It’s mid-October, and gyms across the nation are already alive! Music up, rims ringing as assistants count makes, and sneakers squeaking—it all reminds us that the countdown has begun. March Madness might still be months away, but the madness has already started.

The AP Top 25 preseason men’s college basketball results are already out, and we see teams getting ranked in places we don’t expect them to be. But, as of now, all eyes are on No. 8 BYU, which will be helmed by projected top NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa. Of course, he’s not alone in adding to the team’s chances this season.

Nearly every other campus got the next big thing walking into collegiate hoops like he’s already on a mission. Well, that’s exactly how Cooper Flagg and many others got in. So, the anticipation is real. But not anymore, as here’s how the projected AP Top 10 stacks up entering Week 1.

1. AJ Dybantsa

AJ Dybantsa is the No. 1 freshman this year, and there’s no debate about it. He deserves it, too, for being a player who can change everything for a program. He had also shown it before at the FIBA U19 World Cup, where he earned MVP honours. Averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, he was extremely crucial in helping Team USA to gold.

Standing 6’9″ with guard-like movement, he bends defenses the moment he touches the ball. His quick first step and smooth scoring touch make him an instant threat. This all-around game fits perfectly with what coach Kevin Young wants at BYU.

2. Darryn Peterson

Peterson is rare, the kind of player who steps onto a Kansas roster and is most likely to earn the keys immediately. The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, native, who turned McDonald’s All-American, has already proven himself. Averaging 30.4 points with 7.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists as a senior at Napa Christian, Peterson can do it all.

He isn’t a point guard, but he can score effortlessly at all three levels. Using elite handles and a change of pace to create separation, he shows impressive court vision that makes him a natural playmaker. At Kansas, his versatility could be exactly what Bill Self needs after losing key guards last season. Pairing him with Flory Bidunga gives the Jayhawks a potential one-two punch that can run the offense, push the pace, and carry the scoring load from day one.

3. Cameron Boozer

Boozer brings both pedigree and polished skills to Duke, making him almost instantly ready to contribute. The Miami native, two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year, is the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. With basketball in his genes, he’s arguably one of the most accomplished high school players ever. And yes, there’s a reason behind it. He combines size, footwork, and basketball IQ to screen, roll, punish switches, and dominate the glass.

But he’s got another advantage: he’ll be joining Duke alongside his twin brother Cayden, which will add depth to Duke’s roster.

4. Nate Ament

Ament doesn’t need an introduction—he’s already popular. Averaging 19.0 points with 10 rebounds, he’s the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year, a McDonald’s All-American, and SLAM Super Class MVP. The third top-five recruit in Vols history, Ament passed up several offers to get here.

Credits: USA Today Network via Imagn“What you love about (Ament’s) game is, yeah, he can shoot, but he’s going to be in situations where he’s going to draw double teams and things like that, and he’s such a good passer too,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes told Hoops HQ. He’ll be an early starter who eases the Vols’ post-Zakai reset and the connective tissue that keeps their defense elite—especially since he’s got passing skills and defensive instincts that will light up highlight reels.

5. Mikel Brown Jr.

The Canton native and McDonald’s All-American, Mikel, has averaged 29.6 points per game at DME. He’s even got gold at the FIBA U19 World Cup, as he led Team USA with 14.9 points and 6.1 assists per game. He brings incredible passing skills, with the vision to attack without losing sightlines. Known for breaking down defenses and creating opportunities for his teammates effortlessly, he will thrive at Louisville.

His ability to control tempo, score efficiently, and make others better makes him a top-tier prospect and a potential cornerstone for the Cardinals’ push toward a top-10 preseason ranking.

7. Koa Peat

The 6’8″ forward is a ready-made rotation player with both strength and motor. As the Wildcats love to cut and sprint, Peat’s seal, kick, drive, and repeat game will fit right in. “I’m just learning how good of a coach he is,” Peat told Hoops HQ’s Krysten Peek about Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd.

“He sees all the little things, and he knows where to get me open and how to run good offense and good defense. Just talking to him off the court and building that trust has been great. I’m just happy to be getting coached by Coach Lloyd, and I think I made the right decision at Arizona, for sure.” Arizona will be lucky to have him, too—he’s coming off an outstanding FIBA U19 World Cup performance, where he averaged 12.6 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds.

8. Caleb Wilson

Next on the list is Wilson, the Atlanta native and 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year, who’s better known for his 1,836 points and 1,168 rebounds in high school. His dominance isn’t just limited to this, though. He’s even shone on the national stage, leading Nightrydas Elite to the 2024 Peach Jam title with 17.3 points per game and dropping 28 points with six rebounds in the Jordan Brand Classic for Team Air.

In North Carolina, his versatility can help cure the team’s defensive struggles from last season. After all, he’s a rare combo. He’s got size, smart short-roll decisions, off-ball cuts, and the ability to move the ball effectively, providing immediate impact on both ends.

9. Chris Cenac Jr.

The New Orleans native heading to Houston out of Branson is known for playing big on both ends. Coming up after scoring 11 points on 5 of 9 shooting with seven rebounds to help Team West win in the McDonald’s All-American Game, Chris’s skills.

Defensively, his vertical contests without fouling anchor the defense and strike fear in opponents. He’s living in the dunker spot, screens with purpose, and hammers lobs too. So yes, the Cougars have guards, but Cenac gives them a ceiling.

10. Darius Acuff

Arkansas may have lost Boogie Fland to Florida, but Acuff proves to be a promising replacement. The 2024–25 EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year uses a mix of speed, craftiness, and strength to create offense. And we already know Calipari’s freshman guards are a genre, but Acuff could be a catalyst.

His ability to turn live-ball turnovers into two-on-ones will restore the Razorbacks’ speed. Calipari’s team is already stacked with familiar faces like DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, and Billy Richmond, along with a new five-star recruit, Meleek Thomas. But it would be Acuff leading the pack, as he’s fast.