Purdue will enter the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season with the No. 1 preseason ranking for the first time in program history, according to the newly released Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Boilermakers lead a competitive field that includes reigning national champion Florida and runner-up Houston, who are also positioned as top contenders.
The poll features familiar powerhouses, with Duke (No. 6), Kentucky (No. 9), Kansas (No. 19), and North Carolina (No. 25) all securing spots. A team drawing significant attention is No. 8 BYU, which adds the nation’s top recruit and projected No. 1 NBA draft pick, AJ Dybantsa, as the Cougars look to build on last season’s Sweet 16 appearance.
The upcoming season, set to begin November 3, has been shaped by significant offseason movement, including 62 coaching changes and widespread use of the transfer portal, alongside the continued evolution of NIL and the introduction of revenue sharing.
Below is a detailed look at each team in the preseason AP Top 25, including last season’s record, projected starting lineups, and key early-season matchups. All listed times are Eastern.
1. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers return key veterans Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, making them a strong national title contender.
- 2024-25 Record: 24-12 (lost to 1-seed Houston in Sweet 16)
- Season Opener: Nov. 4 vs. Evansville, TBD
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 20 vs. Auburn in Indianapolis (Indy Classic), 6:30 p.m., Peacock
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Braden Smith (15.8 PPG)
- C.J. Cox (6.0 PPG)
- 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: Nov. 3 vs. Lehigh, TBD
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 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 (No. 14 in ESPN 100)
- Joseph Tugler (5.5 PPG)
- Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 6 in ESPN 100)
3. Florida Gators
- 2024-25 Record: 36-4 (won national championship)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Arizona in Las Vegas (Hall of Fame Series), 7 p.m., TNT
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 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)
- Thomas Haugh (9.8 PPG)
- Alex Condon (10.6 PPG)
- Rueben Chinyelu (6.1 PPG)
4. UConn Huskies
- 2024-25 Record: 24-11 (lost to 1-seed Florida in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. New Haven, 7 p.m., ESPN+
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 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)
- Braylon Mullins (No. 17 in ESPN 100)
- Alex Karaban (14.3 PPG)
- Tarris Reed Jr. (9.6 PPG)
5. St. John’s Red Storm
- 2024-25 Record: 31-5 (lost to 10-seed Arkansas in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Quinnipiac, 6:30 p.m., FS1
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 20 vs. Kentucky in Atlanta (CBS Sports Classic), 12:30 p.m., CBS
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Ian Jackson (11.9 PPG at North Carolina)
- Joson Sanon (11.9 PPG at Arizona State)
- Oziyah Sellers (13.7 PPG at Stanford)
- Bryce Hopkins (15.5 PPG at Providence in 2023-24)
- Zuby Ejiofor (14.7 PPG)
6. Duke Blue Devils
- 2024-25 Record: 35-4 (lost to 1-seed Houston in Final Four)
- Season Opener: Nov. 4 vs. Texas in Charlotte (Dick Vitale Invitational), 8:45 p.m., ESPN
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 18 vs. Kansas in New York (Champions Classic), 9 p.m., ESPN
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Caleb Foster (5.1 PPG)
- Isaiah Evans (6.8 PPG)
- Nikolas Khamenia (No. 15 in ESPN 100)
- Cameron Boozer (No. 3 in ESPN 100)
- Patrick Ngongba II (3.9 PPG)
7. Michigan Wolverines
- 2024-25 Record: 27-10 (lost to 1-seed Auburn in Sweet 16)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Oakland, 8:30 p.m., FS1
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 25 vs. Auburn in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival), 8:30 p.m., TNT
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Elliot Cadeau (9.4 PPG at North Carolina)
- Roddy Gayle Jr. (9.8 PPG)
- Nimari Burnett (9.4 PPG)
- Yaxel Lendeborg (17.7 PPG at UAB)
- Morez Johnson Jr. (7.0 PPG at Illinois)
8. BYU Cougars
- 2024-25 Record: 26-10 (lost to 2-seed Alabama in Sweet 16)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Villanova in Las Vegas (Hall of Fame Series), 9:30 p.m., TNT
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 15 vs. UConn in Boston (Hall of Fame Series – Boston), 7 p.m., FOX
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Robert Wright III (11.5 PPG at Baylor)
- Kennard Davis Jr. (16.3 PPG at Southern Illinois)
- Richie Saunders (16.5 PPG)
- AJ Dybantsa (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
- Keba Keita (7.4 PPG)
9. Kentucky Wildcats
- 2024-25 Record: 24-12 (lost to 2-seed Tennessee in Sweet 16)
- Season Opener: Nov. 4 vs. Nicholls, 7 p.m., SECN+
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 2 vs. North Carolina (ACC/SEC Challenge), 9:30 p.m., ESPN
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Jaland Lowe (16.8 PPG at Pitt)
- Denzel Aberdeen (7.7 PPG at Florida)
- Otega Oweh (16.2 PPG)
- Mouhamed Dioubate (7.2 PPG at Alabama)
- Brandon Garrison (5.9 PPG)
10. Texas A&M Aggies
- 2024-25 Record: 28-9 (lost to 1-seed Florida in Elite Eight)
- Season Opener: Nov. 4 vs. Lindenwood, TBD
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 20 vs. Duke in New York, 8 p.m., ESPN
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Christian Anderson (10.6 PPG)
- Tyeree Bryan (10.4 PPG at Santa Clara)
- LeJuan Watts (13.7 PPG at Washington State)
- JT Toppin (18.2 PPG)
- Luke Bamgboye (3.8 PPG at VCU)
11. Miami Hurricanes
- 2024-25 Record: 27-8 (lost to 9-seed Creighton in round of 64)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. SC State, 9 p.m., ACC Network
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 11 vs. Kentucky, 8 p.m., ESPN
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 8 in ESPN 100)
- Isaac McKneely (14.4 PPG at Virginia)
- Ryan Conwell (16.5 PPG at Xavier)
- J’Vonne Hadley (12.2 PPG)
- Sananda Fru (12.6 PPG for Loewen Braunschweig)
12. UCLA Bruins
- 2024-25 Record: 23-11 (lost to 2-seed Tennessee in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Eastern Washington, 10:30 p.m., BTN
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 14 vs. Arizona in Inglewood (Hall of Fame Series – Los Angeles), 10 p.m., Peacock
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Donovan Dent (20.4 PPG at New Mexico)
- Skyy Clark (8.5 PPG)
- Eric Dailey (11.4 PPG)
- Tyler Bilodeau (13.5 PPG)
- Steven Jamerson II (10.0 PPG at San Diego)
13. Arizona Wildcats
- 2024-25 Record: 24-13 (lost to 1-seed Duke in Sweet 16)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Florida in Las Vegas (Hall of Fame Series), 7 p.m., TNT
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 6 vs. Auburn, TBD
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Jaden Bradley (12.1 PPG)
- Brayden Burries (No. 12 in ESPN 100)
- Anthony Dell’Orso (7.2 PPG)
- Koa Peat (No. 10 in ESPN 100)
- Tobe Awaka (8.0 PPG)
14. Arkansas Razorbacks
- 2024-25 Record: 22-14 (lost to 3-seed Texas Tech in Sweet 16)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Southern, 7 p.m., SEC Network
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 20 vs. Houston in Newark (Never Forget Tribute Classic), 5:30 p.m., CBS/Paramount+
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Darius Acuff Jr. (No. 7 in ESPN 100)
- D.J. Wagner (11.2 PPG)
- Karter Knox (8.3 PPG)
- Trevon Brazile (6.8 PPG)
- Malique Ewin (14.2 PPG at Florida State)
15. Alabama Crimson Tide
- 2024-25 Record: 28-9 (lost to 1-seed Duke in Elite Eight)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. North Dakota, TBD
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 13 vs. Purdue, 7 p.m., ESPN2
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Labaron Philon Jr. (10.6 PPG)
- Aden Holloway (11.4 PPG)
- Latrell Wrightsell (11.5 PPG)
- Taylor Bol Bowen (8.0 PPG at Florida State)
- Aiden Sherrell (3.4 PPG)
16. Iowa State Cyclones
- 2024-25 Record: 25-10 (lost to 6-seed Ole Miss in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson, 8 p.m., ESPN+
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 24 vs. St. John’s in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival), 4:30 p.m., truTV
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Tamin Lipsey (10.6 PPG)
- Jamarion Batemon (No. 77 in ESPN 100)
- Milan Momcilovic (11.5 PPG)
- Joshua Jefferson (13.0 PPG)
- Blake Buchanan (5.7 PPG at Virginia)
17. Illinois Fighting Illini
- 2024-25 Record: 22-13 (lost to 3-seed Kentucky in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Jackson State, 8:30 p.m., BTN
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 28 vs. UConn in New York, 12:30 p.m., FOX
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Mihailo Petrovic (14.3 PPG for Mega Superbet)
- Kylan Boswell (12.3 PPG)
- Andrej Stojakovic (17.9 PPG at California)
- Zvonimir Ivisic (8.5 PPG at Arkansas)
- Tomislav Ivisic (13.0 PPG)
18. Tennessee Volunteers
- 2024-25 Record: 30-8 (lost to 1-seed Houston in Elite Eight)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Mercer, 7 p.m., SECN+
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 25 vs. Houston in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival), 6 p.m., TNT/HBO Max
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie (14.7 PPG at Maryland)
- Amaree Abram (12.3 PPG at Louisiana Tech)
- Nate Ament (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
- Cade Phillips (4.6 PPG)
- Felix Okpara (7.1 PPG)
19. Kansas Jayhawks
- 2024-25 Record: 21-13 (lost to 10-seed Arkansas in round of 64)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Green Bay, TBD
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 18 vs. Duke in New York (Champions Classic), 8 p.m., ESPN
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Darryn Peterson (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
- Melvin Council Jr. (14.6 PPG at St. Bonaventure)
- Jayden Dawson (13.9 PPG at Loyola Chicago)
- Tre White (10.5 PPG at Illinois)
- Flory Bidunga (5.9 PPG)
20. Auburn Tigers
- 2024-25 Record: 32-6 (lost to 1-seed Florida in Final Four)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Bethune-Cookman, TBD
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 20 vs. Purdue in Indianapolis (Indy Classic), 6:30 p.m., Peacock
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Tahaad Pettiford (11.7 PPG)
- Kevin Overton (7.8 PPG at Texas Tech)
- Elyjah Freeman (19.3 PPG at D-II Lincoln Memorial)
- Keyshawn Hall (18.8 PPG at UCF)
- KeShawn Murphy (11.7 PPG at Mississippi State)
21. Gonzaga Bulldogs
- 2024-25 Record: 26-9 (lost to 1-seed Houston in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Texas Southern, TBD, ESPN+
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 5 vs. Kentucky in Nashville, 7 p.m., ESPN2
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Mario Saint-Supery (8.3 PPG for BAXI Manresa)
- Adam Miller (9.8 PPG at Arizona State)
- Tyon Grant-Foster (14.8 PPG at Grand Canyon)
- Braden Huff (11.0 PPG)
- Graham Ike (17.3 PPG)
22. Michigan State Spartans
- 2024-25 Record: 19-16 (lost to 1-seed Auburn in Elite Eight)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Colgate, 7 p.m., B1G+
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 18 vs. Kentucky in New York (Champions Classic), 6:30 p.m., ESPN
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Jeremy Fears Jr. (7.2 PPG)
- Trey Fort (14.6 PPG at Samford)
- Coen Carr (8.1 PPG)
- Jaxon Kohler (7.8 PPG)
- Carson Cooper (5.0 PPG)
23. Creighton Bluejays
- 2024-25 Record: 25-11 (lost to 1-seed Auburn in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 5 vs. South Dakota, 8 p.m., Peacock
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 25 vs. Iowa State in Las Vegas (Players Era Festival), 2 p.m., truTV
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Blake Harper (19.5 PPG at Howard)
- Josh Dix (14.4 PPG at Iowa)
- Jackson McAndrew (7.8 PPG)
- Jasen Green (4.9 PPG)
- Owen Freeman (16.7 PPG at Iowa)
24. Wisconsin Badgers
- 2024-25 Record: 27-10 (lost to 6-seed BYU in round of 32)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Campbell, 8 p.m., B1G+
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Nov. 21 at BYU, 4 p.m., Peacock
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Nick Boyd (13.4 PPG at San Diego State)
- Andrew Rohde (9.3 PPG at Virginia)
- John Blackwell (15.8 PPG)
- Austin Rapp (13.8 PPG at Portland)
- Nolan Winter (9.4 PPG)
25. North Carolina Tar Heels
- 2024-25 Record: 23-14 (lost to 6-seed Ole Miss in round of 64)
- Season Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Central Arkansas, TBD
- Biggest Early-Season Game: Dec. 2 at Kentucky (ACC/SEC Challenge), 9 p.m., ESPN
- Projected Starting Lineup:
- Kyan Evans (10.6 PPG at Colorado State)
- Seth Trimble (11.6 PPG)
- Luka Bogavac (14.9 PPG for SC Derby)
- Caleb Wilson (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
- Henri Veesaar (9.4 PPG at Arizona)
