Finally, the Power Rankings have reached the top 100, well, technically the top 99. These are the teams that will pull most of the national headlines all season long. These schools will also get the at-large selections into the new expanded tournament. All 8 of my current National Title contenders are on this list as well.
I know a lot of people won't be huge fans of my top 25, but the beauty of this sport is the passion everyone has for their teams. Remember, the tournament has expanded to 76 teams, so there will be more at-large teams, and I will ultimately get some of these wrong. I don't hate your team if they are ranked somewhere you don't like.
* Ranking teams 365-300
* Ranking teams 299-200
*Ranking teams 199-100
99. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets- Last Season Ranking: 74
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Scott Cross (1st season)
Player to know: Colby Garland
The Yellow Jackets enter the season on a 12-game losing streak, and that, along with years of futility in the ACC, is what prompted Georgia Tech to hire Scott Cross. Anytime a new coach comes in, it is okay to struggle given the changes to the program. Still, it won't be long before Georgia Tech starts finishing near the middle of the pack in the ACC, especially if he continues to recruit the way he has. Things are looking up in Atlanta.
98. Murray State Racers- Last Season Ranking: 105
Conference: Missouri Valley
Head Coach: Ryan Miller (2nd season)
Player to know: Roman Doman
Murray State runs an offense similar to the Creighton Bluejays under Greg McDermott. The Let it Fly offense centers around a high volume of threes and very few free throw attempts. In addition, the wide-open offense works even better if teams can get out in transition for easy baskets. Murray State doesn't provide much on the defensive end; they play fast and want to run, but the defense has to provide some stops for them to reach their lofty ceiling.
97. UC San Diego Tritons- Last Season Ranking: 153
Conference: Big West
Head Coach: Clint Allard (2nd season)
Player to know: Treysen Eaglestaff
UC San Diego is well on its way to becoming the next Big West powerhouse. The Tritons are so hard to beat, and it has to be frustrating to watch them beat you because they don't do anything flashy but do so many things well. UC San Diego thrives in transition, ball movement, and efficient offense. Coach Allard has built a roster that plays to those strengths. The Tritons have a high ceiling.
96. Wake Forest Demon Deacons- Last Season Ranking: 48
1. Duke Blue Devils- Last Season Ranking: 3
Head Coach: Steve Forbes (7th season)
Player to know: Kevair Kennedy
Wake Forest hired Steve Forbes hoping to turn the program into a consistent NCAA Tournament team. That hasn't happened, and the Demon Deacons are struggling to stay relevant in the ACC. The 2026-2027 roster raises a lot of questions, mainly whether it has enough talent to compete in the ACC. The roster has a lot of freshmen who will need development, and the transfers are all from low- to mid-major schools. Wake Forest won't be a very good team this year.
95. Memphis Tigers- Last Season Ranking: 55
Conference: AmericanÂ
Head Coach: Penny Hardaway (9th season)
Player to know: Jayden Reid
The 2025-2026 season is the worst team coach Hardaway has had at Memphis, and the roster makes that clear. The best Tigers teams have always had a skilled big man who does a lot of work in the post and rebounds relentlessly. Memphis has also always had a good point guard who can set up the offense and score when needed. The 2026-2027 team is closer to a vintage Hardaway team.
94. Butler Bulldogs- Last Season Ranking: 73
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Ronald Nored (1st season)
Player to know: Jordan Ellerbee
Butler used to be one of the best programs in the Big East, but former coach Thad Matta couldn't do enough to get them back there; instead, Butler turned into one of the worst power conference teams in the country. Matta is gone, and new coach Ronald Nored returns to his alma mater to rebuild the program. Butler is young, and I am not sure all of their older players are truly power conference players. Butler finishes at the bottom of the Big East again.
93. South Florida Bulls- Last Season Ranking: 101
Conference: American
Head Coach: Chris Mack (1st season)
Player to know: Sonny Wilson
The Bulls are on their fourth coach in four seasons, but they have had an uncanny ability to hire the right guy. The good thing about Coach Mack is that he isn't likely to use the South Florida job as a jumping-off point to a power job. The Bulls should be able to build consistency and enjoy the uptick in recruiting, a powerful offense, and hopefully multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
92. South Carolina Gamecocks- Last Season Ranking: 88
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Lamont Paris (5th season)
Player to know: Aleksas Bieliauskas
The Gamecocks have struggled to replicate the success of year 2 of the Lamont Paris era, when they made the NCAA Tournament. Since then, it's been a lot of bottom-of-the-SEC finishes, and nothing suggests South Carolina will be any better this year. The roster has a lot of high-ceiling transfers, but zero stars, and in the SEC that usually means a tough road ahead.
91. Oregon Ducks- Last Season Ranking: 30
Conference: Big 10
Head Coach: Tony Stubblefield (1st season)
Player to know:Â Fred Payne
Legendary head coach Dana Altman retired about three weeks before the season began, and the Ducks hired Stubblefield as interim head coach for this year. The Ducks are young, and outside of the starting 5, the depth is a question. As a result, Oregon was picked as a bottom-tier team in the Big Ten, and without Altman, that position is a foregone conclusion.
90. Colorado State Rams- Last Season Ranking: 81
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Ali Farokhmanesh (2nd season)
Player to know: Kyle Jorgensen
Overall, it was a good debut season for coach Farokhmanesh. The Rams won 21 games and stayed competitive all season. Colorado State did Colorado State things at the free-throw line; the efficiency numbers were through the roof, and the defense was fundamentally sound. Those are all things to look forward to in 2026-2027 and should become staples under coach Farokhmanesh. Colorado State pushes for a tournament bid this year.
89. Utah Utes- Last Season Ranking: 75
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Alex Jensen (2nd season)
Player to know: Jackson Holcombe
Utah was dreadful in the first season under Coach Jensen. They couldn't stop anyone and lacked major Division 1 talent last year. The Utes have updated the roster with what Coach Jensen hopes are legitimate Power Five talents. The defense was the priority, and Utah has bolstered that side of the floor in the transfer portal. The Big 12 is a tough conference, and it's an uphill climb, but the Utes should be better.
88. UNLV Rebels- Last Season Ranking: 103
Conference: Mountain West
Head Coach: Josh Pastner (2nd season)
Player to know: AJ Storr
This is exactly what UNLV envisioned when they hired Josh Pastner. The Rebels' head man has always been known for his recruiting, and that still holds given the 2026-2027 roster UNLV has assembled. The Rebels have one of the best rosters in the Mountain West, filled with former Power 5 players. The scoring has the potential to be elite, but I am still not sure how they can defend.
87. George Mason Patriots- Last Season Ranking: 85
Conference: Atlantic 10
Head Coach: Tony Skinn (4th season)
Player to know: Baraka Okojie
George Mason has developed into one of the best programs in the Atlantic 10, and they have done it quickly with defense and a slow, deliberate offense that is extremely efficient. One thing that the Patriots have done better than anyone else over the last 4 seasons is recruit guys who play that style extremely well. The 2026-2027 team leads the nation in free-throw attempts and three-point percentage. George Mason makes the tournament this year.
86. Colorado Buffaloes- Last Season Ranking: 83
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Tad Boyle (17th season)
Player to know: Barrington Hargress
Colorado was a mixed bag in 2025-2026. The offense was excellent, so excellent that the Buffaloes' top three players have all transferred out of the program to other power conference schools. The defense was one of the worst in the country, giving up 80 points per game. Colorado replenished the offense in the transfer portal and should have no trouble scoring. Don't give up 80 points a night again, and the wins will come.
85. Northwestern Wildcats- Last Season Ranking: 64
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Chris Collins (14th season)
Player to know: Jack Karasinski
Chris Collins has made the NCAA Tournament three times and won a game each time, and every time Northwestern has made the NCAA Tournament, they have had a dominant point guard who can take over the game, a big man who can rebound, and an elite scorer. The Wildcats have the elite scorer in Karasinski, but everything else remains a question mark. Northwestern finishes at the bottom of the Big Ten again.
84. Boston College Eagles- Last Season Ranking: 96
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Luke Murray (1st season)
Player to know: Money Williams
The Eagles have been in a perpetual rebuild, and it's a shame considering how much that fanbase would love a winner on the hardwood. Luke Murray is the next coach tasked with turning the program around, and his first year in Chestnut Hill will be tough. Murray had to build the roster from scratch, and most of them through the transfer portal. History is unkind to those types of teams playing in Power conference basketball.
83. California Golden Bears- Last Season Ranking: 80
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Mark Madsen (4th season)
Player to know: Lee Dort
California won 22 games in 2025-2026, and it looked like Coach Madsen would keep the Golden Bears in the ACC for a long time. Then most of the eligible players transferred out, and Madsen had to rebuild the roster. The rebuilt roster has talent but no star power; everyone is a role player who will have to take a huge step in development. It is going to be a long year for Cal.Â
82. Wichita State Shockers- Last Season Ranking: 125
Conference: American
Head Coach: Paul Mills (4th season)
Player to know: Will Berg
Don't sleep on Wichita State, especially in year 4 of the Paul Mills era. That was the year Mills finished the turnaround at Oral Roberts and got them to the Sweet 16. Wichita State has a lot of its 2025-2026 roster returning, and the player development this coaching staff has shown in Wichita makes the Shockers dangerous. The transfers were all big-time scorers at their last schools. The Shockers are a favorite in the American.
81. Notre Dame Fighting Irish- Last Season Ranking: 70
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Micah Shrewsberry (4th season)Â
Player to know: Braeden Shrewsberry
What should everyone expect from Notre Dame? That is always the question when it comes to the Irish under coach Shrewsberry. The 2026-2027 roster doesn't have as much high-end talent as some other Fighting Irish teams over the last three seasons, but it's more balanced. Will that help Notre Dame win more games and climb out of the basement in the ACC? They will have to prove that.
80. Rutgers Scarlet Knights- Last Season Ranking: 89
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Steve Pikiell (11th season)
Player to know: Tariq Francis
Head coach Steve Pikiell announced a cancer diagnosis earlier in the offseason. While he'll still be around the program, assistant head coach Brandin Knight will have much more responsibility this year. Hopefully Knight can develop players quickly because Rutgers has the same problems they have had in the last few years. They have no good scoring options outside of Francis, and they won't defend. Neither is good for the Scarlet Knights in a deep Big Ten.Â
79. Illinois-Chicago Flames- Last Season Ranking: 143
Conference: Missouri Valley
Head Coach: Rob Ehsan (3rd season)
Player to know: Ahmad Henderson
It didn't take long for Coach Ehsan to turn the Illinois-Chicago program into legitimate Missouri Valley contenders every year, even though the 2025-2026 season ended in heartbreak in the conference tournament. The Flames head into the 2026-2027 season as the one team to watch in the mid-major ranks. The Flames are a huge sleeper: a team that could run and hide in the Missouri Valley and is good enough to earn an at-large bid.Â
78. Santa Clara Broncos- Last Season Ranking: 102
Conference: WCC
Head Coach:Â Herb Sendek (11th season)
Player to know: Sash Gavalyugov
Santa Clara almost pulled off the upset in the NCAA Tournament last season. Entering the 2026-2027 season, the Broncos have a retooled roster because most of Santa Clara's young stars from 2025-2026 entered the transfer portal, but Coach Sendek added a lot of Power 5 talent from the portal. The Broncos enter as one of the WCC's conference favorites.
77. Arizona State Sun Devils- Last Season Ranking: 84
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Randy Bennett (1st season)
Player to know: Paulius Muraskas
After many successful years in California, Randy Bennett heads to Tempe to revitalize the Arizona State program. The Sun Devils needed a coaching change two years ago, but better late than never. Arizona State will play slow, hold onto the ball, run pick-and-roll, and play physical defense. Coach Bennett has had success against power schools while at St. Mary's, so there is no reason to believe he won't in the Big 12.
76. Saint Mary’s Gaels- Last Season Ranking: 61
Conference: West Coast
Head Coach: Mickey McConnell (1st season)
Player to know: Joshua Dent
Randy Bennett won't be roaming the sidelines in Moraga anymore, but the Gaels won't look that different. Coach McConnell is a former Saint Mary's player and has been instrumental in sustaining the program's success over the last few seasons. The Gaels will still play physical defense, rebound, and shoot well from deep. The problem is that the conference as a whole is better, and Saint Mary's may not win the league by default. Â
75. Syracuse Orange- Last Season Ranking: 52
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Gerry McNamara (1st season)
Player to know: Gavin Doty
 The Orange have been irrelevant in the college basketball landscape over the last 10 seasons, and that doesn't fly at Syracuse. Enter alumni and Syracuse basketball legend Gerry McNamara, who will bring his beloved program back to the NCAA Tournament every year. The 2026-2027 roster is almost completely brand new, and coach McNamara filled it with his former players at Siena. Siena almost beat Duke in the NCAA Tournament last year and got after it on defense; that may not be a bad thing if they all have success with the Orange.
74. Nevada Wolf Pack- Last Season Ranking: 94
Conference: Mountain West
Head Coach: Steve Alford (7th season)
Player to know: Styles Phipps
Steve Alford announced his retirement at the end of the 2026-2027 season. I have been watching and writing about sports long enough to know that means Nevada will probably make a run to the NCAA Tournament and give Alford the proper send-off. The Wolf Pack return their second-leading scorer and add some high-ceiling pieces in the transfer portal. Phipps is good enough to be an NBA draft pick with the expected jump in production.Â
73. Georgetown Hoyas- Last Season Ranking: 76
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Ed Cooley (4th season)
Player to know: Jaland Lowe
Few expected Georgetown to be a bottom-of-the-Big-East team still, but that is what happened. The Hoyas can't seem to find the right recipe of guys to win in this league. Getting talent isn't the problem; developing and coaching it is, though. The Hoyas did bolster the roster with some high-ceiling players, but as mentioned, it's prove-it time for Georgetown.
72. San Diego State Aztecs- Last Season Ranking: 31
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Brian Dutcher (10th season)
Player to know: Bear Cherry
San Diego State had a tough offseason and left coach Dutcher scrambling in the transfer portal, which he hasn't had to do before. The Aztecs aren't like a lot of other teams because they win with defense and don't need great players on offense; the problem is too many questions on the roster, and depth is a huge concern. Trust Coach Dutcher to make some Lemonade this year.
71. New Mexico Lobos- Last Season Ranking: 98
Conference: Mountain West
Head Coach: Eric Olen (2nd season)
Player to know: Jake Hall
Coach Olen is one of the best young coaches in the sport, and the way he had New Mexico play at the end of the 2025-2026 season shows it. The Lobos run a ball-control offense that shoots a ton of threes and takes smart, open shots. Passing is extremely important, and Coach Olen has built the roster perfectly to support it. Everyone shoots, and everyone passes; the stars are a year older, and New Mexico makes the NCAA Tournament this year.
70. Mississippi Rebels- Last Season Ranking: 29
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Chris Beard (4th season)
Player to know: Budd Clark
It's been a long time since a Beard-coached team has been as bad on the defensive end of the floor as Ole Miss was last year. Coach Beard searched for answers all year, and heading into the 2026-2027 season, he may have found one. His new prized point guard Clark is one of the best individual defenders in the game and will instantly improve the defense. The offense is a work in progress, and after the starting five, the Rebels drop off sharply in talent. Â
69. Washington Huskies- Last Season Ranking: 43
Conference: Big 10
Head Coach: Danny Sprinkle (3rd season)
Player to know: Wesley Yates
The Huskies were a mess last year; they had a ton of injuries, and more importantly, head coach Sprinkle has been in limbo about what type of team he wants to have. Last season, the Huskies wanted to shoot the ball from deep at a high rate but didn't have enough shooters. Coach Sprinkle added some shooters in the portal, but the roster still needs a few more seasons to take shape.
68. LSU Tigers- Last Season Ranking: 67
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Will Wade (1st season)
Player to know: Divine Ugochukwu
As of mid-October, the LSU Tigers have 6 scholarship players on their roster. Â The hope is that the Tigers will get more players eligible as the year goes on. Currently, LSU will need to play most of its players a full 40 minutes, and hopefully no one gets injured. Another concern for the Tigers is that players like Ugochukwu, Donovan Dent, and Skyy Clark aren't deemed ineligible in another court case.Â
67. Mississippi State Bulldogs- Last Season Ranking: 34
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Chris Jans (5th season)
Player to know: Josh Hubbard
Mississippi State failed to make the tournament for the first time under Chris Jans; in fact, the Bulldogs also failed to have a winning record for the first time under Jans, and things don't look like they'll improve much in 2026-2027. Hubbard is one of the best overall players in the SEC, but the rest of the roster has some questions. Mainly, can they defend marginally better than they did last year? If so, they will be about .500; if not, it is going to be another long year for Mississippi State.
66. Florida State Seminoles- Last Season Ranking: 93
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Luke Loucks (2nd season)
Player to know: Anthony Robinson II
As you can probably tell, I wasn't very high on the Seminoles coming into the 2025-2026 season, but Coach Loucks has made me a believer. Winning 18 games with last season's roster deserves celebration. Now that Loucks has had a full offseason and the powers that be have committed to NIL, the Florida State basketball program is in good hands. Middle-of-the-pack finish for the Seminoles this year.
65. UCF Knights- Last Season Ranking: 68
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Johnny Dawkins (11th season)
Player to know: Dior Johnson
UCF got old in the transfer portal last year, and it paid off for Coach Dawkins, who guided the Knights to the NCAA Tournament. The downside of having an old team is that it is harder to stay old, and now UCF, while they do have some older transfers from the portal, don't have much Big 12 experience. The Knights don't have much star power this year but have some guys capable of leaping. The Big 12 is too good to have this many questions on your roster.
64. Dayton Flyers- Last Season Ranking: 44
Conference Atlantic 10
Head Coach: Anthony Grant (10th season)
Player to know: Zaide Lowery
Surprisingly, Anthony Grant has made the NCAA Tournament only once in his 9 full seasons as Dayton's head coach. That is surprising given the talent Coach Grant has acquired. The Flyers are always a threat to make the NCAA Tournament, even in years they aren't thought of as the Atlantic 10 favorite. The 2026-2027 season is one of those seasons, but with the expanded tournament, don't be surprised if Dayton does make the NCAA Tournament.
63. North Carolina State Wolfpack- Last Season Ranking: 26
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Justin Gainey (1st season)
Player to know: Paul McNeil Jr.
The Will Wade season was good for NC State, as they qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Wade then left, and coach LSU and the Wolfpack hired Justin Gainey from Tennessee. Gainey did a lot of work in the offseason and built an extremely competitive team built on the backs of some mid-major players of the year and a defensive player of the year. The Wolfpack will shoot well, play defense, and be physical for all 40 minutes. North Carolina State will be tough out this year.
62. Stanford Cardinal- Last Season Ranking: 87
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Kyle Smith (3rd season)
Player to know: Nick Townsend
Stanford has won 20 or more games in each of the first two seasons under head coach Kyle Smith. The Cardinal have yet to return to the NCAA Tournament under their current head coach, but that is the logical next step. The 2026-2027 roster looks like the team that will do it. The freshman class has exceptional talent, as it does every year, and this year Stanford added some conference players of the year to the mix. Don't sleep on Stanford.
61. Pittsburgh Panthers- Last Season Ranking: 62
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Jeff Capel (9th season)
Player to know: Baye Ndongo
The Panthers desperately need combo guards who can shoot, pass, and defend. Coach Capel has been excellent at finding athletic bigs who can play in the ACC, but usually that is all he has. Pittsburgh built most of the roster in the transfer portal and found former ACC players who used to give him fits in conference games. The Panthers have a chance to make a surprise run to the NCAA Tournament, but will play in a postseason tournament either way.
60. Boise State Broncos- Last Season Ranking: 41
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Leon Rice (17th season)
Player to know: Pearson Carmichael
The Broncos had a disappointing season and missed the NCAA Tournament. The offense was normal for Coach Rice, but the outlier between the 2025-2026 season and other Boise State teams was the defense. The defense was not up to snuff for Coach Rice. Boise State heads into the new Pac-12 with a deeper roster and a shored-up defense. The expanded tournament almost guarantees the Broncos make it, and this year they may finally win a game.
59. Seton Hall Pirates- Last Season Ranking: 100
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Shaheen Holloway (5th season)
Player to know: Del Jones
Seton Hall will defend, and under Coach Holloway, that's not debatable. What is debatable, and what is ultimately going to determine the type of season the Pirates are going to have, is whether the Pirates will be able to score. Seton Hall will never run a pretty offense, but they need to get to the high 60s or low 70s to win most of their games. Â
58. Iowa Hawkeyes- Last Season Ranking: 47
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Ben McCollum (2nd season)
Player to know: Kael Combs
Welcome to the post-Bennett Stirtz era for head coach Ben McCollum. Stirtz did so much for Iowa in their run to the Elite Eight in the 2025-2026 season. Losing Stirtz was already enough, but the Hawkeyes also lost their two other stars in the transfer portal. The 2026-2027 team has a lot of returning players who were exceptional on defense, but their offense is unproven. That last sentence has been a staple of McCollum teams, and somehow Iowa will win 20 games and be a bubble team.
57. DePaul Blue Demons- Last Season Ranking: 77
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Chris Holtmann (3rd season)
Player to know: Magoon Gwath
It has been a long time since the Blue Demons have had a roster capable of making the NCAA Tournament, but when DePaul hired coach Holtmann, this was the vision. The 2026-2027 Blue Demons are what Blue Demons fans have been waiting for: a competitive team that finishes in the middle of the Big East. Tournament expansion could be a good thing for DePaul.
56. Minnesota Golden Gophers- Last Season Ranking: 72
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Niko Medved
Player to know: Jaylen Crocker-Johnson
Anyone wondering whether Niko Medved is a good coach should look at the 2025-2026 Minnesota basketball team. Injuries ravaged the Gophers and, at times, left them with only 5 healthy players. Minnesota has a lot of the roster coming back from a season ago and has added some quality transfers. Have faith in Medved, but not this year; the Big Ten is so deep, and the Gophers don't have the top-end talent to compete yet.
55. High Point Panthers- Last Season Ranking: 162
Conference: Big South
Head Coach: Flynn Clayman (2nd season)
Player to know: Cam’Ron Fletcher
The Panthers were minutes away from the Sweet 16 last year, and as the 2026 NCAA Tournament darlings, High Point and coach Clayman are looking for another deep March run in 2026-2027. The Panthers have a chance to be better this season, but that is also a tall order after 31 overall wins in the 2025-2026 season. High Point will beat some power-conference schools and run away with the Big South again.
54. Virginia Tech Hokies- Last Season Ranking: 78
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Mike Young (8th season)
Player to know: Amani Hansberry
Last year, when February started, the Hokies sat at 16-6. Everyone knows it's not about how you start; it's how you finish, and Virginia Tech did not finish well and missed the NCAA Tournament. The 2026-2027 season will be the one that gets the Hokies back to the NCAA Tournament. Coach Young retained his stars and added a ton of talent from the transfer portal. They are a good ACC basketball team.
53. Xavier Musketeers- Last Season Ranking: 69
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Richard Pitino (2nd season)
Player to know: Tru Washington
Richard Pitino will win and get Xavier to the NCAA Tournament, but he has to build a team that plays how he wants, and that starts on defense. Every successful Pitino-coached team has played exceptional defense. The Musketeers were awful on that end of the floor last year. The 2026-2027 roster has some excellent individual defenders, some who have played for Pitino before. Postseason for Xavier this year.
52. Saint Louis Billikens- Last Season Ranking: 63
Conference: Atlantic 10
Head Coach: Josh Schertz (3rd season)
Player to know: Trey Green
Every player on the floor can score, pass, and shoot threes. If you need more validation, look at the numbers. Saint Louis led the nation in three-point percentage, assist rate, and points per game. Offense is one thing, but when you couple that with smothering defense built around quick guards who get in the passing lane and bigs who can guard all five positions, you get a mid-major that will be a single-digit seed in March.
51. Utah State Aggies- Last Season Ranking: 36
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Ben Jacobson (1st season)
Player to know: Mason Falslev
It's impossible to predict exactly what will happen, but don't be surprised if the Aggies go from scoring in the 80s to scoring in the 60s. Don't be alarmed, though, because new head coach Ben Jacobson is one of the best defensive minds in the game, and he is going to make it painfully hard for opponents to score. Utah State has players built for the slower, physical style of play Coach Jacobson will run on both ends, and they are one of the favorites in the new Pac-12.
50. VCU Rams- Last Season Ranking: 65
Conference: Atlantic 10
Head Coach: Phil Martelli Jr. (2nd season)
Player to know: Lazar Djokovic
VCU is a lot of fun to watch and hard to beat because they put constant pressure on opponents on both ends of the floor for the full 40 minutes. Coach Martelli runs an ultra-efficient offense and can extend a game by making a lot of threes. The defense is aggressive, gets a ton of steals, and rarely allows three-point attempts. The Rams are rarely out of a game and will dominate the Atlantic 10 again.
49. Indiana Hoosiers- Last Season Ranking: 57
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Darian DeVries (2nd season)
Player to know: Markus Burton
The Hoosiers were way too guard-centric last year; that isn't always a problem, but it is when they had no quality depth outside their top three options. Coach DeVries went back to the portal to try and make the roster a little more balanced. He added some quality guards and bigs with depth. My one concern is shooting: the Hoosiers will shoot a lot of threes, but they don't have any real shooters on the roster.
48. Grand Canyon Antelopes- Last Season Ranking: 86
Conference: Mountain West
Head Coach: Bryce Drew (7th season)
Player to know: Jaden Henley
Every year, one team in the lower divisions catches your eye as a team that can make a deep March run and likely won't lose much in the regular season to get there. Grand Canyon is that team this year. It doesn't hurt that the Antelopes can throw their NIL weight around, but using that money to build a great roster is another thing. Grand Canyon wins 30 games, earns an at-large bid, and beats some power-conference teams along the way.
47. Providence Friars- Last Season Ranking: 59
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Bryan Hodgson (1st season)
Player to know: Miles Byrd
Bryan Hodgson has turned around two programs and did it quickly. That was appealing to Providence, and it's why they hired him. Hodgson has hit the ground running as the Friars' head coach, quickly flipping the roster and adding big-time talent through the transfer portal. Usually, teams assembled quickly with as many stars as Providence has don't win much in the first year, but Hodgson teams are different. Providence has the ceiling of a second-weekend team and the floor of a first-round NCAA Tournament exit.
46. Maryland Terrapins- Last Season Ranking: 50
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Buzz Williams (2nd season)
Player to know: Pharrel Payne
Williams-coached teams are physical and have guards who rebound, get downhill, and score at a high clip. The 2025-2026 team didn't have anyone who could score, and losing star Pharrel Payne early on in the season to an injury didn't help on the defensive end either. The Terrapins have a roster loaded with talent, with many versatile pieces who can score and play defense. They have a chance to be one of the best rebounding and rim protection teams in the country. Â
45. Creighton Bluejays- Last Season Ranking: 24
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Alan Huss (1st season)
Player to know: Wes Enis
The Greg McDermott Era is over, and Alan Huss takes over, who was one of the top assistants for the Bluejays. Huss had a short stint as head coach at High Point; while the offense was elite, the defense was one of the worst in the country. Expect Creighton to not change much on offense; they'll play fast, shoot a ton of threes, and light scoreboards on fire some nights. The defense and frontcourt are a question mark, but with the expanded tournament, the Bluejays will be dancing.
44. West Virginia Mountaineers- Last Season Ranking: 53
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Ross Hodge (2nd season)
Player to know: Brenen Lorient
Congratulations, Mountaineers, on winning the 2027 College Basketball Crown; West Virginia is now destined to start the season 20-0! In all seriousness, West Virginia lost a lot of scoring from 2025-2026, but head coach Ross Hodge replaced it with young talent who can put the ball in the bucket and guys to build around. The defense will always be a staple, but scoring is the name of the game in the Big 12.
43. Clemson Tigers- Last Season Ranking: 37
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Brad Brownell (17th season)
Player to know: Dylan Faulkner
 Defensive Intensity, low turnovers, and an efficient offense those three things have won the Tigers a lot of games over the 16 seasons Coach Brownell has been at the helm. Clemson doesn't require a lot of individual stars to win games. If you are willing to buy in on defense, defend the entire shot clock, and then take smart shots within the offensive system, the Tigers are the team for you. Clemson has a roster full of unselfish players again, and the results will speak for themselves.
42. TCU Horned Frogs- Last Season Ranking: 59
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (11th season)
Player to know: Xavier Edmonds
The Horned Frogs are rolling, and head coach Jamie Dixon has completely turned that program around. TCU doesn't do anything flashy, but they win, and they win with ball movement, low turnovers, and physical defense. That is truly Coach Dixon-style basketball. The 2026-2027 season will be another where the Horned Frogs win 20 games, make the NCAA Tournament, and win a game. Â
41. SMU Mustangs- Last Season Ranking: 42
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Andy Enfield (3rd season)
Player to know: Rowan Brumbaugh
The Mustangs made the NCAA Tournament last season before losing in the First Four to Miami Ohio. As good as SMU was last year, the 2026-2027 season may be one Mustangs fans remember for a while. The roster is deep and loaded with transfer-portal talent. SMU is a middle-tier team in the ACC, but could push Duke and Louisville in the league, and will wear a home jersey as a single-digit seed. Â
40. Marquette Golden Eagles- Last Season Ranking: 66
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Shaka Smart (6th season)
Player to know: Nigel James
Last season was a strange year for Marquette. It was the first year the Golden Eagles hadn't qualified for the NCAA Tournament under Coach Smart, and the first year Marquette didn't add a single transfer. That has all changed this year; Coach Smart added some excellent role players from the transfer portal and kept his stars around. James is one of the best players in the entire country.
39. Villanova Wildcats- Last Season Ranking: 51
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Kevin Willard (2nd season)
Player to know: Tyler Perkins
It only took Kevin Willard a year to get Villanova back to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats lost in the first round to Utah State, but getting back to the tournament is still a positive step in the right direction. If you have watched any Willard-coached team, you will see a team that plays defense, is physical, and shoots a ton of threes at a high percentage. Those were staples of Villanova last season, and if they do those same things well, Villanova will make the NCAA Tournament again.
38. Wisconsin Badgers- Last Season Ranking: 25
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Greg Gard (12th season)
Player to know: Nolan Winter
Two seasons ago, Greg Gard changed his approach, shifting from a slow grind-it-out style to a fast-paced, heavy three-point offense. Heavy three-point offense is putting it lightly; the Badgers shoot a ton of threes, and they make a lot of them. Wisconsin has 5 players on the floor at all times who can threaten from deep, and they added two of the best shooters in the transfer portal. The Badgers are dangerous, especially when they start making shots.
37. Cincinnati Bearcats- Last Season Ranking: 49
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Jerrod Calhoun (1st season)
Player to know: Mj Collins
Coach Calhoun has hit the ground running in his first stint as the head coach at a power-conference school. Like every team that gets a new coach, the Bearcats have a brand-new roster. Typically, when teams get a brand-new roster, it takes a while to gel chemistry-wise, but one thing is for sure: the Bearcats will be able to put the ball in the hole and prevent teams from putting the ball in the hole. Cincinnati might be sneaky good.
36. Oklahoma Sooners- Last Season Ranking: 54
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Porter Moser (6th season)
Player to know: Xzayvier Brown
If the Sooners hadn't had an 8-game losing streak in the middle of SEC play, Oklahoma would have found itself in the NCAA Tournament. That many losses in a row don't just happen, and for Oklahoma, it came down to a lack of defense and a reliance on two players to run one-on-one offense. The team averaged over 80 a night, but at times the ball stuck too much in one player's hands. The depth is much improved, and the Sooners should be too. Tournament team this season.
35. Georgia Bulldogs- Last Season Ranking: 40
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Mike White (5th season)
Player to know: Blue Cain
If you like tempo and threes, Georgia is the team for you. Few teams play faster, and few teams take as many threes as the Bulldogs, and head coach Mike White has his team rolling. Georgia has become one of the best teams in the SEC, but it's still looking for its first NCAA Tournament win under White. Given the tempo, defense is usually optional, and that has come back to bite the Bulldogs and lowered their ceiling a bit.
34. Ohio State Buckeyes- Last Season Ranking: 33
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Jake Diebler (4th season)
Player to know: John Mobley Jr.
Ohio State is an interesting team, and it's unclear where they will fit into the hierarchy of the 2026-2027 season. The roster is good enough to finish in the top 4 of the Big Ten and make a deep run into March. The Buckeyes have the perfect mix of experience and talented freshmen who are athletic, can shoot, and will play defense, just like the previous 3 seasons. Those teams all underachieved; can this Buckeyes team figure it out?
33. Auburn Tigers- Last Season Ranking: 18
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Steven Pearl (2nd season)
Player to know: Tahaad Pettiford
Auburn won the NIT, and the offseason helped the Tigers improve a lot through the transfer portal, at least on offense. Offensive depth is something a lot of teams dream of. There are a legitimate 10-12 guys that can all score double figures on this team. The problem arises on the defensive end of the floor; it will be hard for Auburn to stop anyone again.
32. Oklahoma State Cowboys- Last Season Ranking: 58
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Steve Lutz (3rd season)
Player to know: Parsa Fallah
Oklahoma State has the makings of a team that will cause havoc in a loaded Big 12. Many people won't expect the Cowboys to make the NCAA Tournament and finish near the top of the league, but that's changed. Oklahoma State has a deep roster that returns some big-time production from last season. Coach Lutz has worked to improve the defense, and with his ability to coach offense, the Cowboys are extremely dangerous.
31. Purdue Boilermakers- Last Season Ranking: 2
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Matt Painter (22nd season)
Player to know: CJ Cox
It has been a while since the Boilermakers were projected to finish in the top 3 of the Big Ten. That is the case in 2026-2027; Purdue lost so much talent to graduation, and none of it will be replaceable in the transfer portal. It won't be a rebuilding year, and Purdue will still win 20-plus games, but they may be closer to a double-digit seed in the NCAA Tournament this year. Painter is a fantastic coach, so don't be surprised if they drastically outplay this ranking.
30. Missouri Tigers- Last Season Ranking: 28
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Dennis Gates (5th season)
Player to know: Jason Crowe Jr.
Dennis Gates assembled an outstanding recruiting and portal class, but concerns remain about roster construction. The first concern is who plays point guard behind Crowe. The backcourt will be good but relies heavily on some freshmen being excellent. The frontcourt is excellent and will play exceptional defense, but it lacks scoring. Missouri will still easily make the tournament and will likely be wearing a home jersey.
29. Texas A&M Aggies- Last Season Ranking: 32
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Bucky McMillan (2nd season)
Player to know: PJ Haggerty
The Aggies have little stopping them from becoming a juggernaut in the SEC now. Texas A&M has one of the best offenses in the country, and that style of play is always easy to recruit to. Buckyball, as it is lovingly known after Coach Bucky, is his uptempo, heavy three-point, tons-of-ball-movement offense, paired with a defense that creates plenty of turnovers for easy transition points. The Aggies are fun to play for and a nightmare to play against.Â
28. Kentucky Wildcats- Last Season Ranking: 10
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Mark Pope (3rd season)
Player to know: Milan Momcilovic
Entering the 2026-2027 season, the Wildcats have added a lot of talent in the transfer portal, but the roster is still interesting. It is full of athletically gifted players who do most of their damage inside the arc, and then the best shooter in the game, Momcilovic. Pope likes his teams to shoot from deep and will be excited to see how he coaches this team. If this team comes together, Kentucky will finish in the top 4 of the SEC.
27. USC Trojans- Last Season Ranking: 39
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Eric Musselman (3rd season)
Player to know: Rodney Rice
At Big Ten Media Day, Andy Katz said USC had the most talent of any team in the Big Ten. It's hard to dispute that when you look at the roster on paper. The Trojans are going to open up in the top 25 for nothing more than their potential, but it is time now for Musselman, as the head coach in Los Angeles, to prove it. He had an excellent roster last season that underachieved. This team has the roster to be very good.
26. Baylor Bears- Last Season Ranking: 27
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Scott Drew (24th season)
Is Baylor back? That's a crazy question to ask given what Scott Drew has turned the Bears into, but last season was a down year for Baylor. Heading into the 2026-2027 season, the Bears have a roster that is built for a breakout. Mingo will be the star, and while he is only a freshman and Coach Drew has an impressive track record of getting five-star freshmen, he hasn't had a player as talented as Mingo in a long time. Top 5 Big 12 finish for the Bears.
25. North Carolina Tar Heels- Last Season Ranking: 23
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Michael Malone (1st season)
Player to know: Neo Avdalas
North Carolina opens the season in the top 25 because it's the Tar Heels and they get the benefit of the doubt, but it's also worth noting that new head coach Michael Malone comes from the NBA and has an NBA background. The first year is often hard to transition, but the 2026-2027 Tar Heels have a strong mix of talented bigs and guards and can beat teams in many ways. The Tar Heels will be one of the top teams in the ACC.
24. Tennessee Volunteers- Last Season Ranking: 20
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Rick Barnes (12th season)
Player to know:Â Juke Harris
The Volunteers' best teams under Rick Barnes have been physical in the frontcourt, protected the rim, and rebounded at a high level. The three-point percentage has been high, and the free-throw rate is borderline elite. Tennessee is built exactly like this in 2026-2027. The roster is full of shooters and quick defenders who will jump into passing lanes and get out in transition. The bigs are all great shot blockers with questionable offensive ability. Tennessee isn't good enough for another Elite 8 run.
23. UCLA Bruins- Last Season Ranking: 13
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Mick Cronin (8th season)
Player to know: Trent Perry
UCLA Basketball is a team with a ton of athletes moving the ball and making a ton of threes. If the Bruins are making a ton of threes, the offense can hit you like an avalanche, and games can get out of hand quickly. UCLA hasn't been playing defense up to coach Cronin's standards; hopefully they can start this year, because the offensive talent can carry them deep into March.
22. Kansas Jayhawks- Last Season Ranking: 15
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Bill Self (24th season)
Player to know: Tyran Stokes
There has been a lot of offseason discourse about Kansas and where they fit into the college basketball hierarchy this season. Coach Self got two wins in the court system when his two stars from last season became eligible, but no one knows how long they remain eligible. Stokes is the top-ranked freshman in the country, and those players have always thrived under Self. Kansas deserves to be in the top 25, will challenge for the Big 12 crown, and will be a high single-digit seed in March.Â
21. BYU Cougars- Last Season Ranking: 7
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Kevin Young (3rd season)
Player to know: Robert Wright
BYU isn't as talented as last year, but that's only because they do not have the first overall pick in the NBA draft on their team. Coach Kevin Young has done a fantastic job bringing quality talent to Provo and continuing to improve the team. In 2025-2026, the Cougars didn't finish with the record many thought because they couldn't play defense and made it way too easy for teams to score. That problem is hopefully alleviated with some adds in the transfer portal. That same portal class may have added more shooting to an already deadly shooting team. Â
20. Miami Hurricanes- Last Season Ranking: 71
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Jai Lucas (2nd season)
Player to know: Acaden Lewis
I was way off on Miami's ability last year. The Hurricanes took a ton of guys who needed a fresh start, developed them, and finished third in the ACC. Heading into the 2026-2027 season, Miami finds itself in the preseason top 25 with a roster that can win the ACC and will for sure make noise in the NCAA Tournament.Â
19. Arkansas Razorbacks- Last Season Ranking: 16
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: John Calipari (3rd season)
Player to know: Jeremiah Wilkinson
There are certain coaches you expect things from, and what you expect from Coach Calipari and his Razorbacks squad is a team full of highly ranked freshmen who will likely turn into lottery picks, extreme athleticism from his entire roster, a dominant go-to scorer, and a do-everything glue guy who can play any style asked of him. Calipari has that again this season, and going out on a limb, I am going to say Wilkinson will lead the SEC in scoring. Arkansas has Final Four talent.
18. Virginia Cavaliers- Last Season Ranking: 56
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Ryan Odem (2nd season)
Player to know: Thijs De Ridder
No matter the coach, the one constant for Virginia basketball, and one that has won a lot of games over the years, is their ability to play defense. Their defense has always made up for the putrid offenses the Cavaliers used to run. That's a thing of the past, as Coach Odem had the deadly combination of a top-75 offense and a top-75 defense. Virginia is back to being a consistent ACC favorite.
17. Texas Tech Red Raiders- Last Season Ranking: 11
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Grant McCasland (4th season)
Player to know: JT Toppin
Toppin is a once-in-a-lifetime player, given how good he has been since transferring from Kentucky two seasons ago. Texas Tech has proven that for as long as their big man is on the floor, the rest of the roster isn't as important. Toppin is good enough to beat most teams on his own. He is currently injured, and when he returns, he will determine Texas Tech's ultimate ceiling. The Red Raiders have some roster limbo on some players. If those players get eligible and remain eligible all season, Texas Tech is good enough to win a National Title.
16. Alabama Crimson Tide- Last Season Ranking: 14
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Nate Oats (8th season)
Player to know: Aden Holloway
Oats has turned Alabama into a national juggernaut because they are so hard to play. Few teams can match Alabama's speed. Beyond the speed, few teams are as athletic as the Crimson Tide, and when they use that to get out in transition, run a pick-and-roll offense at a high level, and shoot volume from the three-point line, Oats doesn't need much defense. Â
15. Nebraska Cornhuskers- Last Season Ranking: 45
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Fred Hoiberg (8th season)
Player to know: Pryce Sandfort
Nebraska finally got it done last year, winning an NCAA Tournament game for the first time in program history. The Huskers finished the year in the Sweet 16 and head into the 2026-2027 season with two of the best players in the Big Ten and a lineup that will lead the conference in three-point shooting. Questions remain about the front court, but Coach Hoiberg should have enough shooting to be still wearing a home jersey in March, and the Huskers should be a top-15 team to open the season.
14. Texas Longhorns- Last Season Ranking: 35
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Sean Miller (2nd season)
Player to know: Matas Vokietaitis
The Longhorns were two points away from the Elite Eight last year, and they played in the First Four. That finish may have helped in recruiting, but usually Coach Sean Miller and their SEC affiliation do most of the heavy lifting for Texas. Heavy Lifting indeed for Texas, as they have one of the most exciting rosters in the country and will have very high expectations in 2026-2027. They can win the SEC and have Final Four aspirations.
13. Iowa State Cyclones- Last Season Ranking: 12
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: TJ Otzelberger (6th season)
Player to know: Tamin Lipsey
Cyclone basketball is really hard to beat when they get locked in. Iowa State is painfully hard to score on, and on the other end of the floor they will hit back-breaking threes or get the ball inside to their athletic bigs for easy baskets. Defense rules in Ames, and as long as it's dialed in, Iowa State will finish in the top of the Big 12.Â
12. Vanderbilt Commodores- Last Season Ranking: 38
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Mark Byington (3rd season)
Player to know: Tyler Tanner
The Commodores were a surprise last year in how good they were overall. Few expected Vanderbilt to be in the hunt for the SEC regular-season title for most of the year. In 2026-2027, the Commodores are expected to be one of the best teams in the SEC all season long. The roster is extremely talented; few teams are as athletic as Vanderbilt, and they'll be one of the rare teams that scores a ton of points and allows very few.
11. Michigan Wolverines- Last Season Ranking: 9
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Mike Boynton (1st season)
Player to know: Elliot Cadeau
Michigan won the National Championship in 2025-2026, and head coach Dusty May then decided to try his hand in the NBA. The Wolverines hired Mike Boynton as interim coach. Boynton didn't have much success as a head coach at Oklahoma State, but he shouldn't have to do much coaching with the Michigan roster. The roster is one of the most talented in the Big Ten and has an outside shot at winning the league this season.
10. Houston Cougars- Last Season Ranking: 1
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson (13th season)
Player to know: Joseph Tugler
Houston is so much fun to watch; I know the offense is a chore, and the slow tempo isn't visually appealing. What is visually appealing is the defense, one of the best in the country every year. When the Cougars get dialed in, they can prevent teams from scoring for a long time. Coach Sampson won't play guys who don't defend, and he did a masterful job building the 2026-2027 roster. So many guys score at a high rate and defend well.
9. St. John’s Red Storm- Last Season Ranking: 6
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Rick Pitino (4th season)
Player to know: Tounde Yessoufou
There is no denying that St. John's is one of the best teams in the country again. Coach Pitino has the Red Storm back in the National conversation, which was the entire goal of hiring Pitino. Even with the athleticism, St. John's is still not a threat to win the National Title, and it isn't a talent discrepancy. It's a play style. The Red Storm don't shoot the ball well; they have a lot of guys who get the ball to the rim and get fouled. Their lack of three-point shooting lowers the ceiling.
8. Michigan State Spartans- Last Season Ranking: 19
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Tom Izzo (32nd season)
Player to know: Jeremy Fears Jr.
It's been a while since Tom Izzo has had the best player in the country; Fears Jr. takes the Spartans from an NCAA Tournament team to a legitimate National Title threat. Disclaimer to opponents: get ready to play Michigan State. The Spartans will be tougher than you, and if you're not ready, Fears Jr. will drive the lane and live at the free-throw line; your bigs will get pushed under the basket on rebounds, and Michigan State will run down the floor on the inbounds for easy baskets. Pick your poison.
7. Gonzaga Bulldogs- Last Season Ranking: 21
Conference: Pac-12
Head Coach: Mark Few (28th season)
Player to know: Braden Huff
Gonzaga has never missed an NCAA Tournament under head coach Mark Few. Gonzaga is now a member of the revamped Pac-12 and is the overwhelming favorite to win the league. The 2026-2027 Gonzaga team is a National Title contender if all of their fifth-year players remain eligible for the entire season. If they lose their eligibility, the Bulldogs will still be fine, given that they potentially have the most dominant frontcourt in the country. Vintage Mark Few team, Gonzaga makes it back to the Sweet 16 this year.
6. Louisville Cardinals- Last Season Ranking: 8
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Pat Kelsey (3rd season)
Player to know: Flory Bidunga
Louisville is likely to lead the country in three-point attempts, and given the way this roster looks, they'll be one of the nation's leaders in three-point percentage as well. Coach Kelsey has done a fantastic job building the 2026-2027 roster; he leveraged his NIL, addressed the weakness by adding Bidunga, and surrounded him with shooters and ball movement. The Cardinals open the year as a top-10 program.Â
5. Illinois Fighting Illini- Last Season Ranking: 22
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Brad Underwood (10th season)
Player to know: David Mirkovic
Illinois was supposed to be good in 2025-2026, but I don't think many had them pegged for one of the best offenses and defenses in the country or a Final Four appearance. The 2026-2027 season should end with a Big Ten regular-season title, a Potential Final Four, and hopefully a National Championship. The Fighting Illini are deep, have one of the best players in the country in Mirkovic, and will shoot the ball at a high rate, protect the rim, and win a lot. Illinois deserves their lofty ranking coming into the season.
4. UConn Huskies- Last Season Ranking: 5
Conference: Big East
Head Coach: Dan Hurley (9th season)
Player to know: Silas Demary Jr.
It has been an embarrassment of riches for coach Hurley and the UConn Huskies. It's nice to be a basketball blue blood. The National Runner-Ups didn't lose anything in the transfer portal, but they used that to build a perfect Hurley team. They have shooting, a pass-first point guard who can get a bucket when you need it, a big physical big man, and wings who can score at a high rate. UConn will dominate most of the year again and be a title favorite come March.
3. Arizona Wildcats- Last Season Ranking: 17
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Tommy Lloyd (6th season)
Player to know: Motiejus Krivas
It's hard to describe how good the Wildcats are. The front court dominates a game in every way imaginable. Arizona is an elite rebounding team, and they protect the rim well. The Wildcats have one of the best offenses in the country, and they rarely shoot threes. Lloyd has built the roster with a lot of guys who are elite at getting to the rim and drawing contact, and the guards are exceptional passers to feed the bigs. Arizona wins the Big 12 going away.
2. Florida Gators- Last Season Ranking: 4
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Todd Golden (5th season)
Player to know: Thomas Haugh
The Gators are a trendy pick to hoist the trophy in April. The front court trio is the best in the country. Coach Golden knows how to get the most out of this roster and will work through the kinks as the year goes on to make them a well-oiled machine. Florida will also be playing with a chip on their shoulder after how the season ended last year. I have concerns about the Gators' backcourt and their shooting.
1. Duke Blue Devils- Last Season Ranking: 3
Conference: ACC
Head Coach: Jon Scheyer (5th season)
Player to know: Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje
Everyone who thought Duke would start slipping after Coach K left has egg on their face. I will admit I was one of those individuals. The last two seasons have been some of the best in Blue Devil history. There have been only 2 losses in the ACC during that period, and back-to-back top-3 picks in the NBA Draft. Duke is still looking for its first Title for Coach Scheyer, and the 2026-2027 roster is the one that gets him there.
That concludes the Team Power Rankings for 2026-2027. Now it's time for the real games to begin. That all happens on Sunday, November 1st, in Rome. Enjoy the season.
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