Introduction

With the NBA draft withdrawal deadline now behind us, the landscape of college basketball for the 2025-26 season is becoming clearer. This critical date has reshaped team rosters and significantly influenced preseason rankings. Here, we delve into the latest projections for the top 25 NCAA basketball teams, spotlighting key players and strategic shifts.

Key Team Movements

1. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue retains its top spot, bolstered by the return of Wooden Award favorite Braden Smith and All-American Trey Kaufman-Renn. The addition of South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff and other key players ensures a strong lineup.

2. Florida Gators

Florida has made a significant leap in the rankings, thanks to the return of Alex Condon and the addition of Boogie Fland. These moves position the Gators as strong contenders for back-to-back championships.

3. Houston Cougars

Houston remains a top contender with the return of Milos Uzan. Despite losing some scoring power, the Cougars' defense and incoming recruits keep them in the national conversation.

4. UConn Huskies

UConn has reloaded with the return of Alex Karaban and the addition of promising newcomers. The Huskies are poised to make another deep run in the NCAA tournament.

5. St. John's Red Storm

St. John's, under Rick Pitino, has secured a strong portal class, ensuring they remain competitive in the Big East and beyond.

Projected Starting Lineups

Purdue Boilermakers

• 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)

Florida Gators

• 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)

Houston Cougars

• 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)

Conclusion

As the offseason progresses, these rankings will continue to evolve. Teams are still fine-tuning their rosters, and the dynamics of college basketball promise an exciting season ahead. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analysis as we approach the 2025-26 NCAA basketball season.