
Top Small Forwards for the 2026‑27 College Basketball Season
A look at the ten small forwards projected to dominate the 2026‑27 college season, from lottery‑bound talents to breakout shooters eyeing NBA drafts.
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A look at the ten small forwards projected to dominate the 2026‑27 college season, from lottery‑bound talents to breakout shooters eyeing NBA drafts.

In a sweeping analysis, CBS Sports writer Isaac Trotter predicts a transformative season for several Power Five programs, highlighting Alabama's top‑ranked offense, the rise of Florida, Texas and Auburn, and the emergence of three SEC players as potential All‑Americans.

A new generation of college basketball talent is poised to reshape the 2027 NBA Draft as sophomores prepare to showcase their skills.

Alabama’s Crimson Tide will field a roster that includes a 7‑footer for the first time, as new recruit TJ St. Louis joins a freshman class packed with size and talent.

The 2026‑27 men’s college basketball season promises dramatic changes, from high‑profile coaching moves to marquee player returns and a transfer portal that has reshaped rosters nationwide.

The Hurricanes announced their full non‑conference schedule on Thursday, highlighting a season‑opening clash with Florida, a trip to the Players Era Tournament, and a roster built around returning frontcourt stars.

The Crimson Tide finalized a 15‑player lineup that blends returning veterans with a highly ranked recruiting class, addressing size concerns and emphasizing defensive improvement.

The Crimson Tide revealed an 18‑game slate that blends home‑court advantage with challenging road trips, while also detailing roster moves ahead of the new season.

The 2026‑27 college basketball season opens with a historic game in Rome, featuring a 76‑team NCAA Tournament field. As programs navigate coaching changes, roster overhauls and health concerns, fans brace for fresh narratives and unexpected outcomes.

The University of Alabama announced that it will host Samford University during the 2026‑27 season, renewing a rivalry that has seen the Tide dominate eight of nine meetings.

Alabama's 2026‑27 roster leans on a fresh class of standout freshmen, aiming to build on a No. 1 seed and sustain elite performance.

Alabama has secured a top‑20 recruiting class and bolstered its lineup with key transfers, creating a versatile squad that could contend for its first national title.

Labaron Philon Jr. transitions from Alabama to the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Crimson Tide bolster their lineup with returning stars and impactful transfers ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign.

Alabama's Amari Allen, a do‑it‑all wing, is projected to be selected between seventh and tenth overall in the 2027 NBA Draft after a promising freshman campaign.

CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein has released his updated SEC power rankings, spotlighting Florida’s No.1 position and the reshaped lineups of several other contenders.

A look at the players returning from injury and college, the coaches securing new deals, and the programs redefining their schedules as the 2026‑27 basketball season approaches.

Freshman guard Alijah Arenas averaged 14.1 points per game and scored a season‑high 29 points against Indiana, and together with Rodney Rice hopes to lead USC to the NCAA Tournament and a deep March run.

Alabama's upcoming SEC schedule features a blend of powerhouse opponents and competitive matchups, with recent games showcasing dramatic finishes, high‑scoring bursts and emerging star performances.

With a No. 3 seed projection, a revamped lineup and a challenging non‑conference slate, the Crimson Tide aim to build on recent Sweet 16 and Final Four successes.

The Crimson Tide will face the Hawkeyes in a home‑and‑home neutral‑site series, marking a new chapter for both programs after strong recent tournament runs.

Alabama will open a home‑and‑home series with Iowa in Des Moines on Dec. 21, 2026, with a return game slated for Mobile in 2027‑28, reviving a rivalry that last saw the teams split a pair of contests in 2006 and 2010.
Iowa will open its 2026‑27 non‑conference slate against Alabama on Dec. 21, 2026, at Casey’s Center, beginning a two‑game series that pits the Hawkeyes’ deliberate style against the Crimson Tide’s up‑tempo offense.
Iowa will host Alabama on Dec. 21, 2026 at Casey’s Center, beginning a home‑and‑home series that underscores both programs’ ambitions.

A wave of high‑profile college basketball players is electing to remain in school for the 2026‑27 season, reinforcing rosters and enriching a projected weaker NBA draft class.