
SI’s Preseason Top 25 College Basketball Rankings Set the Stage for 2026‑27
Sports Illustrated’s preseason Top 25 reveals Florida at No. 1, but a wave of transfers and roster changes promises a volatile year across the nation’s elite programs.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Jeremy Fears Jr. across Basketball.

Sports Illustrated’s preseason Top 25 reveals Florida at No. 1, but a wave of transfers and roster changes promises a volatile year across the nation’s elite programs.

With the 2026‑27 season still months away, analysts have released an early power ranking that spotlights the conference’s emerging contenders and key transfers.

The latest CBS Sports Big Ten rankings place Illinois at the summit, with Michigan and Michigan State close behind. The projections highlight returning stars, high‑profile transfers and the challenges each program faces as the 2026‑27 campaign looms.

A look at the top five teams in the upcoming Big Ten season, highlighting key returning players, transfers and coaching storylines.

A preview of the 2026‑27 season shows Florida at the top, with Duke, Michigan and a host of other programs making notable moves

Projected floors, backcourt talent and transfer impact define the outlook for the Big Ten, with Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State and USC leading the conversation.

The Gophers have secured Kyan Evans, a transfer point guard whose familiarity with Coach Niko Medved's system could reshape Minnesota's prospects in the competitive Big Ten.

The latest expert polls position Illinois between No. 1 and No. 4 in the 2026‑27 season, highlighting a strong roster and high expectations.

Andrej Stojakovic's decision to return to Illinois has catapulted the program to the top of national rankings, setting up a fierce battle with traditional powerhouses as the 2026‑27 season approaches.

A wave of high‑profile players have pulled out of the NBA Draft, prompting major programs to adjust their line‑ups and recruit new talent.

Ohio State’s men’s basketball team retains top‑ranked prospects John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum, whose performances and rankings set the stage for a pivotal season following Bruce Thornton’s departure.

The Field of 68’s latest top‑50 returning player list highlights Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. at No. 3 and Coen Carr at No. 25, fueling optimism that the Spartans will enter the season among the nation’s top ten.

The Spartans' resurgence is anchored by a core group of returning players and a highly touted recruiting class, positioning them as a serious contender for a top‑10 finish.

The Spartans' lineup for the upcoming campaign features a blend of experienced talent and fresh additions, setting the stage for a season that could see new statistical leaders emerge.

The latest rankings spotlight Florida’s depth, with three players in the top 13, while standout returnees across the nation prepare for a pivotal season.

With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed, Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois emerge as top contenders, each bolstered by key returning players and favorable odds.

With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed, a wave of elite talent has chosen to stay in college, reshaping the preseason rankings and setting the stage for a competitive 2026‑27 campaign.

The 2026‑27 season promises drama as the Big Ten splits teams into five tiers, with Illinois, Michigan and Michigan State leading the title chase and several mid‑range programs eyeing tournament bids.
Milan Momcilovic, the nation's leading 3‑point shooter, has chosen Kentucky over other suitors, signaling a major shift in the transfer portal.

The NBA Draft withdrawal deadline has clarified rosters and reshaped the projected AP Top 25 for men's college basketball, with Florida Gators moving to the top spot after Reuben Chinyelu's return and other notable transfers.

A dozen projected first‑round picks have withdrawn from the NBA draft, choosing instead to return to college and reshape the competitive landscape for next year's NCAA campaigns.

With the draft declaration window closed, Florida climbs to No.1, Duke adds a sharpshooter, and several other programs retool their rosters ahead of a competitive new campaign.

A look at the high‑profile college athletes who have chosen to return to school or enter the 2026 NBA Draft, and how their moves will affect their programs' outlooks.

Nearly a dozen high‑profile prospects have pulled out of the NBA draft, choosing to return to college and altering the roster landscape for dozens of programs across the country.