The 2025-26 college basketball season is here, and the preseason rankings are already sparking debates. But here's where it gets controversial: Florida, fresh off a national championship, lands at No. 3 in the AP Top 25 despite losing their top three scorers to the NBA. Can they repeat without Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard? And this is the part most people miss: while the Gators added talent like Boogie Fland and AJ Brown through the transfer portal, integrating so many new pieces is no small feat. Coach Todd Golden has his work cut out for him, but don't count them out just yet.
At the top of the rankings, Purdue claims the No. 1 spot, thanks to a perfect mix of returning stars and strategic additions. Here’s the bold prediction: Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, and Fletcher Loyer could lead the Boilermakers to their first national title under Matt Painter. But is this the year they finally break through after decades of near misses? South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff adds a dominant presence in the paint, but will it be enough to secure the championship?
Meanwhile, St. John's is taking a completely different approach under Rick Pitino. This is where opinions will clash: Pitino went all-in on the transfer portal, signing seven players to build a veteran-heavy roster. He’s openly embraced the NIL era, stating, 'We’re maximizing our potential by focusing on older, proven talent.' But can a team built almost entirely through transfers gel quickly enough to compete for a title? Pitino turned St. John's into a 30-win team in just two years, so betting against him might be unwise.
Here’s the full preseason AP Top 25 for your reference:
1. Purdue
2. Houston
3. Florida
4. UConn
5. St. John's
6. Duke
7. Michigan
8. BYU
9. Kentucky
10. Texas Tech
11. Louisville
12. UCLA
13. Arizona
14. Arkansas
15. Alabama
16. Iowa State
17. Illinois
18. Tennessee
19. Kansas
20. Auburn
21. Gonzaga
22. Michigan State
23. Creighton
24. Wisconsin
25. North Carolina
Thought-provoking question for you: Is the transfer portal the future of college basketball, or does it undermine the traditional player development model? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your take!
