ESPN’s Jeff Borzello has rolled out version 3.0 of his way‑too‑early college basketball rankings, a snapshot that already feels like a preview of the 2026‑27 season. Florida sits at the summit, buoyed by the return of forward Thomas Haugh and center Alex Condon, while Duke and Michigan trail closely behind.
Top Teams and Key Additions
Borzello describes Duke as the deepest squad in the nation, noting that three of its projected starters return and that the Blue Devils have added several high‑profile transfers. Michigan, ranked third, also leans on a mix of proven returnees and newcomers, including forward Moustapha Thiam and big man Brandon McCoy.
Illinois maintains a steady presence in the top five, anchored by forwards Andrej Stojakovic and David Mirkovic, while UConn rounds out the elite group with a revamped roster that features transfers Nikolas Khamenia and Najai Hines.
Tennessee’s climb into the top ten reflects expectations of an elite offense, powered by portal acquisitions Juke Harris and Terrence Hill Jr. Meanwhile, St. John’s surged twelve spots, driven by the arrivals of Tounde Yessoufou and Donnie Freeman.
Michigan State’s top‑ten slot rests on the shoulders of Jeremy Fears Jr. and a recruiting class that many analysts deem elite, whereas Texas, despite slipping two spots, lands portal standouts Isaiah Johnson and David Punch.
Arizona holds firm in the top ten, with returning starters Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas poised to make an impact, and a host of other programs — from Illinois to Kentucky — show promising movements as the season approaches.
Transfer Portal Influence
The transfer portal has become a decisive factor, with teams like St. John’s and Tennessee leveraging experienced acquisitions to reshape their lineups. Illinois, Arizona and Michigan also benefit from veteran additions that could tip the balance in tightly contested conferences.
Coaches are already mapping out rotations, and early projections suggest that the blend of returning talent and strategic transfers will produce a season full of surprises. As the roster reshuffles settle, fans can expect a dynamic early schedule that will test these teams’ depth.
Looking Ahead
While it is still early, the rankings provide a compelling narrative about which programs are positioning themselves for a deep run. The coming months will reveal whether the projected lineups can translate preseason optimism into on‑court dominance.