The 2024–25 college hoops campaign is officially in the books. March Madness feels like a distant memory now, capped by the Florida Gators hoisting the trophy to finish a storybook run. Then came portal season. Even before a champion was crowned, hundreds of players entered the transfer market, including some of the sport’s biggest names. A wave of coaching moves followed, with many top mid-major leaders landing jobs at Power Four programs.
Nearly three months removed from the title game, the dust is starting to settle. Players have arrived on campus for summer workouts, the NBA Draft deadline has passed, and rosters are nearly finalized.
We are still a few months from opening night, but it is never too early to size up the college basketball landscape with our way-too-early Top 25.
1. Florida Gators
The defending national champions added a top-10 transfer portal class and brought back Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh. Head coach Todd Golden is clearly looking to recreate the back-to-back magic from 2006–07. Portal guards Xavian Lee (Princeton) and Boogie Fland (Arkansas) bring scoring and playmaking to a reloaded backcourt. Once again, Florida looks long, athletic, and dangerous.
2. Houston Cougars
Fresh off a run to the title game, Houston returns Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp, and JoJo Tugler from the championship starting five. They also welcome the No. 2-ranked recruiting class. Kelvin Sampson has produced a top-five KenPom rating five years running, and this roster is set up to extend that streak.
3. St. John’s Red Storm
After winning the Big East, St. John’s capitalized on that success by landing the No. 1 transfer class in the nation. Rick Pitino now faces the challenge of fitting seven new additions into an already talented roster. Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), and Joson Sanon (Arizona State) headline a group that has the Red Storm firmly in the national title conversation.
4. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue is one of the co-favorites for the 2026 title, and it is easy to see why. The Boilermakers return five of their top six scorers, including Braden Smith, who might be the best point guard in the country. They did not make much noise in the portal, but consistency and experience keep them near the top.
5. Michigan Wolverines
After exceeding expectations last season, Michigan followed it up with the No. 2 transfer portal class. Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), initially bound for the NBA, withdrew his name in late May and will join a loaded portal haul that includes Elliot Cadeau (UNC), Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois), and Aday Mara (UCLA). Dusty May has retooled quickly and effectively.
6. Duke Blue Devils
There is no Cooper Flagg this time around, but Duke returns three key players in Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, and Patrick Ngongba. They add three five-star recruits, plus international prospect Dame Sarr and Rice transfer Ifeanyi Ufochukwu. Jon Scheyer has plenty of pieces to work with once again.
7. UConn Huskies
The dream of a three-peat is gone, but UConn is far from done. Solo Ball and Alex Karaban return, and Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia) joins as a top-15 portal addition. Five-star Braylon Mullins leads a well-rounded freshman class. The Huskies remain one of the most balanced teams in the country.
8. Kentucky Wildcats
Mark Pope brings in a top-five portal group and a top-10 recruiting class. Star wing Otega Oweh returns, while Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance adds five-star upside. The talent is undeniable. If the roster clicks, Kentucky has Final Four potential.
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech came within minutes of a Final Four appearance last spring. JT Toppin and Christian Anderson return from that Elite Eight team, and the Red Raiders added five transfers, headlined by LeJuan Watts (Washington State). Grant McCasland’s squad is built to compete again.
10. BYU Cougars
All eyes are on AJ Dybantsa, the top-ranked recruit in program history. He will be joined by Baylor transfer Rob Wright and several key returners, including Richie Saunders and Keba Keita. After reaching the Sweet Sixteen, BYU looks even more dangerous this time around.
11. Louisville Cardinals
Pat Kelsey only added three transfers, all guards, but they join five-star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. to form one of the best backcourts in the country. With the No. 4 transfer class, Louisville looks ready to climb back into ACC contention.
12. Arkansas Razorbacks
John Calipari has stacked talent in Fayetteville. DJ Wagner and Karter Knox return, and they are joined by a top-10 freshman class. After last season’s Sweet Sixteen run, expectations are rising for a bigger leap in year one under Calipari.
13. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona brings back four of its top eight scorers and adds the No. 3 recruiting class in the country. Five-star freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat provide the firepower. Tommy Lloyd’s team has another second-weekend run in its sights.
14. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State’s title hopes were derailed by injuries last season. Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, and Milan Momcilovic are all back, and four incoming transfers boost the depth. TJ Otzelberger has a talented and battle-tested roster.
15. Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self lost nearly everyone from last year’s team, but Flory Bidunga returns and is joined by a top-10 freshman class. Darryn Peterson is the headline newcomer and one of the few prospects rivaling Dybantsa for top-player honors. The Jayhawks also added three key transfers.
16. UCLA Bruins
Skyy Clark leads a returning group that includes three of UCLA’s top four scorers. The big addition is Donovan Dent, one of the top mid-major guards in the country. If the roster pieces come together, the Bruins could be a major sleeper in the Big Ten.
17. Gonzaga Bulldogs
This may not be one of Mark Few’s flashiest rosters, but the Bulldogs remain a yearly contender. Tyon Grant-Foster (Grand Canyon) and Graham Ike form a solid frontcourt. If Gonzaga finds a steady lead guard, they will be dangerous once again.
18. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee keeps knocking on the door of the Final Four, and this could be the year it happens. JP Estrella and Cade Phillips are back, and Maryland transfer Ja’Kolbi Gillespie joins a strong incoming class ranked fifth in the nation.
19. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans return four of their top eight scorers. Tom Izzo did not bring in a standout freshman class or top portal additions, but he is banking on development and chemistry with a familiar core.
20. North Carolina Tar Heels
UNC narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last season and faced heavy criticism for its quiet portal activity. Seth Trimble returns, while transfers Henri Veesaar, Jarin Stevenson, and Kyan Evans try to stabilize the rotation. Five-star freshman Caleb Wilson gives this team some upside.
21. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois has built a roster around international talent. Stanford’s Andrej Stojakovic and Arkansas big man Zvonimir Ivisic join Serbian guard Mihailo Petrovic and returner Kylan Boswell. Brad Underwood has an intriguing mix in Champaign.
22. Iowa Hawkeyes
Ben McCollum moves over from Drake and brings the No. 7-ranked transfer class to Iowa City. His coaching resume is nearly spotless so far, but this is his first Big Ten test. The Hawkeyes have the talent to be a top-25 team if it clicks quickly.
23. Auburn Tigers
Bruce Pearl’s Final Four core is gone, but Tahaad Pettiford returns and the Tigers added the No. 9 transfer class. Auburn has been too consistent to fade entirely. Expect them to compete in the SEC again.
24. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin did not bring in a top-50 recruiting or transfer class, but they return John Blackwell and Nolan Winter from a team that won 27 games and earned a No. 3 seed. Experience keeps the Badgers in the mix.
25. NC State Wolfpack
Will Wade is the new man in Raleigh and wasted no time loading up on talent. Eight new transfers are joining the Wolfpack, led by Darrion Williams, the No. 5-ranked portal player. This team has pieces, but chemistry and fit will take time to figure out.
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