Aaron Torres College Basketball 'Way Too Early Top 25' - 2026-2027

Credit: Michigan athletics/Instagram

The NBA Draft deadline has passed, and with it, a quiet milestone has passed on the college hoops calendar: Rosters are relatively set for the 2025-2026 season.

Sure, there are still a few big names who could return, a reclassification or two and yes a guy or two in the portal that could make a difference.

But for the first time, rosters largely feel set enough for me to drop my first "Way Too Early Top 25" of the spring.

Here's where I think college basketball rosters stand and who's No. 1 as we hit late April and enter early May:

1) Florida Gators

Key Returnees: Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar, Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Lloyd, CJ Ingram, Viktor Mikic, AJ Brown, Jones Lay, Isaiah Brown
Key Additions: Denzel Aberdeen (pending waiver), Jones Lay
Key Departures: Xavian Lee, Micah Handlogten, Olivier Rioux

Twenty off-seasons after retaining the entire starting five off a national title team, history is repeating itself as Florida has been the biggest winner of the spring.

Star forward Thomas Haugh announced his return near the deadline, turning down a near-certain spot in the lottery to play one final season as a Gator. Fellow forward Alex Condon could've been a first rounder and will instead return as well, with Boogie Fland back in the backcourt. They're surrounded by depth pieces like Urban Klavcar, Isaiah Brown and others.

The final big piece comes in the form of big man Reuben Chineylu, who was one of the nation's most ferocious rebounders at 11 per game this year. He's currently testing the NBA Draft waters and will be a mid-May decision. Regardless of his decision, this will be your preseason No. 1 barring something shocking.

2) Illinois Fighting Illini

Key Returnees: David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis, Andrej Stojakovic
Key Additions: Stefan Vaaks (transfer), Quentin Coleman, Lucas Morillo, Ethan Brown, Zavier Zens, Landon Davis
Key Departures: Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous

Yes, Illinois lost future lottery pick Keaton Wagler to the pros, but they also replaced him with maybe the perfect new face: Providence College guard Stefan Vaaks. Besides continuing the Eastern Europe-to-Champaign pipeline (Vaaks is from Estonia) Vaaks is the right big guard to lead this offense, after averaging 15.8 points, 3.2 assists and 35 percent from three as a freshman last season.

More than the backcourt though, the frontcourt returns intact, with David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivisic all returning. While so many people got locked in on Illinois offense, it was the Illini's defense which essentially became impenetrable during the Illini's run to Indianapolis for the Final Four and it was because of this frontcourt.

A second straight trip to the final weekend is absolutely in the cards for the Illini. 

3) Duke Blue Devils

Key Returnees: Patrick Ngongba, Dame Sarr, Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster
Key Additions: John Blackwell (transfer), Cameron Williams, Derron Rippey Jr., Bryson Howard, Maxime Meyer
Key Departures: Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, Maliq Brown, Darren Harris (transfer), Nik Khemenia (transfer)

I know it's easy to pick on Jon Scheyer with the way the last two seasons ended, but it's hard to argue that anyone is running a college basketball program at a higher level right now.

First, Scheyer convinced Dame Sarr and Patrick Ngongba - two potential first round picks - to return for another season, where they'll be joined by fellow vets Cayden Boozer and Caleb Foster in the backcourt. Duke is also bringing in another elite freshman class headlined by five-star big Cam Williams and five-star guard Derron Rippey Jr.

Most importantly though, they added Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell (who averaged over 19 points per game on nearly 39 percent three-point shooting) giving this team the offensive pop in the backcourt they simply didn't have last season.

It's hard to say that Duke will be "better" than the team that 35-3 and got the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament this year. But they may be more complete.

4) Michigan Wolverines

Key Returnees: Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, LJ Cason
Key Additions: Moustapha Thiam (transfer), JP Estrella (transfer), Jalen Reed (transfer) Brandon McCoy, Quinn Costello, Joseph Hartman, Malachi Brown, Marcus Moller, Lincoln Cosby
Key Departures: Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara (NBA Draft), Morez Johnson Jr. (NBA Draft) Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle, Will Tschetter

We're still waiting on an NBA Draft decision from Morez Johnson Jr., with early reports that he is leaning towards staying in. So for now we're going to leave him out, meaning that Michigan will have lost its entire frontcourt off this year's title team.

Despite that, Dusty May did about as good of a job as anyone possibly could've, of replacing those guys.

The big name addition came at the NBA Draft deadline, as Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam announced his decision to commit to Michigan right as the others excited the door. He's not quite as fluid as Mara but comes in even more productive, after averaging 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last season. JP Estrella is coming too, and late addition Jalen Reed - who missed most of this past season at LSU - is an underrated piece who averaged 11 points and six rebounds two years ago.

Like Morez Johnson, Elliot Cadeau is also testing the waters but is expected to be back.

Assuming he is, the Wolverines absolutely have enough to run it back and go back-to-back in 2027.

5) UConn Huskies

Key Returnees: Silas Demary Jr., Braylon Mullins, Jayden Ross, Solo Ball (will redshirt)
Key Additions: Nik Khamenia (transfer), Najai Hines (transfer), Oskar Giltay (transfer), Colben Landrew, Junior County
Key Departures: Tarris Reed, Alex Karaban, Eric Reibe (transfer), Jaylin Stewart (transfer), Jacob Furphy (transfer)

It was shaping up to be a near-perfect off-season for the Huskies, with real conversations about preseason No. 1 rankings and a trip to a fourth Final Four in five years. Then the news of Solo Ball's season-ending wrist injury hit and it brings the Huskies' ceiling down half a notch going into 2026-2027.

Despite Ball having that injury, the pieces are still there for the Huskies to still reach all their goals. They got the best news possible in mid-April with the return of star freshman Braylon Mullins, this after fellow vets Silas Demary Jr. and Jayden Ross announced their returns as well. Transfers Najai Hines (Seton Hall) and Nik Khamenia (Duke) should both step in to replace the departed Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed.

There is still work to be done with a couple depth pieces, but the Huskies will again have the talent to cut down the nets in 2026-2027.

6) Michigan State Spartans

Key Returnees: Jeremy Fears, Kur Teng, Coen Carr, Cam Ward, Jesse McCulloch, Kaleb Glenn, Jordan Scott
Key Additions: Anton Bonke (transfer), Ethan Taylor, Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr., Julius Avent
Key Departures: Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper

With minimal NBA talent, there will always be questions on if Michigan State has a "national title ceiling." But no one can deny that a returning roster full of vets who have been through the wars in the Big Ten will win a ton of games next season, after going 27-8 this season.

It all starts with Jeremy Fears, who - for all his mid-season tripping issues - averaged an insane 15 points and nine assists per game last season, and he'll be joined by fellow vets Coen Carr and Kur Teng. Jordan Scott and Cam Ward are high-upside wings who should both get better after a season in the system.

Finally, while Tom Izzo doesn't go tpp portal heavy Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke is the exact kind of big, physical low post presence that should thrive in a complimentary role.

7) Texas Longhorns

Key Returnees: Matas Vokietaitis
Key Additions: Isaiah Johnson (transfer), David Punch (transfer), Elyjah Freeman (Transfer), Mikey Lewis (transfer), Amari Evans (transfer), Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden, Joe Sterling, Coleman Elkins
Key Losses: Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope, Dailyn Swain (NBA Draft), Chendell Weaver, Simeon Wilcher (transfer), Nic Codie (transfer), Cam Heide (transfer)

It's the question ancient philosophers have been asking themselves for centuries: How high is too high in a preseason ranking of the 2026-2027 Texas Longhorns.

Ok, that might be an exaggeration, but what we've found out this year is that when you give Sean Miller big NIL money, he's going to put together an elite roster.

We all know about the return of Matas Vokietaitis, who admittedly needs more consistency, but also averaged nearly 16 points and eight rebounds as a freshman last year.

He will be joined by what can only be defined as an insane portal haul, with four of my personal Top 51 players coming to Texas. Isaiah Johnson is a lead guard who averaged nearly 17 points per game as a freshman at Colorado last year, and David Punch should compliment Vokietaitis down low perfectly. Elyjah Freeman is a wing with NBA upside who should seamlessly replace the departed Dailyn Swain and Mikey Lewis is a scorer on the wing from Saint Mary's.

The freshman class will provide depth, but the starting five is not only talented, but compliments each other perfectly.

Texas basketball will be a big-time problem next season.

8) Houston Cougars

Key Returnees: Mercy Miller, Chase McCarty, Joseph Tugler
Key Additions: Dedan Thomas (transfer), Delrecco Gillespie (transfer), Corey Hadnot (transfer), Braden East (transfer) Arafan Diane, Ikenna Alozie
Key Departures: Kingston Flemings (NBA Draft), Chris Cenac (NBA Draft), Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan, Kalifa Sakho

Virtually the entire core of Houston's 2025 national runner up is gone at this point, but honestly are you really questioning Kelvin Sampson?

A couple key pieces return, with Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty both taking big leaps this season and they'll be joined by another elite recruiting class headlined by big man Arafan Diane.

As importantly it's hard not to love the portal pieces, both in production and fit. Dedan Thomas Jr. is a guard who has done it at the highest levels of college basketball (including last year at LSU) and Delrecco Gillespie was one of the nation's leading rebounders a season ago.

At this point we have a decade long track record, that if Kelvin Sampson is the head coach at Houston, they're probably running a Top 10 team out onto the court.

9) Alabama Crimson Tide

Key Returnees: Aden Holloway, Amari Allen, London Jemison, Keitenn Bristow, Collins Onyejiaka
Key Additions: Drew Fielder (transfer), Brandon Garrison (transfer), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (transfer), Cole Cloer (transfer), Jaxon Richardson, Quayden Samuels, Tarris Bouie
Key Departures: Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette, Aiden Sherrell (transfer), Taylor Bol Bowen (transfer)

This is the first team that I'm admittedly higher on the consensus than. But it does come with a couple caveats.

One, this is under the assumption that Aden Holloway - who missed the NCAA Tournament after being arrested on drug allegations - eventually returns to the team. It's also based on the idea of Amari Allen eventually removes his name from the NBA Draft. He is currently projected as a late first rounder.

Assuming those two are back, they'll be two of the better players in the SEC and really like the roster Nate Oats has built around them. Drew Fielder (Boise State transfer) and Cole Cloer (NC State transfer who redshirted last season) are big wins who can shoot and Brandon Garrison (previously at Kentucky) and Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State) are two big athletes in the paint. Davis-Fleming particularly, is one of the more underrated players in the portal in my opinion.

10) Louisville Cardinals

Key Returnees: Adrian Wooley, London Johnson
Key Additions: Flory Bidunga (transfer), Karter Knox (transfer), Jackson Shelstad (transfer), Alvaro Folgueiras (transfer), De'Shayne Montgomery (transfer), Gabe Dynes (transfer)
Key Departures: Ryan Conwell, Isaac McNeeley, Mikel Brown Jr., Sanada Fru (transfer), Khani Rooths (transfer)

I started calling Pat Kelsey the portal demon this year, and with good reason: No one gets elite players on campus and closes quite like this guy.

Flory Bidunga was, at least in my opinion, the best player in the portal after averaging 3.3 points per game, nine rebounds per contest and 2.6 blocks per game last year. He'll add an interior toughness that the Cardinals simply lacked a season ago. Meanwhile Alvaro Folgueiras is the perfect stretch four to play off of him, with Adrian Wooley and Jackson Shelstad an explosive and versatile backcourt. Karter Knox is a high-upside wing who was a key cog on Arkansas' Sweet 16 team in 2025, before injuries shortened this season.

If Michigan basketball taught us one thing this year, it's don't be afraid to bet on teams that have insane talent on the roster, even if a bunch are transfers coming in from different places. Having "too much" talent is never a bad problem to have.

11) Arkansas Razorbacks

Key Returnees: Billy Richmond
Key Additions: Jeremiah Wilkinson (transfer), Cooper Bowser (transfer), Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews, Abdou Toure, Miikka Muurinen
Key Departures: Darius Acuff Jr. (NBA Draft), Meleek Thomas (NBA Draft), Trevon Brazile, Nick Pringle, Karter Knox (transfer), DJ Wagner (transfer), Malique Ewin (transfer)

In a world where everyone is going all in on big transfer portal adds, John Calipari is doubling down on the high school ranks. And goodness does he have a lot of talent coming in.

Jordan Smith Jr. was simply the best two-way guard in high school basketball this year, and JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure are competitive wings. Miikka Muurinen is the latest addition as a versatile, four-man from overseas.

This ranking could potentially go a bit higher should Meleek Thomas come back (right now I have him projected to leave, but he's truly on the fence) and if and when John Calipari adds more frontcourt pieces. It sounds like he’s on the verge of landing one or two in the coming days.

12) Arizona Wildcats 

Key Returnees: Mo Krivas, Ivan Kharchenkov
Key Additions: Derek Dixon (transfer), JJ Mandaquit (transfer), Caleb Holt, Cam Holmes
Key Departures: Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell'Orso, Koa Peat (NBA Draft), Brayden Burries (NBA Draft), Dwayne Aristode (transfer)

The Wildcats are coming off their first Final Four in 25 years, and will have the pieces to get back again.

The frontcourt will be spearheaded by a pair of returnees in Mo Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov and Caleb Holt has a chance to be the best freshman in college hoops as a power guard. Cam Holmes is a Top 30 recruit that the staff believes is better than the national rankings.

The big question is if North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon can give the Wildcats something close to what the departed Jaden Bradly did at point guard. He had a great back half of the year at North Carolina, including 17 points vs. Duke to end the regular season, 16 vs. Clemson in the ACC Tournament and 11 points, 5 rebounds and six assists in an NCAA Tournament loss to VCU.

13) Virginia Cavaliers

Key Returnees: Thijs de Ridder, Johann Grunloh, Chance Mallory, Sam Lewis, Elijah Gertrude, Martin Carrere, Silas Barksdale, Carter Lang
Key Additions: Jurian Dixon (transfer)
Key Departures: Malik Thomas, Jacari White, Devin Tillis, Dallin Hall, Ugonna Onyenso

Serious question: Has there ever been a quieter, 30-win team than the Virginia Cavaliers a season ago?

Well, the Cavaliers did win 30 games. And the crazy part is, they could be even better next year.

The frontcourt returns largely intact led by Thijs de Ridder who averaged 15 points and six rebounds and Chance Mallory will run things in the backcourt after averaging nine points and nearly 3.5 assists as a freshman a season ago.

The Cavaliers have been one of the few teams who’ve been noticeably quiet in the portal, but should largely be set outside a guard or two.

14) Tennessee Volunteers

Key Returnees: DeWayne Brown
Key Additions: Terrence Hill Jr. (transfer), Dai Dai Ames (transfer), Jalen Haralson (transfer), Tyler Lundblade (transfer), Miles Rubin (transfer), Braedan Lue (transfer), Chris Washington Jr, Ralph Scott, Manny Green
Key Departures: Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Felix Okpara, Nate Ament (NBA Draft), JP Estrella (transfer), Jalen Carey (transfer), Amari Evans (transfer), Cade Phillips (transfer), Bishop Boswell (transfer)

After making three straight Elite Eight's, the early spring buzz was that Tennessee planned to go all-in on the portal this year in search of the school's elusive Final Four. And that's exactly what they did, landing four of my Top 75 portal players overall.

The best of the bunch is probably lead guard Terrence Hill Jr., who averaged over 15 points per game on over 37 percent three-point shooting and should slide into the spot vacated by the departed Ja'Kobi Gillespie. Jalen Haralson is a former McDonald's All-American who averaged 16 points a game at Notre Dame as a freshman last year, Tyler Lundblade was Missouri Valley Player of the Year at Belmont and Dai Dai Ames is a guard in a similar mold to Hill.

Tennessee doesn't have the size and physicality - at least not yet - of previous Tennessee teams. But Rick Barnes can coach defense and toughness and this may be their most gifted offensive team since he took over. Oh, and they might not be done yet, with a player or two still in the portal linked to the Vols.

15) Miami Hurricanes

Key Returnees: Shelton Henderson, Dante Allen, Marcus Allen
Key Additions: Acaden Lewis (transfer), Somto Cyril (transfer), DeSean Goode (transfer), Caleb Gaskins
Key Departures: Malik Reneau, Enrest Udeh, Tre Donaldson, Tru Washington (transfer)

It was a successful first year for Jai Lucas at Miami, and things should be even better in Year 2.

For starters, Shelton Henderson is back after averaging just under 14 points and five assists per game as a freshman. He'll be surrounded by one of the best portal hauls in the country including Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis (who was All-Big East second team as a freshman) and big man Somto Cyril who led the Big East in blocks.

There isn't a ton of depth now, but the starting five will be able to compete with anyone in college basketball.

16) Iowa State Cyclones

Key Returnees: Killyan Toure, Jamarion Batemon, Blake Buchanan
Key Additions: Leon Bond (transfer), Jaquan Johnson (transfer), Taj Manning (transfer), Tre Singleton (transfer), Ryan Prather (transfer)
Key Departures: Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, Nate Heise, Milan Momcilovic (transfer)

Iowa State lost a bunch of last year's Sweet 16, but they still return quite a bit. And few find underrated pieces that fit in the portal quite like TJ Otzelberger does.

First on the retention front, Killian Toure and Jamarion Bateman are both and athletic guards who should make a leap heading into their sophomore years and Blake Buchanan was the Cyclones starting five man this past year.

What will be interesting is how Otzelberger integrates the transfers and who pops. Three of the five come from the mid-major level and the other two (Singleton and Manning) played limited minutes on bad teams.

Still, as said above, Otzelberger always finds these underrated pieces. And it'll be fascinating to see how they all fit.

17) USC Trojans

Key Returnees: Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas, Jacob Cofie
Key Additions: KJ Lewis (transfer), Eric Reibe (transfer), Jalen Cox (transfer), Christian Collins, Adonis Ratliff, Darius Ratliff
Key Departures: Chad Baker-Mazara, Ezra Ausar, Kam Woods, Jordan Marsh

Eric Musselman's third USC squad is by far his most talented. And there's no reason, after flirting with the bubble all year long, they shouldn't breakthrough and into the 2027 NCAA Tournament.

The Trojans probably would've made the Big Dance this year if it hadn't been for an injury to Rodney Rice, who averaged 20 points per game prior to a season-ending injury just six games in. He's back and so too is Alijah Arenas, who decided to return for another year after knee surgery gave him a late start to his freshman year. Jacob Cofie is an athletic big who averaged nearly 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game a season ago.

Then there are the newcomers, and goodness did Coach Muss go all in, adding three McDonald's All-Americans (Adonis Ratliff, Darius Ratliff and Christian Collins) and two portal stars. Big man Eric Reibe should give USC physicality in the rugged Big Ten, while KJ Lewis is a versatile guard who averaged 16 points per game this year at Georgetown.

18) St. John's Red Storm

Key Returnees: Ian Jackson, Ruben Prey
Key Additions: Donnie Freeman (transfer), Avery Brown (transfer), Quinn Ellis, Djordije Jovanovic, Lazar Stojkovic
Key Departures: Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, Dylan Darling, Oziyah Sellers, Joson Sanon (transfer)

There are still pieces to add, but come on, are you betting against Rick Pitino?

The Red Storm’s big splashes so far are British guard Quinn Ellis, who had interest from schools like Louisville, Duke and others but ended up in Queens instead. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by former McDonald’s All-American Ian Jackson who should be due for a breakout junior year. Donnie Freeman has been the big portal grab so far, after leading Syracuse in both scoring and rebounding.

There’s still one more big piece, specifically at the five spot where the Red Storm are a finalist for Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop.

However it ends up, again, do you want to be the one doubting Pitino?

19) Purdue Boilermakers

Key Returnees: Omer Mayer, Jack Benter, CJ Cox, Gicarri Harris, Daniel Jacobsen, Raleigh Burgess
Key Additions: Caden Pierce (transfer), Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber, Sinan Huan, Rivers Knight, Jamyn Sondrup
Key Losses: Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufmann-Renn, Oscar Cluff

The Boilermakers lose a historic senior class with Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufmann-Renn, which made the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament three times including the 2024 Final Four. They were a game away from going back this year.

Still, despite the production leaving out the door we'll bet on pedigree here and that Matt Painter has the next group lined up ready to go. Omer Mayer should slide over to the point guard spot to replace Smith, with CJ Cox back after averaging 8.5 points per game. Jack Benter gave the Boilermakers good minutes on the wing and don't sleep on the addition of transfer Caden Pierce, who was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2024.

20) Indiana Hoosiers

Key Returnees: Trent Sisley
Key Additons: Markus Burton (transfer), Aiden Sherrell (transfer), Samet Yigitoglu (transfer), Bryce Lindsay (transfer), Darren Harris (transfer), Jaeden Mustaf (transfer)
Key Departures: Lamar Wilkerson, Tucker Devries, Tayton Conerway, Sam Alexis, Nick Dorn

I promise the intention wasn’t to put Purdue and Indiana back-to-back, but sometimes that’s just the way these things go.

What’s crazy is that while Purdue is doing it the old-fashioned way - retention and development - Indiana is doing it the exact opposite. They’ve basically wiped the slate clean and started over again from last year. In Year 1 under Darian DeVries this team was simply too small, slow and unathletic, three things that won’t be an issue in 2026-2027.

Markus Burton is the creative lead guard this team lacked a season ago, and Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu are the one-two punch in the paint that this team definitely lacked a season ago as well. Bryce Lindsey and Darren Harris should provide plenty of scoring pop in the backcourt as well.

21) Saint Louis Billikens

Key Returnees: Trey Green, Amari McCottry, Kellen Thames, Ishan Sharma, Quentin Jones
Key Additions: N/A
Key Losses: Robbie Avila, Dion Brown, Paul Otieno, Brady Dunlap (transfer)

Certified ball knowers understand just how good Saint Louis was last year, and the rest of the country got to learn when the Billikens blew the doors off of Georgia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Well what if I told you that of SLU's top seven scorers off last season's 29-5 team, five were back in 2026-2027? That includes a pair of double-figure scorers in Trey Green and Amari McCottry and several others who can put the ball in the basket (Saint Louis shot a blistering 41 percent from three, while averaging 90 points per game).

They still need to find a way to add a frontcourt piece or two, something that isn't easy for a mid-major in this portal era. But the talent is there to again flirt with 30 wins and they should be Top 20 all year.

22) Gonzaga Bulldogs

Key Returnees: Mario Saint-Supery, Davis Fogel, Braden Huff
Key Additions: Isiah Harwell (transfer), Luca Foster, Sam Funches, Jack Kayil
Key Losses: Graham Ike, Tyon Grant-Foster, Adam Miller, Jalen Warley, Steele Venters, Braden Smith

The Bulldogs lost a ton of their 31-win team, but also bring back enough where they should again start the year in the Top 20.

Mario Saint-Supery was a surprise freshman star averaging just under nine points and four assists after coming over from Spain. Davis Fogel should be due for a breakout year, but most of the season rests on the health of Braden Huff. The big man was averaging 17 points and six rebounds prior to a January injury that cost him the remainder of the season.

Isiah Harwell is a former McDonald’s All-American that should thrive in a bigger role after transferring in from Houston.

23) Vanderbilt Commodores

Key Returnees: Tyler Tanner
Key Additions: Berke Buyuktuncel (transfer), Ace Glass (transfer), Bangot Dak (transfer), Sebastian Williams-Adams (transfer), T.O. Barrett (transfer)
Key Departures: Frankie Collins, Duke Miles, Devin McGlockton, AK Okereke, Tyler Nickel, Jalen Washington,

This ranking is obviously contingent on Tyler Tanner coming back for another season, after he announced that he would test the NBA Draft waters.

But assuming he’s back, he should blend with a nice mix of transfers including Washington State guard Ace Glass and Auburn forward Sebastian Williams-Adams.

AK Okereke, who averaged just under 10 points per game last year for the Commodores is seeking a waiver, so that’s something to monitor heading into the summer.

24) Providence College Friars

Key Returnees: Ryan Mela
Key Additions: Miles Byrd (transfer), Devin Vanterpool (transfer), Malik Mack (transfer), Arrinten Page (transfer), Samson Aletan (transfer), Ryan Sabol (transfer), Gavin Hightower (transfer), Dink Pate (G-League)
Key Departures: Jaylin Sellers, Jason Edwards, Stefan Vaaks (transfer), Jamier Jones (transfer)

When Bryan Hodgson arrived from South Florida, the promise was an upgrade in talent but also a coach to hopefully maximize it all with the Friars missing the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons.

Well, while we’ll have to wait and see on if 2027 is the year Providence returns to the NCAA Tournament (with Hodgson’s track record it’s likely) there is no doubt the talent is there.

The headliner is probably G-League star Dink Pate, a player that Hodgson has raved about in media appearances this spring. Georgetown transfer Malik Mack will be the engine that makes everything go, while Devin Vanterpool should add perimeter scoring pop. Miles Byrd was probably the best wing defender in the portal and Arrinten Page will provide size down low.

25) Missouri Tigers

Key Returnees: Trent Pierce, Trent Burns, Annor Boateng
Key Additions: Jamier Jones (transfer), Bryson Tiller (transfer), Jaylen Cary (transfer), Jason Crowe, Toni Bryant
Key Departures: Mark Mitchell, Jayden Stone, Shawn Phillips, Jacob Crews (transfer), Jevon Porter (transfer), Anthony Robinson (transfer)

Dennis Gates has quietly made three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years at Missouri, and yet his 2025-2026 roster should be his most alented yet.

In addition to the return of guard Trent Pierce, the Tigers crushed in both the portal and high school ranks. Jamier Jones (Providence) and Bryson Tiller (Kansas) were both freshmen last year that have long-term NBA upside. Jaylen Carey will provide bulk down low also.

The most intriguing player however could be jitterbug point guard Jason Crowe, one of the most decorated high school players in California history, who will have the ball in his hands on offense Day 1.