1

Michigan
This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning four of the top six scorers — specifically Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and LJ Cason — from a team that finished 37-3 and won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr., Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.

— 37-3
2

Florida
This ranking is based on the Gators returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, Urban Klavsar and Isaiah Brown — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 7-foot center Jones Lay.

— 27-8
3

Illinois
This ranking is based on the Illini returning seven of the top 10 scorers — specifically Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis, Brandon Lee and Mihailo Petrovic — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo.

— 28-9
4

Michigan St.
This ranking is based on the Spartans returning six of the top eight scorers — specifically Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott, Divine Ugochukwu and Cam Ward — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Mdelock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.

— 27-8
5

Duke
This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top six scorers — specifically Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr — from a team that finished 35-3 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.

— 35-3
6

UConn
This ranking is based on the Huskies returning five of the top eight scorers — specifically Solo Ball, Silas Demary, Eric Reibe, Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart — from a team that finished 34-6 and advanced to the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County.

— 34-6
7

Arkansas
This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III and Malique Ewin — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews, and four-star prospect Abdou Toure.

— 28-9
8

Iowa St.
This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning four of the top six scorers — specifically Milan Momcilovic, Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman — from a team that finished 29-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins.

— 29-8
9

Gonzaga
This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Braden Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery — from a team that finished 31-4 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Jack Kayil.

— 31-4
10

Arizona
This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov from a team that finished 36-3 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes.

— 36-3
11

Virginia
This ranking is based on the Cavaliers returning five of the top 10 scorers — specifically Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Chance Mallory, Johann Gunloh and Elijah Gertrude — from a team that finished 30-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will eventually be joined by a recruiting class — but Virginia currently has zero prospects committed.

— 30-6
12

Purdue
This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and Jack Benter — from a team that finished 30-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan.

— 30-9
13

Houston
This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie. 1 30-7
14

St. John’s
This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Ian Jackson, Joson Sanon, Dylan Darling, Ruben Prey and Lefteris Liotopoulos — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will eventually be joined by a recruiting class — but St. John’s currently has zero prospects committed.

1 30-7
15

Texas Tech
This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically JT Toppin, Josiah Moseley and Luke Bamgboye — from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Dakari Spear. 1 23-11
16

Texas
This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Dailyn Swain, Matas Vokietaitis and Simeon Wilcher — from a team that finished 21-15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling.

3 21-15
17

USC
This ranking is based on the Trojans returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie — from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins and four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff.

— 18-14
18

N. Carolina
This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Henri Veesaar, Luka Bogavac and Jarin Stevenson — from a team that finished 24-9 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Dylan Mingo and four-star prospect Maximo Adams.

— 24-9
19

Nebraska
This ranking is based on the Cornhuskers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Connor Essegian and Cale Jacobsen — from a team that finished 28-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Belmont transfer Sam Orme and four-star prospects Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.

2 28-7
20

Vanderbilt
This ranking is based on the Commodores returning three of the top 10 scorers — specifically Tyler Tanner, Chandler Bing and Mike James — from a team that finished 27-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield.

1 27-9
21

Kansas
This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers — specifically Kohl Rosario — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Taylen Kinney and four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett.

1 24-11
22

Iowa
This ranking is based on the Hawkeyes returning five of the top eight scorers — specifically Cooper Koch, Cam Manyawu, Kael Combs, Tate Sage and Isaia Howard — from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Ethan Harris and three-star prospect Jaidyn Coon.

2 24-13
23

Alabama
This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Aden Holloway and Londen Jemison — from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie.

— 25-10
24

TCU
This ranking is based on the Horned Frogs returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Xavier Edmonds, Micah Robinson, Liutauras Lelevicius, Brock Harding and Tanner Toolson — from a team that finished 23-12 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by JUCO prospect Trent Lincoln.

— 23-12
25

Saint Louis
This ranking is based on the Billikens returning five of the top seven scorers — specifically Trey Green, Amari McCottry, Kellen Thames, Ishan Sharma and Quentin Jones — from a team that finished 29-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by four-star prospect Jermel Thomas.

— 29-6
26

Missouri
This ranking is based on the Tigers returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Trent Pierce and T.O. Barrett — from a team that finished 20-13 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Jason Crowe Jr. and four-star prospects Toni Bryant and Aidan Chronister.

— 20-13