Men’s college basketball Top 25 reset: How transfers, draft decisions change 2026’s contenders - The Athletic

With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline passed and rosters largely set for the 2025-26 men's college basketball season, a refreshed top 25 ranking is presented, considered stable barring late international signings. The author avoided other human rankings but found significant alignment (22 of 25 teams) with Bart Torvik's computerized rankings for the upcoming season.

Purdue (Projected Starters: Braden Smith, Omer Mayer (Fr), Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff (Tr)): Omer Mayer, hailed as a steal among international signings and impressive at the Nike Hoops Summit, is seen as capable of starting at point guard anywhere but will coexist with returning star Braden Smith, allowing Smith rest. Transfer Oscar Cluff and returner Daniel Jacobsen are expected to address Purdue's previous shortcomings in two-point defense and rebounding. If the defense reaches top-20 levels alongside the already championship-caliber offense, Purdue can justify preseason expectations.

Houston (Projected Starters: Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp, Isiah Harwell (Fr), Chris Cenac Jr. (Fr), Joseph Tugler): Despite Kelvin Sampson rarely starting freshmen, Houston boasts arguably his best-ever freshman class (ranked #2 nationally). Confidence stems from three veteran starters: defensive player of the year candidate Joseph Tugler, elite shooter Emanuel Sharp, and point guard Milos Uzan, who solidified the team by withdrawing from the draft. While LJ Cryer's shotmaking will be missed, Houston has consistently replaced departing guards. Uzan's return avoids relying on a freshman point guard or playing Pop Isaacs out of position. If the freshmen adjust quickly, the team's defensive potential is significant.

UConn (Projected Starters: Silas Demary Jr. (Tr), Solo Ball, Jaylin Stewart, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed): Drawing parallels to the 2022-23 championship team (which returned two starters/top seven scorers and added a transfer PG), the current Huskies return two starters/four top seven scorers from a 24-win second-round team and added 6-5 transfer point guard Silas Demary Jr. Roles are mapped: Solo Ball could emerge like Jordan Hawkins, Tarris Reed can carry the offense like Adama Sanogo, Eric Reibe is the freshman backup center akin to Donovan Clingan (though less defensively impactful), and Alex Karaban returns. Demary Jr. fits the Tristen Newton role. While Jaylin Stewart may not match Andre Jackson and Reibe differs from Clingan, the core is seen as comparable. After a rebuilding year, this matured group is positioned to contend.