ESPN preseason Top 25
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...5-rankings
1 Florida
2 Duke
3 Illinois
4,Arizona
5 UConn
6 Michigan State
7 Texas
8 Tennessee
9 Texas Tech
10 St John’s
11 Miami
12 Arkansas
13 Virginia
14 Gonzaga
15 Louisville
16 Missouri
17 USC
18 Houston
19 Kansas
20 BYU
21 Alabama
22 Michigan
23 Vanderbilt
24 UCLA
25 Kentucky
Next five
Iowa State Cyclones
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Purdue Boilermakers
Villanova Wildcats
North Carolina Tar Heels
2. Duke Blue Devils
Previous ranking: 2
Ranking without fifth-years: 2
Jon Scheyer and Duke have won 70 games in the past two seasons -- the most in the country and a program record. Both seasons have also ended in heartbreaking fashion, with the Blue Devils falling victim to late-game comebacks from Houston and UConn, respectively. How will they bounce back this season? By putting together arguably the deepest team of Scheyer's career. There's no Cooper Flagg or Cam Boozer, but Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell is a star on the offensive end. Four key players are also back: Patrick Ngongba II, Dame Sarr, Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer -- with the latter two fighting for the point guard spot. That's on top of the nation's No. 2 recruiting class, headlined by Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, the potential No. 1 NBA draft pick in 2028. If Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski is healthy, he could see early starts at the power forward position, too. Like we said, it's a deep team.
Projected starting lineup
Caleb Foster (8.5 PPG)
John Blackwell (19.1 PPG at Wisconsin)
Dame Sarr (6.4 PPG)
Drew Scharnowski (10.7 PPG at Belmont)
Patrick Ngongba II (10.5 PPG)
11. Miami Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 18
Ranking without fifth-years: 14
Jai Lucas was one of the surprise first-year head coaches last season, guiding Miami to a 19-win improvement with 24 regular-season wins, matching a program record. If all-league big man Malik Reneau is eligible, the Hurricanes should take the next step and push Duke in the ACC race. Even without Reneau, though, this is a top-20 team. Transfers Acaden Lewis and Somto Cyril will immediately upgrade the defense, while Shelton Henderson is due for a national breakout. Five-star recruit Caleb Gaskins and Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode are viable options if Reneau isn't able to play.
Projected starting lineup
Acaden Lewis (12.2 PPG at Villanova)
Dante Allen (6.6 PPG)
Shelton Henderson (13.8 PPG)
Malik Reneau (18.9 PPG)*
Somto Cyril (9.3 PPG at Georgia)
13. Virginia Cavaliers
Previous ranking: 12
Ranking without fifth-years: 10
Virginia's ranking hasn't fluctuated much since the beginning of the offseason, given that the Cavaliers brought back four of their top six scorers who helped win 30 games and earn a 3-seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament. Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis and Johann Grunloh will once again start, while Chance Mallory is poised to be one of the elite point guards in the country. Ryan Odom then went out and added several options for the fifth starting spot: transfers Jurian Dixon (UC Irvine) and Christian Harmon (Arkansas State), as well as international recruit Nolan Adekunle.
Projected starting lineup
Chance Mallory (9.3 PPG)
Jurian Dixon (15.7 PPG at UC Irvine)
Sam Lewis (10.6 PPG)
Thijs De Ridder (15.6 PPG)
Johann Grunloh (7.1 PPG)
15. Louisville Cardinals
Previous ranking: 15
Ranking without fifth-years: 12
Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals made a big splash early in the portal cycle, landing Jackson Shelstad and Flory Bidunga the opening week of the window and setting the tone for what would be a high-priced signing spree. Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa), Karter Knox (Arkansas), De'Shayne Montgomery (Dayton), Gabe Dynes (USC) and reclassified five-star big man Obinna Ekezie would follow. North Carolina transfer Seth Trimble is hoping for a fifth year of eligibility and would raise the floor for Louisville's backcourt. Adrian Wooley, a part-time starter last season, would likely push for a spot if Trimble can't play.
Projected starting lineup
Jackson Shelstad (15.6 PPG at Oregon)
Seth Trimble (14.0 PPG at North Carolina)*
Karter Knox (8.1 PPG at Arkansas)
Alvaro Folgueiras (8.4 PPG at Iowa)
Flory Bidunga (13.3 PPG at Kansas)
