Faculty basketball rankings: St. John’s climbs into prime 5, Duke slides amid NBA Draft declarations

1

Houston
This rating relies 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 recreation 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.

— 35-5
2

Purdue
This rating relies 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, North Florida switch Liam Murphy and worldwide prospect Omer Mayer. — 24-12
3

UConn
This rating relies 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., Dayton switch Malachi Smith, five-star freshman Braylon Mullins and four-star freshman Eric Reibe.

— 24-11
4

St. John’s
This rating relies on the Crimson Storm returning two of the highest six scorers — particularly Zuby Ejiofor and Vince Iwuchukwu — 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, Arizona State switch Joson Sanon, North Carolina switch Ian Jackson and Stanford switch Oziyah Sellers. 7 31-5
5

BYU
This rating relies 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. 1 26-10
6

Texas Tech
This rating relies on the Crimson Raiders returning two of the highest 4 scorers — particularly JT Toppin and Christian Anderson — 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 Washington State switch LeJuan Watts, UNC Greensboro switch Donovan Atwell, Villanova switch Josiah Moseley and redshirt freshmen Marial Akuentok.

1 28-9
7

Michigan
This rating relies on the Wolverines returning three of the highest eight scorers — particularly Roddy Gayle Jr., Nimari Burnett 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. 2 27-10
8

UCLA
This rating relies 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. 1 23-11
9

Arizona
This rating relies 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
10

Kentucky
This rating relies 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, Florida switch Denzel Aberdeen and four-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno. 3 24-12
11

Iowa St.
This rating relies 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. 1 25-10
12

Louisville
This rating relies 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. — 27-8
13

Duke
This rating relies on the Blue Devils returning three of the highest 9 scorers — particularly Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba — 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 freshman Cameron Boozer, and four-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia and Cayden Boozer.

7 35-4
14

Michigan St.
This rating relies 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 Samford switch Trey Fort, FAU switch Kaleb Glenn and four-star freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott. 1 30-7
15

Florida
This rating relies on the Gators returning 5 of the highest 10 scorers – particularly Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, City Klavzar and Micah Handlogten – from a workforce that completed 36-4 and gained the 2025 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Princeton switch Xaivian Lee and four-star freshmen CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd. 1 36-4
16

Oregon
This rating relies 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. — 25-10
17

Kansas
This rating relies on the Jayhawks returning one of many prime 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, St. Bonaventure switch Melvin Council, five-star freshman Darryn Peterson and four-star freshman Samis Calderon – plus Elmarko Jackson, a former five-star prospect who missed this previous season with a knee damage. — 21-13
18

Auburn
This rating relies on the Tigers returning one of many prime three scorers — particularly 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, Mississippi State switch KeShawn Murphy, Texas Tech switch Kevin Overton, Lincoln Memorial switch Elyjah Freeman, JUCO switch Abdul Bashir and four-star freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Kaden Magwood.

— 32-6
19

Arkansas
This rating relies 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 Florida State switch Malique Ewin, South Carolina switch Nick Pringle, five-star freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas. — 22-14
20

Tennessee
This rating relies 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, five-star freshman Nate Ament and four-star freshmen Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown.

3 30-8
21

Texas
This rating relies 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 Xavier switch Lassina Traore, FAU switch Matas Vokietaitis, Purdue switch Camden Heide, Xavier switch Dailyn Swain and four-star freshman John Clark.

1 19-16
22

Alabama
This rating relies on the Crimson Tide returning two of the highest 4 scorers – particularly Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Aden Hollowayl – 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.

1 28-9
23

Ohio St.
This rating relies 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. 1 17-15
24

Wisconsin
This rating relies 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. 1 27-10
25

Gonzaga
This rating relies 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. 1 26-9
26

N. Carolina
This rating relies on the Tar Heels returning two of the highest six scorers — particularly Seth Trimble 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, Alabama switch Jarin Stevenson, West Virginia switch Jonathan Powell, Colorado State switch Kyan Evans, five-star freshman Caleb Wilson and four-star freshmen Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon.

2 23-14