After Houston’s heartbreak and Florida’s fairytale finish, the 2025-26 season begins with as many questions as contenders. As college basketball goes in the NIL era, many teams have refurbished through the portal, while some have lost their stars. Multiple storylines are going into the 2025-26 season, with Houston aiming for revenge and Rick Pitino investing heavily at St. John’s. Let’s look at the potential AP top 25, which will be released on Monday:

1. Purdue Boilermakers

After an underwhelming 2024-25, Purdue returns with expectations. Last season, they managed a 24-12 record and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament despite losing two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey, as well as Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Mason Gillis and starting guard Lance Jones from the 2023-24 squad. This year, they have managed to retain possibly the most dangerous trio in Braden Smith (15.8 ppg/8.7 apg), Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 ppg), and Fletcher Loyer (13.8 ppg). This roster retention could pay off in 2025-26.

2. Houston Cougars

The 2024-25 NCAA finals still ring fresh in the minds of the Houston Cougars. They were almost pitch-perfect for the entire season, except for the final few minutes of the season. Cougars will be itching for another shot at the title. Three starters return from that championship-worthy team, while boasting one of the best recruiting classes in the country. That includes the highest-ranked recruit in college history (No.6) with Chris Cenac Jr.

3. Florida Gators 

Like the Cougars will be reeling after that 2025 Championship game, the Gators will still be high in confidence after the title win. Their 2006-07 history suggests that they are the most likely team to go back-to-back. The squad has padded up as well with Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton) joining the returning frontcourt duo Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon. Their size advantage from last year will be even greater with the additions. While questions remain on their team chemistry, most are betting on Todd Golden to figure it out. 

4. UConn Huskies

Can the Huskies get back their championship aura? Their squad certainly says so. With Alex Karaban, Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart, and Jayden Ross, they have both experience and talent. Their roster runs deep with the additions of Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia) and Malachi Smith (Dayton), and five-star recruit Braylon Mullins. The question remains if everyone can perform at their full potential. If Dan Hurley manages to get this team up and running, they could be unstoppable. 

5. St. John’s Red Storm

After an early tournament exit, Rick Pitino went shopping. Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Joson Sanon (Arizona State), Oziyah Sellers (Stanford), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati), and Dylan Darling (Idaho State) form a strong transfer class, arguably the best any college has had. Again, will Pitino mould them into a strong team? The last two years have exceeded all expectations with 31 wins and a Big East regular-season and tournament title, and Pitino is among the favorites for the first time at Red Storm. 

6. Duke Blue Devils

It seems the Duke Blue Devils are attached to one-and-done players. After Cooper Flagg, the Devils have No.3 recruit Cameron Boozer, who is also expected to depart for the NBA after just a year. Kon Knueppel has another top-ranked recruiting class around Boozer with  Nikolas Khamenia (No. 15), Cayden Boozer, and Sebastian Wilkins. Then there is international recruit and projected first-round pick Dame Sarr. Coupled with key returnees like Isaiah Evans and Caleb Fosterthe Devils are in for another deep run.

7. Louisville Cardinals

The Cardinals are no longer a team searching for a path forward. They are coming off a successful season with 27 wins, the most for the program in a decade, while returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the pandemic. Heading into year two under head coach Pat Kelsey, they have made some key additions in the offseason. Three top-25 transfers in Ryan Conwell, Isaac McKneely, and Adrian Wooley, along with a strong recruiting class, mean the  Cardinals could even contest for the NCAA title if everything goes right.

8. BYU Cougars

The Cougars are trending in the right direction. Last season, they finished with 26 wins, a 14-6 mark in a difficult Big 12, while advancing to the first Sweet Sixteen in more than a decade. Kevin Young’s second season is set up with more expectations because of some underrated offseason additions like Robert Wright III and Kennard Davis, along with the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country, A.J. Dybantsa. Year 2 will pose different challenges for Young, integrating the new additions and adapting his tactics.

9. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan bled after a successful 2024-25.8 moved away, either through graduation, the NBA Draft, or the transfer portal, including the likes of Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin, and Tre Donaldson. However, Dusty May was quick to get on the drawing board and replace their lost pieces. Yaxel Lendeborg, UAB (17.7 ppg), Elliot Cadeau, UNC (9.4 ppg), Morez Johnson Jr, ILL (7.0 ppg), and Aday Mara, UCLA (6.4 ppg) form one of the elite classes of the year.

10. Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats are flirting with the top 10 in preseason polls. They do have the makings of a strong contender with transfers like Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Mouhamed Dioubate, with the icing on the cake being returnee Otega Oweh. Man management will be key for Mark Pope with so many stars. He will need to figure out how to make sure everyone gets enough minutes and stays motivated. Then there are doubts over point guard depth with Jalaand Lowe being the only one. 

11. Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Raiders have all the momentum going into next season after another strong season under coach Grant McCasland. Christian Anderson and returning All-American JT Toppin still stand as one of the most lethal duos in college basketball. Like many teams, the team has undergone some changes in its squad, but it hinges on Toppin and how he performs. There is little experience in depth behind him, but if Toppin has another dominating season, the Raiders are in for another ride. 

12. UCLA Bruins

UCLA is coming off a solid 23-11 2024-25 record, tying for 4th place in the conference with both Purdue and Wisconsin (13-7). They would make the NCAA Tournament as a 7 seed. They ultimately lost to 2 seed Tennessee in the 2nd round. The Bruins did lose 8 players but retained three of their top 4 scorers in Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr., and Skyy Clark. They have lost some size in Mara, but the 6’11” Xavier Booker seems a suitable replacement. 

13. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona is another one of the teams turning over its stars in 2025-26. They lost Caleb Love to graduation and forward Carter Bryant to the NBA Draft, where he went No. 14 overall to the San Antonio Spurs. KJ Lewis and Henri Veesaar transferred out, but there are important replacements in Jaden Badley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell’Orso, and Motiejus Krivas. In addition to that, Lloyd signed the No. 2 recruiting class. They have a great mix of experience and youth. 

14. Iowa State Cyclones

Iowa is loaded with fresh talent, and the starting five is still a work in progress. Yet, three of their top scorers, Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic, and Tamin Lipsey, are the proven core that powered them to a No. 3 seed in the Big Dance last season. Lipsey needs to remain healthy this time around, as he is already recovering from an MCL strain. Their defense is expected to be top-tier, but giving them a solid base to make a run once March arrives.

15. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Gonzaga can be judged in one or two ways. The computer algorithms and the analytics world love Mark Few’s highly efficient offense and disciplined defense. Some media outlets don’t rank the Bulldogs that high. This past offseason saw 4 players leave Gonzaga: Dusty Stromer (Grand Canyon), Michael Ajayi (Butler), Jun Seok Yeo (Seattle), and Graydon Lemke (Belmont). However, they managed to retain one of the elite duos in Graham Ike and Braden Huff.

16. Arkansas Razorbacks

After mastering the recruiting game throughout his career, John Calipari has seamlessly adapted to the NIL era. Year Two in Fayetteville looks promising as returning leaders Trevon Brazile, Karter Knox, and D.J. Wagner take the court once again. They’re backed by a wave of new talent, including dynamic freshman Darius Acuff and impactful transfers Malique Ewin and Maleek Thomas. With Calipari’s proven track record of developing top-tier talent, the Razorbacks are primed for another competitive season with serious national upside.

17. Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers have a John Tonje-shaped hole in their 2025-26 squad. He put up 19.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in his single season with the team. It’s not all bad. Nick Boyd, the 6-3 guard, is entering his last collegiate season, which is expected to be his best. Then there is returnee John Blackwell, who should spearhead the offense in the coming season. Their style of basketball with high volume threes might need some tweaks but the Badgers will be interesting.  

18. Alabama Crimson Tide

Nate Oats and company reached the Elite 8 last year with the best offense in the nation. Oats won’t be expected to repeat that after losing two of their best creators in Mark Sears and Grant Nelson. Their newcomers have big shoes to fill, but Oats’ history at the program has experts trusting him to continue being among the fastest offenses in the nation. There are injury issues already plaguing the entrants, and the defense needs to improve from 2024-25.

19. Baylor Bears

The Baylor Bears have absolutely no returnees from the 2024-25 squad that advanced to the Round of 32 and ended up losing to a Final Four team in Duke. Starting with a clean slate, their five-star recruit Tounde Yessoufou, who projects very similarly to last year’s freshman phenom VJ Edgecombe, provides some hope for the Bears. Obi Agbim is a pure scorer who could complement Tounde. 

20. Auburn Tigers

Auburn is undergoing a transition with Steven Pearl taking over after Bruce Pearl’s retirement following a historic year that included an SEC championship and a Final Four appearance. Tahaad Pettiford is expected to continue running the offense. Keyshawn Hall (18.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists), KeShawn Murphy (11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds), Kevin Overton, and Serbian forward Filip Jovic form a strong transfer class, but their season will depend on whether Steven can follow his father’s footsteps. 

21. Kansas Jayhawks

After a couple of underwhelming seasons, Kansas is trying to get back up to where they were. They have managed to bring in Darryn Peterson, who is among the top recruits in the country. Melvin Council Jr. (14.6 PPG at St. Bonaventure) and Jayden Dawson (13.9 PPG at Loyola Chicago) are reliable pieces around their star recruit. Can Bill Self rebuild this team? We will find out. 

22. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee had two huge wins in the portal. They have managed to bring in Maryland transfer Ja’Kobe Gillespie and top-five recruit Nate Ament, who is vying to become a top pick in the 2026 Draft. However, Rick Barnes has five of his top six scorers from last season, so a lot depends on the two star signings. 

23. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt finished last season with its first NCAA Tournament berth since the 2016-17 season after a 20-win season, but it was never ranked within the AP Top 25. But they are looking to leap in 2025-26 with an eight-man transfer class headlined by TCU point guard Frankie Collins, and North Carolina big man Jalen Washington. They have three returnees from last year for Mark Byington.

24. North Carolina Tar Heels

Hubert Davis’ job is likely riding on this coming season. After an up-and-down tenure where he started as the National Runner-Up and even missed the NCAA tournament in one of the years. He does have some pieces to build with. From top-five recruit Caleb Wilson and Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar anchoring the frontcourt, to sharpshooting international pickup Luka Bogavac and seasoned returnee Seth Trimble on the wing, North Carolina boasts a versatile and dynamic core. However, the point guard spot remains an open question that could shape the ceiling of this promising Tar Heels squad.

25. Oregon Ducks

With returning stars Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle, both third-team All-Big Ten selections, leading the charge, the Ducks are poised to make some serious noise. Head coach Dana Altman, one of the nation’s elite tacticians, always has his squad peaking come March. Now entering their second Big Ten season after a solid 12-8 finish and eighth-place standing, Oregon looks better equipped and battle-tested to climb the conference ranks this year.