Manner-too-early school basketball rankings for 2026-27: TCU, Texas take a tumble

1

Michigan
This rating is predicated on the Wolverines returning 4 of the highest six scorers — particularly Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and LJ Cason — from a staff that completed 37-3 and received the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr. and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.

— 37-3
2

Florida
This rating is predicated on the Gators returning 5 of the highest seven scorers — particularly Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, City Klavsar and Isaiah Brown — from a staff that completed 27-8 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 7-foot middle Jones Lay.

— 27-8
3

Illinois
This rating is predicated on the Illini returning seven of the highest 10 scorers — particularly Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis, Brandon Lee and Mihailo Petrovic — from a staff that completed 28-9 and superior to the 2026 Remaining 4. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo.

— 28-9
4

Michigan St.
This rating is predicated on the Spartans returning six of the highest eight scorers — particularly Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Divine Ugochukwu and Cam Ward — from a staff that completed 27-8 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Mdelock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.

— 27-8
5

Duke
This rating is predicated on the Blue Devils returning three of the highest six scorers — particularly Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr — from a staff that completed 35-3 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.

— 35-3
6

UConn
This rating is predicated on the Huskies returning 5 of the highest eight scorers — particularly Solo Ball, Silas Demary, Eric Reibe, Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart — from a staff that completed 34-6 and superior to the championship recreation of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County.

— 34-6
7

Arkansas
This rating is predicated on the Razorbacks returning three of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III and Malique Ewin — from a staff that completed 28-9 and superior to the Candy 16 of the NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews, and four-star prospect Abdou Toure.

— 28-9
8

Iowa St.
This rating is predicated on the Cyclones returning 4 of the highest six scorers — particularly Milan Momcilovic, Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman — from a staff that completed 29-8 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins.

— 29-8
9

Gonzaga
This rating is predicated on the Zags returning three of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Braden Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery — from a staff that completed 31-4 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Jack Kayil.

— 31-4
10

Arizona
This rating is predicated on the Wildcats returning two of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov from a staff that completed 36-3 and superior to the 2026 Remaining 4. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes.

— 36-3
11

Virginia
This rating is predicated on the Cavaliers returning 5 of the highest 10 scorers — particularly Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Probability Mallory, Johann Gunloh and Elijah Gertrude — from a staff that completed 30-6 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will finally be joined by a recruiting class — however Virginia presently has zero prospects dedicated.

— 30-6
12

Purdue
This rating is predicated on the Boilermakers returning 5 of the highest 9 scorers — particularly C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and Jack Benter — from a staff that completed 30-9 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Participant of the 12 months Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan.

1 30-9
13

Texas
This rating is predicated on the Longhorns returning 4 of the highest seven scorers — particularly Dailyn Swain, Matas Vokietaitis, Camden Heide and Simeon Wilcher — from a staff that completed 21-15 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling.

1 21-15
14

Houston
This rating is predicated on the Cougars returning three of the highest seven scorers — particularly Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty — from a staff that completed 30-7 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie. — 30-7
15

St. John’s
This rating is predicated on the Pink Storm returning 5 of the highest 9 scorers — particularly Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Dylan Darling, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos — from a staff that completed 30-7 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will finally be joined by a recruiting class — however St. John’s presently has zero prospects dedicated.

— 30-7
16

Texas Tech
This rating is predicated on the Pink Raiders returning three of the highest seven scorers — particularly JT Toppin, Josiah Moseley and Luke Bamgboye — from a staff that completed 23-11 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Dakari Spear. — 23-11
17

USC
This rating is predicated on the Trojans returning three of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie — from a staff that completed 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff.

— 18-14
18

N. Carolina
This rating is predicated on the Tar Heels returning three of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Henri Veesaar, Luka Bogavac and Jarin Stevenson — from a staff that completed 24-9 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Dylan Mingo and four-star prospect Maximo Adams.

— 24-9
19

Vanderbilt
This rating is predicated on the Commodores returning three of the highest 10 scorers — particularly Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing and Mike James — from a staff that completed 27-9 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield.

1 27-9
20

Iowa
This rating is predicated on the Hawkeyes returning six of the highest eight scorers — particularly Alvaro Folgueiras, Cooper Koch, Cam Manyawu, Kael Combs, Tate Sage and Isaia Howard — from a staff that completed 24-13 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Ethan Harris and three-star prospect Jaidyn Coon.

1 24-13
21

Nebraska
This rating is predicated on the Cornhuskers returning 5 of the highest 9 scorers — particularly Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Connor Essegian and Cale Jacobsen — from a staff that completed 28-7 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.

1 28-7
22

Kansas
This rating is predicated on the Jayhawks returning one of many high seven scorers — particularly Kohl Rosario — from a staff that completed 24-11 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Taylen Kinney and four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett.

1 24-11
23

Alabama
This rating is predicated on the Crimson Tide returning two of the highest 9 scorers from a staff that completed 25-10 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie.

1 25-10
24

TCU
This rating is predicated on the Horned Frogs returning 5 of the highest seven scorers — particularly Xavier Edmonds, Micah Robinson, Liutauras Lelevicius, Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson — from a staff that completed 23-12 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by JUCO prospect Trent Lincoln.

5 23-12
25

Saint Louis
This rating is predicated on the Billikens returning 5 of the highest seven scorers — particularly Trey Inexperienced, Amari McCottry, Kellen Thames, Ishan Sharma and Quentin Jones — from a staff that completed 29-6 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Jermel Thomas.

— 29-6
26

Missouri
This rating is predicated on the Tigers returning two of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Trent Pierce and T.O. Barrett — from a staff that completed 20-13 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core can be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Jason Crowe Jr. and four-star prospects Toni Bryant and Aidan Chronister.

— 20-13