Welcome to November. The Bilastrator is excited and enthused for the college basketball season -- as has been the case for the past 50 seasons, without exception. The past five seasons especially have brought Everest levels of liveliness and exhilaration -- largely because the game has never been better.
The product we are seeing on the floor is exceptional, and the level of play is heightened and clear. Top-level talent is staying in the college game longer, and though some players have changed location, they are still recognized names that resonate. Talent has been spread out more across the hoops landscape, rather than concentrated to the precious few. In the NIL era, each and every Division I team has greater access to higher-level players than they have ever had. On the power-conference level, talent is no longer stockpiled among the blue blood or legacy programs. There is not parity, which means equality, but there are far more competitive teams than ever. That is a good thing, and what fans have always said they wanted.
And that's true despite an offseason that has been dominated by wailing from NCAA types about "chaos." An industry that generates almost $20 billion annually does not need protecting or saving. It needs to operate within the bounds of the law, just like every other multibillion dollar industry in America. Is the transfer portal chaos? Well, the NCAA established the portal in 2018 on its own, without being ordered by a court or mandated by congressional action. Is the elimination of transfer restrictions chaos? The NCAA eliminated the one-time transfer rule in 2024. Are one-year deals for players chaos? The NCAA will not allow schools to obligate themselves to employment contracts with athletes. Are the current eligibility rulings on the Class of 2022 chaos? The NCAA chose to exclude those players from the five-for-five rule it passed this summer, without logical reasoning for the exclusion.
If the NCAA really believed this offseason was chaos, it would include those athletes and obviate the unnecessary cost and uncertainty of different legal outcomes for similarly situated athletes and member schools. The NCAA will not do that. The NCAA says every athlete should get what they were promised, and the 2022 class was not promised five years. (Conveniently excluded from NCAA thinking: The classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 were not "promised" five years, either; they were just awarded five years.)
The NCAA's real problem, you see, isn't coaches' salaries, administrator pay, facilities spending or operating inefficiencies, the real problem is the financial competition for players and the value of it finally flowing to where it belongs -- on the court and on the field. The NCAA simply doesn't like that its members are willingly and knowingly competing for the best talent and that the market cost for talent is rising.
Schools could sign players to multiyear contracts and include buyouts to provide more certainty and protection. But the NCAA will not allow member schools to do that. The NCAA doesn't want players to be seen as employees. Rather, it would like to hold on to the fiction that the NCAA is not professional sports. Well, it is -- and has been for almost 50 years. College sports are not "minor league" sports. Minor leagues do not have multibillion-dollar media-rights deals or pay coaches and administrators millions. College sports are major league sports, and have been for decades.
Why would the NCAA spend millions defending lawsuits over a relative few athletes instead of just making the Class of 2022 athletes eligible? The answer is simple. The NCAA likes the perception of chaos that it created for itself. Even while every game is played on time, every roster is full and every check clears across a landscape in which the game is more profitable and popular than ever, the NCAA can point to the chaos it created and beg Congress for help.
The Protect College Sports Act is not about "protecting" or "saving" anything. It is about power, pure and simple. And now the PCSA has passed the senate and needs only to pass the house of representatives to become law. The millions spent on lobbying has moved the chains to this point. Whether the NCAA can cross the goal line is still anybody's guess.
But despite the legal and legislative maneuvering of the NCAA, including the millions spent defending lawsuits over an eligibility rule with a simple fix, it's funny how the "chaos" doesn't make it into arenas and stadiums on game day. The level of play is stunning, TV ratings are up, postseasons are expanding and the value of the industry is growing. In most every way, college basketball has never been better or healthier.
The Bilas Index has never been healthier or better, either. As you well know by now, The Bilas Index is the most powerful and accurate measure of basketball accomplishment in the known galaxy. Respected by all, revered by the overwhelming majority and religiously adhered to by the Basketball Cognoscenti, the suits at ESPN have seen fit for me to share this invaluable tool of knowledge and prosperity (should one choose to use it that way) with both the unwashed masses and basketball literati. As always, you're welcome.
1. Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils have won 35 games and had the Player of the Year winner in each of the past two seasons, but this season's squad might prove to be Jon Scheyer's best. Duke is the deepest and most talented team in the nation. It has legitimate size up front, lengthy and athletic wings, and the ability to pressure the ball to disrupt opposing offenses. Patrick Ngongba II (10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds last season) and freshman Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje can own the middle and still stretch the floor. Dame Sarr can frustrate point guards with his on-ball defense. Freshman Deron Rippey Jr. is one of the best athletes in the country and changes the game when he comes in, and Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell brings consistent scoring (19.1 points last season). It doesn't have to be the same guy doing everything for Duke every game. Duke can play small, big or really big. The Blue Devils are not unbeatable, but no other team has this many quality weapons.
2. Florida Gators
The Gators' front court is, in a word, awesome. Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu are all big, experienced and national champions. The key will be whether the Florida backcourt can match the strength up front. The Gators' guards were the engine that led Todd Golden to a title two years ago. Certainly, Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar and the return of Denzel Aberdeen form a very good backcourt and is worthy of a Final Four. This team's engine will be inside and on the glass, and the guards need to be efficient and healthy to challenge.
3. Illinois Fighting Illini
Brad Underwood is a truly great basketball coach. He not only took Illinois to the Final Four last season for the first time since 2005, he has adapted and changed his approach to thrive in the modern game. This season's Illini will be a different team with a different style from last season's highly efficient offensive bunch, but it will perhaps be a superior overall team, even with Keaton Wagler's departure to the NBA. Illinois will have size, skill, versatility and talent across the board, and this team will play much faster and be harder to scheme against defensively. David Mirkovic led the team in rebounds last season (8.0) and averaged 13.3 points -- and his overall skill game should take a major step forward once he is healthy. Andrej Stojakovic's ability to drive the paint is a force multiplier, and as he becomes a more consistent shooter, he will be All-America good. Freshman Quentin Coleman is a fabulous athlete with high-level experience and competitive fire. Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks (15.8 PPG last season) is a big-time shooter who can stretch defenses. Coleman will be among the best freshmen in the country, but he doesn't have to take over because of the experience around him. Illinois was the best offensive team in the country last season and could be even better by spring.
4. Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats reached the Final Four last season under Tommy Lloyd but didn't have their best stuff when they got there. Still, Arizona was ridiculously good. Gone are Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, but enough talent returns and has been added for Arizona to make it to back-to-back Final Fours. Motiejus Krivas is among the best interior defenders and rebounders in the country, and Ivan Kharchenkov is a star-caliber forward and elite defender. Add in North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon and super freshman Caleb Holt, and the ingredients are there for a contender. Dixon will be the key. He was recruited by Arizona but chose North Carolina initially, but when former UNC coach Hubert Davis was fired, Dixon chose to go to Tucson. If Dixon can take over the Bradley role and orchestrate, Arizona has a real chance.
5. UConn Huskies
Some say that UConn is on a great run under Dan Hurley. Not to parse words, but this is UConn. The Huskies are a historic program, and winning is who they are. Since 1999, UConn has won six men's basketball championships and averaged over 26 wins per season. In the past four years, Hurley has reached three NCAA title games, winning two, and averaged more than 31 wins per season. Well, guess what? UConn will challenge for it all again this season with one of the nation's best backcourts and an excellent perimeter defense. Will it be difficult without Alex Karaban? Of course. But Silas Demary Jr. and Braylon Mullins know the program, and transfers Nik Khamenia and Na'jai Hines should benefit from the increased responsibility afforded them in Storrs, Connecticut.
6. Houston Cougars
The Cougars have won more than 30 games in each of the past five seasons, and there is no reason to believe coach Kelvin Sampson won't make it six. But man did Houston lose a lot of key players from last season. Gone are Kingston Flemings, Chris Cenac Jr., Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan. Sampson is known to transform players into the basketball equivalent of Green Berets in sneakers, but he cannot score a point for the Cougars. A key to the season will be LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr., a legit point guard (15.3 points, 6.5 assists last season) who must lead the program on the court. Houston also has a contender for defensive player of the year in Joseph Tugler, who brings length and a never-idling motor -- as seen by his 55 blocks and 47 steals last season.
7. Texas Longhorns
Sean Miller did an excellent job in Year 1 in Austin, and Year 2 should be even better. Texas has good returnees, an outstanding group of transfers and an impactful freshman class. There is reason for high expectations for the Longhorns. Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson is a scoring point guard (16.9 points, 5.9 assists last season), Saint Mary's transfer Mikey Lewis is another excellent scorer and TCU transfer David Punch brings versatility and productivity up front. Big man Matas Vokietaitis is an excellent rebounder (7.1 rebounds last season, 4.4 on the defensive end) and interior presence and should make a real jump in his sophomore season. The force multiplier is freshman big man Marcus Spears Jr., an explosive athlete whom Miller has compared to Aaron Gordon. Texas might not have it figured out early, but the Longhorns will be heard from before the season is over.
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
John Calipari keeps bringing in jaw-dropping young talent, and the Razorbacks will have spectacular freshmen this season. Headlined by Jordan Smith Jr. and Miikka Muurinen, Arkansas will have super-talented players to lead the way with hard-playing returnees. Smith will have the ball at the point of attack, and his versatility and speed could lead to Darius Acuff Jr.-type impact ... just styled differently. Muurinen is a lengthy, skilled and versatile big man who can play almost anywhere on the court, and he will turn heads with his playmaking ability. Billy Richmond III is back to run the lanes and make explosive plays. Freshman wing Abdou Toure is another high-level playmaker who will be a fixture on highlight reels. How quickly will this young, new group come together? Calipari's track record suggests speed and efficiency.
9. Virginia Cavaliers
It is fair to say that Ryan Odom did a great job in Year 1 in Charlottesville. Virginia won 30 games for the sixth time in program history, reached the ACC tournament championship and secured a 3-seed in the NCAA tournament. Former longtime coach Tony Bennett was a tough act to follow, but Odom starred in the role. The Cavaliers will be deep and experienced, led by Chance Mallory, Johann Grunloh and Thijs De Ridder. Mallory will assume point guard duties and leadership challenge, and has "star" written all over him. Grunloh is a rim-protecting difference-maker who improved greatly throughout last season. De Ridder, who averaged 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds last season, is one of the most underrated stars in the ACC and nationally. He should be All-ACC again. Duke is deeper and more talented, but Virginia might be the next-best team in the ACC.
10. Michigan State Spartans
Tom Izzo is a marvel. While coaches of his vintage have retired, Izzo has not lost his passion for the everyday grind of winning. Although he prefers not to, he has adapted to the changing landscape while trying and failing to be the most endearing curmudgeon in the game. Nobody cares more about the game or the players than Izzo. One can differ with him, but never doubt his sincerity in his beliefs. Izzo has the best point guard in the country in Jeremy Fears Jr. and the best wing athlete in Coen Carr. Michigan State should be ranked higher -- and probably will be during the season. The question for Michigan State will be the center position. Izzo lost a ton of experience up front, and there might be some growing pains. If the Spartans get consistency and productivity from that spot, the Spartans could find their way to Detroit for the Final Four.
11. St. John's Red Storm
Rick Pitino lost a ton of talent from last season's Big East championship team, but despite that, the Johnnies have another team that can make noise nationally. Pitino has guards, with Ian Jackson returning and newcomers Tounde Yessoufou from Baylor and Quinn Ellis from European pro ball. Yessoufou is a versatile and athletic wing who should develop nicely under Pitino, and Ellis is the kind of playmaking guard who can bring every element together. St. John's will have size and depth up front, where Pitino had few concerns last season with Zuby Ejiofor. But the development of the front court will determine the ceiling for this team. St. John's might not warrant a top-10 ranking currently, but it will as the season progresses. Doubting Pitino is usually a poor choice.
12. Iowa State Cyclones
T.J. Otzelberger and his staff expected to replace a ton of departing talent from last season's top-10 squad. The Cyclones got great news when a court ruled Tamin Lipsey eligible for this season (absent a court decision otherwise). Together, Lipsey and Killyan Toure form the best defensive backcourt in the country, but Toure will start the season on the shelf because of a shoulder injury, probably until January. That means different lineups and learning to win without Toure in the meantime, but there will be a big boost when he returns. Returnee Jamarion Batemon and transfers Jaquan Johnson of Bradley, Tre Singleton of Northwestern and Leon Bond III of Northern Iowa provide depth, shooting, playmaking and versatility. Expect Iowa State to look different this season, but the results should be very much the same.
13. Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self arguably has the best freshman in the country in Tyran Stokes, a super-talented prospect who can do it all. With Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. eligible, and Trey Kaufman-Renn coming in from Purdue, Kansas will have some really good players who have high-level experience. Add in freshman guard Taylen Kinney, Toledo transfer Leroy Blyden Jr. and Utah transfer Keanu Dawes, and Self has options. The Jayhawks have had more NBA-caliber talent in past seasons, but this season there is real depth of very good college players in Lawrence. Kansas did drop exhibition games to Louisville and Duke, but there is reason for optimism for this team to develop into something special.
14. Miami Hurricanes
Jai Lucas has brought back Miami in a hurry, winning 26 games and getting to the second round of the NCAA tournament in his first season. This season, Miami will be even better. Lucas didn't expect to have Malik Reneau eligible, but he will play for the Hurricanes, bringing interior scoring, rebounding and toughness (18.9 PPG and 6.5 RPG last season). Transfers Acaden Lewis from Villanova and big man Somto Cyril from Georgia will need to blend with returning wing Shelton Henderson, who could very well be a first-team All-ACC pick this season. Henderson is one of the most physical and bruising wings in the country and is ready for a bust-out season. Duke is the best team in the ACC, but Miami will contend with Virginia, Louisville and North Carolina for one of the remaining top seeds.
15. Louisville Cardinals
Pat Kelsey has done a remarkable job of bringing back the Louisville program. Last season's team was powered by terrific guards. This season's Cardinals will be stronger on the interior with transfer Flory Bidunga and Obinna Ekezie Jr. blocking shots, patrolling the lane and cleaning the glass. Bidunga is among the nation's best defenders -- he led the Big 12 in blocks (91) last season -- and Ekezie is an extraordinary talent. Add in transfers Jackson Shelstad (Oregon), Karter Knox (Arkansas), Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa), De'Shayne Montgomery and Seth Trimble (North Carolina), and Louisville has a formidable roster with players used to winning and knowing what it takes.
16. Vanderbilt Commodores
The Commodores have won 47 games over the past two seasons and had a fantastic season in 2025-26. But Vanderbilt lost four starters, so where is the optimism? Look no further than point guard Tyler Tanner, the main challenger to Jeremy Fears Jr. of Michigan State as the nation's top floor general. Tanner is a scoring and facilitating marvel. He was the only player in the country last season to average at least 19 points, 5 assists and 2 steals, and his presence automatically makes this team a challenger in the SEC. Mark Byington went into the portal and acquired size, physicality and toughness in Colorado's Bangot Dak and Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel. High school star Ethan Mgbako is also a talented wing who will make an impact. Vandy isn't going anywhere.
17. Texas Tech Red Raiders
There is no better vibe in college basketball than in the Texas Tech program. Grant McCasland promotes a great atmosphere of competitive greatness and joy while pursuing it. Eligible this season will be Donovan Atwell, a lefty shooter who can fill it up, and Darrion Williams, who proves that you can come home again. If JT Toppin can return healthy after losing the latter half of last season to an ACL tear, Texas Tech can beat almost any team. Toppin, when he's right, is arguably the best and most productive player in the country. McCasland also landed UCF transfer Jamichael Stillwell, a tough rebounder who knows the Big 12. Losing Christian Anderson's 18.4 points per game and conference-leading 7.4 assists per game to the NBA is a big loss. Watch for Cruz Davis, a 20-point scorer at Hofstra, and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, a 20-point scorer at UNLV, to fill that rather large void. Both shot over 40% from deep last season.
18. Alabama Crimson Tide
When has Alabama not been a factor under Nate Oats? The Tide will be very good again, despite roster turnover. The headliners will be Aden Holloway and Amari Allen, both returnees with the ability to step into bigger scoring roles. Holloway has had to navigate legal issues to return but is expected to play. Holloway is a jet and conscience-free scorer, and Allen is one of the most versatile, talented players in the nation (11.4 points last season, 34.1% shooting from 3). If Allen can make a Labaron Philon Jr.-type jump, Alabama will have another great season. Up front, London Jemison, Brandon Garrison and Boise State transfer Drew Fielder will have to perform at a high level in support of Allen and Holloway.
19. Kentucky Wildcats
Mark Pope's first two Kentucky teams won a combined 46 games -- onlyt one more than John Calipari's last two Kentucky teams. Though both win totals are worthy of celebration at most other programs in the country, Kentucky supporters want and expect more. What does not show up in Pope's win totals are the effect of injuries, which were a significant problem. If Kentucky stays healthy, Pope should expect to deliver a terrific season in 2027, mostly because of an excellent transfer class. Former Iowa State standout Milan Momcilovic is the best shooter in the country (48.7% on 3-pointers last season), and Kentucky will get him more shot opportunities than ever before. Washington transfer Zoom Diallo, a scoring point guard who can really pass and get into the lane, will bring leadership and facilitating skills. Furman transfer Alex Wilkins is a combo guard who can play on or off the ball, and returning big man Malachi Moreno should make a significant jump as a centerpiece inside. Kentucky will be a much better shooting team this season -- the key will be fitting all of the new players together and staying healthy in the process.
20. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins were very good through the second half of last season. To build on that success, three returning starters from last season's 24-win team is a great start. Eric Dailey Jr. and Trent Perry are tough, hard-working, double-figure scorers who set the culture for Mick Cronin's program. The multiplier will be 6-9 freshman Nikola Kusturica, an international prospect with size, length and a big-time skill level. Kusturica is basically a big guard who can make plays all over the court. Another key will be Texas Tech transfer Jaylen Petty, a small guard with great quickness, dynamic athleticism and scoring instincts. There is no question the Bruins will be able to score. If UCLA can defend at a high level, Cronin will enjoy this crew.
21. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Senior forward Pryce Sandfort is expected to power the Cornhuskers' frontcourt. He led the team in scoring last season and picked up where he left off in the Huskers' first game, topping the box score with 20 points against Le Moyne. Sandfort will need help from fellow returner Braden Frager for Nebraska to make its fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
22. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M is the fifth school in five years for PJ Haggerty, and he led the roster in scoring at three of those four previous stops. He'll team up with fellow transfer Mackenzie Mgbako, who was a top-10 recruit coming out of high school but struggled with injuries over two years at Indiana. It will be interesting to see if Haggerty and Mgbako can elevate the Aggies in coach Bucky McMillan's second year.
23. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga's fates are tied up in the courts, instead of on it. Xaivian Lee and Javon Bennett are eligible to play, for now, and they will be needed when Gonzaga hits Pac-12 play. The veteran experience of Hall of Fame coach Mark Few can never be counted out, but it won't be an easy run for the Zags.
24. BYU Cougars
AJ Dybantsa is gone, but head coach Kevin Young's team is still in great hands with Robert Wright III (18.1 points in 2025-26). He has the ability to get downhill and find the Cougars' sharpshooting newcomers, Collin Chandler and Tyler Betsey (both over 40% on 3-pointers last season). Star freshman Bruce Branch III also makes BYU a load to defend.
25. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State won the final three games of its regular season, including one against No. 8 Purdue, and earned an 8-seed in the NCAA tournament, its first appearance since 2022. John Mobley Jr., who averaged 15.7 points, helped lead a much-improved offense, and five-star freshman Anthony Thompson will make the Buckeyes even better.
26. Michigan Wolverines
If you're surprised to see the reigning national champions outside the top of the pack, don't be. This is practically a brand new team, thanks to the departures of three NBA lottery picks, the primary architect of one of the most dominant title runs in recent memory and a few transfers and season-ending injuries. The good news is that a few familiar faces remain: Mike Boynton was responsible for the Wolverines' suffocating defense last season, and Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau will run the show with Trey McKenney.
27. Auburn Tigers
The Tigers return Kevin Overton and Tahaad Pettiford, but the rest of the veteran core from last season's NIT championship team has moved on. Second-year coach Steven Pearl's crew played a couple of tough exhibition games against Alabama and Florida State in the preseason, and the early-season slate doesn't get easier, with No. 5 Arizona and West Virginia traveling to Auburn in November.
28. Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati's team makeup is a huge question -- 11 transfers are on the roster, with no freshmen or contributors from last season. But first-year coach Jerrod Calhoun, a former Bearcats player, has found success at all of his previous spots. He should do the same at Cincy -- particularly if MJ Collins Jr., who averaged 17.5 points for Calhoun at Utah State, stays eligible.
29. North Carolina Tar Heels
The "Carolina Family" is no more in Chapel Hill, as a new era dawns under coach Mike Malone. New, too, are 11 players to this roster. If sophomore star Neo Avdalas -- who looked like a lottery pick at Virginia Tech at points last season -- can rally his fellow transfers, Malone's "roller coaster" might be enjoyable for Tar Heels faithful who've been waiting for a return to the Final Four.
30. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue lost three of the best players in school history at the end of last season in Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer. But it's almost impossible to bet against coach Matt Painter, who has missed only four NCAA tournaments in his 22 seasons in charge. Together, those players averaged more than 42 points and 15 rebounds, so C.J. Cox (8.5 PPG) and transfer Caden Pierce (11.5 PPG in 2024-25) will need to step up.
31. LSU Tigers
The roster page on LSU's men's basketball website no doubt has been well visited this offseason. At the end of September, it listed just four players. All of new coach Will Wade's other transfer portal additions were stuck in eligibility limbo for one reason or another. Since then, international talents Saliou Niang, Michael Ruzic and Brice Dessert, and fifth-year players Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark have all been cleared to play -- at least for now. RJ Luis Jr., a former Big East Player of the Year and perhaps the biggest impact player among the class, received a temporary injunction by a Louisiana judge last week, but when LSU took the court for its first game on Tuesday, Luis wasn't on the roster.
32. Villanova Wildcats
Despite Villanova letting down its most famous alum, Pope Leo XIV, with a season-opening loss in Rome, there hasn't been this much optimism on the Main Line since the Jay Wright era. Kevin Willard set a program record for most wins by a first-year head coach and has reloaded for his second year with a mix of high- and mid-major transfers to complement returning star Tyler Perkins. Also watch out for Luigi Suigo, the Italian big man bringing his rebounding and shot-blocking prowess over from the Adriatic League.
33. Baylor Bears
Though Baylor missed the NCAA tournament last season for the first time since 2017-18, the Bears have plenty of reasons for optimism -- preseason exhibition wins against No. 1 Florida and No. 3 Illinois, for starters, and coach Scott Drew's consistent ability to get the most out of his players. This season, Drew will focus on brothers Kayden Mingo -- who averaged 13.7 points and 4.3 assists at Princeton -- and Dylan Mingo, a five-star prospect.
34. Missouri Tigers
Dennis Gates is still searching for a ticket to the second weekend of the dance, and this could be the season for it. He has freshman phenom Jason Crowe Jr. to run the show, returnees Trent Pierce and Mark Mitchell Jr. (who posted a points-assists double-double in the Tigers' season opener) and a slew of elite transfers. Picked to finish eighth in the loaded SEC? Missouri might exceed expectations again.
35. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss had its worst campaign of the Chris Beard era in 2025-26, finishing with a losing record, and like many teams, Beard has looked to the portal for help. Much was made of 5-foot-10 guard Adam Clark's size when he announced his transfer to Oxford, but he led the Rebels with 17 points and seven assists in their season opener, a 99-58 win over Alcorn State. Transfers Corey Stephenson and Santiago Trouet also will be relied on.
36. Providence Friars
Bryan Hodgson has found success quickly at his previous stops (Arkansas State and South Florida), which is why there's so much excitement in Providence. The Friars' only returning player, 6-7 junior Ryan Mela, is expected to take another step up, and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Miles Byrd comes from San Diego State to set the tone in Year 1 for Hodgson.
37. USC Trojans
USC hasn't made the NCAA tournament in the past three seasons, but this roster has talent to spare and should buck that trend. Alijah Arenas will have a year of experience under his belt, and Rodney Rice will be back after a shoulder injury ended his return to USC after only six games last season. If Rice can pick up where he left off, averaging 20.3 points and 6 assists last season before the injury, he'll be a star.
38. Indiana Hoosiers
Darian DeVries' first roster in his first season at the helm of the legendary program was good -- top 40 in offensive efficiency -- but not good enough to end the program's NCAA tournament drought. Year 2 might solve that with the latest roster overhaul: athleticism and size in transfers Samet Yigitoglu (SMU) and Aiden Sherrell (Alabama), and shooting in Markus Burton (Notre Dame), who allayed fears about his form after two injury-shortened seasons with 19 points (3-of-3 from 3) in the Hoosiers' season-opening win.
39. Marquette Golden Eagles
Nigel James Jr. was a bright spot on a 2025-26 Marquette squad that managed only 12 wins. The sophomore is back to lead the Golden Eagles again, but this time he'll have several new teammates around him from Shaka Smart's first dive into the transfer portal.
40. Creighton Bluejays
Despite a new coach in Al Huss after longtime leader Greg McDermott's retirement, the Bluejays are far from starting over. Huss was handpicked by McDermott to succeed him, joining his staff after two years running High Point (and earning the school's first NCAA tournament bid). The Bluejays return five key contributors from last season, including top rebounder Jasen Green and top 3-point scorer Hudson Greer.
41. Oklahoma Sooners
OU didn't expect to make the wrong kind of history on opening night -- its four-point loss to East Texas A&M, per ESPN Research, was the second-largest upset in the past 30 years by point spread (28.5). But this is a roster with experience (five players who have played at least 100 games), headed by a coach who has won at least 20 games the past three seasons. The talent is there.
42. West Virginia Mountaineers
The entire cast of first-year Mountaineers contributed in West Virginia's opening win against Niagara, led by five-star freshman Miles Sadler. He and the four impact transfers -- Brenen Lorient, Javan Buchanan, Finley Bizjack, Mouhamed Sylla -- all had double-digit points in the first game.
43. Wisconsin Badgers
Last season's Badgers looked completely unlike the usual Greg Gard teams: they played at their fastest tempo ever, and their 3-point shooting was fun to watch. They also, unfortunately, had the eighth-most painful NCAA tournament exit. But it's a new day in Madison. It starts with 7-footer Nolan Winter (13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks last season), Australian point guard Owen Foxwell and Miami (Ohio) transfer Eian Elmer (42.9% from 3 last season). The tools are there to compete in the Big Ten.
44. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa had an electric run to the Elite Eight last season, including an upset of No. 1 Florida in the second round. Much of that was on the back of Bennett Stirtz, who did everything for coach Ben McCollum after both joined Iowa from Drake. Stirtz led the team in points, assists and steals per game, and that production will have to fall to returner Cooper Koch (7.8 points per game) and transfer Andrew McKeever (8.2 PPG at Saint Mary's).
45. Georgia Bulldogs
The name to know here is Blue Cain. The senior guard is incredibly efficient inside the arc (61% last season), and knows how to make his free throws. Mike White needs that level of offense from him, and fellow returning scorers Marcus Millender and Kanon Catchings, to compete in the SEC. All three scored in double figures in the Bulldogs' season-opening win, so it might be business as usual in Athens -- meaning a third consecutive NCAA tournament bid.
46. Maryland Terrapins
The Terrapins did not live up to expectations last season as they struggled through injuries and poor play. Heading into Buzz Williams's second season as head coach, the Terps will look to a healthy Pharrel Payne and Andre Mills. A successful portal season should spell for a much higher win total this season.
47. UCF Knights
Johnny Dawkins's 2025-26 squad earned a top-25 ranking and an NCAA tournament at-large bid -- only the school's second appearance since 2005 -- after beating Kansas, Texas Tech and BYU in the regular season. They played UCLA close, too, but most of the players who contributed have left. Transfer Dior Johnson is back after a year at Tarleton State, where he averaged 24 points and shot 51.8% from the field.
48. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Niko Medved made noise in his first year at Minnesota with upsets over NCAA tourney teams Iowa, Michigan State and UCLA. Can he run it back this year, and break a few droughts -- the Gophers haven't finished above .500 since 2023-24, and haven't been dancing since 2019 -- in the process? That's the task for returning senior forward Jaylen Crocker-Johnson (13.4 PPG last season) & Co. It'll be more feasible if fifth-year Cade Tyson (19.6 PPG) is ruled eligible by the courts.
49. Oklahoma State Cowboys
North Carolina transfer Luka Bogavac, UCF transfer Jordan Burks and a top-15 freshmen class will lead a Cowboys team looking for its first NCAA tournament appearance in six years. The first big test for Steve Lutz's new-look roster will be on the road at Texas A&M next week.
50. High Point Panthers
The Panthers earned their first NCAA tournament win in Flynn Clayman's first season as head coach, finishing with 31 victories. They will again be the class of the Big South, with Cam'Ron Fletcher (13.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in 21.9 minutes in '25-26) as their top returner. High Point's impressive depth will be on display, as many impact newcomers join the fold, including South Florida transfer point guard CJ Brown.
51. Grand Canyon Lopes
Coach Bryce Drew was remarkably busy in the transfer window, putting together one of this season's best mid-major rosters. Makaih Williams is back after averaging 14 points last season, though he sat out the season opener because of an injury. In his place, fifth-year transfers Dylan Darling (15 points, 6 assists), Jaden Henley (22 points) and Tre Holloman (7 points, 6 assists) shined.
52. Clemson Tigers
Brad Brownell's hopes this season rest on two key players: Dillon Hunter (7.1 PPG), who is awaiting eligibility via the legal courts, and Carter Welling (10.2 PPG), who is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in March. The Tigers have made the past three NCAA tournaments, and last season were top-25 in defensive adjusted efficiency. If everything combines just right, Clemson could challenge the top tier of the ACC.
53. TCU Horned Frogs
TCU is an outlier on this list because four of their five opening game starters were on the team last season. Xavier Edmonds, Tanner Toolson, Brock Harding and Micah Robinson accounted for 50% of TCU scoring last season.
54. Pittsburgh Panthers
Jeff Capel hasn't taken the Panthers to the tournament since winning ACC Coach of the Year in 2023, but don't let that distract from what's good in Pittsburgh. Of Pitt's six high-major transfers, five -- Baye Ndongo, Naithan George, Jonathan Powell, Jalil Bethea and Akir Souare -- have ACC experience. Top-50 recruit Chase Foster also set a program record Monday night for most points in a freshman debut (23). After winning only five conference games, there's probably only one way to go: up.
55. Utah State Aggies
New coach Ben Jacobson took Northern Iowa back to the NCAA tournament last season for the first time in a decade, and now at USU, he'll look to continue the Aggies' stretch of six tournament fields made over the past eight years. Last season's Mountain West Player of the Year Mason Falslev returns to lead. Falslev averaged 16 points and 39% 3-point shooting last season.
56. VCU Rams
Phil Martelli Jr. led two programs (Bryant in 2025, VCU in 2026) to back-to-back NCAA tournaments, a stretch that included VCU's upset of North Carolina in the first round in March. Terrence Hill Jr. (34 points against UNC) is now at Tennessee, but four players who combined for 46 of the 82 points from that win -- Lazar Djokovic, Brandon Jennings, Nyk Lewis and Michael Belle -- are back. In any case, it's hard to bet against a program that has won at least a share of the regular season title and the conference tournament in three of the past four seasons.
57. DePaul Blue Demons
The Blue Demons have incrementally improved in every season under coach Chris Holtmann, leading to a contract extension from DePaul through 2031 this offseason. Heading into Year 3, Holtmann picked up several nice additions from the transfer portal, including 7-footer Magoon Gwath and Ade Popoola from Tulsa.
58. Xavier Musketeers
Even before Xavier's season began Monday, it had earned a big win when the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Xavier transfer Filip Boravicanin, among others, eligible to compete. He joins fellow transfers Tru Washington and Chance Westry on Richard Pitino's second-year squad.
59. Boise State Broncos
In his first year in the new-look Pac 12, coach Leon Rice will attempt to keep up the Broncos record of 20-win seasons in 10 of the past 12 years. Two players to watch are Dovydas Butka, who averaged 13.9 points and 8.5 rebounds for Campbell last season, and Damari Wheeler-Thomas, who scored 16 points against Michigan State in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
60. SMU Mustangs
The year 2026 hasn't been kind to the Mustangs: B.J. Edwards' ankle cost them a good finish to the regular season and a better tournament seeding, leading to a First Four exit. Then they lost 85% of their offensive production to graduation or the portal. The good news is, help has arrived in University Park, in the form of international freshman Jakub Szumert (24 points in Monday's season-opening win) and Tulane transfer Rowan Brumbaugh (19.2 PPG last season). Andy Enfield has a shot at better placement come March.
61. Dayton Flyers
Anthony Grant's past five Dayton teams have won at least 22 games but don't have an NCAA tournament appearance to show for it. Four of the top five scorers from last season are gone, leaving junior Amal L'Etang (11.9 PPG last season) as the top returner. Freshman Aiden Derkack, ranked No. 73 by ESPN in the Class of 2026, led the way for the Flyers in their first of the new season, recording his first college double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds).
62. Seton Hall Pirates
Of the two returnees this season, one (Elijah Fisher) is only temporarily eligible via the legal courts. That doesn't diminish the possibilities for Shaheen Holloway, who's known for overachieving. The current top scorers are Xavier transfer Roddie Anderson (15 PPG and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc) and juco transfer Terry Copeland Jr. (10 PPG on 4-of-5 shooting). Don't discount this deep roster's chances of winning 20 games.
63. Stanford Cardinal
In his first two years at Stanford, coach Kyle Smith made the second round of the NIT and the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Crown. Could an NCAA tournament appearance be in his future this season? It's a tough road out of the ACC, but he will rely on international prospect Julius Price, who scored 17 in the opener, and senior Nick Townsend, who averaged double-digit scoring the past two seasons. Aziz Olajuwon -- Hakeem's son -- had a key play to seal the Cardinal's first win of the new season against Eastern Washington.
64. Saint Louis Billikens
Josh Schertz's name has been whispered in the halls of high-major programs, and there's good reason why he's at the top of coaching candidate wishlists: He won 32 games with Indiana State in 2024 and led the Billikens to 29 wins and the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2026 after beating Georgia by 25. Goggled big man Robbie Avila is awaiting an eligibility ruling for a fifth year, but five of the top seven scorers who made Saint Louis a top-15 team in both 2- and 3-point shooting are back. There's a good chance we'll see this program make the Atlantic 10 a competitive race, and once again try to pull off some upsets in March.