The 2026-27 college basketball season is upon us! Michigan comes in as the defending champions, but there has been plenty of upheaval with them. After winning their first title since 1989, Dusty May left for the Dallas Mavericks. Now, Michigan comes in as a Top 25 team, but not the favorite this year. Meanwhile, teams such as Duke come in with amazing freshman classes, while Florida brings back a ton of experience.
There are also the usual host of subjects expecting to contend again this year. Dan Hurley is looking to bring UConn back to a title, while Coen Carr leads Tom Izzo's Michigan State squad. Kelvin Sampson expects another dominant year from his Houston team as well. There are also the smaller teams that can surprise. Creighton has slowly built back to contending in the Big East, but still has to deal with Marquette and St. John's. Meanwhile, Grand Canyon is in its second season in the Mountain West and looks to make a run this season.
The 2026-27 season will open on Sunday, November 1, as Notre Dame and Villanova face off in Rome. Then, a college basketball fan's dream kicks off just at midnight Eastern time. It starts with Liberty facing High Point before a 24-hour frenzy of opening games. Everyone from Mercer to Duke, Maine to Illinois, will take to the court. With the season starting, it is time to look at the first power rankings of the season.
1. Duke
No one has the depth that Duke has. They have an elite starting five, with a mix of experience and youth. John Blackwell comes in from Wisconsin, where he averaged 19.1 points per game and added another 5.1 rebounds per game. They also have Caleb Foster, another senior, who is expected to fight with Cayden Boozer for a starting guard spot. There is youth as well. Cameron Williams, the seven-foot-tall forward, has high expectations after choosing Duke over teams such as Arizona, Texas, and SMU. Meanwhile, Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje is expected to come off the bench. The 7-foot-2 big man who has played for FC Barcelona brings quality experience and size to the lineup. The backcourt is amazing, as is the frontcourt. Further, the depth is unlike anything else in college basketball, giving them the top rank to start the year. Duke opens their season on Monday hosting Army, before contests with Coastal Carolina and Michigan State.
2. Florida
Florida won the national championship in 2025 and still has some of those players on the roster. After a disappointing exit in the second round last season, expectations are high for Florida in 2026-27. The Gators are returning nearly 80 percent of their production from last year. Only Xaivian Lee and Micah Handlogten are gone. Meanwhile, Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, and Rueben Chinyelu all return. Further, they bring in Denzel Aberdeen from Kentucky. Aberdeen was part of that championship team, but transferred to Kentucky last year, and is now back. The biggest concern is three-point shooting. While they won the SEC last year, the three-point shooting was horrible. The return of Aberdeen, who hit 62 3-pointers last year, should help that. Florida kicks off their campaign with a tough test, facing off with Miami on Monday before games with Jacksonville and Florida State.
3. Illinois
Illinois made a run to the Final Four last year and brings back a loaded roster. They lost leading scorer Keton Wagler, as well as Kylan Boswell, but still have a ton coming back. David Mirkovic and Andrej Stojakovic were both pre-season All-Big Ten Selections, but Mirkovic will miss the start of the regular season due to offseason foot surgery. Meanwhile, they bring in Stefan Vaaks from Providence, who averaged 15.8 points per game. Illinois also has highly touted freshman Quentin Coleman, who has already been named to the Jerry West Award watch list. This team is set to make a run in the Big Ten and potentially further. They open their season on Monday, with games against Penn and Texas Tech on the schedule.
4. Arizona
Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, and Jaden Bradley are all in the NBA now, which left some holes in the Arizona roster. Still, Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov are back. Krivas averages 8.2 rebounds per game with 10.4 points per game. Meanwhile, Kharchenkov also has 10.4 points per game with 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Derek Dixon and RJ Godfrey come in through the transfer portal and should add some solid scoring. Meanwhile, Caleb Holt is projected as a top prospect in the next NBA Draft, and the 5-star freshman is looking to make a splash in his first campaign with Arizona. The Wildcats open the season on Monday night against UCLA, before games against Cal Poly and Northern Illinois.
5. Michigan State
Michigan State did not look their best in the exhibition season, but expect Tom Izzo to have this team ready to go. It is one of the deepest teams in the nation, with 12 players who could see legitimate time on the court. They also have the star power to back up a high ranking. Jeremy Fears is back and has been named the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. Fears averaged 15.2 points per game with 9.4 assists last year. They also have Jasiah Jervis, a highly touted freshman who could compete for a starting job. If Michigan State wants to make a run to the Final Four, which is being played in Detroit, Jervis is going to need to step up. They open up their season on Monday against Quinnipiac before games with Toledo and Duke.
6. UConn
Dan Hurley just got a nice contract extension and is looking to make another run this year, but has to replace some key parts. They are a younger team with Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. both moving on. Overall, they bring back five players, but one is Solo Ball, who is projected to miss the season after having surgery on his left wrist. Braylon Mullins is back, and he is the leading returning scorer, averaging 12 points per game last year. Silas Demary Jr. will also see his role increase after a good season last year. Meanwhile, Na'jai Hinest is expected to be the anchor in the front court, coming in from Seton Hall. Further, Nils Machowski should make some noise. He was a sharp-shooter from three at Wofford and will look to bring that skill to UConn. The Huskies open the season on Monday night against Gardner-Webb before dates with Michigan and Wagner.
7. Texas
Texas made a run to the Sweet 16 last year, and expectations are high for this campaign, but will it all come together for the Longhorns? They bring back Matas Vokietaitis, who averaged 15.6 points with 71 rebounds. They also bring in a ton of transfers. Isaiah Johnson comes in from Colorado, while David Punch comes in from TCU. They also added Mikey Lewis, Amari Evans, and Elyjah Freeman. Still, many of them are taking a step up in competition, going to the SEC. The freshman group is also solid, led by Bo Ogden and Austin Goosby. If they can make an impact, Texas can go far. They open the season against Chicago State before games with Gardner-Webb and Grambling.
8. Arkansas
John Calipari has brought the number one recruiting class in the nation to Arkansas. Jordan Smith Jr. and Abdou Toure both come into the program as five-stars. Smith was the third-ranked player in the nation, while Toure was 14th. Arkansas brought in four players ranked inside the top 20 overall, and also the top five at their position. Billy Richmond III returns after a solid sophomore campaign, and his minutes should increase this year. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Wilkinson comes in via the transfer portal. Calipari has always been good at getting the most out of a young roster and will need to do the same here. They open the season on Tuesday night against Arkansas Pine-Bluff before games against Virginia and Robert Morris.
9. Houston
Houston is coming off a down year by their standards. They went 30-7, most losses Kelvin Sampson and Houston have racked up since 2020. They also finished second in the Big 12, after winning the conference in back-to-back seasons. Still, it was a run to the Sweet 16, their seventh straight run that far. If Houston is going to make another run, Joseph Tugler will need to take another step forward. Houston did not have the interior presence they have had in years past, but Tugler showed signs of growth. Meanwhile, Dedan Thomas Jr. and Delreccor Gillespie are projected to play major roles this year, coming in as transfers. The Cougars open the season Monday night agaisnt La Salle, before dates with Cal and Jacksonville State.
10. Kansas
Kansas opens the season ranked fairly low in the polls. They are 17th in the AP poll and 18th in the Coaches poll. Still, this team has national championship aspirations, and should have them. Tre White returns for his fifth year after shooting nearly 40 percent from three last year. Melvin Council Jr. also is back after a court ruling gave him eligibility. Still, the player to watch is Tyran Stokes Jr. He could be the national Freshman of the Year and the number one pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. The forward is a great scorer and facilitator. The faster he can make an impact, the better. Kansas opens up their campaign against Fordham on Monday, before dates with Middle Tennessee and Kentucky.
11. Tennessee
Tennessee is not likely to stay at this spot long. Rick Barnes has led the Volunteers to the Elite Eight three straight seasons, but returns just two players from last season. DeWayne Brown is back after a solid freshman season. He made just a handful of starts last year, and looks to take a step forward this year. Still, the Vols bring in a ton of solid players. Jalen Haralson comes in after a solid freshman campaign from Notre Dame. Juke Harris was a beast for Wake Forest last year, coming away with 21.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Terrence Hill Jr. joins the squad from VCU after being the A-10 Tournament MVP. If this group can gel quickly, the team will be solid. If not, they could free fall in the rankings early. Their first test comes on Tuesday against Wofford, before games with Radford and Tennessee State.
12. St. John's
Rick Pitino has resurrected St. John's. They had not won the Big East since the early 1990s under Lou Carnesecca, but have won it two years in a row. Now, they look for the three-peat. Quinn Ellis is the story for this team. The incoming point guard has spent recent years playing in Europe, primarily in Italy, at a professional level. Still, he was cleared to play by the NCAA. Meanwhile, Ian Jackson will be the primary scorer, returning for his junior season. Keyshawn Hall comes in from Auburn, and he will control the boards and be a solid secondary scoring threat. The Red Storm will contend in the conference once again, and open their season against Monmouth before fixtures against Iona and Colgate.
13. Alabama
Alabama got dominated in the paint last year in their Sweet 16 exit. Nate Oats is trying to make sure that does not happen again. Drew Fielder arrives from Boise State and will give the Tide a presence down low. Brandon Harrison, once a starter at Oklahoma State, comes in from Kentucky, expecting to see an expanded role with the Tide. In their exhibition with Auburn, Alabama showed off some of their new physicality. Still, this will be a team based on a high-scoring, fast-paced offense. They bring back Aden Holloway and Amari Allen, who should play a major role in that offensive attack. If everything clicks in the paint, Alabama will be a very dangerous team. They open their season on Tuesday agaisnt Sam Houston before dates with Arkansas State and Oakland.
14. Louisville
Louisville is coming in with an almost entirely new roster. Adrian Wolley is the sole returner from the rotation last year, but this team should still be solid. Jackson Shelstad, Karter Knox, and Seth Trimble all come in as transfer guards. Then there is Alvaro Folgueiras, who was the Horizon League Player of the Year as a Sophomore for Robert Morris and was solid last year for Iowa. He not only can play in the post, but also stretches out well to the three-point range. Former McDonald's All-American Flory Bidunga also joins the roster, coming in from Kansas. The big question is how they shift their style of play. This is a more defensive unit with size and athleticism against the heavy offensive focus of years past. Louisville opens their season Monday night against Chattanooga before dates with Morehead State and Memphis.
15. Michigan
The defending national champions check in at 15. Mike Boynton slides over a spot on the bench, taking over for Dusty May. Michigan's ranking in the AP Poll is currently low, sitting 16th, but the team can turn that around quickly. Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney are back, but the team still needs to replace Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, and Yaxel Lendeborg. Still, Roddy Gayle Jr. could be the difference in how well this team does. He was once a starter, but moved to a bench role last year, where he thrived. He is expected to be back in the starting lineup, and if he can continue that success with more minutes, Michigan will be in a good spot. Michigan opens up on Monday night against Oakland before games with UConn and Marquette.
16. Texas Tech
The experience this group brings back is one ofthe best in the nation. They are expected to have JT Toppin at some point this year, as he works back from a torn ACL. Still, Donovan Atwell, Darrion Williams and Jamichael Stillwell are all part of the 2022 class that will have a fifth year of eligibility. The expected starting five has some of the most firepower in the nation, which will make Texas Tech a great team this year. The biggest worry is if somehow the trio of class of 2022 players lose their eligibility, or if Toppin does not return as expected. Until that happens, watch out for Texas Tech. They open up their season on Monday agaisnt Jackson State before clashes with Bethune-Cookman and Illinois.
17. Virginia
No one has more returning production in the ACC than Virginia. They return eight players from last year, with over half of their points and minutes. Thijs De Ridder was named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, while Sam Lewis is moving into a wing role this year. The Cavaliers also have Johann Grunloh, a massive rim defender and an anchor in the paint. Chance Mallory was a beast as a sixth man last year, and will be moving into the starting lineup. If he meets expectations, UVA could be a Top Ten team. They open the season against Drexel on Tuesday before facing Northeastern and Arkansas.
18. Miami
Malik Reneau is a star. Last year he averaged 18.9 points per game while snagging 6.5 rebounds. He is back this year for the Hurricanes and could be one of the best interior scoring threats in the nation. The Miami front court should be great this year, with Shelton Henderson and Somto Cyril. Caleb Gaskins looked good coming off the bench in camp and the exhibitions and could be a major part of this. The player to watch is Acaden Lewis, though. If he can help the Hurricanes develop an outside scoring threat, the sky is the limit for this team. Miami does not start out with an easy schedule. They will face off with Florida on Monday night before games agaisnt Wagner and North Florida.
19. UCLA
UCLA is having a stellar year in football and could be set up for the same on the court. The team lost Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent, while Eric Freeny is currently on a medical leave of absence. Still, they have some stars. Trent Perry is a preseason All-Big Ten player, while Eric Dailey Jr. is a massive scoring threat. The major wildcard will be Nikola Kusturica. He is only 17, but the 6-foot-9 player is physical and great on defense. If he can handle the physicality of the college basketball game, and specifically the Big Ten, he could change the offense as well. UCLA opens up the year on Monday night against Arizona before games with North Florida and Arkansas Pine-Bluff.
Article Continues Below20. Iowa State
Iowa State is another team with a completely revamped lineup. Milan Momcilovic is at Kentucky while Joshua Jefferson is off to the NBA. Further, Killyan Toure is sidelined with a shoulder injury. He will be back for the stretch run of the season, which will be massive for the team. Meanwhile, Tamin Lipsey is back after a season averaging 12.5 points and 5.1 assists per game. Blake Buchanan will anchor the front court and will see an expanded role this year. The Cyclones open the regular season agaisnt Memphis on Monday before dates with Southern Miss and Southern.
21. USC
USC is looking for a bounceback year and will be led by Rodney Rice. The senior is a former star, but is working back from injury. He played just six games last year, but averaged 20.3 points per game when on the court. Meanwhile, Alijah Arenas is a massive perimeter threat and primed for a breakout. They also bring in KJ Lewis and Eric Reibe through the transfer portal. Adonis and Darius Ratliff are two highly touted freshmen who could be a huge difference in the front court as well. USC opens up the season Monday night against Milwaukee, and also has upcoming games agaisnt Wichita State and Cal.
22. Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt expected Tyler Tanner to head to the NBA Draft, but he withdrew and is back at Vandy. Tanner is the scoring leader of this team after scoring 19.5 points per game last year. Meanwhile, Jackson Sheffield has looked great so far in his freshman year. They bring in plenty of transfers and have a much more physical roster. Bagot Dak comes in from Colorado while Berke Buyuktucel comes in from Nebraska. Both are massive physical presences which could change the shape of the Vandy roster. The Commodores open the season on Monday against Bellarmine, with games agaisnt Wake Forest and Memphis next on the slate.
23. Gonzaga
Welcome to the PAC-12, Gonzaga. Under Mark Few, Gonzaga has dominated the WCC. Since he took over in 1999-00, they have never finished worse than second in the conference, made the tournament every year, and won both the regular season and conference tournament titles in the same year 19 times. Now they will look to repeat that success in a new conference. Gonzaga is the pick to win the league and bring back Braden Huff, who is an All-American candidate this year. Gonzaga opens their season against Purdue on Monday, with New Mexico State and LSU on the horizon.
24. Kentucky
Mark Pope is entering year three as the Kentucky head coach and brought in a haul in the transfer portal. Milan Momcilovic is the main man to watch. He was a stud for Iowa State and is one ofthe best shooters in the nation. The team also added Zoom Diallo, Franck Kepnand, Alex Wilkins, and Jerone Morton. Freshman Mason Williams also turned heads in the preseason, while sophomore Malachi Moreno will anchor the front court. He is a strong two-way player who will make an immediate impact. The Wildcats open the season Tuesday against Manhattan, and will play James Madison and Kansas early on.
25. Saint Louis
If Robbie Avila is able to play, this is a completely different team. Like many players, he is looking for another year of eligibility, and it is currently up in the air if he will get it. Avila will miss the opener, but could get that extra season. He was the Atlantic 10 player of the Year last year, shooting 41 percent from three while also snagging 4.5 rebounds and adding 4.1 assists per game. Saint Louis won 29 games last year, and six of the top seven players are back on the team. They also added a top-20 freshman in Jamel Thomas and brought in some solid transfers. They open up the season on Monday against Lehigh before a date with Missouri.
Just Missed Out: BYU, Missouri, Ohio State, North Carolina, VCU