Bleacher Report's Way-Too-Early 2026-27 Men's College Basketball Top 25

On the one hand, putting together a way-too-early top 25 for college basketball in April is one of the most futile exercises imaginable, as we all know rosters are going to change drastically over the course of the next two months.

On the other hand, we've got to start somewhere, and we do at least have some idea of how teams are going to look as we prepare for the impending insanity of the transfer portal.

For this ranking, we've leveraged the top 100 incoming freshmen per the 247 Sports Composite recruiting rankings, Jonathan Wasserman's latest mock draft and lists of outgoing seniors to throw together an initial rough draft of the preseason AP Top 25.

If you don't like our ranking, you're more than welcome to do your own. But even coming from someone who does weekly bracketology starting in late October, you should probably just wait until Jon Rothstein gives us the green light to get some sleep in May.

Nos. 25-21

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Miami's Shelton Henderson

25. Maryland Terrapins
Top 100 Recruits: Baba Oladotun (11), Kaden House (42)
Projected Draft Picks: N/A
Key Seniors: David Coit, Solomon Washington, Elijah Saunders, Collin Metcalf

Let's not waste any time in getting weird here by putting a 12-21 team in at No. 25. The case for the Terps is that Buzz Williams has rather mastered the art of turning a program around in either year No. 2 or 3 at the helm, and he has put together quite the recruiting haul to join forces with Darius Adams and Andre Mills. If Oladotun is anything close to as good as advertised, Maryland should bounce back from the dead.

24. Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Top 100 Recruits: Caleb Gaskins (13)
Projected Draft Picks: Malik Reneau (50)
Key Seniors: Reneau, Tre Donaldson, Ernest Udeh

With Shelton Henderson coming back and 5-star power forward Gaskins joining the fray, Miami has the potential to be special. We'll see about the point guard situation, though, as they adjust to life after Tre Donaldson. But if Jai Lucas can bring in an experienced distributor like Dedan Thomas Jr. or Jackson Shelstad from the portal, look out.

23. Missouri Tigers
Top 100 Recruits: Jason Crowe Jr. (7), Toni Bryant (20)
Projected Draft Picks: N/A
Key Seniors: Mark Mitchell, Shawn Phillips, Jayden Stone, Jacob Crews

Outside of Michael Porter Jr., the two freshmen heading to Missouri for next season are probably the two best that program has ever added, at least in the history of recruiting websites. Now, as Rutgers demonstrated in 2024-25, that type of unprecedented, two-pronged talent acquisition doesn't necessarily guarantee many wins. But if veteran guards Anthony Robinson II (already in the transfer portal, but we'll see) and T.O. Barrett stick around to help maintain order, this should at least be a top-half-of-the-SEC team once again.

22. Iowa State Cyclones
Top 100 Recruits: Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan (86)
Projected Draft Picks: Joshua Jefferson (39)
Key Seniors: Jefferson, Tamin Lipsey, Nate Heise

Iowa State is definitely losing Jefferson and Lipsey, and there's a non-zero chance Milan Momcilovic will also be gone, testing the draft waters while maintaining his final year of eligibility. At least TJ Otzelberger is staying put, though, after popping up in rumors for the North Carolina opening. Between that and the expected returns of Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Batemon, we see no reason to assume the Cyclones will fall far after three consecutive years as a No. 3 seed or better.

21. Texas Longhorns
Top 100 Recruits: Austin Goosby (28), Bo Ogden (40), Joe Sterling (96)
Projected Draft Picks: Dailyn Swain (28)
Key Seniors: Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope, Chendall Weaver

Texas was the biggest surprise team in the Sweet 16, but perhaps the Longhorns were just giving us a taste of what's to come? They're losing a bunch of veteran guards, especially if Swain goes pro. But they should have big man Matas Vokietaitis, glue guy extraordinaire Camden Heide and key reserves Nic Codie and Simeon Wilcher all back alongside a strong class of incoming freshmen.

Nos. 20-16

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

BYU's Rob Wright III

20. Virginia Cavaliers
Top 100 Recruits: N/A
Projected Draft Picks: N/A
Key Seniors: Malik Thomas, Dallin Hall, Jacari White, Ugonna Onyenso, Devin Tillis

Virginia is losing two starters as well as three key reserves without any presently identified plans for replacing them. But if the trio of 2025-26 freshmen (Thijs de Ridder, Chance Mallory and Johann Grunloh) return alongside veteran Sam Lewis, that's a mighty fine nucleus for Ryan Odom and Co. to work with. Get a solid shooting guard out of the portal and they'll be in business as the possible second-best team in the ACC.

19. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Top 100 Recruits: Luca Foster (48)
Projected Draft Picks: N/A
Key Seniors: Graham Ike, Tyon Grant-Foster, Adam Miller, Jalen Warley, Steele Venters

Gonzaga has appeared in the preseason AP Top 25 in each of the past 16 years. It's really just a question of how high the Bulldogs can get in spite of quite a few key losses. Braden Huff should be back, though. Same goes for the backcourt tandem of Braeden Smith and Mario Saint-Supery, though Smith is already pursuing his portal options. And watch out for Davis Fogle, who came on strong in the second half of his freshman season and could be the key to this team's ceiling in 2027.

18. BYU Cougars
Top 100 Recruits: Bruce Branch III (8), Dean Rueckert (61)
Projected Draft Picks: AJ Dybantsa (1)
Key Seniors: Richie Saunders, Keba Keita, Mihailo Boskovic

Dybantsa is gone, but if Robert Wright III comes back to join third-generation forces with Bruce Branch III, the Cougars should still be in darn good shape. Look for Khadim Mboup to make a big leap in his second season, and for BYU's copious NIL budget to produce at least one major transfer portal addition.

17. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Top 100 Recruits: DaKari Spear (33)
Projected Draft Picks: Christian Anderson (21)
Key Seniors: Donovan Atwell, Tyeree Bryan

Will JT Toppin and/or Christian Anderson be back next season? Could Grant McCasland do something special with this team even if both halves of that dynamic duo are gone? Spear is a highly touted guard who could immediately take over the primary ball-handling duties for a team that should bring back Jaylen Petty and the frontcourt tandem of Josiah Moseley and Luke Bamgboye. That's enough for us to put some faith in the Red Raiders, even as we await those two massive decisions.

16. North Carolina Tar Heels
Top 100 Recruits: Dylan Mingo (5), Maximo Adams (21)
Projected Draft Picks: Caleb Wilson (4), Henri Veesaar (34)
Key Seniors: Seth Trimble

The decision to hire Michael Malone was certainly...unexpected. But he is entering into one heck of a ready-made situation with two super talented incoming freshmen already on board for a team that should bring back a lot of its 2025-26 roster. The wild card (beyond the coaching vacancy) is Veesaar's decision regarding the draft. If he sticks around, expectations will be sky high.

Nos. 15-11

Scott Sewell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Houston's Joseph Tugler

15. Tennessee Volunteers
Top 100 Recruits: Ralph Scott (53)
Projected Draft Picks: Nate Ament (14)
Key Seniors: Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Felix Okpara

From Dalton Knecht to Chaz Lanier to Gillespie, Rick Barnes just keeps turning a veteran transfer into his shining star for one year. And with Belmont transfer Tyler Lundblade already committed to the Volunteers, here we go again. He made 219 triples over the past two seasons, and he will help soften the blow of Tennessee losing three of its four leading scorers. Perhaps he can anchor a fourth consecutive Vols run to the Elite Eight.

14. Vanderbilt Commodores
Top 100 Recruits: Ethan Mgbako (68), Anthony Brown (75), Jackson Sheffield (97)
Projected Draft Picks: N/A
Key Seniors: Duke Miles, Tyler Nickel, AK Okereke, Devin McGlockton, Jalen Washington

If Tyler Tanner declares for and stays in the NBA draft, this ranking is going to change considerably. But if the national breakout star of the 2025-26 season returns to the Commodores to be the veteran leader of a team bringing in a trio of 4-star recruits, Vanderbilt could be a real force yet again.

13. St. John's Red Storm
Top 100 Recruits: N/A
Projected Draft Picks: Zuby Ejiofor (38)
Key Seniors: Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, Oziyah Sellers

If we've learned anything about Rick Pitino's first three seasons at St. John's, it's that the transfer portal is going to make this roster look a whole lot different on October 10 than it does on April 10. Even without knowing those eventual additions, though, Ian Jackson, Dylan Darling and more should be back next season as the Red Storm pursue what would be a third consecutive year winning both the regular-season and conference tournament titles in the Big East.

12. Purdue Boilermakers
Top 100 Recruits: Luke Ertel (46), Jacob Webber (63), Sinan Huan (70)
Projected Draft Picks: Braden Smith (44)
Key Seniors: Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, Oscar Cluff

Those four key seniors listed above? They were Purdue's four leading scorers in 2025-26, accounting for more than 64 percent of the Boilermakers' points. Yet, there's a solid nucleus in place in West Lafayette, headlined by CJ Cox, Omer Mayer and Daniel Jacobsen. And this might be the best recruiting class Matt Painter has ever had, so there's a good chance they earn a No. 4 seed or better for what would be a 10th consecutive tournament.

11. Houston Cougars
Top 100 Recruits: Arafan Diane (17), Ikenna Alozie (41)
Projected Draft Picks: Kingston Flemings (7), Chris Cenac Jr. (24)
Key Seniors: Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan, Kalifa Sakho, Ramon Walker

Houston has finished six consecutive seasons ranked top five on KenPom, so 11th is maybe a bit disrespectful of the perennial powerhouse that Kelvin Sampson has built. But in addition to the six players listed above, Isiah Harwell is already in the transfer portal and not expected to return. Can Mercy Miller, Chase McCarty and JoJo Tugler keep this team at the top of the mountain?

Nos. 10-6

Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Florida's Boogie Fland

10. Alabama Crimson Tide
Top 100 Recruits: Qayden Samuels (25), Jaxon Richardson (27), Tarris Bouie (50)
Projected Draft Picks: Labaron Philon Jr. (10), Amari Allen (22)
Key Seniors: Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette

Alabama has been a No. 4 seed or better in each of the past four NCAA tournaments. With three top 50 recruits coming in and a handful of returnees who started at least 10 games this season, there's no good reason to assume that will change. If Philon surprises us by returning for a third season, the Crimson Tide could even land at No. 1 in preseason AP poll.

9. Kansas Jayhawks
Top 100 Recruits: Taylen Kinney (18), Davion Adkins (55), Trent Perry (92)
Projected Draft Picks: Darryn Peterson (2), Flory Bidunga (43)
Key Seniors: Melvin Council, Tre White

Bill Self is coming back for at least one more year. And though nothing is official yet, the expectation is that No. 1 overall recruit in this class, Tyran Stokes, will be joining him in Lawrence. If he does show up as the heir apparent to Darryn Peterson, Jayhawks fans will certainly be hoping he has a healthier season as the leader of a much deeper tournament run. But there's quite a bit of roster work to be done here with Bidunga, Bryson Tiller and Elmarko Jackson already in the transfer portal.

8. Florida Gators
Top 100 Recruits: N/A
Projected Draft Picks: Thomas Haugh (17), Alex Condon (41), Rueben Chinyelu (45)
Key Seniors: Xaivian Lee, Micah Handlogten

Of the teams in our top 25, Florida's roster outlook is the biggest unknown of all. Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar are returning to the backcourt, but everything else is pretty up in the air with (thus far) no incoming freshmen of note. But after back-to-back years as No. 1 seeds, including that national championship in 2025, let's put some faith in Todd Golden's ability to construct a winner via the portal or late recruiting additions.

7. Michigan State Spartans
Top 100 Recruits: Jasiah Jervis (26), Ethan Taylor (30), Carlos Medlock Jr. (52), Julius Avent (81)
Projected Draft Picks: N/A
Key Seniors: Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, Trey Fort

Jeremy Fears Jr. will probably return for at least a junior season. We expect to see Coen Carr, Cam Ward, Kur Teng and Jordan Scott joining him. So if Ethan Taylor can make an immediate impact as the 5 to replace the outgoing tandem of Kohler and Cooper, Michigan State will be in business. Tom Izzo will also probably look to grab a veteran big man out of the portal, just in case.

6. Arkansas Razorbacks
Top 100 Recruits: Jordan Smith Jr. (3), JJ Andrews (16), Abdou Toure (22)
Projected Draft Picks: Darius Acuff Jr. (5), Meleek Thomas (25), Trevon Brazile (48)
Key Seniors: Brazile, Malique Ewin, Nick Pringle

We might be a little high on Arkansas here, but it's plausible Billy Richmond will be back to join forces with the trio of incoming freshman guards/wings listed above. They might also be able to convince DJ Wagner and/or Karter Knox to reconsider their decisions to enter the portal. John Calipari will also need to add at least one big man to what is currently a roster full of guys 6'6" or shorter. But if you thought they had an up-tempo offense in 2025-26, get ready for them to really fly next year.

The Top 5

Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Michigan's Elliot Cadeau

5. Connecticut Huskies
Top 100 Recruits: Colben Landrew (24), Junior County (47)
Projected Draft Picks: Braylon Mullins (11), Tarris Reed Jr. (40), Alex Karaban (42)
Key Seniors: Reed, Karaban, Malachi Smith

With both Karaban and Reed exiting stage right, it's looking like Eric Reibe or bust in the frontcourt. We shall see if he can make that type of freshman-to-sophomore year leap that Donovan Clingan made a few years ago. But it's UConn. It's Dan Hurley. Three title games in four years. We can't possibly justify having the Huskies any lower than this.

4. Illinois Fighting Illini
Top 100 Recruits: Lucas Morillo (59), Quentin Coleman (91)
Projected Draft Picks: Keaton Wagler (6), Kylan Boswell (49)
Key Seniors: Boswell, Ben Humrichous

Replacing Keaton Wagler won't be easy, but let's not forget that heading into the season, we all thought he'd be coming off the bench behind fellow freshmen Mihailo Petrovic and Brandon Lee. Both Morillo and Coleman will help out, too. And the European flavor in Champaign isn't going anywhere with the potential for David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic and both Ivisic twins to all return.

3. Arizona Wildcats
Top 100 Recruits: Caleb Holt (4), Cameron Holmes (34)
Projected Draft Picks: Brayden Burries (8), Koa Peat (12), Motiejus Krivas (29)
Key Seniors: Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell'Orso

Arizona had arguably the best seven-man rotation in the nation this season. From that group, three are graduating, two of the other four are projected lottery picks and it wouldn't exactly be stunning to see Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov leave for the draft, too. However, our assumption here is that Krivas and Kharchenkov return, Dwayne Aristode makes a big sophomore year leap and Caleb Holt makes a run at National Freshman of the Year as Arizona makes it two Final Fours in a row.

2. Duke Blue Devils
Top 100 Recruits: Cameron Williams (2), Deron Rippey Jr. (10), Bryson Howard (12)
Projected Draft Picks: Cameron Boozer (3), Isaiah Evans (31), Patrick Ngongba II (32)
Key Seniors: Maliq Brown

With the exception of Cameron Boozer, Duke is fraught with "Will he stay or will he go?" question marks. Evans and Ngongba are borderline first-round projections, but any of Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr could also test the draft waters. Even if they all bounce, though, a starting five of Rippey, Darren Harris, Nik Khamenia, Howard and Williams would be tough to argue with, as the Blue Devils once again cycle through one of the best recruiting classes of all.

1. Michigan Wolverines
Top 100 Recruits: Brandon McCoy Jr. (14), Quinn Costello (31), Lincoln Cosby (38), Joseph Hartman (79)
Projected Draft Picks: Yaxel Lendeborg (13), Aday Mara (23), Morez Johnson Jr. (26)
Key Seniors: Lendeborg, Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle, Will Tschetter

Michigan's entire three-man frontcourt is probably off to the NBA. However, constructing a dominant frontcourt from the transfer portal has kind of become Dusty May's thing over the past two years. We're just waiting to find out whether they get Flory Bidunga, Paulius Murauskas or some other collection of TBD forces to go along with what could be a downright elite backcourt with McCoy joining Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney.