It was exciting news at Auburn when Chad Baker-Mazara realized midseason that he might get an extra year of eligibility and suggested he wouldn’t mind spending it with the Tigers.
But, on Thursday, he suggested something different.
In what was the biggest college basketball headline of the day among power-conference schools, Baker-Mazara entered the transfer portal, which is an indication that his time at Auburn is likely done. If so, the Tigers will return zero starters from a team that earned the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and finished 32-6 after a loss to Florida in the Final Four.
Will Bruce Pearl reload?
Of course. In fact, he’s already doing it.
Also on Thursday, the Tigers secured a commitment from Kevin Overton — a 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds for a Texas Tech team that advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. And it’s reasonable to assume Pearl has more commitments on the way, ones that should give him a reasonable chance to guide Auburn to the Final Four for what would be the third time in a span of seven NCAA Tournaments. But, for now, Auburn is down to No. 19 in Version 7 of the 2025-26 CBS Sports preseason Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings, where Houston has been No. 1 since the day after the title game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Why Houston?
It’s because the Cougars are projected to return three starters — specifically Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a team that finished 35-5 after falling to Florida in the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr., and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings, each of whom should play a role in helping Kelvin Sampson try to take the Cougars to the Final Four for the third time in a six-year span.
Top 25 And 1 rankings
1
Connecticut
1 |
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This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a team that finished 35-5 and advanced to the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, Sam Houston transfer Kalifa Sakho, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr. and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings. | — | 35-5 |
2 |
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This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top six scorers – specifically Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Daniel Jacobsen and C.J. Cox – from a team that finished 24-12 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff, North Florida transfer Liam Murphy and international prospect Omer Mayer. | — | 24-12 |
3 |
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This ranking is based on the Huskies returning four of the top seven scorers – specifically Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed and Jaylin Stewart – from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr., Dayton transfer Malachi Smith, five-star freshman Braylon Mullins and four-star freshmen Darius Adams and Eric Reibe. | 1 | 24-11 |
4 |
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This ranking is based on the Cougars returning four of the top 10 scorers – specifically Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker, Keba Keita and Mihailo Boskovic – from a team that finished 26-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Baylor transfer Robert Wright, five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa and four-star freshmen Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess. | 1 | 26-10 |
5 |
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This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning three of the top nine scorers – specifically JT Toppin, Christian Anderson and Federiko Federiko – from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by Washington State transfer LeJuan Watts, UNC Greensboro transfer Donovan Atwell and redshirt freshmen Marial Akuentok. | 1 | 28-9 |
6 |
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This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Tyrese Proctor, Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster – from a team that finished 35-4 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star freshman Cameron Boozer, and four-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia and Cayden Boozer. | 3 | 35-4 |
7 |
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This ranking is based on the Bruins returning three of the top four scorers – specifically Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr. and Skyy Clark – from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class featuring New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent, Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker, Kansas City transfer Jamar Brown and San Diego transfer Steven Jamerson. | — | 23-11 |
8 |
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This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning four of the top eight scorers — specifically Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Motiejus Krivas and Anthony Dell’Orso — from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Harvard transfer Evan Nelson, five-star freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, and four-star freshman Dwayne Aristode. | — | 24-13 |
9 |
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This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Roddy Gayle Jr. and L.J. Cason — from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois transfer Morez Johnson Jr., North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau, UCLA transfer Aday Mara and four-star freshmen Trey McKenney and Winters Grady. | — | 27-10 |
10 |
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This ranking is based on the Gators returning seven of the top 10 scorers – specifically Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Denzel Aberdeen. Reuben Chinyelu, Sam Alexis, Urban Klavzar and Micah Handlogten – from a team that finished 36-4 and won the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee and four-star freshmen CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd. | — | 36-4 |
11 |
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This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top five scorers – specifically Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey – from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan, Purdue Fort Wayne transfer Eric Mulder, Eastern Washington transfer Mason Williams and four-star freshman Jamarion Batemon. | — | 25-10 |
12 |
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This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning three of the top six scorers – specifically Zuby Ejiofor, Simeon Wilcher and Vince Iwuchukwu – from a team that finished 31-5 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins, Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon and Stanford transfer Oziyah Sellers. | — | 31-5 |
13 |
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This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning two of the top six scorers – specifically J’Vonne Hadley and James Scott – from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely, Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell, Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley, five-star freshman Mikel Brown and four-star freshman Sananda Fru. | 1 | 27-8 |
14 |
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This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top seven scorers — specifically Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison – from a team that finished 24-12 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance, Alabama transfer Mouhamed Dioubate, Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe, Tulane transfer Kam Williams and four-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno. | 1 | 24-12 |
15 |
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This ranking is based on the Spartans returning four of the top eight scorers – specifically Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears and Carson Cooper – from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by FAU transfer Kaleb Glenn and four-star freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott. | 1 | 30-7 |
16 |
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This ranking is based on the Ducks returning four of the top 10 scorers – specifically Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, Kwame Evans Jr. and Jamari Phillips – from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Elon transfer TK Simpkins and three-star freshman JJ Frakes. | 1 | 25-10 |
17 |
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This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers – specifically Flory Bidunga – from a team that finished 21-13 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Illinois transfer Tre White, Loyola Chicago transfer Jayden Dawson, St. Bonaventure transfer Melvin Council, five-star freshman Darryn Peterson and four-star freshman Samis Calderon – plus Elmarko Jackson, a former five-star prospect who missed this past season with a knee injury. | 1 | 21-13 |
18 |
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This ranking is based on the Tigers returning one of the top three scorers – specifically Tahaad Pettiford – from a team that finished 32-6 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall, Mississippi State transfer KeShawn Murphy, Texas Tech transfer Kevin Overton, JUCO transfer Abdul Bashir and four-star freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Kaden Magwood. | 5 | 32-6 |
19 |
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This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning four of the top nine scorers – specifically DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III – from a team that finished 22-14 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Florida State transfer Malique Ewin, South Carolina transfer Nick Pringle, five-star freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas. | — | 22-14 |
20 |
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This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning three of the top six scorers – specifically Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Chendall Weaver – from a team that finished 19-16 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Xavier transfer Lassina Traore, FAU transfer Matas Vokietaitis, Purdue transfer Camden Heide, Xavier transfer Dailyn Swain and four-star freshman John Clark. | — | 19-16 |
21 |
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This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning two of the top four scorers – specifically Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Aden Hollowayl – from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Miami transferJalil Bethea, Florida State transfer Tayor Bol Bowen, Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson and four-star freshmen London Jemison, Davion Hannah and Amari Allen. | — | 28-9 |
22 |
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This ranking is based on the Buckeyes returning four of the top six scorers – specifically Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal, John Mobley Jr. and Sean Stewart – from a team that finished 17-15 and missed the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by Wright State transfer Brandon Noel, Santa Clara transfer Christoph Tilly, Indiana transfer Gabe Cupps and four-star freshmen A’mare Bynum and Dorian Jones. | — | 17-15 |
23 |
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This ranking is based on the Vols returning three of the top eight scorers – specifically Felix Okpara, J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips – from a team that finished 30-8 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey, Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie and four-star freshmen Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown. | — | 30-8 |
24 |
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This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top six scorers – specifically Seth Trimble, Ven Lubin and Drake Powell – from a team that finished 23-14 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, Alabama transfer Jarin Stevenson, West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell, Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans, five-star freshman Caleb Wilson and four-star freshmen Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon. | — | 23-14 |
25 |
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This ranking is based on the Badgers returning three of the top nine scorers – specifically John Blackwell, Nolan Winter and Jack Janicki – from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by San Diego State transfer Nick Boyd, Virginia transfer Andrew Rohde, Portland transfer Austin Rapp and four-star freshman Zach Kinziger. | — | 27-10 |
26 |
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This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top 10 scorers – specifically Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne and Emmanuel Innocenti – from a team that finished 26-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Jalen Warley, Colgate transfer Braeden Smith and four-star freshman Davis Fogle – plus the return of Steele Venters, who has missed the past two seasons with injuries. | — | 26-9 |
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