High 25 And 1: Duke’s Jon Scheyer builds one other NCAA title contender

1

Florida
This rating relies on the Gators returning six of the highest seven scorers — particularly Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, City Klavsar and Isaiah Brown — from a crew that completed 27-8 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kentucky switch Denzel Aberdeen and 7-foot middle Jones Lay.

— 27-8
2

Michigan
This rating relies on the Wolverines returning three of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney — from a crew that completed 37-3 and received the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr., Tennessee switch J.P. Estrella, and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.

— 37-3
3

Duke
This rating relies on the Blue Devils returning 4 of the highest six scorers — particularly Patrick Ngongba II, Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr — from a crew that completed 35-3 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Wisconsin switch John Blackwell, Belmont switch Drew Scharnowski and five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.

2 35-3
4

Illinois
This rating relies on the Illini returning six of the highest 9 scorers — particularly Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis and Brandon Lee — from a crew that completed 28-9 and superior to the 2026 Remaining 4. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Windfall switch Stefan Vaaks, four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo and three-star prospects Ethan Brown and Landon Davis.

1 28-9
5

UConn
This rating relies on the Huskies returning three of the highest seven scorers — particularly Braylon Mullins, Silas Demary and Jayden Ross — from a crew that completed 34-6 and superior to the championship sport of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Duke switch Nikolas Khamenia, Seton Corridor switch Najai Hines and four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County.

1 34-6
6

Michigan St.
This rating relies on the Spartans returning 5 of the highest eight scorers — particularly Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott and Cam Ward — from a crew that completed 27-8 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Charlotte switch Anton Bonke and four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Medlock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.

— 27-8
7

Arizona
This rating relies on the Wildcats returning two of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov — from a crew that completed 36-3 and superior to the 2026 Remaining 4. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by North Carolina switch Derek Dixon, Washington switch JJ Mandaquit, five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes.

1 36-3
8

Texas
This rating relies on the Longhorns returning one of many prime two scorers — particularly Matas Vokietaitis — from a crew that completed 21-15 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by TCU switch David Punch, Colorado switch Isaiah Johnson, Tennessee switch Amari Evans, Auburn switch Elyjah Freeman and four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling.

1 21-15
9

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

1 31-4
10

Arkansas
This rating relies on the Razorbacks returning two of the highest 4 scorers — particularly Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III — from a crew that completed 28-9 and superior to the Candy 16 of the NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews, Furman switch Cooper Bowser, Georgia switch Jeremiah Wilkinson and four-star prospect Abdou Toure.

3 28-9
11

Iowa St.
This rating relies on the Cyclones returning three of the highest six scorers — particularly Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman — from a crew that completed 29-8 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Robert Morris switch Ryan Prather Jr., Northwestern switch Tre Singleton, Bradley switch JaQuan Johnson, Kansas State switch Taj Manning, Northern Iowa switch Leon Bond III, four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins and three-star prospect Yusef Grey Jr.

— 29-8
12

Virginia
This rating relies 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 crew that completed 30-6 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will ultimately be joined by a recruiting class — however Virginia presently has zero prospects dedicated.

— 30-6
13

Houston
This rating relies on the Cougars returning three of the highest seven scorers — particularly Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty — from a crew that completed 30-7 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by LSU switch Dedan Thomas Jr., Kent State switch Delrecco Gillespie and four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie and

— 30-7
14

N. Carolina
This rating relies on the Tar Heels returning three of the highest 10 scorers — particularly Henri Veesaar, Jarin Stevenson and Jaydon Younger — from a crew that completed 24-9 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia Tech switch Neoklis Avdalas, NC State switch Matt Ready, Utah switch Terrence Brown, FAU switch Maxim Logue and four-star prospect Maximo Adams.

4 24-9
15

USC
This rating relies on the Trojans returning three of the highest 5 scorers — particularly Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie — from a crew that completed 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins, four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff, Georgetown switch KJ Lewis, UConn switch Eric Reibe and Colgate switch Jalen Cox.

1 18-14
16

St. John’s
This rating relies on the Pink Storm returning two of the highest eight scorers — particularly Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey — from a crew that completed 30-7 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Syracuse switch Donnie Freeman and worldwide prospects Quinn Ellis, Djordije Jovanovic and Lazar Stojkovic.

1 30-7
17

Louisville
This rating relies on the Cardinals returning the fifth-leading scorer — particularly Adrian Wooley — from a crew that completed 24-11 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kansas switch Flory Bidunga, Oregon switch Jackson Shelstad, Arkansas switch Karter Knox, Iowa switch Alvaro Folgueiras and former G League participant London Johnson.

3 24-11
18

Alabama
This rating relies on the Crimson Tide returning three of the highest 10 scorers — particularly Aden Holloway, London Jemison and Keitenn Bristow — from a crew that completed 25-10 and superior to the Candy 16 of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Boise State switch Drew Fielder, Kentucky switch Brandon Garrison, NC State switch Cole Cloer, Mississippi State switch Jamarion Davis-Fleming and four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie.

4 25-10
19

Tennessee
This rating relies on the Vols returning two of the highest 10 scorers — particularly Dewayne Brown II and Ethan Burg — from a crew that completed 25-12 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Notre Dame switch Jalen Haralson, Cal switch Dai Dai Ames, Belmont switch Tyler Lundblade, VCU switch Terrence Hill Jr., Loyola Chicago switch Miles Rubin, four-star prospects Christopher Washington Jr., Ralph Scott and Manny Inexperienced, and three-star prospect Marquis Clark.

2 25-12
20

Purdue
This rating relies 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 crew that completed 30-9 and superior to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Participant of the Yr Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan.

1 30-9
21

Indiana
This rating relies on the Hoosiers returning one of many prime eight scorers — particularly Trent Sisley — from a crew that completed 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Notre Dame switch Markus Burton, Villanova switch Bryce Lindsay, Alabama switch Aiden Sherrell, SMU switch Samet Yigitoglu, Duke switch Darren Harris, Georgia Tech switch Jaeden Mustaf and four-star prospects Vaugn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody and Trevor Manhertz.

— 18-14
22

Miami
This rating relies on the Hurricanes returning three of the highest seven scorers — particularly Shelton Henderson, Dante Allen and Marcus Allen — from a crew that completed 26-9 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Villanova switch Acaden Lewis, Robert Morris switch DeSean Goode, Georgia switch Somto Cyril and four-star prospect Caleb Gaskins.

— 26-9
23

BYU
This rating relies on the Cougars returning two of the highest eight scorers — particularly Robert Wright III and Khadim Mboup — from a crew that completed 23-12 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Bruce Department III, four-star prospect Dean Rueckert, Kentucky switch Collin Chandler, Clemson switch Jake Wahlin, Syracuse switch Tyler Betsey and UC Riverside switch Nate Pickens, the final of whom dedicated to BYU final Could however missed the season with an ankle harm.

— 23-12
24

Vanderbilt
This rating relies on the Commodores returning two of the highest 9 scorers — particularly Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing and Mike James — from a crew that completed 27-9 and superior to the second spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Nebraska switch Berke Buyuktuncel, Washington State switch Ace Glass, Auburn switch Sebastian Williams-Adams, Colorado switch Bangot Dak, Missouri switch T.O. Barrett and four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield.

2 27-9
25

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

1 28-7
26

Ohio St.
This rating relies on the Buckeyes returning two of the highest 5 scorers — particularly John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum — from a crew that completed 21-13 and superior to the primary spherical of the 2026 NCAA Event. That core will likely be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Duquesne switch Jimmie Williams, Kentucky switch Andrija Jelavic, Cal switch Justin Pippen, five-star prospect Anthony Thompson and four-star prospect Alex Smith.

1 21-13