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100 days to males’s school basketball: Top tales, gamers, video games

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Myron Medcalf
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Myron Medcalf

ESPN Staff Writer
Jeff Borzello
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Jeff Borzello

Basketball recruiting insider

Jul 25, 2025, 08:00 AM ET

It has been greater than 100 days since Florida lower down the nets in San Antonio. And in 100 extra days, the Gators will start their title protection when the 2025-26 males’s school basketball season begins.

Did the Gators do sufficient this offseason to bolster their possibilities of going back-to-back for the primary time since 2006 and 2007? How have Houston and Duke positioned themselves to make one other Final Four run? And will Auburn and the SEC return to dominance?

With a brand new class of freshman stars — together with A.J. Dybantsa at BYU, Darryn Peterson at Kansas and Nate Ament at Tennessee — plus loads of expertise transferring to title contenders, it must be one other entertaining season of hoops as the game adapts to adjustments.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf make 10 wild predictions, plus establish 90 extra issues to know concerning the upcoming season, from the most important storylines to the highest gamers to new coaches and past.

10 storylines that would form the season

Revenue sharing and potential NCAA event growth drive extra change. College basketball is present process an enormous face-lift. Committees for males’s and girls’s Division I basketball didn’t attain a call to increase the NCAA tournaments once they met in July, however they did state that the potential for rising the sphere from 68 to 72 or 76 groups stays “viable.” A event growth could be the second vital improvement for 2025-26, with the House vs. NCAA settlement paving the way in which for the primary: a restructuring of the compensation mannequin. Schools are actually capable of pay their athletes immediately by means of income sharing, but it surely stays unclear what number of title, picture and likeness offers will finally be accepted by the brand new clearinghouse to complement rev share earnings. — Medcalf

Florida has the expertise to make one other title run. Before UConn gained the nationwide championships in 2023 and 2024, males’s school basketball hadn’t seen a repeat title winner since Florida in 2006 and 2007 — however Todd Golden’s Gators have the gamers to make it a pattern. Alex Condon withdrew from the NBA draft to return to Florida; Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh are additionally again; and prime transfers Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee had been added within the portal. — Borzello

Braden Smith could possibly be Purdue’s subsequent Wooden Award winner. The Boilermakers got here near championship glory in 2024, when Zach Edey captured his second Wooden Award and led them to the nationwide title sport. Smith’s return might assist Purdue match historical past: Only Duke has ever produced three Wooden Award winners in a four-year span — Elton Brand (1999), Shane Battier (2001) and Jay Williams (2002). Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, will enter the season as the favourite to win the Wooden Award. He and coach Matt Painter are additionally pushed to chop down the nets; each appear potential for a program that would begin the season because the No. 1 crew in America. — Medcalf

Duke has positioned its Final Four hopes on freshmen — once more. Jon Scheyer & Co. defied modern-day traits when freshmen led the Blue Devils to a No. 1 rating and a Final Four look final season — an anomaly within the period of more and more transfer-heavy, experience-focused roster building. Now, these freshmen had been three top-10 picks: Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach. But can Duke replicate that success? Scheyer once more brings within the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, headlined by projected lottery picks Cameron Boozer, Dame Sarr and Nikolas Khamenia, plus Cameron’s five-star twin brother, Cayden. — Borzello

It’s a brand new period for BYU with No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa. The Cougars had the very best offensive output in America for the final two months of the 2024-25 marketing campaign, which ended with a visit to the Sweet 16 — their first second-weekend look since Jimmer Fredette starred for them in 2011. Now, Kevin Young’s crew provides Dybantsa: a flexible, highly effective, explosive 6-foot-10 athlete who could possibly be the No. 1 choose in subsequent summer season’s NBA draft. A Final Four run by a crew that wasn’t traditionally a candidate for gamers of Dybantsa’s caliber might ship extra elite expertise to Provo, Utah, within the years forward. The buzz has generated a lot curiosity {that a} Hollywood producer has pitched a documentary concerning the 2025-26 season to Young’s employees. — Medcalf

The race to be the No. 1 choose within the 2026 NBA draft is on. Cooper Flagg was the odds-on favourite to be the No. 1 choose within the 2025 NBA draft for the reason that day he reclassified into the 2024 highschool class, however there will not be the identical lack of drama within the 2026 draft. There are a number of professional contenders for the highest choose: BYU’s Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Tennessee’s Nate Ament — and do not depend out Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. — Borzello

Hubert Davis’ future at North Carolina. It was solely three years in the past that Davis’ crew had a 15-point halftime lead in opposition to Kansas within the nationwide title sport. But a 12 months after that, the Tar Heels missed the NCAA event altogether. And final season, they squeezed into the sphere as a polarizing choose earlier than shedding within the first spherical. Davis has reloaded after shedding R.J. Davis and different standouts by including five-star prospect Caleb Wilson and key transfers reminiscent of former Arizona large man Henri Veesaar. Yet, though Davis inked a contract extension by means of 2029-30 over the winter, North Carolina nonetheless expects to compete for nationwide titles. If he cannot discover a means to try this this season, chatter about his future will enhance. — Medcalf

The way forward for the outdated teaching guard. Three ACC coaches stepped down final season: Virginia’s Tony Bennett, Miami’s Jim Larranaga and Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton. Bennett cited the altering panorama of faculty sports activities, whereas Larranaga and Hamilton had reached the pure finish of their careers. It’s powerful to foretell who the following Bennett could possibly be, however retirement could possibly be on the horizon for a gaggle of coaches at or close to the highest of the game: Houston’s Kelvin Sampson might be 70 within the fall, Tennessee’s Rick Barnes is 71, Michigan State’s Tom Izzo is 70 and St. John’s coach Rick Pitino is 72. It additionally would not be a shock to see Gonzaga’s Mark Few or Kansas’ Bill Self name it quits within the not-so-distant future. — Borzello

Gonzaga’s last season within the West Coast Conference. The Bulldogs’ postseason success — together with two nationwide title sport appearances since 2017 — has modified the nationwide notion of mid-majors. They have been certainly one of America’s prime packages for years, however this would be the last chapter of a wedding that has boosted your complete WCC as Gonzaga prepares to hitch the brand new Pac-12. The WCC’s efficiency within the collegiate panorama will shift considerably, whereas the Bulldogs might turn into the face of the brand new Pac-12’s basketball lineup. — Medcalf

The subsequent chapter of the St. John’s vs. UConn rivalry. While Louisville-Kentucky and Duke-North Carolina will at all times have deep historical past, the St. John’s-UConn rivalry is shortly gaining nationwide relevance. Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley are two of the very best — and most headline-grabbing — coaches within the nation, and each groups ought to open the season ranked within the prime 5 nationally. — Borzello

10 title contenders

Teams listed so as of Borzello and Medcalf’s consensus prime 10

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter’s crew is poised for its third 1-seed previously 4 years, led by All-America level guard Braden Smith, All-America candidate Trey Kaufman-Renn and three-year starter Fletcher Loyer. South Dakota State switch Oscar Cluff provides a distinct dimension down low. — Borzello

Florida Gators: Connecticut gained back-to-back nationwide titles in 2023 and 2024 after retaining key gamers from that first run. Todd Golden’s crew might mimic that feat — with new stars within the combine, too. Boogie Fland, a former five-star prospect who performed at Arkansas final season, will step into Walter Clayton Jr.’s function and play subsequent to Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon — each prime contributors from final season’s title crew — on a roster constructed to win all of it once more. — Medcalf

Houston Cougars: After final season’s heartbreaking title-game loss to Florida, Houston must be proper again within the combine for a nationwide championship. Kelvin Sampson has three starters again from that group, led by guards Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp. The Cougars additionally welcome the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class, one which options three top-25 prospects. — Borzello

UConn Huskies: Dan Hurley has set the bar so excessive in Storrs that final season’s 24-win marketing campaign and NCAA event look constituted a “down year” for this system. Alex Karaban and Solo Ball are again for a crew that, on paper, appears to be like like a contender once more. But the viability of this system successful its third title in 4 years will depend upon Silas Demary Jr., the 6-5 former Georgia guard who will run UConn’s offense this season. — Medcalf

St. John’s Red Storm: Rick Pitino has fully remodeled St. John’s since arriving two years in the past, guiding the Red Storm to their first Big East regular-season and event championships since 1992 and 2000, respectively. Now, they will look to advance to the Sweet 16 for the primary time since 1999. Star large man Zuby Ejiofor returns, whereas Pitino went heavy within the switch portal to fill out the remainder of his roster. — Borzello

BYU Cougars: Kevin Young’s squad made 37% of its 3-point makes an attempt and 59% of its pictures contained in the arc final season because the Cougars performed offense at a degree no crew might match within the last eight weeks. Now, they add A.J. Dybantsa, the recipient of a extremely publicized seven-figure NIL deal. Joined by three returning standouts from a Sweet 16 squad, Dybantsa might take BYU to unprecedented heights. — Medcalf

Louisville Cardinals: After main Louisville to a exceptional 19-win turnaround in his first season with the Cardinals — together with a 15-win enchancment within the ACC — Pat Kelsey has set his sights greater in Year 2. They ought to have certainly one of school basketball’s elite backcourts, led by top-10 recruit Mikel Brown Jr. and three gifted transfers. — Borzello

Michigan Wolverines: Another second-year head coach coming off a formidable turnaround in Year 1, Dusty May guided the Wolverines to a 19-win enchancment and a run to the Sweet 16. Two starters are again, and Michigan was aggressive within the portal, securing a category headlined by Yaxel Lendeborg — arguably the very best switch within the nation and a projected first-round choose. — Borzello

Kentucky Wildcats: Mark Pope’s crew caught the damage bug late final season and can begin this season with a serious damage query. Jayden Quaintance, a former five-star recruit and switch from Arizona State, had surgical procedure in March to restore a torn ACL. He must be prepared in some unspecified time in the future this season — it is only a query of when. All-America candidate Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), Jaland Lowe (Pitt) and Quaintance ought to type the nucleus of a crew with severe Final Four aspirations as soon as everyone seems to be wholesome. — Medcalf

Duke Blue Devils: A crew that misplaced the Wooden Award winner and 4 extra NBA draft picks wouldn’t often be anticipated to compete for a nationwide title a 12 months after a Final Four run, however that is the usual in Durham. The arrival of Cameron Boozer — the five-star prospect and son of former Blue Devils star Carlos Boozer — and his five-star prospect twin brother, Cayden Boozer, will hold the bar excessive for a Duke crew that may chase Jon Scheyer’s first nationwide title. — Medcalf

10 groups that would make a leap

“A jump” that means into the nationwide highlight, into the highest tier of their convention or onto the NCAA event bubble. Listed in alphabetical order.

Arkansas Razorbacks: The Razorbacks picked up steam late within the season and made a shocking run to the Sweet 16 that capped a turbulent 12 months in John Calipari’s first season with this system. This season’s group, nonetheless, could possibly be a sleeper to make a run on the nationwide title. Darius Acuff is a projected lottery choose within the 2026 NBA draft and might be surrounded by veteran expertise in D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox and Trevon Brazile. If the Razorbacks can keep wholesome — a problem for them a 12 months in the past — Calipari might contend for his seventh journey to the Final Four. — Medcalf

Iowa Hawkeyes: All Ben McCollum does is win — and there isn’t any cause to assume that may change at Iowa. The key piece of the Hawkeyes’ roster is Bennett Stirtz, an All-America level guard who performed for McCollum at Northwest Missouri State and Drake. Alvaro Folgueiras and Brendan Hausen are two extra shotmaking transfers. — Borzello

Kansas State Wildcats: The Wildcats spent tens of millions on expertise final offseason however by no means had sufficient chemistry to keep away from a 16-17 marketing campaign. This season’s roster might be led by PJ Haggerty, the identical PJ Haggerty who earned AP second-team All-America honors final season and led Memphis to the very best season of the Penny Hardaway period. If Jerome Tang can get this gifted group — which additionally options Serbian standout Andrej Kostić — on the identical web page, Okay-State ought to get again into the NCAA event. — Medcalf

Miami Hurricanes: During stints as an assistant with Texas, Kentucky and Duke, Jai Lucas was often known as a prime recruiter who helped all three packages land McDonald’s All Americans and high-level transfers. In his first head teaching function, at Miami, he has sufficient to assist the Hurricanes attain the NCAA event for the primary time since 2023. Former Indiana standout Malik Reneau and Big Ten event hero Tre Donaldson — his buzzer-beater despatched Michigan to the title sport — will hyperlink up with a powerful recruiting class to attempt to finish that drought. — Medcalf

NC State Wolfpack: When NC State employed Will Wade in March, the idea was that an inflow of expertise would observe him to Raleigh. That appears to be like appropriate up to now. The Wolfpack had been aggressive within the portal, touchdown a gaggle led by All-America candidate Darrion Williams and bringing in top-25 recruit Matt Able. — Borzello

North Carolina Tar Heels: North Carolina’s admission to the final NCAA event created a lot controversy that the West Virginia governor held a information convention and blasted the choice committee for selecting the Tar Heels over the Mountaineers, who had an affordable case for inclusion. But this season’s crew might keep away from drama if Caleb Wilson — the No. 5 recruit of 2025 — lives as much as the hype. Arizona switch Henri Veesaar, returnee Seth Trimble and Wilson represent a trio that would place the Tar Heels solidly within the NCAA event subject. — Medcalf

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Last season was full of missteps, accidents and disappointments for a Notre Dame crew that completed below .500 in Micah Shrewsberry’s second marketing campaign with this system. If this season’s group stays wholesome, nonetheless, the Fighting Irish might contend for a spot on the bubble (or higher) after not reaching the NCAA event since 2022. The return of Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry, who missed 15 mixed video games resulting from damage, plus the addition of Jalen Haralson (nineteenth in ESPN 100) make all of it appear potential. — Medcalf

Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes confirmed flashes of their potential final season however could not fairly string collectively a constant run of type. With a terrific trio again in Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. — plus the additions of Christoph Tilly and Brandon Noel up entrance — Jake Diebler’s crew ought to discover itself within the NCAA event. — Borzello

San Diego State Aztecs: The Aztecs made the NCAA event final season however misplaced by 27 to North Carolina within the First Four. We’re anticipating Brian Dutcher’s crew to stay round somewhat longer subsequent March. Miles Byrd is an NBA prospect; Reese Waters is again from damage; and Magoon Gwath is able to take the following step. Transfer Sean Newman Jr. might be given the keys to the offense. — Borzello

USC Trojans: Beating Michigan State on the primary day of February supplied some optimism getting into the stretch run final season, however the Trojans gained simply two Big Ten video games the remainder of the way in which. They must be gifted and extra constant this season. A fringe trio that includes confirmed high-major producers Rodney Rice and Chad Baker-Mazara prepared the ground. — Borzello

10 wild predictions

The nationwide title winner would be the first in its program historical past. They’ve each fallen brief in recent times, however Houston and Purdue are outfitted to realize what their packages have but to do: win a nationwide title. St. John’s, Texas Tech and BYU might be contenders, too. Regardless, I’m predicting a brand new title might be entered into the boys’s school basketball championship report. — Medcalf

The SEC will not be as robust, however it’ll repeat its 14 bids. It’s almost not possible for the SEC to be as traditionally robust once more; it took an ideal storm for the league to supply what it did final season. We do not anticipate two 1-seeds and two 2-seeds from the convention once more, however I will not be stunned to see it run again its record-setting 14 bids — a minimum of 12 colleges already appear like comfy NCAA event groups on paper. — Borzello

John Calipari will face Kentucky within the Final Four. Darius Acuff is a prime newcomer for an Arkansas squad that made a run to the Sweet 16 in March, giving the Razorbacks depth and expertise that final season’s group lacked. And whereas Kentucky would possibly want a while to get off the runway, it might have one of many nation’s most gifted rosters as March approaches if Jayden Quaintance is wholesome. — Medcalf

Jalil Bethea would be the nation’s shock breakout switch. Bethea was one of many extra disappointing freshmen within the nation final season, barely carving out a task throughout the first half of the schedule at Miami earlier than seeing a rise in minutes down the stretch. But Bethea was a top-10 prospect within the 2024 class and is an elite shotmaker — he is precisely the kind of participant Nate Oats’ offense enhances. — Borzello

Two of the sport’s prime coaches will retire or resign, making a domino impact. Kelvin Sampson (69), Tom Izzo (70) and Rick Barnes (71) are nonetheless passionate, however few of their friends stay. Then there are coaches like Bill Self and Mark Few, who might do that for a lot of extra years however won’t wish to navigate extra adjustments to the sport. If any of the highest names make large strikes, your complete collegiate panorama will shift. — Medcalf

A crew will make 85% of its free throws this season, shattering the report. That sounds ridiculous, however the prime free throw taking pictures groups within the nation are enhancing. Ten years in the past, solely two groups made a minimum of 78% of their makes an attempt from the charity stripe. Last season, 20 reached that mark, with 4 groups eclipsing 80%, led by Wisconsin’s 82.6% clip. We’re progressing towards unprecedented numbers in males’s school basketball. This would be the season when a crew beats Villanova’s record-setting 83% price from 2021-22. — Medcalf

10 nonconference matchups to observe

Kentucky at Louisville, Nov. 11: This rivalry sport is at all times entertaining, however with Louisville’s offseason surge below Pat Kelsey, this matchup will regain the vitality it has lacked in recent times.

BYU at UConn in Boston, Nov. 15: A.J. Dybantsa will head again to his dwelling state of Massachusetts to face UConn, a nationwide title contender. The ambiance at TD Garden must be electrical.

Duke at Kansas, Nov. 18: The results of this sport will matter come Selection Sunday, but it surely’s additionally a possibility for Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson to strengthen their respective circumstances to be the No. 1 choose in subsequent 12 months’s NBA draft.

St. John’s at Iowa State, Nov. 24: Rick Pitino has a brand new roster led by transfers Ian Jackson (North Carolina) and Bryce Hopkins (Providence), so this early-season check in opposition to a powerful Iowa State crew might shed extra mild on the Red Storm’s ceiling.

Gonzaga at Alabama, Nov. 24: Gonzaga’s Tyon Grant-Foster, who had an up-and-down season at Grand Canyon final 12 months, and Alabama’s Jalil Bethea, a former five-star prospect, could have an early likelihood to show they are often the sparks their groups want this season.

Houston at Tennessee, Nov. 25: You’ll possible see a fleet of NBA scouts and executives within the stands at this matchup with Tennessee’s Nate Ament, a projected top-five choose in subsequent summer season’s draft, and Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr. and Joseph Tugler, a pair of projected first-round picks, all on the court docket on this showcase.

North Carolina at Kentucky, Dec. 2: A win over a top-10 Kentucky crew with nationwide title aspirations could be sufficient to quiet any early chatter about Hubert Davis’ future in what must be a pivotal season for the Tar Heels’ coach.

UConn at Florida in NYC, Dec. 9: These two groups staged a thriller within the second spherical of final season’s NCAA event, tied with 2:12 to play earlier than Florida rallied to win. This rematch could possibly be a preview of the nationwide championship.

Purdue vs. Auburn in Indianapolis, Dec. 20: This matchup will inform how a lot work Bruce Pearl’s new-look crew might want to compete within the SEC whereas Matt Painter will get one other shot at a signature win on a nonconference slate that would embrace matchups in opposition to Alabama, Texas Tech and Iowa State, too.

Michigan at Duke, Feb. 21: It’s the timing of this matchup, coming simply weeks earlier than Selection Sunday, that issues. It might settle any potential debates inside the committee if each groups are vying for a prime seed by then.

10 freshmen to observe

Listed so as of their ESPN 100 rating.

A.J. Dybantsa, SF, BYU (No. 1 in ESPN 100): The No. 1 prospect within the ESPN 100, Dybantsa is blazing his personal path by eschewing the blue bloods to hitch a BYU program producing headlines over the previous 12 months. He’s essentially the most anticipated participant heading into this season.

Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas (No. 2): Ranked simply behind Dybantsa within the recruiting rankings, Peterson is ESPN’s projected No. 1 choose in subsequent 12 months’s NBA draft. He’s an elite scorer, as evidenced by his 61-point efficiency in opposition to Dybantsa’s Utah Prep in February.

Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke (No. 3): Boozer is likely one of the most embellished highschool prospects in current historical past, successful two gold medals with USA Basketball, 4 state titles and three straight Peach Jam championships on the Nike circuit. He must be a double-double risk from day one.

Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee (No. 4): In what must be a loaded 2026 NBA draft class, there’s an argument to be made that Ament has the very best ceiling of the group. He’s 6-11 with high-level shotmaking capability.

Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina (No. 5): He won’t emerge as the best freshman this season, however Wilson has big long-term upside, and Hubert Davis will want him to make an influence instantly. He’s 6-9 with a flexible talent set.

Darius Acuff, PG, Arkansas (No. 7): If John Calipari is teaching a crew with Final Four aspirations, chances are high he has an elite level guard working the present — and that must be Acuff this season. He’s a terrific offensive participant who will get others concerned.

Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville (No. 8): The hype for Brown’s debut is at an all-time excessive after he had arguably the very best efficiency for the USA Basketball under-19 World Cup crew, main the squad in factors (14.9) and assists (6.1) en path to the gold medal this summer season.

Tounde Yessoufou, SF, Baylor (No. 9): The profession scoring chief within the state of California, Yessoufou is nearly as good a pure bucket-getter as you may discover within the 2025 class. He’s a bodily wing who can get factors in any respect three ranges.

Koa Peat, PF, Arizona (No. 10): Another extremely embellished highschool prospect, Peat has gained three gold medals with USA Basketball and 4 state championships at the highschool degree. Consistently productive, he led the U19 World Cup crew in rebounding (6.9).

Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn (No. 17): Mullins was arguably the very best perimeter shooter within the 2025 class, making higher than 47% of his 3-pointers final spring and summer season on the Adidas circuit, then repeating that feat as a highschool senior. — Borzello

10 transfers to observe

Listed so as of ESPN’s pre-commitment switch rankings.

PJ Haggerty, PG, Kansas State (No. 1 in ESPN’s switch rankings): Haggerty was one of the vital confirmed producers within the portal, coming off a season by which he earned second-team All-America honors and was named AAC Player of the Year. He has an opportunity to place up large numbers for Jerome Tang.

Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa (No. 2): Stirtz is following Ben McCollum to his third faculty after beginning for Iowa’s new head coach at Northwest Missouri State and Drake. The Missouri Valley Player of the Year is a possible first-round choose if he can proceed his development within the Big Ten.

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan (No. 3): Lendeborg was a possible first-round choose within the NBA draft, however he withdrew his title and headed to Ann Arbor. He was one of the vital productive gamers within the nation over the previous two seasons with UAB.

Darrion Williams, SF, NC State (No. 4): Williams withdrew from the NBA draft late within the course of earlier than turning into the centerpiece of Will Wade’s first recruiting class in Raleigh. The Texas Tech switch is a flexible playmaking ahead who would be the fulcrum of the Wolfpack offense.

Donovan Dent, PG, UCLA (No. 5): Dent was among the finest level guards within the nation final season, rating within the prime 15 nationally in factors and assists. UCLA returns loads of contributors, however the New Mexico switch must be the star of the present.

Boogie Fland, PG, Florida (No. 6): Florida’s quest to go back-to-back actually ramped up when Fland withdrew from the NBA draft and dedicated to the Gators. The former five-star prospect whose freshman season at Arkansas was lower brief by a hand damage will crew up with Princeton switch Xaivian Lee in Todd Golden’s new backcourt.

Jayden Quaintance, PF, Kentucky (No. 7): Arguably the very best NBA prospect within the portal, Quaintance is a projected top-10 choose in subsequent 12 months’s draft. He’s an elite defensive participant who put up spectacular shot-blocking numbers as a freshman at Arizona State earlier than tearing his ACL late final season.

Robert Wright III, PG, BYU (No. 8): BYU went into the spring understanding it wanted a sport changer at level guard to play alongside Dybantsa and Richie Saunders. Wright is as dynamic as they arrive, with a number of breakout performances as a freshman at Baylor final season.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie, PG, Tennessee (No. 9): Gillespie loved his nationwide breakout final season after transferring from Belmont to Maryland, the place he was an All-Big Ten performer. In Knoxville, he might be changing Zakai Zeigler as Rick Barnes’ level guard.

Bryce Hopkins, F, St. John’s (No. 12): Rick Pitino is (unsurprisingly) once more going transfer-heavy, however Hopkins was the important thing addition. He has a first-team All-Big East marketing campaign on his résumé from 2022-23 however has performed solely 17 video games the previous two seasons resulting from damage. — Borzello

10 gamers with breakout potential

Seth Trimble, G, North Carolina: The 6-3 senior misplaced his beginning function after sitting out a number of video games due to damage, then by no means discovered a constant rhythm upon returning. He was a 42% 3-point shooter in 2023-24 and can get loads of open appears to be like with all the eye opponents will placed on five-star prospect Caleb Wilson.

Isaiah Evans, G, Duke: It wasn’t simple for Evans to discover a spot in a rotation that featured the Wooden Award winner and 4 different 2025 NBA draft picks. But this season, Duke will ask the projected 2026 first-rounder to be a playmaker and a extra dependable defender. He appears able to each.

Thomas Haugh, F, Florida: The 6-9 junior made 60% of his pictures contained in the arc for the nationwide champions final season. He averaged 12.2 factors and 5.8 rebounds throughout the Gators’ 12-game successful streak on the finish of the season — as a reserve. Haugh will now transfer into the beginning rotation as arguably a very powerful participant for his crew’s Final Four ambitions.

Fletcher Loyer, G, Purdue: Sure, the sharpshooting wing averaged a career-high 13.8 factors for the Boilermakers in 2024-25, and linked on 44% of his 3-point makes an attempt for the second 12 months in a row. But he took fewer pictures from past the arc as a sophomore — he tried three or fewer 3-pointers in 13 video games final season — than he did as a freshman two years in the past, so he has the potential for larger output in 2025-26.

Joseph Tugler, F, Houston: The Cougars’ longtime centerpiece, J’Wan Roberts, is gone. That function of gritty, powerful chief within the paint now belongs to Tugler, who gained Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year final season. He reached double figures in solely seven video games in 2024-25, so if he can turn into a extra dependable scorer, Tugler might safe first-team All-Big 12 honors.

Tarris Reed Jr., C, UConn: Reed will once more play a key defensive function for UConn after averaging 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks final season. He additionally made 67% of his pictures contained in the arc and had six video games with 15 or extra factors, so with extra consistency, he might turn into a two-way power for the Huskies.

Kasean Pryor, F, Louisville: Pat Kelsey just lately stated Pryor, who tore his ACL in November, must be able to go for the approaching season — a constructive improvement for a Louisville squad with nationwide title aspirations. Pryor performed solely seven video games earlier than the damage, however he averaged 12.0 factors and recorded eight blocks and 11 steals.

Roddy Gayle Jr., G, Michigan: Though he by no means fairly regained the taking pictures stroke he had as a freshman at Ohio State, Gayle confirmed flashes of his potential throughout final season’s NCAA event. His 26-point effort, together with a 4-for-6 efficiency from past the arc, in Michigan’s second-round win over Texas A&M could possibly be an indication of what is forward in his senior season.

Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn: If he can transfer previous his July 12 arrest on a DUI cost, Pettiford must be the following chief of an Auburn squad that is successfully ranging from scratch after spending a lot of final season because the No. 1 crew within the nation. He is essentially the most impactful returner for the Tigers and maybe within the SEC. After enjoying a backup function for Johni Broome & Co. final season, Pettiford will get his likelihood within the highlight.

Aden Holloway, G, Alabama: The combo guard is again for the Crimson Tide, who reached final season’s Elite Eight behind AP first-team All-American Mark Sears. Holloway, who was Sears’ backup for a number of stretches in 2024-25, now steps into that function for an Alabama roster that is gifted sufficient to compete for the SEC crown. — Medcalf

10 All-America candidates

Braden Smith, G, Purdue: The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year might turn into Purdue’s third Wooden Award winner previously 4 years. He additionally faces the strain of serving to Matt Painter win his first nationwide title because the chief of a roster that seems constructed for a run.

JT Toppin, F, Texas Tech: An Associated Press second-team All-American final season, Toppin had a breakout 12 months with the Red Raiders however will enter 2025-26 as a nationwide participant of the 12 months contender. He averaged 19.2 factors and 11.0 rebounds, main his crew to the Elite Eight final season.

PJ Haggerty, G, Kansas State: Also an AP second-team All-American final season, Haggerty helped Memphis safe the very best season of Penny Hardaway’s tenure with 29 wins. At Kansas State, Haggerty will once more lead the crew with an abundance of alternatives to go away his mark.

Cameron Boozer, F, Duke: His father, Carlos Boozer, helped Duke win the nationwide title in 2001. Recently named Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year, Cameron will look to construct on the household legacy alongside his twin brother and fellow five-star recruit, Cayden.

Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas: With each starter from final season’s Kansas crew gone, the five-star freshman would be the chief of a program that is making an attempt to shake the stench from three disappointing seasons that every ended with no journey to the second weekend of the NCAA event.

A.J. Dybantsa, G, BYU: The Cougars are chasing their first nationwide title with Dybantsa, a contender for the No. 1 choose in subsequent summer season’s NBA draft. The 6-9 ahead is an assertive younger expertise who might assist Kevin Young put collectively the best two-year stretch in program historical past if Dybantsa can lead BYU to the Final Four a 12 months after its Sweet 16 run.

Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan: After averaging 17.7 factors at UAB final season, Lendeborg was a projected first-round choose within the 2025 NBA draft earlier than withdrawing to hitch a Michigan crew that may be a professional nationwide title contender. Lendeborg, who racked up double-doubles at UAB, is poised to emerge as certainly one of America’s highest-profile gamers.

Trey Kaufman-Renn, F, Purdue: The Boilermakers reached the Sweet 16 a 12 months after shedding two-time Wooden Award winner Zach Edey thanks, partly, to Kaufman-Renn incomes first-team All-Big Ten honors. He averaged 20.1 factors and 6.5 rebounds whereas connecting on 43% of his 3-point makes an attempt final season. This season, he might be a part of teammate Braden Smith as a severe candidate for All-America honors.

Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa: If followers did not know Stirtz’s title earlier than the NCAA event, they definitely knew it after he scored 21 factors in Drake’s first-round upset of Missouri. The Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year adopted coach Ben McCollum to Iowa, the place Stirtz will contend for Big Ten Player of the Year and different honors.

Donovan Dent, G, UCLA: Before Dent’s arrival, New Mexico had not been to the NCAA event in a decade. But the gifted guard, who averaged 20.4 factors en path to the Lobos’ Mountain West regular-season title final season, led his crew to back-to-back appearances in 2024 and 2025. Now, he’ll be a catalyst for Mick Cronin’s squad within the Big Ten. — Medcalf

10 coaches at new packages

Darian DeVries, Indiana: DeVries replaces Mike Woodson after main Drake to a few NCAA event appearances in 4 years and simply lacking the tourney in his lone season at West Virginia. In Bloomington, the strain is extremely excessive from day one.

Buzz Williams, Maryland: Williams is not any stranger to bouncing from one high-major program to a different, with stops at Marquette, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M. He left A&M after six seasons to take over in College Park, the place he is changing Kevin Willard, who left for Villanova. With Williams bringing a number of gamers with him from A&M, Terps followers are hoping he’ll hit the bottom working.

Will Wade, NC State: One of essentially the most fascinating hires of the cycle, Wade is again on the power-conference degree after successful 58 video games in two seasons at McNeese. He’s an elite recruiter who has already raised the anticipation degree in Raleigh.

Sean Miller, Texas: Miller was a goal for Texas when the Longhorns employed Rodney Terry in 2023. Now after a second stint at Xavier, Miller is lastly in Austin. He has 13 profession NCAA event appearances and is anticipated to convey high-level success to the Longhorns.

Kevin Willard, Villanova: In maybe essentially the most awkward saga of the 2025 teaching carousel, Willard spoke publicly about adjustments he needed to see at Maryland and emerged as Villanova’s clear best choice throughout the Terps’ Sweet 16 run. The Wildcats have to reenter the nationwide highlight.

Ryan Odom, Virginia: Just seven years after main UMBC to an NCAA event win over Virginia within the first 16-over-1 males’s upset, Odom is taking on in Charlottesville. He’s ostensibly changing Tony Bennett, who shockingly retired simply earlier than the 2024-25 season. Zero factors are coming back from final season, however Odom’s worldwide haul gives a giant enhance.

Ben McCollum, Iowa: McCollum’s meteoric rise from Division II to the Big Ten took lower than one calendar 12 months. He led Northwest Missouri State to 4 nationwide titles earlier than guiding Drake to an NCAA event win in his lone season with the Bulldogs. All-American Bennett Stirtz following him to his third faculty is a good place to begin for 2025-26.

Jai Lucas, Miami: It was clear that Lucas was going to be the following coach at Miami earlier than information of his hiring broke, but it surely was nonetheless shocking when he left his put up as Duke assistant earlier than the postseason. Will his recruiting prowess assist get Miami again close to the highest of the ACC?

Richard Pitino, Xavier: Pitino was linked to seemingly each power-conference opening within the spring however finally landed at Xavier as Sean Miller’s alternative. Pitino led New Mexico to the second spherical of the NCAA event final season and now joins the identical league as his father, Rick Pitino. Aside from the Travis Steele period, this can be a program that has missed solely 4 NCAA tournaments within the 2000s. Expectations are quietly excessive.

Bucky McMillan, Texas A&M: Can “Bucky Ball” scale as much as the dominant SEC? Samford performed a few of the most entertaining basketball within the nation below McMillan the previous few seasons, going to the NCAA event in 2024. — Borzello

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