14. Auburn Tigers
Fresh off the program’s second-even Final Four, Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers will be, once again, in the preseason Final Four conversation. While the return of electrifying guard and presumed preseason All-American Tahaad Pettiford immediately raises their ceiling, Auburn’s 2025-26 transfer portal class also deserves its flowers.
Among the key additions in the Tigers’ transfer portal class is UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall. At 6-foot-7, Hall has the size to overpower his defenders in the backcourt after averaging 18.8 PPG and 7.1 RPG for the Knights last season. Hall’s proven he can put up monster offensive outings against power-five opponents, including a 40-point game versus Arizona State and two 34-point outings against Kansas and Oklahoma State.
KeShawn Murphy, who averaged 11.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG for Mississippi State last season, is an ultra-efficient, two-way big man who will be a pivotal asset for the Tigers in 2025-26. According to Justin Ferguson of the Auburn Obverserver, his Player Efficiency Rating for the 2024-25 season was 24.6, which ranked sixth in the SEC. Other key portal commitments include Kevin Overton (Texas Tech) and D2 sensation Elyjah Freeman out of Lincoln Memorial.