UPDATE: The 2025-26 preseason men’s college basketball AP Top 25 poll has just been released, and the Purdue Boilermakers are set to kick off the season at No. 1! With the season beginning on November 3, all eyes are on whether reigning champions Florida Gators and runners-up Houston Cougars can reclaim their spots in the NCAA title game in Indianapolis on April 6.
This year’s rankings include historic programs like Duke at No. 6, Kentucky at No. 9, and North Carolina at No. 25. Notably, BYU is generating buzz at No. 8 with top recruit AJ Dybantsa, projected as a top NBA draft pick, leading the Cougars towards an improved season following last year’s Sweet 16 run.
The landscape of college basketball is shifting dramatically with the transfer portal and a record 62 coaching changes altering team dynamics. The introduction of NIL agreements and revenue sharing will also significantly impact teams this season, making it one to watch closely when it begins on November 3.
Here’s a breakdown of the top teams and their upcoming games:
1. Purdue Boilermakers
– **2024-25 Record**: 24-12 (lost to 1-seed Houston in Sweet 16)
– **Season Opener**: November 4 vs. Evansville, TBD
– **Biggest Early-Season Game**: December 20 vs. Auburn in Indianapolis (Indy Classic), 6:30 p.m., Peacock
– **Projected Starting Lineup**: Braden Smith (15.8 PPG), C.J. Cox, Fletcher Loyer (13.8 PPG), Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 PPG), Oscar Cluff (17.6 PPG at South Dakota State)
2. Houston Cougars
– **2024-25 Record**: 35-5 (lost to 1-seed Florida in national title game)
– **Season Opener**: November 3 vs. Lehigh, TBD
– **Biggest Early-Season Game**: November 16 vs. Auburn in Birmingham (Battleground 2k25), 3 p.m., ESPN
– **Projected Starting Lineup**: Milos Uzan (11.4 PPG), Emanuel Sharp (12.7 PPG), Isiah Harwell, Joseph Tugler (5.5 PPG), Chris Cenac Jr.
3. Florida Gators
– **2024-25 Record**: 36-4 (won national championship)
– **Season Opener**: November 3 vs. Arizona in Las Vegas (Hall of Fame Series), 7 p.m., TNT
– **Biggest Early-Season Game**: December 2 at Duke (ACC/SEC Challenge), 7:30 p.m., ESPN
– **Projected Starting Lineup**: Boogie Fland (13.5 PPG at Arkansas), Xaivian Lee (16.9 PPG at Princeton)
4. UConn Huskies
– **2024-25 Record**: 24-11 (lost to 1-seed Florida in round of 32)
– **Season Opener**: November 3 vs. New Haven, 7 p.m., ESPN+
– **Biggest Early-Season Game**: December 9 vs. Florida in New York (Jimmy V Classic), 9 p.m., ESPN
– **Projected Starting Lineup**: Silas Demary Jr. (13.5 PPG at Georgia), Solo Ball (14.4 PPG)
5. St. John’s Red Storm
– **2024-25 Record**: 31-5 (lost to 10-seed Arkansas in round of 32)
– **Season Opener**: November 3 vs. Quinnipiac, 6:30 p.m., FS1
– **Biggest Early-Season Game**: December 20 vs. Kentucky in Atlanta (CBS Sports Classic), 12:30 p.m., CBS
– **Projected Starting Lineup**: Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Oziyah Sellers (13.7 PPG), Bryce Hopkins (15.5 PPG)
As the season draws near, fans are eagerly anticipating the matchups and potential upsets. The mix of established programs and emerging talent promises an exciting season ahead. Keep an eye on these teams as they vie for glory and navigate a rapidly changing college basketball environment.
For the full AP preseason poll and team details, stay tuned as we cover all developments leading up to the season opener!
