The college basketball season is almost upon us, and once again, the landscape of the sport has undergone a dramatic transformation. Between the transfer portal, NIL opportunities, NBA Draft decisions, and another outstanding freshman class, the road to the 2027 Final Four promises plenty of surprises.
The defending national champion Michigan Wolverines enter the season with a much different roster and a new head coach, while programs such as Florida, Duke, Illinois, Arizona, and UConn appear ready to make serious championship runs.
Florida may have the most complete team in the nation. Duke continues to reload under Jon Scheyer, Illinois returns an impressive collection of talent, and Michigan State has one of the nation's best floor generals in Jeremy Fears Jr.
Meanwhile, Kansas welcomes one of the most anticipated freshmen in the country, Tyran Stokes, and Louisville has assembled a roster capable of making noise in the ACC.
With opening night scheduled for November 2, Sportsvival takes its first look at the best teams in the country and the players who could dominate the national headlines.
These are Sportsvival's independent preseason rankings and All-America selections, not the official Associated Press poll. Some roster projections remain subject to NCAA eligibility rulings.
SPORTSVIVAL PRESEASON TOP 25
1) FLORIDA GATORS
Head Coach: Todd Golden
Players to Watch: Thomas Haugh (F), Alex Condon (F/C), Rueben Chinyelu (C), Boogie Fland (G)
Florida enters the season as Sportsvival's No. 1 team because of its returning experience, size, and championship pedigree. Haugh could be the best player in college basketball, while Condon and Chinyelu give the Gators one of the most intimidating frontcourts in the country. If the guard play remains consistent, Florida has everything necessary to win another national championship.
2) DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Head Coach: Jon Scheyer
Players to Watch: John Blackwell (G), Caleb Foster (G), Dame Sarr (G/F), Patrick Ngongba II (C)
The Blue Devils may not have Cameron Boozer or Cooper Flagg, but they have outstanding depth. Blackwell arrives from Wisconsin after averaging 19.1 points per game and gives Duke a legitimate All-American candidate. The combination of returning veterans, transfers, and elite freshmen makes Duke a national championship favorite.
3) ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
Head Coach: Brad Underwood
Players to Watch: David Mirkovic (F), Andrej Stojakovic (F), Tomislav Ivisic (C), Stefan Vaaks (G)
Illinois returns several important pieces from its Final Four team. Mirkovic provides versatility and rebounding, Stojakovic offers scoring, and Ivisic brings size inside. The departure of Keaton Wagler creates a significant opening in the backcourt, but the Illini have enough offensive weapons to remain among the nation's elite.
4) ARIZONA WILDCATS
Head Coach: Tommy Lloyd
Players to Watch: Motiejus Krivas (C), Ivan Kharchenkov (F), Caleb Holt (G/F), Derek Dixon (G)
Arizona will be difficult to handle defensively. Krivas is among the country's premier centers, and Holt arrives as one of the top freshmen in the nation. The Wildcats have the athleticism to challenge anyone, although their ultimate ceiling may depend on how the lineup develops around their young talent.
5) UCONN HUSKIES
Head Coach: Dan Hurley
Players to Watch: Braylon Mullins (G), Silas Demary Jr. (G), Nik Khamenia (F), Jayden Ross (F)
Never underestimate Hurley in March. Mullins is poised for a breakout sophomore season, while Demary provides experienced leadership. UConn must replace several important contributors, but its culture and returning backcourt should keep the Huskies in the championship conversation.
6) MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Head Coach: Tom Izzo
Players to Watch: Jeremy Fears Jr. (G), Coen Carr (F), Kaleb Glenn (F), Anton Bonke (C)
Fears could be the best pure point guard in college basketball after leading the nation in assists last season. Carr gives Michigan State explosive athleticism, while Izzo once again has a physical team that will rebound, defend, and compete. Expect the Spartans to be a serious Big Ten championship threat.
7) TEXAS LONGHORNS
Head Coach: Sean Miller
Players to Watch: Matas Vokietaitis (C), Isaiah Johnson (G), David Punch (F), Austin Goosby (G)
Texas has assembled an impressive collection of transfers and young talent. Vokietaitis could develop into one of the SEC's dominant interior players. Miller must develop chemistry quickly, but the Longhorns have enough talent to make a deep tournament run.
8) TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
Head Coach: Rick Barnes
Players to Watch: Juke Harris (G/F), Terrence Hill Jr. (G), Jalen Haralson (G/F), Miles Rubin (C)
Tennessee appears more offensively dangerous than some recent Barnes teams. Harris averaged 21.4 points at Wake Forest and could become one of the SEC's biggest stars. The challenge will be maintaining Tennessee's traditional defensive identity while introducing several important newcomers.
9) HOUSTON COUGARS
Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson
Players to Watch: Dedan Thomas Jr. (G), Joseph Tugler (F), Delrecco Gillespie (F/C), Mercy Miller (G)
Houston lost significant offensive production, but Sampson has established one of the country's most reliable programs. Thomas takes over the backcourt, and Tugler anchors the defense. Sportsvival ranks Houston higher than several other early projections because of its coaching, toughness, and ability to develop new contributors.
10) ST. JOHN'S RED STORM
Head Coach: Rick Pitino
Players to Watch: Tounde Yessoufou (G/F), Ian Jackson (G), Ruben Prey (F/C)
Pitino has transformed St. John's into a legitimate national contender. Yessoufou brings scoring ability following his transfer from Baylor, and Jackson offers explosiveness on the perimeter. Eligibility decisions concerning other players could dramatically affect the Red Storm's ceiling.
11) TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
Players to Watch: JT Toppin (F), Cruz Davis (G), Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn (G)
Toppin is among the nation's best big men when healthy, but his recovery from a knee injury and several teammates' eligibility cases will be critical to Texas Tech's season.
12) ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Players to Watch: Jordan Smith (G), Jeremiah Wilkinson (G), Billy Richmond III (G/F)
John Calipari has another sensational freshman class. Smith could become one of the country's most exciting players and a leading NBA Draft prospect.
13) VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
Players to Watch: Thijs De Ridder (F), Chance Mallory (G), Sam Lewis (G/F)
Virginia has the continuity, experience, and offensive balance necessary to challenge Duke in the ACC.
14) GONZAGA BULLDOGS
Players to Watch: Braden Huff (F), Massamba Diop (C), Davis Fogle (G/F)
Huff returns as an All-America candidate. Gonzaga's frontcourt gives Mark Few another opportunity to compete for a high NCAA Tournament seed.
15) LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
Players to Watch: Flory Bidunga (F/C), Jackson Shelstad (G), Karter Knox (F)
Louisville made major moves in the transfer portal. Bidunga brings outstanding defensive ability, while Shelstad should provide scoring and leadership.
16) MISSOURI TIGERS
Players to Watch: Jason Crowe Jr. (G), Trent Pierce (F), Jamier Jones (F)
Dennis Gates has assembled an intriguing combination of experienced contributors and high-profile young talent. Crowe could become one of the nation's most productive freshmen.
17) USC TROJANS
Players to Watch: Alijah Arenas (G), Rodney Rice (G), KJ Lewis (G/F)
USC has outstanding offensive potential. If its key players remain healthy, the Trojans could become one of the Big Ten's surprise contenders.
18) KANSAS JAYHAWKS
Players to Watch: Tyran Stokes (F), Melvin Council Jr. (G), Tre White (G/F)
Stokes may be the most talented freshman entering college basketball. Kansas could climb significantly as Bill Self develops the chemistry around his new star.
19) BYU COUGARS
Players to Watch: Robert Wright III (G), Bruce Branch III (F), Collin Chandler (G)
BYU lost AJ Dybantsa to the NBA, but Wright's return gives the Cougars an outstanding lead guard.
20) VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Players to Watch: Tyler Tanner (G), Ace Glass (G), Bangot Dak (F/C)
Tanner could be one of the nation's best scorers and playmakers. Vanderbilt has enough talent to be dangerous in the SEC.
21) ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Players to Watch: Aden Holloway (G), Amari Allen (F), Jaxon Richardson (G)
Nate Oats continues to build high-scoring teams. Alabama's ceiling will depend on backcourt stability and the development of its young players.
22) MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
Players to Watch: Elliot Cadeau (G), Trey McKenney (G), Moustapha Thiam (C)
The defending champions face considerable changes following the departure of head coach Dusty May and several NBA-bound stars. New coach Mike Boynton has talent, but repeating as champions will be a difficult challenge.
23) UCLA BRUINS
Players to Watch: Trent Perry (G), Eric Dailey (F), Xavier Booker (F/C)
The Bruins return several important contributors and should once again emphasize defense, rebounding, and disciplined basketball.
24) KENTUCKY WILDCATS
Players to Watch: Milan Momcilovic (F), Zoom Diallo (G), Malachi Moreno (C)
Momcilovic gives Kentucky an elite outside shooter. Mark Pope has enough offensive potential to move the Wildcats significantly higher.
25) IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Players to Watch: Joshua Jefferson's departure leaves a major hole, but Iowa State's established defensive philosophy and program consistency give the Cyclones a narrow place in Sportsvival's preseason rankings.
Just outside the Top 25: Purdue, Nebraska, Villanova, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana.
SPORTSVIVAL 2026–2027 PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS
College basketball has no shortage of talent entering the new season. This year's All-America selections feature outstanding returning veterans, experienced transfers, and several players who could hear their names called early in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Sportsvival's selections are based on expected production, overall talent, team impact, and the opportunity to lead a program deep into March.
FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
G: Jeremy Fears Jr. , Michigan State
The country's leading returning floor general. Fears averaged approximately 15 points and 9.4 assists last season. His passing, leadership, and competitive intensity make him an early National Player of the Year favorite.
G: John Blackwell , Duke
The former Wisconsin standout averaged 19.1 points per game last season. His ability to create offense and score from multiple levels makes him a centerpiece of Duke's championship hopes.
F: Thomas Haugh , Florida
Sportsvival's preseason National Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds last season. His versatility, toughness, and championship experience could make him the face of college basketball.
F: David Mirkovic , Illinois
A skilled international forward who can score inside, shoot from outside, and rebound. Mirkovic could become Illinois' primary offensive weapon as a sophomore.
F: JT Toppin , Texas Tech
One of the country's most accomplished interior players. Toppin averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds before suffering a torn ACL last season. His selection assumes a successful recovery and a return to form.
SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
G: Tyler Tanner , Vanderbilt
Tanner averaged 19.5 points per game last season and is capable of becoming one of the SEC's most productive guards. He can score, distribute, and create turnovers.
G: Braylon Mullins , UConn
Mullins returns after an impressive freshman season. His outside shooting and offensive confidence could make him a breakout star in the Big East.
G/F: Juke Harris , Tennessee
Harris arrives at Tennessee after averaging 21.4 points per game for Wake Forest. His size and scoring ability could make him one of the best transfers in the nation.
F: Tyran Stokes , Kansas
The highly regarded freshman has the size, explosiveness, and versatility to become an immediate star. Stokes is also a leading candidate to be selected near the top of the 2027 NBA Draft.
F/C: Flory Bidunga , Louisville
The former Kansas standout brings outstanding shot-blocking, rebounding, and interior defense to Louisville. Bidunga could be the defensive difference-maker who pushes the Cardinals into national contention.
SPORTSVIVAL PRESEASON AWARD PREDICTIONS
NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Thomas Haugh
Florida, F
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Tyran Stokes
Kansas, F
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Flory Bidunga
Louisville, F/C
BREAKOUT PLAYER
David Mirkovic
Illinois, F
TRANSFER OF THE YEAR
John Blackwell
Duke, G