The college basketball season is just days away from starting, which means it’s a great time to look ahead at the teams poised for success. Here is The Game Haus’ college basketball preseason top 25 countdown.
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### 25-21
**25. Texas Longhorns**
Jordan Pope returns as an efficient point guard for Texas. The backcourt also features Tramon Mark and Chendell Weaver from last year’s squad, along with Simeon Wilcher transferring in from St. John’s. Camden Heiden and Swain, who came from Purdue and Xavier respectively, provide solid wing play. While more proven production will be needed inside, this roster has the talent for a deep March run.
**24. NC State Wolfpack**
Will Wade did a great job assembling the roster in his first year at NC State. Derrion Williams transfers in from Texas Tech, where he was an All-Big 12 First Team selection last season. Tre Hollomon and Terrance Arceneaux bring valuable experience from Michigan State and Houston respectively. With Ven-Allen Lubin coming over from UNC, the frontcourt looks promising. It may take some time to gel, but Wade should get this group clicking.
**23. Creighton Blue Jays**
Creighton returns frontcourt stalwarts Jackson McAndrew and Jasen Green, who both had key moments last season. Owen Freeman and Josh Dix, transfers from Iowa, bolster the post and wing respectively. Charlotte transfer Nik Graves, who averaged 17.5 points per game last year, is expected to lead the point guard duties.
**22. Oregon Ducks**
Oregon brings back a dynamic one-two punch in guard Jackson Shelstad and forward Nate Bittle, both averaging roughly 14 points last season. Takai Simpkins, who scored 16.4 points per game at Elon, will have to fill a big role. Ohio State transfer Sean Stewart adds depth at forward, and Kwame Evans finished strong last season, adding to the Ducks’ frontcourt options.
**21. Michigan State Spartans**
Jeremy Fears returns at point guard after averaging 5.4 assists last season. Though the backcourt will need others to step up, the frontcourt offers plenty of depth with Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr, and Carson Cooper all having significant minutes and unique skill sets.
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### 20-16
**20. Gonzaga Bulldogs**
Graham Ike and Braden Huff provide one of the country’s best frontcourts. However, Gonzaga will need new faces at guard to step up. Braeden Smith, transferring from Colgate, is expected to take over point guard duties. Steele Venters returns after ACL and Achilles injuries and is counted on for scoring. Transfers Adam Miller (Arizona State) and Tyon Grant-Foster (Grand Canyon) will also need to contribute offensively.
**19. Illinois Fighting Illini**
Brad Underwood has added talent while retaining a solid core. Returning guard Kylan Boswell will team with Mihailo Petrovic, known for protecting the basketball. Ty Rodgers and Ben Humrichous must elevate their games, and Adrej Stojakovic offers scoring off the bench. Tomislav Ivisic returns as a frontcourt starter, joined by his brother Zvonimir, giving Illinois reliable depth inside.
**18. Arizona Wildcats**
Arizona must find more scoring after losing key contributors. Jaden Bradley returns to run the point after scoring 12.1 points per game last season. Anthony Dell’Orso, who shot 41.3% from three, will help with floor spacing. Physical presence Tobe Awaka and big man Motiejus Krivas provide size inside. The Wildcats will rely on key freshmen to make a difference as well.
**17. Tennessee Volunteers**
Though Tennessee lost much from last season, Rick Barnes is trusted to keep the Volunteers competitive in the SEC. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who performed well at Maryland, will handle point guard duties. Frontcourt players Felix Okpara, Cade Phillips, and J.P. Estrella will need strong seasons. Freshman standout Nate Ament could carry the scoring load at times.
**16. San Diego State Aztecs**
San Diego State could be the best non-power conference team nationally. Miles Byrd returns as a versatile wing alongside BJ Davis in the backcourt. Reese Waters, a preseason All-Mountain West pick, returns after missing last season with injury. Louisiana Tech transfer Sean Newman, who ranked third nationally in assists last year, adds playmaking. Magoon Gwath offers rebounding inside after initially flirting with the transfer portal.
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### 15-11
**15. UCLA Bruins**
Securing Donovan Dent from the transfer portal was a major boost, adding a 20.4 points per game scorer from New Mexico. Eric Dailey and Skyy Clark return on the perimeter, and Tyler Bilodeau adds floor-spacing ability. Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker is expected to impact rebounding.
**14. BYU Cougars**
BYU boasts its best roster since Jimmer Fredette’s era and could potentially surpass that benchmark. Superstar recruit A.J. Dybansta is athletically gifted and a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Richie Saunders returns after scoring 16.5 points per game last season. Point guard Rob Wright, from Baylor’s freshman class, adds scoring experience. Keba Keita also returns to anchor the inside.
**13. Alabama Crimson Tide**
Alabama’s guard play looks strong with Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell, and Jalil Bethea. Philon, who could’ve gone pro, is poised for a big sophomore leap. The frontcourt will mix new faces with returning bench players who need to improve for Alabama to meet its potential.
**12. UConn Huskies**
UConn has the talent to outperform last season’s No. 8 NCAA Tournament seed. Guard Solo Ball and forward Alex Karaban return as sharp shooters. Silas Demary, a bigger guard with proven leadership from Georgia, joins the backcourt. If some players take a step forward, the Huskies could make a strong run in the Big East.
**11. Iowa State Cyclones**
Iowa State returns three starters: Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic, and Joshua Jefferson. All bring experience, and if Lipsey can increase his scoring to compensate for roster departures, this core can lead the Cyclones to another successful season.
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### 10-6
**10. Michigan Wolverines**
Michigan remains strong on the inside even after last year’s duo of seven-footers. Yaxel Lendeborg, a coveted transfer, brings versatile skills. UCLA transfer Aday Mara, Illinois transfer Morez Johnson, and Will Tschetter add depth. UNC transfer Elliot Cadeau will run the point guard spot, while returnees Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr. can score from the wing.
**9. Texas Tech Red Raiders**
Though Texas Tech lost several players, guard Christian Anderson and forward JT Toppin remain. Anderson averaged 10.6 points as a freshman, and Toppin could be the player of the year. Several transfers must step up, but the potential for another strong season is clearly there.
**8. Arkansas Razorbacks**
John Calipari guided Arkansas to the Sweet 16 in his first year. D.J. Wagner brings back valuable experience and will be joined by stellar freshman Darius Acuff. Karter Knox is expected to improve after averaging 8.3 points, and Billy Richmond adds defensive grit on the wing. Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle provide a balanced frontcourt able to score and defend.
**7. Louisville Cardinals**
Pat Kelsey had a successful debut season and has built a talented roster for year two. Freshman Mikely Brown will run the point and has star potential. Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely and Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell are deadly from deep. Kasean Pryor and Aly Khalifa returning healthy should boost interior play significantly.
**6. Kentucky Wildcats**
Kentucky’s loaded roster has some questioning if there are too many mouths to feed, but the talent justifies high expectations. Mark Pope must manage the roster well. Otega Oweh’s return was huge after a 16.2 points per game average last year. Denzel Aberdeen brings Florida’s championship experience, and Jayden Quantince excels defensively in the paint. Jaland Lowe suffered a shoulder injury but can run the point if his shooting improves.
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### 5-1
**5. St. John’s Red Storm**
St. John’s added several impactful transfers after a solid previous season. Zuby Ejiofor returns in the frontcourt as a tenacious rebounder. Ian Jackson (UNC) and Bryce Hopkins (Providence) bring scoring punch, with Hopkins being one of the Big East’s best when healthy. The roster blends scorers and role players well for success.
**4. Florida Gators**
Florida lost its backcourt after last year’s championship run, but boasts arguably the best frontcourt nationally with returning talents Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Reuben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten.
**3. Duke Blue Devils**
Duke balances experienced returnees and a strong freshman class. Cameron Boozer leads the freshmen and could be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans provide veteran backcourt presence, though the point guard role remains uncertain. Maliq Brown is a valuable inside role player. If John Scheyer maximizes this team’s talent, a Final Four appearance is realistic.
**2. Houston Cougars**
Houston endured significant offseason losses but continues to reload effectively. Milos Uzan returns as the offensive floor general, while Emanuel Sharp offers a deep threat. JoJo Tugler provides strong post defense. Coupled with the nation’s second-ranked recruiting class, Houston is well-positioned for another Final Four run.
**1. Purdue Boilermakers**
Purdue’s backcourt duo of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer leads a powerful offense. Trey Kaufman-Renn is a dominant force inside after averaging over 20 points per game. C.J. Cox’s emergence on the wing makes Purdue a tough matchup on all fronts.
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