With a month behind us since the end of the college basketball season, ESPN is looking ahead to the 2025-26 campaign. Jeff Borzello has updated his early Top 25 rankings in a big way.
The sport is in a fascinating place, with the transfer portal having a gigantic impact on the Top 25 after March Madness came to a close. While it’s certainly subject to change, Borzello has a pretty good idea regarding which teams will be contending for it all next season.
With that in mind, let’s dive into ESPN’s latest Top 25 rankings. Expect them to fluctuate over the next couple of months, but Borzello has provided a nice baseline for where we stand in May.
Purdue made a bit of a run during the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament. While they fell short of their ultimate goal, they have the team to make some major noise this coming season, and it’s evident ESPN is a believer in the Boilermakers at the moment.
Borzello: “There’s a chance Purdue has the preseason Wooden Award favorite and two All-Americans on its roster next season. Braden Smith will start the season as the best guard in the country after taking the next step in his development this past campaign, while Trey Kaufman-Renn is a dominant paint force.”
Connecticut took Florida to the brink during the 2025 Men’s NCAA Tournament. The Huskies fell short of a three-peat, but they have nothing to hang their heads about. They’re slated to return with a vengeance this coming season.
Borzello: “UConn’s national championship streak ended at two, but Dan Hurley and the Huskies have reloaded to make another run. … If Tarris Reed Jr. can stay on the floor consistently, UConn is as loaded as any team in America.”
St. John’s were the darlings of college basketball for much of the 2024-25 season. However, an unceremonious exit during the Round of 32 shocked the world. Rick Pitino has reloaded his team once again though, and the Red Storm don’t seem to be going away ahead of a new campaign.
Borzello: “The Red Storm’s NCAA tournament run ended earlier than expected, but Rick Pitino guided them to the Big East regular-season and tournament titles and has them back in the national discussion. … Pitino has one of the best portal classes in the country, led by five top-100 additions.”
Houston was heartbreakingly close to winning the national title this past season. Now, the Cougars have to get back on the horse and try, try again. Don’t bet against them getting over the hump, as they’ve made some major moves since their demoralizing defeat to Florida.
Borzello: “Milos Uzan declared for the NBA draft last month, but we might not know his final decision until the withdrawal deadline on May 28. If Uzan returns, there’s a strong case to put the Cougars at No. 1. If he doesn’t, Kelvin Sampson has already recruited an experienced guard to help replace Uzan, landing Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, a scorer who can create opportunities for others.”
5. BYU (+2)
BYU couldn’t stop a nose bleed during their defeat at the hands of Alabama in the Sweet 16. What’s changed? Well, the top recruit in the nation in A.J. Dybantsa chose the Cougars. 2026 could be special, and ESPN is confident Provo’s team will be a contender.
Borzello: “All eyes will be on Provo, Utah, next season, as No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa arrives in college to suit up for the Cougars. How has Kevin Young built around Dybantsa? Teaming him up with high-level scorer Richie Saunders on the wing was a great start, and landing Robert Wright III at point guard was a boost. That trio should be one of the country’s most explosive on the offensive end.”
Jon Scheyer and company couldn’t get the job done with generational talent Cooper Flagg in 2025. The faith many have in Duke winning another title might’ve been shaken, but they’ve made some key moves that are flying a bit under the radar. We’ll see if it all pays off for the Blue Devils after a tough Final Four loss last month.
Borzello: “Isaiah Evans‘ decision to forgo the NBA draft and transfer portal to return to Durham gives the Blue Devils a significant perimeter boost, as did beating out Alabama for Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, a legitimate NBA prospect with size and shooting ability on the wings. Jon Scheyer also brings in the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, which he might need to start multiple freshmen again next season if Coward opts to stay in the draft.”
Louisville received a face-lift this offseason. They had a tremendous regular season, but a forgettable performance in the NCAA Tournament after many picked them to make a run as an under-seeded team. There will be a chip on the shoulder of the Cardinals this time around.
Borzello: “Pat Kelsey had as strong an offseason as any coach in the country so far, landing impact transfers Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Isaac McKneely (Virginia) and Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State) to go with top-10 recruit Mikel Brown Jr. in the backcourt. … (His) first NCAA tournament win isn’t far away.”
Texas Tech gave Florida all they could handle in the Elite Eight, after a legendary comeback in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas. While it ended up not being enough, they have the talent to make some noise once again in 2026. ESPN certainly believes in them.
Borzello: “Grant McCasland’s team had the biggest rise from the first iteration of our rankings on championship Monday to the mid-April update. The biggest move was the return of JT Toppin, a preseason All-American who dominated the second half of the season.”
Dusty May has made a habit of replenishing his teams via the transfer portal, and Michigan made some major additions once again this time around. The Wolverines had Auburn on the ropes in the Sweet 16, but they couldn’t finish the job. That’ll be the bare minimum in 2026 for the reigning Big Ten Tournament victors.
Borzello: “Dusty May hit the portal early in the cycle, landing three potential starters for the next season in Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina) and Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois). Lendeborg is a borderline first-round pick, so there is a chance he’ll remain in the NBA draft instead. But Cadeau is an incredibly gifted passer and Johnson is primed for a big jump down low.”
What a rollercoaster ride of a season John Calipari took Arkansas on in Year 1. What’s in store for Year 2? He’s hoping the Razorbacks will go even further than the Sweet 16, after falling just short of the Elite Eight due to a furious comeback by Texas Tech.
Borzello: “Arkansas surged down the stretch of the season, earning an NCAA tournament bid then making a run to the Sweet 16 before losing to Texas Tech in overtime. Can John Calipari carry that momentum over to next season? Four of the Razorbacks’ top six minute-getters from the postseason run should be back next season.”
ESPN’s early Top 25 ranking — Nos. 11-25:
11. Kentucky (-1)
12. Arizona
13. Iowa State
14. UCLA (+2)
15. Auburn
16. Wisconsin (+1)
17. Illinois (NR)
18. Florida (+1)
19. Creighton (NR)
20. Tennessee (-4)
21. Kansas (-3)
22. Gonzaga (+1)
23. Michigan State (-3)
24. Alabama (-3)
25. North Carolina (-3)
Next in line: Ohio State, Texas, San Diego State, USC, Oregon
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