After months of waiting, recruiting, and transfer portal speculation, the anticipation is over because the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season is finally here. Maybe even more than in football, name, image, and likeness payouts have had a major effect on the college basketball landscape. Michigan showed last season that smart moves in the portal can turn a program from a pretender into a serious contender.
So who are the best teams heading into the new season? We look to answer that question with our all-new men’s college basketball rankings before the new campaign tips off on Monday.
25. UCLA
Last season, UCLA posted a rock-solid 24-12 record and won a game in the NCAA Tournament. In year eight, more will be expected from coach Mick Cronin and his team.
While they lost top scorer Tyler Bilodeau to the NBA, guard Trent Perry and forward Eric Dailey Jr. return to bring proven veteran talent to the Bruins in the new season.
24. BYU
BYU did not dominate in 2025-26 like some expected, since they had arguably the best player in the country, 2026 NBA Draft No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa. Now, they will have to somehow be better in the new season and fill the massive stats void left by the star forward.
However, coach Kevin Young still has talented guard Robert Wright III — who has Player of the Year potential — and brings in stud freshman Bruce Branch III. The chance of a third straight 20-plus win season is very possible for the Cougars in 2026-27.
23. Kentucky
Year two for Kentucky coach Mark Pope was a letdown as the Wildcats won just 22 games and were ousted in the second round of the tournament.
While they lost their top two scorers from last season, they did make a big addition in the transfer portal with Iowa State star Milan Momcilovic. If they hadn’t added the big man in the spring, things could be grim for Kentucky. However, he helps make them a top 25 team to begin the season.
22. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s backcourt duo of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles led a strong Commodores offense that posted 87 points a night last season. It’s why the team went 27-9 and won a game in the tourney. It was a nice step forward in year two for coach Mark Byington.
The senior graduated, but Tanner returns and is getting POTY buzz.
21. USC
While it wasn’t a big step, USC got better in year three for head coach Eric Musselman. They have the potential for further growth in 2026-27 with top scorer Rodney Rice returning after only suiting up in six games last year. If they can get a solid second option behind him, the Trojans could end up being a handful in the Big Ten.
20. Alabama
Alabama was a problem for any team in the nation last season as the Crimson Tide had the best scoring offense in college basketball (92.0 PPG), led by eventual NBA draft pick Labaron Philon Jr. Coach Nate Oats is hoping that senior Aden Holloway can put his off-the-court troubles behind him and be ‘Bama’s top scorer in 2026-27.
19. Texas Tech
Grant McCasland seemed set up to have his best season yet, leading Texas Tech as JT Toppin and Christian Anderson were a formidable duo. However, a torn ACL for Toppin derailed hopes of a deep run in the tournament.
While Anderson went to the NBA, Toppin is expected back after the season starts and has the talent to make the Red Raiders a tough out this season.
18. Kansas
Kansas was inconsistent for much of last seson season. You never truly knew what you would get from week to week. However, the Jayhawks finished the campaign strong before they were ousted in the second round of the tournament.
Top star Darryn Peterson took his talents to the NBA and left a large void. However, the hype on freshman Tyran Stokes is big, and the potential No. 1 pick next year may be up to the task.
17. Michigan
Michigan will be a fascinating team to watch in the new season. Not only did the Wolverines lose major impact players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr., but they also lost the coach who turned into a powerhouse, Dusty May, to the NBA.
Former assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. has a very tough act to follow. However, he will get back the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, Elliot Cadeau, to help keep Michigan in the title contention.
16. Miami
Jai Lucas was handed a difficult situation in having to turn Miami basketball around after a disastrous 7-24 season from his predecessor. However, achieved a lot in his first season as a head coach when the Hurricanes went 26-9 and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years.
They are set up to have another good season in 2026-27 with senior forward Malik Reneau back after a breakout season in his first campaign with Miami last year.
15. Iowa State
Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic played major roles in Iowa State winning 29 games and reaching the Sweet 16 last season. Unfortunately, the NBA and the transfer portal removed both from the roster in 2026-27. It means that the Cyclones will have to lean heavily on senior guard Tamin Lipsey. However, because he can make an impact on both sides of the court, they have a player who should keep them in the top 25 throughout the season.
14. Gonzaga
Mark Few’s Gonzaga squad posted a strong 31-4 record last season because of what their veteran front court of Braden Huff and Graham Ike gave them every night as they averaged close to 40 points and 15 boards a game. While they lost their WCC POTY senior, Huff is back to lead the Bulldogs in 2026-27.
13. Arkansas
Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr. led an impressive all-freshman backcourt for Arkansas this season. Unfortunately, both took their talents to the pros after the season. Leaving a big void to fill. Coach John Calipari is hoping freshman Jordan Smith can make up some of the difference.
The newcomer who has won U-18 gold twice has the talent to be a major difference-maker on both sides of the floor.
12. St. John’s
While St. John’s struggled to find their footing early in the 2025-26 season, they finished strong and won the Big East Tournament due to the efforts of their talented front court duo of Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins. Unfortunately, both exited the program for the NBA after the season.
Coach Rick Pitino filled one of those spots with high-upside transfer Keyshawn Hall. If he can stay healthy and play to his potential, the Red Storm have a guy that can carry them in the new season.
11. Louisville
In year two for Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey, the program took a bit of a step back as they won three fewer games and weren’t nearly as good inside the conference. However, they are projected to take a big jump forward in the new season after acquiring Kansas big man Flory Bidunga in the transfer portal.
The junior is a double-double machine that will anchor the Louisville defense in the new season.
10. Virginia
After some lean seasons to begin his tenure at Virginia, coach Ryan Odom had a breakthrough season in 2025-26 as he led the Cavaliers to a 30-win campaign and some big victories over ranked competition. A major reason for their success was Belgian big man Thijs de Ridder. The sophomore returns in the new season and will serve as the centerpiece of their offense in 2026-27.
9. Tennessee
After a 30-win season the year before, Tennessee took a step back in 2025-26. That, matched with losing top stars Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament to the NBA, should be reason for concern. However, coach Rick Barnes landed one of the best wings available in the portal with Juke Harris.
The Wake Forest standout is a gifted offensive player who can get his points while opening up opportunities for his teammates.
8. Houston
Kelvin Sampson’s Houston squad posted a fifth straight 30-plus-win season in 2025-26 due to the impressive play of Emanuel Sharp and star freshman Kingston Flemings. Unfortunately, both exited the program after the season. However, they will get back senior leader Joseph Tugler, an elite defender who has done nothing but help the Cougars get Ws throughout his career.
7. Texas
In coach Sean Miller’s debut season leading Texas, the Longhorns had a solid season. Winning 21 games and reaching the Sweet 16. While talented forward Dailyn Swain took his talents to the NBA in the spring, 2025 transfer portal addition Matas Vokietaitis is expected to have a larger role in 2026-27.
If he continues to develop, like he did last season, Texas should have a strong anchor in the paint on both sides of the court.
6. Connecticut
To the surprise of no one, Dan Hurley had his UConn program among the elite schools in the country last season despite retooling the roster and introducing stud freshman Braylon Mullins to the Big East. While they lost some key veterans in the offseason, the Huskies still have a strong roster led by Mullins and preseason Big East Player of the Year Silas Demary Jr.
5. Michigan State
Legendary coach Tom Izzo had another good Michigan State team on his hands in 2025-26, as last year’s group had four players averaging 10 or more points and was led by star guard Jeremy Fears Jr. The Spartans will have Fears Jr. back in the new season, and the early POTY candidate will aim for his team to improve on their 27 wins and Sweet 16 appearance last season.
4. Arizona
Arizona was impressive throughout 2025-26 as they won 36 games and reached the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. And they were led by strong play from Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, and Jaden Bradley. Unfortunately, all of them exited in the spring to make the jump to the NBA.
While the Wildcats lost a lot, they are expected to still be a top team again in 2026-27 because of center Motiejus Krivas. The Lithuanian is one of the elite post defenders in the country. However, many expect him to take another step forward offensively and lead Arizona on both sides of the court.
3. Illinois
In year 10 for head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois took a nice step by winning 28 games and reaching the Final Four. Although they lost Freshman star Keaton Wagler to the NBA, the Fighting Illini have another talented roster in 2026-27.
Led by sophomore forward David Mirkovic, Illinois returns three starters in the new season and is primed for another deep run in March.
2. Duke
Expectations are once again high in Durham after Duke won 35 games and reached the regional final. Coach Jon Scheyer continues to maintain the high standard set by Mike Krzyzewski and was able to replace Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel with Cam Boozer a year ago. How will he replace the 2026 Player of the Year?
He will do so with high-potential freshmen — Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje — returning impact players — Patrick Ngongba II — and some gems in the transfer portal — John Blackwell. The Blue Devils are deep and should be very good again in 2026-27.
1. Florida
After a rough start last season, Florida righted the ship and played well down the stretch. Although they lost in the second round of the tournament, they enter the 2026-27 season in the top spot of our new top 25 because they return top stars, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh.
Bringing back their top two scorers and two of their top three rebounders and rim protectors gives the Gators a leg up on their competition.