfpack
Will Wade did a great job putting a roster together in his first year at NC State. Derrion Williams transfers in from Texas Tech and was an All-Big 12 First Team selection a season ago. Tre Hollomon and Terrance Arceneaux join NC State from Michigan State and Houston respectively, where they earned plenty of experience. With Ven-Allen Lubin joining from UNC, the post play should be good as well. It may take a few weeks, but Wade should be able to get this group to gel together.
23. Creighton Blue Jays
Creighton has returnees in the frontcourt in Jackson McAndrew and Jasen Green, who both provided big moments. Owen Freeman and Josh Dix transfer in from Iowa with Freeman providing a post presence and Dix providing a good wing player. Charlotte transfer Nik Graves scored 17.5 points per game last season and could have a successful year at point guard.
22. Oregon Ducks
Oregon returns a good one-two punch from last year’s team in guard Jackson Shelstad and forward Nate Bittle. Both averaged around 14 points per game. Takai Simpkins will need to fill a huge role after scoring 16.4 points per game at Elon, as the Ducks need other guards to step up. Ohio State transfer Sean Stewart gives another forward option, while Kwame Evans finished the season strong as well.
21. Michigan State Spartans
Jeremy Fears is back playing point guard after averaging 5.4 assists per game last season. They’ll need players to step up around him in the backcourt, but the frontcourt has plenty of players to turn to. Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr and Carson Cooper all played significant minutes last season, with each bringing something unique to the table.
20. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Graham Ike and Braden Huff provide one of the best frontcourts in the country, but Gonzaga will need new faces at guard to step up. Braeden Smith transfers in from Colgate should take over the point guard spot. Steele Venters is back after having ACL and Achilles injuries and will need to score. Adam Miller and Tyon Grant-Foster also will need to provide scoring after transferring in from Arizona State and Grand Canyon, respectively.
19. Illinois Fighting Illini
Brad Underwood is adding talent to a roster that brings back a decent amount. Returnee Kylan Boswell will be joined in the backcourt by Mihailo Petrovic, who protects the basketball. Ty Rodgers and Ben Humrichous will have to add more this season, while Adrej Stojakovic can add a scoring punch. On the inside, Tomislav Ivisic is a returning starter and will be joined by his brother Zvonimir, which gives them depth.
18. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona will have to find a lot more scoring this season, as plenty of talent walked out the door. Jaden Bradley returns to run the point after scoring 12.1 points per game. Anthony Dell’Orso can help space the floor from 3-point range after hitting 41.3 percent of his shots from distance last season. Tobe Awaka is physical on the inside and Motiejus Krivas provides a big interior body. Arizona will be relying on some key freshmen to step up to help this team.
17. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee lost a lot from last season’s team, but Rick Barnes can be trusted to compete in the SEC again. Ja’Kobi Gillespie played great at Maryland last year and will play point guard for the Volunteers. Felix Okpara, Cade Phillips and J.P. Estrella will need to be great in the frontcourt, but the real ceiling of this team lies with freshman standout Nate Ament, who will have to carry the scoring load at times.
16. San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State has the chance to be the best team in the country that isn’t in a power conference. Miles Byrd was a versatile wing player last season and will be rejoined in the backcourt by BJ Davis. Reese Waters returns after an injury last season kept him out of competition, but he was a preseason All-Mountain West pick. Sean Newman also transfers in from Louisiana Tech after having the third most assists in the country last year. Magoon Gwath provides a good rebounder inside after flirting with the portal, but ultimately decides to return.
15. UCLA Bruins
Getting Donovan Dent out of the transfer portal was huge, as UCLA needed a scoring punch and he put up 20.4 points per game last season at New Mexico. Eric Dailey and Skyy Clark return to help on the perimeter, while Tyler Bilodeau can stretch the floor a bit. Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker will need to have an impact on the glass.
14. BYU Cougars
BYU has its best team since Jimmer Fredette was on campus, and they have the potential to do even better if things align. Superstar recruit A.J. Dybansta is athletically gifted and could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Richie Suanders returns on the wing after scoring 16.5 points per game a season ago. One of the more underrated moves was getting point guard Rob Wright out of the transfer portal after he scored 11.5 points per game for Baylor as a freshman. Keba Keita returns on the inside as well, giving the Cougars plenty of talent.
13. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama should have good guard play between Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell and Jalil Bethea. Philon could’ve gone pro and could take a huge sophomore jump. The frontcourt will have several new faces, but will also need some returnees, who were bench players, to really improve for the team to reach its full potential.
12. UConn Huskies
UConn has the talent to be much better than last season, when they received a No. 8 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Guard Solo Ball and forward Alex Karaban return as great shooters. Silas Demary was great at Georgia and provides a bigger guard who has proven to be able to run the show. If a few others take a step forward, the Huskies could make a run in the Big East.
11. Iowa State Cyclones Iowa State brings back three starters in Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson. All three have big game experience and if Lipsey can add more scoring to account for some of the team’s losses, this core can lead them to another big season.
10. Michigan Wolverines
After having two seven-footers last season, Michigan will again be talented on the interior this year. Yaxel Lendeborg was coveted in the portal and provides a player who can do it all. UCLA transfer Aday Mara, Illinois transfer Morez Johnson and Will Tschetter will mix in around Lendeborg. UNC transfer Elliot Cadeau can set the table as the point guard, while returnees Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr. can provide some scoring from the wing.
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
While a lot of players left this offseason, Texas Tech brought back guard Christian Anderson and forward JT Toppin. Anderson had a solid freshman season where he averaged 10.6 points per game. Toppin could be the player of the year this year. Several transfers will have to fill in, but the potential for another great season is there.
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
John Calipari returned back to the Sweet 16 last season, his first year at Arkansas. D.J. Wagner brings great experience to the backcourt and will be joined by Darius Acuff, a stellar freshman. Karter Knox is expected to take a step forward after averaging 8.3 points per game, while Billy Richmond provides some defense on the wing. Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle bring a nice balance to the frontcourt that should be able to score and defend.
7. Louisville Cardinals
Pat Kelsey had a good season in year one and has built a great roster for year two. Freshman Mikely Brown will run the offense at point guard and has star potential. Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely and Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell are both great shooters from deep. With Kasean Pryor and Aly Khalifa back healthy, the interior play should be a lot better this season.
6. Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky has a loaded roster that has some asking if they have too many mouths to feed. Mark Pope will need to figure that out, but the talent warrants them being competitive for the Final Four. Otega Oweh returning was huge, as he averaged 16.2 points per game last season. Denzel Aberdeen brings championship experience from Florida, while Jayden Quantince is great defensively in the paint. Jaland Lowe hurt his shoulder in the blue-white game, but can run the point well, although his shooting needs to improve.
5. St. John’s Red Storm
St. John’s has added plenty of transfers to help improve the roster even after playing well last season. Zuby Ejiofor returns in the frontcourt and isn’t afraid to clean the glass. Ian Jackson transfers in from UNC with good scoring potential, while Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins has been one of the best players in the Big East when healthy. They have a good mix of scorers and role players to lean on.
4. Florida Gators
Florida lost their backcourt after winning the championship last season. They have filled in well with Princeton transfer Xavian Lee and Arkansas transfer Boogie Fland. The Gators will have the best frontcourt in the country with Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Reuben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten all returning.
3. Duke Blue Devils
Duke has a good balance of incoming freshmen and returning players. Cameron Boozer leads a great freshman class and could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans can provide some experience in the backcourt, although the point guard spot will be interesting to watch. Maliq Brown is a great role player on the inside. If John Scheyer gets the most out of this team, they will be in the Final Four.
2. Houston Cougars
Houston lost a lot this offseason, but they always seem to fill in well. Milos Uzan is back to run the offense and Emanuel Sharp returns to pose a significant deep threat. JoJo Tugler provides good post defense as the other returning starter. Add in the second-ranked recruiting class in the country and Houston has another great chance to make the Final Four.
1. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue brings back a great backcourt with Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer leading the way. Trey Kaufman-Renn is a force inside after averaging over 20 points per game last season. Add in C.J. Cox’s emergence on the wing and Purdue will be tough to cover.
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