Preseason Top 25
#1 Purdue Boilermakers
HC: Matt Painter
21st year as Purdue HC – AGE: 55
Career record: 496-220 (Southern Illinois ’03-’04, Purdue ’05-present)
1x Runner-Up, 1x Elite 8, 6x Sweet 16, 4x Round of 32, 18/21 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Braden Smith – #3 (Senior, 6’0, 170 lbs)
G: Fletcher Loyer – #2 (Senior, 6’5, 180 lbs)
G: C.J. Cox – #0 (Sophomore, 6’3, 195 lbs)
F: Trey Kaufman-Renn – #4 (Senior, 6’9, 240 lbs)
C: Oscar Cluff – #45 (Senior, 6’11, 245 lbs) – Transfer from: South Dakota State
BENCH PIECES:
C: Daniel Jacobsen – #12 (Sophomore, 7’4, 250 lbs)
G: Antoine West Jr. – #1 (Freshman, 6’3, 195 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #92
G: Gicarri Harris – #24 (Sophomore, 6’3, 210 lbs)
F: Liam Murphy – #5 (Senior, 6’8, 225 lbs) – Transfer from: North Florida
KEY NOTES:
– Losing only one key bench piece in Caleb Furst, while maintaining Smith, Loyer, and Kaufman-Renn
– Three Sweet 16’s in the last four years, including a runner-up finish, could be Painter’s best chance at the Title
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/4 Evansville, 11/7 Oakland, 11/13 @ #15 Alabama, 11/16 Akron, 11/20 Memphis, 11/28 Eastern Illinois, 12/2 @ Rutgers, 12/6 #16 Iowa State, 12/10 Minnesota, 12/13 Marquette, 12/20 #20 Auburn, 12/29 Kent State
#2 Houston Cougars
HC: Kelvin Sampson
13th year as Houston HC – AGE: 70
Career record: 798-355 (Montana Tech ’81-’85, Washington St. ’87-’94, Oklahoma ’94-’06, Indiana ’06-’08, Houston ’14-present)
1x Runner-Up, 2x Final Four, 2x Elite 8, 4x Sweet 16, 4x Round of 32, 20/36 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Milos Uzan – #7 (Senior, 6’4, 195 lbs)
G: Kingston Flemings – #4 (Freshman, 6’4, 190 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #22
G: Emanuel Sharp – #21 (Senior, 6’3, 205 lbs)
F: Joseph Tugler – #11 (Junior, 6’8, 230 lbs)
C: Chris Cenac Jr. – #5 (Freshman, 6’11, 240 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #6
BENCH PIECES:
G: Isiah Harwell – #1 (Freshman, 6’6, 220 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #14
G: Mercy Miller – #25 (Sophomore, 6’4, 200 lbs)
G: Ramon Walker Jr. – #3 (Senior, 6’5, 215 lbs)
C: Kalifa Sakho – #14 (Senior, 6’11, 230 lbs) – Transfer from: Sam Houston State
KEY NOTES:
– After losing in the National Championship to Florida, they lose three key pieces in L.J. Cryer, J’Wan Roberts, and Mylik Wilson
– Bring back one of the best returning two-way guards in the nation, Milos Uzan
– Three incoming top 22 freshmen, including potential lottery pick Chris Cenac Jr.
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Lehigh, 11/8 Towson, 11/12 Oakland, 11/16 #20 Auburn, 11/20 Rider, 11/24 Syracuse, 11/25 #18 Tennessee, 12/6 Florida State, 12/10 Jackson State, 12/13 New Orleans, 12/20 #14 Arkansas, 12/29 Middle Tennessee
#3 Florida Gators
HC: Todd Golden
4th year as Florida HC – AGE: 40
Career record: 133-69 (San Francisco ’19-’22, Florida ’22-present)
1x NCAA Champion (’25), 3/5 Tournament appearances
PROJECTING STARTING 5:
G: Boogie Fland – #0 (Sophomore, 6’3, 185 lbs) – Transfer from: Arkansas
G: Xaivian Lee – #1 (Senior, 6’4, 180 lbs) – Transfer from: Princeton
F: Alex Condon – #21 (Junior, 6’11, 230 lbs)
F: Thomas Haugh – #10 (Junior, 6’9, 215 lbs)
C: Rueben Chinyelu – #9 (Junior, 6’10, 265 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
C: Micah Handlogten – #3 (Senior, 7’1, 260 lbs)
G: C.J. Ingram – #11 (Freshman, 6’6, 205 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #21
G: Alex Lloyd – #4 (Freshman, 6’3, 180 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #37
G: A.J. Brown – #23 (Junior, 6’4, 210 lbs) – Transfer from: Ohio
G: Urban Klavzar – #7 (Junior, 6’1, 195 lbs)
C: Olivier Rioux – #32 (Freshman, 7’9, 305 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Reigning champs bring in two top transfers to replace their losses in the backcourt
– Lost: Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, Will Richard, but retained: Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon
– Still have the 7’9 redshirt-freshman Olivier Rioux on the bench
– Two top 40 freshmen that will be bench backup pieces
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 #13 Arizona, 11/6 North Florida, 11/11 Florida State, 11/16 Miami, 11/21 Merrimack, 11/27 TCU, 12/2 @ #6 Duke, 12/9 @ #4 UConn, 12/13 George Washington, 12/17 St. Francis, 12/21 Colgate, 12/29 Dartmouth
#4 UConn Huskies
HC: Dan Hurley
8th year as UConn HC – AGE: 53
Career record: 316-174 (Wagner ’10-’12, Rhode Island ’12-’18, UConn ’18-present)
2x NCAA Champ (’23, ’24), 3x Round of 32, 7/14 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Silas Demary Jr. – #2 (Junior, 6’4, 215 lbs) – Transfer from: Georgia
G: Solo Ball – #1 (Junior, 6’4, 200 lbs)
G: Braylon Mullens – #24 (Freshman, 6’6, 196 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #17
F: Alex Karaban – #11 (Senior, 6’8, 230 lbs)
C: Tarris Reed Jr. – #5 (Senior, 6’11, 265 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
G: Malachi Smith – #0 (Senior, 6’1, 180 lbs) – Transfer from: Dayton
F: Jayden Ross – #23 (Junior, 6’7, 205 lbs)
C: Eric Reibe – #12 (Freshman, 7’1, 260 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #23
G: Jacob Furphy – #7 (Freshman, 6’6, 205 lbs)
F: Jaylin Stewart – #3 (Junior, 6’7, 225 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Bring back 3/4 leading scorers from a year ago, including Silas Demary who was one of the top transfers in the nation
– Karaban and Ball should be the leaders on the offensive end
– Braylon Mullens could be a 1st round pick
– Be between them and St. John’s at the top of the Big East
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 New Haven, 11/7 UMass Lowell, 11/10 Columbia, 11/15 #8 BYU, 11/19 #13 Arizona, 11/23 Bryant, 11/28 #17 Illinois, 12/2 @ #19 Kansas, 12/5 East Texas A&M, 12/9 #3 Florida, 12/12 Texas
#5 St. John’s Red Storm
HC: Rick Pitino
3rd year as St. John’s HC – AGE: 73
Career record: 761-308 (Hawaii ’75-’76, Boston U ’78-’83, Providence ’85-’87, Kentucky ’89-’97, Louisville ’01-’17, Iona ’20-’23, St. John’s ’23-present)
2x NCAA Champion (’96, ’13), 1x Runner-Up, 4x Final Four, 5x Elite 8, 1x Sweet 16, 5x Round of 32, 24/37 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Ian Jackson – #11 (Sophomore, 6’5, 195 lbs) – Transfer from: North Carolina
G: Oziyah Sellers – #4 (Senior, 6’5, 190 lbs) – Transfer from: Stanford
G: Joson Sanon – #3 (Sophomore, 6’5, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Arizona State
F: Bryce Hopkins – #23 (Senior, 6’7, 225 lbs) – Transfer from: Providence
C: Zuby Ejiofor – #24 (Senior, 6’9, 245 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
F: Dillon Mitchell – #1 (Senior, 6’8, 210 lbs) – Transfer from: Cincinnati
G: Dylan Darling – #0 (Junior, 6’1, 175 lbs) – Transfer from: Idaho State
F: Ruben Prey – #17 (Sophomore, 6’11, 230 lbs)
G: Lefteris Liotopoulos – #31 (Sophomore, 6’4, 195 lbs)
F: Sadiku Ibine Ayo – #2 (Senior, 6’6, 215 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– After being upset by Arkansas in the Round of 32, Pitino’s crew re-tooled with 6 transfers who are expected to play big minutes
– Sanon, Jackson, Hopkins, and Darling should fix the team’s lack of shooting last year
– Zuby Ejiofor named Preseason Big East Player of the Year
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Quinnipiac, 11/8 #15 Alabama, 11/15 William & Mary, 11/20 Bucknell, 11/24 #16 Iowa State, 11/25 Baylor, 12/6 Ole Miss, 12/13 Iona, 12/20 #9 Kentucky, 12/23 Harvard
#6 Duke Blue Devils
HC: Jon Scheyer
4th year as Duke HC – AGE: 38
Career record: 89-22 (Duke ’22-present)
1x Final Four, 1x Elite 8, 1x Round of 32, 3/3 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Caleb Foster – #1 (Junior, 6’5, 205 lbs)
G: Isaiah Evans – #3 (Sophomore, 6’6, 180 lbs)
F: Dame Sarr – #7 (Freshman, 6’8, 180 lbs)
F: Cameron Boozer – #12 (Freshman, 6’9, 250 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #3
C: Patrick Ngongba II – #21 (Sophomore, 6’11, 250 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
F: Maliq Brown – #6 (Senior, 6’9, 225 lbs)
G: Cayden Boozer – #2 (Freshman, 6’4, 205 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #16
G: Nikolas Khamenia – #14 (Freshman, 6’8, 215 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #15
F: Sebastian Wilkins – #5 (Freshman, 6’8, 220 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #25
KEY NOTES:
– Returns backcourt of Foster and Evans while bringing in potential #1 pick Cameron Boozer
– Other top freshmen: Dame Sarr, Cayden Boozer, Nikola Khamenia, and Sebastian Wilkins
– Once again, the lead team of the ACC
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/4 Texas, 11/8 Western Carolina, 11/11 @ Army, 11/14 Indiana State, 11/18 #19 Kansas, 11/21 Niagara, 11/23 Howard, 11/27 #14 Arkansas, 12/2 #3 Florida, 12/6 @ #22 Michigan State, 12/16 Lipscomb, 12/20 #10 Texas Tech
#7 Michigan Wolverines
HC: Dusty May
2nd year as Michigan HC – AGE: 49
Career record: 153-79 (Florida Atlantic ’18-’24, Michigan ’24-present)
1x Final Four, 1x Sweet 16, 3/6 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Elliot Cadeau – #3 (Junior, 6’1, 180 lbs) – Transfer from: North Carolina
G: Roddy Gayle Jr. – #11 (Senior, 6’5, 210 lbs)
G: Nimari Burnett – #4 (Senior, 6’5, 195 lbs)
F: Yaxel Lendeborg – #23 (Senior, 6’9, 240 lbs) – Transfer from: UAB
C: Aday Mara – #15 (Junior, 7’3, 255 lbs) – Transfer from: UCLA
BENCH PIECES:
F: Morez Johnson Jr. – #21 (Sophomore, 6’9, 250 lbs) – Transfer from: Illinois
F: Trey McKenney – #1 (Freshman, 6’4, 225 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #20
F: Will Tschetter – #42 (Senior, 6’8, 230 lbs)
F: Oscar Goodman – #5 (Freshman, 6’7, 235 lbs)
C: Malick Kordel – #32 (Freshman, 7’2, 275 lbs)
G: L.J. Cason – #2 (Sophomore, 6’2, 195 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– It didn’t take long for May to flip the script on the Juwan Howard era, making it to the Sweet 16
– They bring in arguably the best transfer in Yaxel Lendeborg and former top recruit Elliot Cadeau, while maintaining two near 10 ppg scorers in Burnett and Gayle
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Oakland, 11/11 Wake Forest, 11/14 @ TCU, 11/19 Middle Tennessee, 11/24 San Diego State, 11/25 #20 Auburn, 12/9 Villanova, 12/21 La Salle, 12/29 McNeese
#8 BYU Cougars
HC: Kevin Young
2nd year as BYU HC – AGE: 44
Career record: 26-10 (BYU ’24-present)
1x Sweet 16
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Rob Wright III – #1 (Sophomore, 6’1, 183 lbs)
G: Kennard Davis Jr. – #30 (Junior, 6’6, 215 lbs) – Transfer from: Southern Illinois
G: Richie Saunders – #15 (Senior, 6’5, 200 lbs)
F: A.J. Dybantsa – #3 (Freshman, 6’9, 195 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #1
F: Keba Keita – #13 (Senior, 6’8, 231 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
F: Brody Kozlowski – #4 (Sophomore, 6’8, 190 lbs)
C: Xavion Staton – #33 (Freshman, 6’11, 210 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #56
G: Dawson Baker – #25 (Senior, 6’4, 190 lbs)
F: Dominique Diomande – #24 (Freshman, 6’7, 190 lbs)
F: Tyler Mrus – #2 (Junior, 6’7, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: Idaho
F: Mihailo Boskovic (Senior, 6’10, 220 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Highly anticipated season after landing the best recruit in school history, landing transfer Kennard Davis, and bringing back Richie Saunders
– Slowly becoming a powerhouse in the Big 12 and NIL era
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Villanova, 11/8 Holy Cross, 11/11 Delaware, 11/15 #4 UConn, 11/21 #24 Wisconsin, 11/27 Miami, 12/3 Cal Baptist, 12/9 Clemson, 12/13 UC Riverside, 12/16 Pacific, 12/19 Abilene Christian, 12/22 Eastern Washington
#9 Kentucky Wildcats
HC: Mark Pope
2nd year as Kentucky HC – AGE: 53
Career record: 211-120 (Utah Valley ’15-’19, BYU ’19-’24, Kentucky ’24-present)
1x Sweet 16, 3/10 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Jaland Lowe – #15 (Junior, 6’1, 170 lbs) – Transfer from: Pittsburgh
G: Denzel Aberdeen – #1 (Senior, 6’5, 195 lbs) – Transfer from: Florida
G: Otega Oweh – #00 (Senior, 6’4, 220 lbs)
F: Mouhamed Dioubate – #23 (Junior, 6’7, 220 lbs) – Transfer from: Alabama
C: Jayden Quaintance – #21 (Sophomore, 6’10, 255 lbs) – Transfer from: Memphis
BENCH PIECES:
G: Jasper Johnson – #2 (Freshman, 6’5, 180 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #18
F: Brandon Garrison – #10 (Junior, 6’10, 245 lbs)
F: Trent Noah – #9 (Sophomore, 6’5, 220 lbs)
C: Malachi Moreno – #24 (Freshman, 7’0, 250 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #26
G: Kam Williams – #3 (Sophomore, 6’8, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: Tulane
KEY NOTES:
– Mark Pope has kept the foot on the peddle since taking over UK, moving their emphasis towards the transfer portal
– Jaland Lowe, Jayden Quaintance, and Denzel Aberdeen were three of the top transfers in the nation
– Otega Oweh will be the leader after deciding to return to Lexington
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/4 Nicholls, 11/7 Valparaiso, 11/11 @ #11 Louisville, 11/14 Eastern Illinois, 11/18 #22 Michigan State, 11/21 Loyola Maryland, 11/26 Tennessee Tech, 12/2 #25 North Carolina, 12/5 #21 Gonzaga, 12/9 NC Central, 12/13 Indiana, 12/20 #5 St. John’s, 12/23 Bellarmine
#10 Texas Tech Red Raiders
HC: Grant McCasland
3rd year as Texas Tech HC – AGE: 49
Career record: 206-97 (Arkansas State ’16-’17, North Texas ’17-’23, Texas Tech ’23-present)
1x Elite 8, 1x Round of 32, 3/8 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Christian Anderson – #4 (Sophomore, 6’3, 178 lbs)
G: Donovan Atwell – #12 (Senior, 6’5, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: UNC Greensboro
F: LeJuan Watts – #3 (Junior, 6’6, 225 lbs) – Transfer from: Washington State
F: J.T. Toppin – #15 (Junior, 6’9, 230 lbs)
C: Luke Bamgboye – #9 (Sophomore, 6’11, 220 lbs) – Transfer from: VCU
BENCH PIECES:
F: Marial Akuentok – #13 (Freshman, 6’11, 240 lbs)
G: Tyeree Bryan – #1 (Senior, 6’5, 215 lbs) – Transfer from: Santa Clara
G: Leon Horner – #6 (Sophomore, 6’4, 215 lbs)
G: Jazz Henderson – #2 (Freshman, 5’11, 180 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Returning Big 12 Player of the Year/potential lottery pick J.T. Toppin and a top transfer in Atwell from Greensboro
– Will need to find intensity in secondary scoring after losing Darrion Williams
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/4 Lindenwood, 11/7 Sam Houston State, 11/11 @ #17 Illinois, 11/14 Milwaukee, 11/20 Wake Forest, 11/26 New Orleans, 11/30 Wyoming, 12/7 LSU, 12/13 #14 Arkansas, 12/16 Northern Colorado, 12/20 #6 Duke, 12/28 Winthrop
#11 Louisville Cardinals
HC: Pat Kelsey
2nd year as Louisville HC – AGE: 50
Career record: 288-130 (Winthrop ’12-’21, Charleston ’21-’24, Louisville ’24-present)
5/12 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Mikel Brown Jr. – #0 (Freshman, 6’5, 180 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #8
G: Isaac McKneeley – #10 (Senior, 6’4, 195 lbs) – Transfer from: Virginia
G: Ryan Conwell – #3 (Senior, 6’4, 215 lbs) – Transfer from: Xavier
F: J’Vonne Hadley – #1 (Senior, 6’7, 210 lbs)
F: Kasean Pryor – #7 (Senior, 6’10, 230 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
G: Adrian Wooley – #14 (Sophomore, 6’4, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Kennesaw State
G: Kobe Rodgers – #11 (Senior, 6’3, 185 lbs)
F: Khani Rooths – #9 (Sophomore, 6’10, 210 lbs)
F: Sananda Fru – #13 (Junior, 6’11, 245 lbs)
C: Aly Khalifa – #15 (Senior, 7’0, 250 lbs)
F: Mouhamed Kamara – #12 (Freshman, 6’8, 225 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Coming off a dominant year, horrible seeding, and 1st round upset
– They replace their backcourt of Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards with a top 10 freshman, and two transfers with ACC/Big East experience
– Will rely heavily on Kasean Pryor’s availability
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 South Carolina State, 11/6 Jackson State, 11/11 #9 Kentucky, 11/15 Ohio, 11/21 Cincinnati, 11/24 Eastern Michigan, 11/26 NJIT, 12/3 @ #14 Arkansas, 12/6 Indiana, 12/13 Memphis, 12/16 @ #18 Tennessee, 12/20 Montana
#12 UCLA Bruins
HC: Mick Cronin
7th year as UCLA HC – AGE: 54
Career record: 503-235 (Murray State ’03-’06, Cincinnati ’06-’19, UCLA ’19-present)
1x Final Four, 3x Sweet 16, 5x Round of 32, 15/21 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Skyy Clark – #55 (Senior, 6’3, 210 lbs)
G: Donovan Dent – #2 (Senior, 6’2, 185 lbs) – Transfer from: New Mexico
F: Eric Dailey – #3 (Junior, 6’8, 230 lbs)
F: Tyler Bilodeau – #34 (Senior, 6’9, 235 lbs)
C: Xavier Booker – #1 (Junior, 6’11, 245 lbs) – Transfer from: Michigan State
BENCH PIECES:
G: Eric Freeny – #8 (Freshman, 6’4, 215 lbs)
G: Brandon Williams – #5 (Sophomore, 6’7, 230 lbs)
G: Jamar Brown – #4 (Senior, 6’5, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Kansas City
F: Stephen Jamerson – #24 (Senior, 6’10, 230 lbs) – Transfer from: San Diego
G: Trent Perry – #0 (Sophomore, 6’4, 190 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Landed 3 big time transfers, including Donovan Dent who was the most highly sought after guard on the market
– X-Factors are former 5-star Xavier Booker and mid-major studs Brown and Jamerson
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Eastern Washington, 11/7 Pepperdine, 11/10 West Georgia, 11/14 #13 Arizona, 11/18 Sacramento State, 11/21 Presbyterian, 11/25 California, 12/13 #21 Gonzaga, 12/19 Cal Poly, 12/23 UC Riverside
#13 Arizona Wildcats
HC: Tommy Lloyd
5th year as Arizona HC – AGE: 51
Career record: 112-33 (Arizona ’21-present)
3x Sweet 16, 4/4 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Jaden Bradley – #0 (Senior, 6’3, 200 lbs)
G: Brayden Burries – #5 (Freshman, 6’4, 205 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #12
F: Anthony Dell’Orso – #3 (Senior, 6’6, 205 lbs)
F: Koa Peat – #10 (Freshman, 6’8, 235 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #10
C: Tobe Awaka – #30 (Senior, 6’8, 255 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
F: Dwayne Aristode – #2 (Freshman, 6’8, 220 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #38
C: Motiejus Krivas – #13 (Junior, 7’2, 260 lbs)
G: Evan Nelson – #21 (Senior, 6’2, 175 lbs) – Transfer from: Harvard
G: Bryce James – #6 (Freshman, 6’5, 195 lbs)
F: Sidi Gueye – #15 (Freshman, 6’11, 215 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Replaces their veteran core with a surplus of freshmen, including top 12 prospects Burries and Peat
– Will have a tough slate in a loaded Big 12 and will need to get all they can out of senior leader Jaden Bradley
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 #3 Florida, 11/7 Utah Tech, 11/11 Northern Arizona, 11/14 #12 UCLA, 11/19 @ #4 UConn, 11/24 Denver, 11/29 Norfolk State, 12/6 #20 Auburn, 12/13 #15 Alabama, 12/16 Abilene Christian, 12/20 San Diego State, 12/22 Bethune-Cookman, 12/29 South Dakota State
#14 Arkansas Razorbacks
HC: John Calipari
2nd year as Arkansas HC – AGE: 66
Career record: 835-275 (UMass ’88-’96, Memphis ’00-’09, Kentucky ’09-’24, Arkansas ’24-present)
1x Champion (’12), 2x Runner-Up, 3x Final Four, 6x Elite 8, 3x Sweet 16, 5x Round of 32, 24/32 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Darius Acuff – #5 (Freshman, 6’3, 190 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #7
G: D.J. Wagner – #21 (Junior, 6’4, 190 lbs)
G: Karter Knox – #11 (Sophomore, 6’6, 220 lbs)
F: Trevon Brazile – #7 (Senior, 6’10, 230 lbs)
C: Malique Ewin – #12 (Senior, 6’10, 240 lbs) – Transfer from: Florida State
BENCH PIECES:
G: Meleek Thomas – #1 (Freshman, 6’5, 185 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #11
F: Nick Pringle – #23 (Senior, 6’10, 230 lbs) – Transfer from: South Carolina
G: Billy Richmond III – #24 (Sophomore, 6’6, 205 lbs)
C: Paulo Semedo – #99 (Freshman, 7’1, 225 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #50
F: Isaiah Sealy – #30 (Freshman, 6’7, 195 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #69
KEY NOTES:
– Coach Cal embraced the new era with landing 2 top transfers, while also retaining Wagner, Knox, Brazile, and Richmond from last year
– Brings in two 5-star freshmen guards
– Knox will be relied upon as the go-to scorer
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Southern, 11/8 @ #22 Michigan State, 11/11 Central Arkansas, 11/14 Samford, 11/18 Winthrop, 11/21 Jackson State, 11/27 #6 Duke, 12/3 #11 Louisville, 12/6 Fresno State, 12/13 #10 Texas Tech, 12/16 Queens U, 12/20 #2 Houston, 12/29 James Madison
#15 Alabama Crimson Tide
HC: Nate Oats
7th year as Alabama HC – AGE: 51
Career record: 241-106 (Buffalo ’15-’19, Alabama ’19-present)
1x Final Four, 1x Elite 8, 2x Sweet 16, 2x Round of 32, 8/9 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Aden Holloway – #2 (Junior, 6’1, 180 lbs)
G: Labaron Philon – #0 (Sophomore, 6’4, 185 lbs)
G: Jalil Bethea – #1 (Sophomore, 6’5, 190 lbs) – Transfer from: Miami
F: Taylor Bol Bowen – #7 (Junior, 6’10, 202 lbs) – Transfer from: Florida State
C: Aiden Sherrell – #22 (Sophomore, 6’10, 255 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
G: Houston Mallette – #95 (Senior, 6’5, 202 lbs)
C: Noah Williamson – #15 (Senior, 7’0, 255 lbs) – Transfer from: Bucknell
F: London Jemison – #6 (Freshman, 6’8, 205 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #43
G: Davion Hannah – #4 (Freshman, 6’6, 190 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #47
G: Latrell Wrightsell – #3 (Grad-Senior, 6’3, 195 lbs)
F: Keitenn Bristow – #10 (Sophomore, 6’10, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: Tarleton State
KEY NOTES:
– Dynamic backcourt with Holloway and Philon returning, and bringing in former 5-star Bethea
– One of the deeper teams in the top 20 of the AP poll
– Very solid mix of scoring and defensive tenacity
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 North Dakota, 11/8 @ #5 St. John’s, 11/13 #1 Purdue, 11/19 #17 Illinois, 11/24 #21 Gonzaga, 11/25 UNLV, 12/3 Clemson, 12/7 UTSA, 12/13 #13 Arizona, 12/17 South Florida, 12/21 Kennesaw State, 12/29 Yale
#16 Iowa State Cyclones
HC: T.J. Otzelberger
5th year as Iowa State HC – AGE: 48
Career record: 194-108 (South Dakota State ’16-’19, UNLV ’19-’21, Iowa State ’21-present)
2x Sweet, 1x Round of 32, 6/8 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Tamin Lipsey – #3 (Senior, 6’1, 200 lbs)
G: Nate Heise – #0 (Senior, 6’5, 212 lbs)
F: Joshua Jefferson – #5 (Senior, 6’9, 240 lbs)
F: Milan Momcilovic – #22 (Junior, 6’8, 225 lbs)
F: Blake Buchanan – #23 (Junior, 6’10, 235 lbs) – Transfer from: Virginia
BENCH PIECES:
G: Jamarion Batemon – #1 (Freshman, 6’3, 195 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #77
G: Mason Williams – #2 (Junior, 6’5, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Eastern Washington
F: Xzavion Mitchell – #55 (Freshman, 6’6, 215 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #87
C: Dominykas Pieta – #21 (Freshman, 6’11, 240 lbs)
G: Dominick Nelson – #11 (Senior, 6’5, 190 lbs) – Transfer from: Utah Valley St.
KEY NOTES:
– Returns their best shooter in Momcilovic and an All-Conference defensive guard Lipsey
– Will need to replace the productivity on offense of Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Fairleigh Dickinson, 11/6 Grambling State, 11/10 Mississippi State, 11/17 Stonehill, 11/24 #5 St. John’s, 11/25 #23 Creighton, 12/3 Alcorn State, 12/6 @ #1 Purdue, 12/11 Iowa, 12/14 Eastern Illinois, 12/21 Long Beach State, 12/29 Houston Christian
#17 Illinois Fighting Illini
HC: Brad Underwood
9th year as Illinois HC – AGE: 62
Career record: 274-128 (Stephen F. Austin ’13-’16, Oklahoma State ’16-’17, Illinois ’17-present)
1x Elite 8, 5x Round of 32, 9/11 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Mihailo Petrovic – #77 (Freshman, 6’3, 180 lbs)
G: Kylan Boswell – #4 (Senior, 6’2, 205 lbs)
G: Andrej Stojakovic – #2 (Junior, 6’7, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: California
F: Ben Humrichous – #3 (Senior, 6’9, 225 lbs)
C: Tomislav Ivisic – #13 (Junior, 7’1, 255 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
C: Zvonimir Ivisic – #44 (Junior, 7’2, 245 lbs) – Transfer from: Arkansas
G: Brandon Lee – #1 (Freshman, 6’4, 180 lbs)
G: Keaton Wagler – #23 (Freshman, 6’6, 180 lbs)
F: David Mirkovic – #0 (Freshman, 6’9, 255 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Landed two top transfers in Big Z and Stojakovic, with no top 100 freshmen
– Haven’t been able to get over the round of 32 hump since their one deep run in 2021
– Will have an uphill battle in a tough Big 10
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Jackson State, 11/7 Florida-Gulf Coast, 11/11 #10 Texas Tech, 11/14 Colgate, 11/19 #15 Alabama, 11/22 LIU, 11/24 UT-Rio Grand Valley, 11/28 #4 UConn, 12/6 #18 Tennessee, 12/22 Missouri, 12/29 Southern
#18 Tennessee Volunteers
HC: Rick Barnes
11th year as Tennessee HC – AGE: 71
Career record: 837-423 (George Mason ’87-’88, Providence ’88-’94, Clemson ’94-’98, Texas ’98-’15, Tennessee ’15-present)
1x Final Four, 4x Elite 8, 5x Sweet 16, 7x Round of 32, 29/37 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Ja’Kobi Gillespie – #0 (Senior, 6’1, 188 lbs) – Transfer from: Maryland
G: Amaree Abram – #77 (Senior, 6’3, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Louisiana Tech
F: Nate Ament – #10 (Freshman, 6’10, 207 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #4
F: Jaylen Carey – #23 (Junior, 6’8, 267 lbs) – Transfer from: Vanderbilt
C: Felix Okpara – #34 (Senior, 6’11, 242 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
G: Bishop Boswell – #3 (Sophomore, 6’4, 204 lbs)
F: DeWayne Brown III – #6 (Freshman, 6’8, 251 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #72
F: J.P. Estrella – #13 (Sophomore, 6’11, 240 lbs)
F: Amari Evans – #1 (Freshman, 6’5, 220 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #80
F: Cade Phillips – #12 (Junior, 6’9, 221 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Lost 5 of their 6 best players from a year ago, including their top 4 scorers in Lanier, Ziegler, Gainey, and Milicic
– Landed 3 solid transfers and a potential top 10 pick in the 2026 Draft
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Mercer, 11/8 Northern Kentucky, 11/12 North Florida, 11/17 Rice, 11/20 Tennessee State, 11/24 Rutgers, 11/25 #2 Houston, 12/2 @ Syracuse, 12/6 #17 Illinois, 12/16 #11 Louisville, 12/21 Gardner-Webb, 12/30 South Carolina State
#19 Kansas Jayhawks
HC: Bill Self
23rd year as Kansas HC – AGE: 63
Career record: 836-256 (Oral Roberts ’93-’97, Tulsa ’97-’00, Illinois ’00-’03, Kansas ’03-present)
2x Champion (’08, ’22), 1x Runner-Up, 1x Final Four, 7x Elite 8, 3x Sweet 16, 9x Round of 32, 26/31 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Elmarko Jackson – #13 (Sophomore, 6’3, 195 lbs)
G: Jayden Dawson – #1 (Senior, 6’5, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: Loyola Chicago
G: Darryn Peterson – #22 (Freshman, 6’6, 205 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #2
F: Tre White – #3 (Senior, 6’7, 215 lbs) – Transfer from: Illinois
C: Flory Bidunga – #40 (Sophomore, 6’10, 235 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
G: Melvin Council Jr. – #14 (Senior, 6’4, 180 lbs) – Transfer from: St. Bonaventure’s
F: Samis Calderon – #6 (Freshman, 6’8, 200 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #91
G: Kohl Rosario – #7 (Freshman, 6’6, 200 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #70
F: Bryson Tiller – #15 (Freshman, 6’11, 240 lbs)
G: Jamari McDowell – #11 (Sophomore, 6’5, 200 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Not the most star-studded Jayhawks team we have ever seen, but Bill Self put together a core of solid role player and a deep rotation that can go 10 or 11 deep
– Darryn Peterson is a potential #1 pick in the draft
– Elmarko Jackson will have a big opportunity to step up after a let down freshman year
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Green Bay, 11/7 @ #25 North Carolina, 11/11 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 11/15 Princeton, 11/18 #6 Duke, 11/24 Notre Dame, 11/25 Syracuse, 12/2 #4 UConn, 12/7 Missouri, 12/13 @ NC State, 12/16 Towson, 12/22 Davidson
#20 Auburn Tigers
HC: Steven Pearl
1st year as Auburn HC – AGE: 38
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Tahaad Pettiford – #0 (Sophomore, 6’1, 170 lbs)
G: Kevin Overton – #1 (Junior, 6’5, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Texas Tech
F: Abdul Bashir – #2 (Junior, 6’7, 165 lbs) – Transfer from: JUCO
F: Keyshawn Hall – #7 (Senior, 6’7, 240 lbs) – Transfer from: UCF
C: KeShawn Murphy – #3 (Senior, 6’10, 230 lbs) – Transfer from: Mississippi State
BENCH PIECES:
F: Sebastian Williams-Adams – #33 (Freshman, 6’8, 230 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #46
G: Kaden Magwood – #5 (Freshman, 6’2, 175 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #40
G: Elyjah Freeman – #6 (Sophomore, 6’8, 185 lbs) – Transfer from: Lincoln Memorial (D-II)
F: Filip Jovic – #38 (Freshman, 6’8, 225 lbs)
C: Emeka Opurum – #14 (Sophomore, 7’0, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: JUCO
KEY NOTES:
– After Bruce Pearl’s shocking retirement, the core decided to stay put under his son Steven
– Tahaad Pettiford returns to a whole new cast of characters, including top transfers Keyshawn Hall and Kevin Overton
– They will not be as dominant after losing their Final Four core
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Bethune-Cookman, 11/6 Merrimack, 11/11 Wofford, 11/16 #2 Houston, 11/19 Jackson State, 11/24 Oregon, 11/25 #7 Michigan, 12/3 NC State, 12/6 @ #13 Arizona, 12/13 Chattanooga, 12/20 #1 Purdue, 12/29 Queens U
#21 Gonzaga Bulldogs
HC: Mark Few
27th year as Gonzaga HC – AGE: 63
Career record: 742-152 (Gonzaga ’99-present)
2x Runner-Up, 3x Elite 8, 8x Sweet 16, 9x Round of 32, 25/25 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Braeden Smith – #3 (Junior, 6’0, 170 lbs) – Transfer from: Colgate
G: Adam Miller – #23 (Senior, 6’3, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Arizona State
F: Tyon Grant-Foster – #7 (Grad-Senior, 6’7, 220 lbs) – Transfer from: Grand Canyon
F: Graham Ike – #15 (Senior, 6’9, 250 lbs)
C: Braden Huff – #34 (Junior, 6’10, 250 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
G: Jalen Warley – #8 (Senior, 6’7, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: Virginia
G: Steele Venters – #2 (Senior, 6’7, 200 lbs)
F: Davis Fogle – #4 (Freshman, 6’7, 200 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #33
F: Emmanuel Innocenti – #5 (Junior, 6’5, 198 lbs)
C: Ismaila Daigne – #24 (Sophomore, 7’0, 237 lbs)
KEY NOTES:
– Replaced one of their weakest cores in the past decade with a fresh batch of transfers
– Grant-Foster was a mid-major stud, while Adam Miller was a former top freshman out of HS for LSU
– This can be a sneaky good core for Few and company. With a mix of star power and youth
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Texas Southern, 11/8 Oklahoma, 11/11 #23 Creighton, 11/14 @ Arizona State, 11/17 Southern Utah, 11/24 #15 Alabama, 11/25 Maryland, 12/5 @ #9 Kentucky, 12/7 North Florida, 12/13 #12 UCLA, 12/17 Campbell, 12/21 Oregon
#22 Michigan State Spartans
HC: Tom Izzo
31st year as Michigan State HC – AGE: 71
Career record: 737-302 (Michigan State ’95-present)
1x Champion (’00), 1x Runner-Up, 7x Final Four, 3x Elite 8, 5x Sweet 16, 5x Round of 32, 27/29 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Jeremy Fears – #1 (Sophomore, 6’2, 190 lbs)
G: Trey Fort – #9 (Senior, 6’4, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Samford
F: Coen Carr – #55 (Junior, 6’6, 225 lbs)
F: Jaxon Kohler – #0 (Senior, 6’9, 245 lbs)
C: Carson Cooper – #15 (Senior, 6’11, 245 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
F: Cam Ward – #3 (Freshman, 6’8, 225 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #51
F: Kaleb Glenn – #8 (Junior, 6’7, 220 lbs) – Transfer from: Florida Atlantic
F: Jordan Scott – #6 (Freshman, 6’7, 190 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #86
G: Kur Teng – #2 (Sophomore, 6’4, 190 lbs)
G: Divine Ugochuwku – #99 (Sophomore, 6’3, 190 lbs) – Transfer from: Miami
KEY NOTES:
– Lost 3 key pieces from their Elite 8 squad last year in Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman, and Jase Richardson
– Need big step up seasons from Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr as the leaders
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Colgate, 11/8 #14 Arkansas, 11/13 San Jose State, 11/18 #9 Kentucky, 11/21 Detroit Mercy, 11/25 East Carolina, 11/27 #25 North Carolina, 12/6 #6 Duke, 12/16 Toledo, 12/20 Oakland, 12/29 Cornell
#23 Creighton Bluejays
HC: Greg McDermott
16th year as Creighton HC – AGE: 61
Career record: 630-366 (North Dakota State ’00-’01, Northern Iowa ’01-’06, Iowa State ’06-’10, Creighton ’10-present)
1x Elite 8, 2x Sweet 16, 5x Round of 32, 13/24 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Nik Graves – #5 (Senior, 6’2, 190 lbs) – Transfer from: Charlotte
G: Josh Dix – #4 (Senior, 6’6, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: Iowa
F: Blake Harper – #2 (Sophomore, 6’7, 220 lbs) – Transfer from: Howard
F: Jackson McAndrew – #23 (Sophomore, 6’10, 225 lbs)
C: Owen Freeman – #32 (Junior, 6’10, 240 lbs) – Transfer from: Iowa
BENCH PIECES:
F: Isaac Traudt – #41 (Junior, 6’10, 235 lbs)
G: Shane Thomas – #12 (Sophomore, 6’3, 195 lbs)
F: Hudson Greer – #10 (Freshman, 6’7, 215 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #41
C: Aleksa Dimitrijevic – #27 (Freshman, 7’0, 220 lbs)
G: Ty Davis – #9 (Sophomore, 6’4, 190 lbs)
G: Austin Swartz – #1 (Sophomore, 6’4, 205 lbs) – Transfer from: Miami
KEY NOTES:
– Lose 3 starters including 4x Big East DPOY Ryan Kalkbrenner
– Relying on two Iowa transfers Josh Dix and Owen Freeman to carry the burden, with Jackson McAndrew taking a big roll as a starter
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/5 South Dakota, 11/11 @ #21 Gonzaga, 11/14 Maryland-Eastern Shore, 11/19 North Dakota, 11/24 Baylor, 11/25 #16 Iowa State, 12/2 Nicholls, 12/7 @ Nebraska, 12/13 Kansas State, 12/22 Utah Tech
#24 Wisconsin Badgers
HC: Greg Gard
11th year as Wisconsin HC – AGE: 55
Career record: 213-117 (Wisconsin ’15-present)
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Nick Boyd – #2 (Senior, 6’3, 177 lbs) – Transfer from: San Diego State
G: John Blackwell – #25 (Junior, 6’4, 203 lbs)
G: Andrew Rohde – #7 (Senior, 6’6, 195 lbs) – Transfer from: Virginia
F: Austin Rapp – #22 (Sophomore, 6’10, 238 lbs) – Transfer from: Portland
C: Nolan Winter – #31 (Junior, 7’0, 235 lbs)
BENCH PIECES:
C: Will Garlock – #23 (Freshman, 7’0, 243 lbs)
G: Zach Kinziger – #4 (Freshman, 6’3, 185 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #76
F: Aleksas Bieliauskas – #32 (Freshman, 6’10, 235 lbs)
G: Hayden Jones – #13 (Freshman, 6’6, 198 lbs)
F: Elijah Gray – #6 (Senior, 6’9, 235 lbs) – Transfer from: Temple
KEY NOTES:
– Lost their leading scorer in John Tonje, but returns Blackwell and Winter
– Bench brings a load of freshmen looking to make an impact
– Boyd and Rohde were two sneaky good recruit landings
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Campbell, 11/7 Northern Illinois, 11/11 Ball State, 11/17 SIU Edwardsville, 11/21 @ #8 BYU, 11/27 Providence, 12/3 Northwestern, 12/6 Marquette, 12/19 Villanova, 12/22 Central Michigan, 12/30 Milwaukee
#25 North Carolina Tar Heels
HC: Hubert Davis
5th year as North Carolina HC – AGE: 55
Career record: 101-45 (North Carolina ’21-present)
1x Runner-Up, 1x Sweet 16, 3/4 Tournament appearances
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
G: Kyan Evans – #0 (Junior, 6’2, 175 lbs) – Transfer from: Colorado State
G: Seth Trimble – #7 (Senior, 6’3, 200 lbs)
F: Jarin Stevenson – #15 (Junior, 6’10, 215 lbs) – Transfer from: Alabama
F: Caleb Wilson – #8 (Freshman, 6’10, 215 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #5
C: Henry Veesaar – #13 (Junior, 7’0, 225 lbs) – Transfer from: Arizona
BENCH PIECES:
G: Jonathan Powell – #11 (Sophomore, 6’6, 190 lbs) – Transfer from: West Virginia
G: Isaiah Denis – #5 (Freshman, 6’4, 180 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #60
G: Derek Dixon – #3 (Freshman, 6’5, 200 lbs) – ESPN Top 100 Rank: #55
G: Luka Bogavac – #44 (Freshman, 6’6, 215 lbs)
G: Jaydon Young – #4 (Junior, 6’4, 200 lbs) – Transfer from: Virginia Tech
C: Ivan Matlekovic – #40 (Sophomore, 7’0, 255 lbs) – Transfer from: High Point
KEY NOTES:
– Another quick turn around for Davis’ squad after losing all 5 of their starters
– Jarin Stevenson will have a big opportunity to step up, sharing the frontcourt with a potential lottery pick
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
11/3 Central Arkansas, 11/7 #19 Kansas, 11/11 Radford, 11/14 NC Central, 11/18 Navy, 11/25 St. Bonaventure, 11/27 #22 Michigan State, 12/2 @ #9 Kentucky, 12/7 Georgetown, 12/13 USC Upstate, 12/16 East Tennessee State, 12/20 Ohio State, 12/22 East Carolina
Conference Previews
PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS
–TOP SEEDS
1. Duke
2. Louisville
–TOURNAMENT TEAMS
3. North Carolina
4. NC State
–BUBBLE TEAMS
5. Virginia
6. SMU
7. Clemson
8. Miami
9. Syracuse
–OTHERS
10. Notre Dame
11. Wake Forest
12. Virginia Tech
13. Georgia Tech
14. Pittsburgh
15. Florida State
16. California
17. Stanford
18. Boston College
PRESEASON AWARDS:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: F Darrion Williams, NC State
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: F Cameron Boozer, Duke
All-ACC First Team:
G: Mikel Brown Jr., FR, Louisville
G: Markus Burton, SR, Notre Dame
F: Darrion Williams, SR, NC State
F: Ryan Conwell, SR, Louisville
F: Cameron Boozer, FR, Duke
All-ACC Second Team:
G: Isaiah Evans, SO, Duke
G: J.J. Starling, SR, Syracuse
G: Boopie Miller, SR, SMU
F: Caleb Wilson, FR, North Carolina
F: Baye Ndongo, JR, Georgia Tech
LEAGUE NOTES:
– Will Wade leaves McNeese for NC State
– Luke Loucks replaces longtime FSU HC Leonard Hamilton
– Ryan Odom leaves VCU for Virginia
– Jai Lucas replaces longtime Miami HC Jim Larranaga
– Freshmen to watch: Cameron Boozer (Duke), Caleb Wilson (North Carolina), Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville), Cayden Boozer (Duke), Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame), Matt Able (NC State), Mouhamed Sylla (Georgia Tech), Kiyan Anthony (Syracuse)
PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS
—TOP SEEDS
1. Houston
2. Texas Tech
3. BYU
4. Arizona
—TOURNAMENT TEAMS
5. Kansas
6. Iowa State
7. Baylor
—BUBBLE TEAMS
8. Cincinnati
9. Kansas State
—OTHERS
10. TCU
11. Oklahoma State
12. West Virginia
13. Utah
14. UCF
15. Arizona State
16. Colorado
PRESEASON AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: F J.T. Toppin, Texas Tech
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: F A.J. Dybantsa, BYU
All-Big 12 First Team:
G: P.J. Haggerty, JR, Kansas State
G: Milos Uzan, SR, Houston
G: Darryn Peterson, FR, Kansas
F: A.J. Dybantsa, FR, BYU
F: J.T. Toppin, JR, Texas Tech
All-Big 12 Second Team:
G: Tamin Lipsey, SR, Iowa State
G: Richie Saunders, SR, BYU
G: Jaden Bradley, SR, Arizona
G: Christian Anderson, SO, Texas Tech
F: Joseph Tugler, JR, Houston
LEAGUE NOTES:
– Ross Hodge (2 solid seasons at North Texas) takes over for Darian DeVries at WVU, after only one year
– K-State lands star Memphis transfer P.J. Haggerty
– BYU lands two top 50 recruits, including the potential #1 pick
– Long-time Utah Jazz assistant Alex Jensen takes over at Utah
– Freshmen to watch: A.J. Dybantsa (BYU), Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston), Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor), Koa Peat (Arizona), Brayden Burries (Arizona), Isaiah Harwell (Houston), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Dwayne Aristode (Arizona)
PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS:
—TOP SEEDS
1. Purdue
2. Michigan
—TOURNAMENT TEAMS
3. Illinois
4. UCLA
5. Michigan State
6. Wisconsin
—BUBBLE TEAMS
7. Oregon
8. Ohio State
9. Iowa
10. Indiana
11. USC
12. Maryland
—OTHERS
13. Washington
14. Northwestern
15. Nebraska
16. Minnesota
17. Rutgers
18. Penn State
PRESEASON AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: G Braden Smith, Purdue
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: F Trey McKenney, Michigan
All-Big 10 First Team:
G: Braden Smith, SR, Purdue
G: Donovan Dent, SR, UCLA
G: Bennett Stirtz, SR, Iowa
F: Trey Kaufman-Renn, SR, Purdue
F: Yaxel Lendeborg, SR, Michigan
All-Big 10 Second Team:
G: John Blackwell, JR, Wisconsin
G: Bruce Thornton, SR, Ohio State
G: Andrej Stojakovic, JR, Illinois
F: Nick Martinelli, SR, Northwestern
C: Nate Bittle, SR, Oregon
LEAGUE NOTES:
– Ben McCollum takes over at Iowa, just a year after jumping from D-2 to Drake
– Bennett Stirtz (Iowa) and Donovan Dent (UCLA) headline the top transfers to the conference
– Buzz Williams takes over Maryland for Kevin Willard
– Niko Medved takes over Minnesota after leaving Colorado State
– Freshmen to watch: Trey McKenney (Michigan), Darius Adams (Maryland), Kayden Mingo (Penn State), Chris Nwuli (Rutgers)
PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS:
—TOP SEEDS
1. St. John’s
2. UConn
—TOURNAMENT TEAMS
3. Creighton
—BUBBLE TEAMS
4. Providence
5. Marquette
6. Georgetown
7. Villanova
8. Xavier
—OTHERS
9. DePaul
10. Butler
11. Seton Hall
PRESEASON AWARDS:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: C Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: F Braylon Mullins, UConn
All-Big East First Team:
G: Chase Ross, SR, Marquette
G: Solo Ball, JR, UConn
F: Alex Karaban, SR, UConn
F: Bryce Hopkins, SR, St. John’s
F: Owen Freeman, JR, Creighton
C: Tarris Reed Jr., SR, UConn
All-Big East Second Team:
G: Jason Dix, SR, Creighton
G: Silas Demary Jr., JR, UConn
G: Ian Jackson, SO, St. John’s
G: K.J. Lewis, JR, Georgetown
G: Jason Edwards, SR, Providence
All-Big East Third Team:
G: Nik Graves, SR, Creighton
G: C.J. Gunn, SR, DePaul
G: Joson Sanon, SO, St. John’s
G: Malik Mack, JR, Georgetown
F: Dillon Mitchell, SR, St. John’s
F: Jackson McAndrew, SO, Creighton
F: Oswin Erhunmwunse, SO, Providence
LEAGUE NOTES:
– Kevin Willard leaves Maryland to take over Villanova
– Richard Pitino joins the Conference with his father, taking over Xavier
– St. John’s stacked transfer portal ranks them 1st in the Conference
– Freshmen to watch: Braylon Mullins (UConn), Acaden Lewis (Villanova), Hudson Greer (Creighton), Jamier Jones (Providence)
PRESEASON TEAM RANKINGS:
—TOP SEEDS
1. Florida
2. Kentucky
3. Alabama
4. Tennessee
—TOURNAMENT TEAMS
5. Arkansas
6. Auburn
7. Missouri
—BUBBLE TEAMS
8. Ole Miss
9. Mississippi State
10. Texas
—OTHERS
11. Oklahoma
12. Texas A&M
13. Vanderbilt
14. Georgia
15. LSU
16. South Carolina
PRESEASON AWARDS:
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: G Otega Oweh, Kentucky
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: F Nate Ament, Tennessee
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: G Anthony Robinson II, Missouri
All-SEC First Team:
G: Tahaad Pettifort, SO, Auburn
G: Josh Hubbard, JR, Mississippi State
G: Otega Oweh, JR, Kentucky
F: Nate Ament, FR, Tennessee
F: Alex Condon, JR, Florida
All-SEC Second Team:
G: Boogie Fland, SO, Florida
G: Labaron Philon, SO, Alabama
F: Keyshawn Hall, SR, Auburn
F: Malik Dia, SR, Ole Miss
F: Thomas Haugh, JR, Florida
LEAGUE NOTES:
– Steven Pearl takes over for his father at Auburn
– Bucky McMillan leaves Samford to take over Texas A&M
– Sean Miller leaves Xavier for Texas
– Boogie Fland switches SEC rivals, leaving Arkansas for Florida
– Freshmen to watch: Nate Ament (Tennessee), Darius Acuff (Arkansas), Meleek Thomas (Arkansas), Alijah Arenas (USC), Jasper Johnson (Kentucky)
The Sports World According To Paul 