1
|
Houston
|
This rating is predicated on the Cougars returning three of the highest seven scorers — particularly Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a workforce that completed 35-5 and superior to the championship sport of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton switch Pop Isaacs, Sam Houston switch Kalifa Sakho, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr. and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings.
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—
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35-5
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2
|
Duke
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This rating is predicated on the Blue Devils returning three of the highest seven scorers — particularly Tyrese Proctor, Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster – from a workforce that completed 35-4 and superior to the Last 4 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star freshmen Cameron Boozer and Shelton Henderson and four-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia and Cayden Boozer.
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—
|
35-4
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3
|
Purdue
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This rating is predicated on the Boilermakers returning 5 of the highest six scorers – particularly Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Daniel Jacobsen and C.J. Cox – from a workforce that completed 24-12 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by South Dakota State switch Oscar Cluff.
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—
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24-12
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4
|
UConn
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This rating is predicated on the Huskies returning 4 of the highest seven scorers – particularly Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed and Jaylin Stewart – from a workforce that completed 24-11 and superior to the second spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Georgia switch Silas Demary Jr., five-star freshman Braylon Mullins and four-star freshmen Darius Adams and Eric Reibe.
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—
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24-11
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5
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BYU
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This rating is predicated on the Cougars returning 4 of the highest 10 scorers – particularly Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker, Keba Keita and Mihailo Boskovic – from a workforce that completed 26-10 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Baylor switch Robert Wright, five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa and four-star freshmen Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess.
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13
|
26-10
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6
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UCLA
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This rating is predicated on the Bruins returning three of the highest 4 scorers – particularly Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr. and Skyy Clark – from a workforce that completed 23-11 and superior to the second spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class that includes New Mexico switch Donovan Dent, Michigan State switch Xavier Booker, Kansas Metropolis switch Jamar Brown and San Diego switch Steven Jamerson.
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1
|
23-11
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7
|
Arizona
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This rating is predicated on the Wildcats returning 4 of the highest eight scorers — particularly Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Motiejus Krivas and Anthony Dell’Orso — from a workforce that completed 24-13 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Harvard switch Evan Nelson, five-star freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, and four-star freshman Dwayne Aristode.
|
1
|
24-13
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8
|
Michigan
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This rating is predicated on the Wolverines returning two of the highest eight scorers — particularly Roddy Gayle Jr. and L.J. Cason — from a workforce that completed 27-10 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UAB switch Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois switch Morez Johnson Jr., North Carolina switch Elliot Cadeau, UCLA switch Aday Mara and four-star freshmen Trey McKenney and Winters Grady.
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3
|
27-10
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9
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Alabama
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This rating is predicated on the Crimson Tide returning 4 of the highest 11 scorers – particularly Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Aden Holloway, Derrion Reed and Aidan Sherrell – from a workforce that completed 28-9 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Miami transferJalil Bethea, Florida State switch Tayor Bol Bowen, Bucknell switch Noah Williamson and four-star freshmen London Jemison, Davion Hannah and Amari Allen.
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2
|
28-9
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10
|
Iowa St.
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This rating is predicated on the Cyclones returning three of the highest 5 scorers – particularly Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey – from a workforce that completed 25-10 and superior to the second spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia switch Blake Buchanan, Purdue Fort Wayne switch Eric Mulder, Japanese Washington switch Mason Williams and four-star freshman Jamarion Batemon.
|
2
|
25-10
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11
|
Florida
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This rating is predicated on the Gators returning seven of the highest 10 scorers – particularly Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Denzel Aberdeen. Reuben Chinyelu, Sam Alexis, City Klavzar and Micah Handlogten – from a workforce that completed 36-4 and received the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star freshmen CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd.
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2
|
36-4
|
12
|
St. John’s
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This rating is predicated on the Purple Storm returning 5 of the highest 10 scorers – particularly Zuby Ejiofor, Simeon Wilcher, Vince Iwuchukwu, Jaiden Glover and Sadiku Abine Ayo – from a workforce that completed 31-5 and superior to the second spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Windfall switch Bryce Hopkins and Arizona State switch Joson Sanon.
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2
|
31-5
|
13
|
Louisville
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This rating is predicated on the Cardinals returning two of the highest six scorers – particularly J’Vonne Hadley and James Scott – from a workforce that completed 27-8 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia switch Isaac McKneely, Xavier switch Ryan Conwell, Kennesaw State switch Adrian Wooley, five-star freshman Mikel Brown and four-star freshman Sananda Fru.
|
1
|
27-8
|
14
|
Texas Tech
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This rating is predicated on the Purple Raiders returning 5 of the highest 11 scorers – particularly JT Toppin, Christian Anderson, Kevin Overton, Leon Horner and Eemeli Yalaho – from a workforce that completed 28-9 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by redshirt freshmen Marial Akuentok.
|
1
|
28-9
|
15
|
Kentucky
|
This rating is predicated on the Wildcats returning two of the highest seven scorers — particularly Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison – from a workforce that completed 24-12 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona State switch Jayden Quaintance, Alabama switch Mouhamed Dioubate, Pitt switch Jaland Lowe, Tulane switch Kam Williams and four-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
|
1
|
24-12
|
16
|
Auburn
|
This rating is predicated on the Tigers returning two of the highest three scorers – particularly Chad Baker-Mazara and Tahaad Pettiford – from a workforce that completed 32-6 and superior to the Last 4 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UCF switch Keyshawn Corridor, JUCO switch Abdul Bashir and four-star freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Kaden Magwood.
|
1
|
32-6
|
17
|
Michigan St.
|
This rating is predicated on the Spartans returning 4 of the highest eight scorers – particularly Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears and Carson Cooper – from a workforce that completed 30-7 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by FAU switch Kaleb Glenn and four-star freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott.
|
1
|
30-7
|
18
|
Oregon
|
This rating is predicated on the Geese returning 4 of the highest 10 scorers – particularly Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, Kwame Evans Jr. and Jamari Phillips – from a workforce that completed 25-10 and superior to the second spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Elon switch TK Simpkins and three-star freshman JJ Frakes.
|
1
|
25-10
|
19
|
Kansas
|
This rating is predicated on the Jayhawks returning one of many high seven scorers – particularly Flory Bidunga – from a workforce that completed 21-13 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Illinois switch Tre White, Loyola Chicago switch Jayden Dawson and five-star freshman Darryn Peterson – plus Elmarko Jackson, a former five-star prospect who missed this season with a knee damage.
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—
|
21-13
|
20
|
Texas
|
This rating is predicated on the Longhorns returning three of the highest six scorers – particularly Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Chendall Weaver – from a workforce that completed 19-16 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by FAU switch Matas Vokietaitis, Purdue switch Camden Heide, Xavier switch Dailyn Swain and four-star freshman John Clark.
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—
|
19-16
|
21
|
Arkansas
|
This rating is predicated on the Razorbacks returning 4 of the highest 9 scorers – particularly DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III – from a workforce that completed 22-14 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas.
|
—
|
22-14
|
22
|
Ohio St.
|
This rating is predicated on the Buckeyes returning 4 of the highest six scorers – particularly Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal, John Mobley Jr. and Sean Stewart – from a workforce that completed 17-15 and missed the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by Wright State switch Brandon Noel, Santa Clara switch Christoph Tilly, Indiana switch Gabe Cupps and four-star freshmen A’mare Bynum and Dorian Jones.
|
—
|
17-15
|
23
|
Tennessee
|
This rating is predicated on the Vols returning three of the highest eight scorers – particularly Felix Okpara, J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips – from a workforce that completed 30-8 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Vanderbilt switch Jaylen Carey, Maryland switch Ja’Kobi Gillespie and four-star freshmen Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown.
|
—
|
30-8
|
24
|
Wisconsin
|
This rating is predicated on the Badgers returning three of the highest 9 scorers – particularly John Blackwell, Nolan Winter and Jack Janicki – from a workforce that completed 27-10 and superior to the second spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by San Diego State switch Nick Boyd, Virginia switch Andrew Rohde, Portland switch Austin Rapp and four-star freshman Zach Kinziger.
|
—
|
27-10
|
25
|
N. Carolina
|
This rating is predicated on the Tar Heels returning three of the highest six scorers – particularly Seth Trimble, Ven Lubin and Drake Powell – from a workforce that completed 23-14 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona switch Henri Veesaar, West Virginia switch Jonathan Powell, Colorado State switch Kyan Evans, five-star freshman Caleb Wilson and four-star freshmen Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon.
|
—
|
23-14
|
26
|
Gonzaga
|
This rating is predicated on the Zags returning three of the highest 10 scorers – particularly Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne and Emmanuel Innocenti – from a workforce that completed 26-9 and superior to the second spherical of the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia switch Jalen Warley, Colgate switch Braeden Smith and four-star freshman Davis Fogle – plus the return of Steele Venters, who has missed the previous two seasons with accidents.
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—
|
26-9
|
