The 2025-26 college basketball season tips off with more balance and star power than we’ve seen in years. A new wave of freshmen and transfer stars has reshaped the national landscape, and several powerhouse programs look ready to make deep tournament runs. Here’s an early look at the top championship contenders, under-the-radar sleepers, and a few teams that might be getting a little too much preseason love.
Championship Contenders
Arkansas
John Calipari absolutely nailed it this year on the recruiting trail, bringing in two of the best freshmen in the country in Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, while also adding one of the biggest impact transfers in former Florida State big man Malique Ewin. Thomas and Acuff Jr. will form what might be the best backcourt in college basketball, joined by a deep supporting cast more than capable of cutting down the nets in Indianapolis.
Arkansas already looks like a team in postseason form, and I expect them to start fast and stay hot heading into their December 20 matchup against Houston still unbeaten. That would mean big wins at Michigan State and victories over Duke, Louisville, and Texas Tech.
If the Razorbacks stay healthy and Calipari manages the rotation well, this group has a real chance to deliver a second national championship for both program and coach. It is one of the biggest and most athletic rosters in the country, and the freshmen guards bring an energy and leadership edge that last year’s team lacked.
Florida
Everyone is talking about how good Florida’s frontcourt is, and rightly so, but the rest of the team looks just as motivated to chase another title. Thomas Haugh looks like one of the best players in the country, and in a short look at practice the Gators already appeared sharper and more organized than expected.
An exhibition win over a strong Illinois team was impressive, and despite the opening night loss to Arizona, I still expect this team to be in the Top 10 all season. They will bounce back quickly and I predict wins over Duke and UConn in the coming weeks. This Gator team is strong and will battle Arkansas all year for SEC supremacy.
Gonzaga
Gonzaga is coming off a couple of down years by its own standards, but this could be the season Mark Few takes the Bulldogs back to the Final Four. Tyon Grant-Foster is cleared to play and gives them elite athleticism that they have not had in a while. The veteran frontcourt of Braden Huff and Graham Ike should dominate inside, surrounded by a deep and versatile group of guards who can shoot, slash, and defend.
This team has national title potential, and the offense already looks in sync before the season officially begins.
Houston
Houston looks about the same as always: physical, disciplined, and relentless defensively. They did lose key players from last year’s runner-up team, including LJ Cryer and J’Wan Roberts, but reloaded with freshmen Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac Jr. Flemings brings a nonstop motor, and Cenac adds a more skilled big than Houston typically features.
Depth is the one concern, and the Cougars will need contributions from the younger players to make another deep run in March.
UConn
Danny Hurley’s group will be right back in the national conversation after giving someone else a turn last year. The Huskies are loaded with experience and leadership. Georgia transfer Silas Demery Jr. and freshman Eric Reibe strengthen a roster already built to win. Solo Ball and Alex Karaban return with eyes on another championship, and Karaban has a chance to close out his career with three national titles.
Illinois
Brad Underwood has quietly built a recruiting pipeline to Serbia and Croatia. Freshman David Mirkovic might be one of the best newcomers in the nation, while transfer Andrej Stojakovic, son of NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic, brings elite offensive skill to Champaign. They join centers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic, giving Illinois one of the tallest and most unique frontcourts in the country.
Kylan Boswell and Ben Humrichous return in the backcourt to provide balance and leadership. This team has the talent and experience to finally break through to the Final Four.
Under the Radar Sleepers
WASHINGTON
Washington features one of the most polished freshman big men in recent memory in Hannes Steinbach, a high-IQ center who consistently makes the right play and elevates everyone around him. Fellow freshman JJ Mandaquit adds leadership and poise at the point, giving the Huskies a strong foundation for efficient offense.
The newcomers are joined by USC transfers Desmond Claude and Wesley Yates III, Indiana’s Bryson Tucker, and Lipscomb’s Jacob Ognacevic. Coach Danny Sprinkle has succeeded everywhere he has been, and it feels like he is ready to turn things around in a big way in Seattle.
Creighton
Greg McDermott has kept Creighton consistently competitive since 2010, and this year’s team may be underrated at No. 23 in the preseason polls. The Bluejays lost their top three players, including Ryan Kalkbrenner to the NBA, but Jasen Green and transfer Austin Swartz look ready to step up.
Creighton moves the ball as well as anyone in the country and has shooters everywhere. The offense already looks smooth and cohesive, which should give them an early-season edge.
Most Overrated
Purdue
It is hard to understand why Purdue opens the year as preseason No. 1. The Boilermakers return plenty of experience, but they do not have the athleticism or versatility of other elite teams. They are tough to beat at home but not dynamic enough to justify that top spot. They are a good team, but in my opinion not even one of the ten best in the nation as we tip off the season.
St. John’s
St. John’s lost a lot from last year’s two-seed team that nearly made the Elite Eight. They are counting on several new faces, and early on they look disjointed. It may take time for Rick Pitino to mold this group into a cohesive unit capable of competing with the nation’s best.
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