The 2025-26 college basketball season has finally arrived, bringing with it a new wave of excitement, storylines, and rising contenders ready to shake up the national picture. The defending champion Florida Gators enter the year with a target on their back, but several teams appear poised to challenge their throne. Houston looks hungry to finish what it started last season after falling just short of a title, while Purdue and Duke return experienced cores built for deep tournament runs. St. John’s and Louisville are both programs on the rise that could compete with today’s top blue bloods, and Kentucky’s mix of veteran leadership and youthful talent makes it one of the more intriguing teams to watch. Out west, BYU and Arizona each have the pieces to contend for the Big XII crown and more, while a reloaded UConn squad lurks with plenty to prove. From powerhouse programs to ambitious challengers, this season promises to be wide open from start to finish, so let’s get into my predictions and what you might expect from this season:

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Power Rankings

1. Florida

Last Season: 36-4, National Champions

Key Player: Boogie Fland, PG

2. Houston

Last Season: 35-5, National Runner-Up

Key Player: Milos Uzan, PG

3. Purdue

Last Season: 24-12, Sweet Sixteen

Key Player: Braden Smith, PG

4. UConn

Last Season: 24-11, Round of 32

Key Player: Solo Ball, SG

5. St. John’s

Last Season: 31-5, Round of 32

Key Player: Zuby Ejiofor, C

6. BYU

Last Season: 26-10, Sweet Sixteen

Key Player: AJ Dybantsa, SF

7. Duke

Last Season: 35-4, Final Four

Key Player: Cameron Boozer, PF

8. Louisville

Last Season: 27-8, Round of 64

Key Player: Mikel Brown Jr., PG

9. Kentucky

Last Season: 24-12, Sweet Sixteen

Key Player: Otega Oweh, SG

10. Illinois

Last Season: 22-13, Round of 32

Key Player: Andrej Stojakovic, SF

11. Texas Tech

Last Season: 28-9, Elite Eight

Key Player: JT Toppin, PF

12. Michigan

Last Season: 27-10, Sweet Sixteen

Key Player: Yaxel Lendeborg, PF

13. Iowa State

Last Season: 25-10, Round of 32

Key Player: Tamin Lipsey, PG

14. Arizona

Last Season: 24-13, Sweet Sixteen

Key Player: Koa Peat, PF

15. Arkansas

Last Season: 22-14, Sweet Sixteen

Key Player: Darius Acuff Jr., PG

16. Tennessee

Last Season: 30-8, Elite Eight

Key Player: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, PG

17. UCLA

Last Season: 23-11, Round of 32

Key Player: Donovan Dent, PG

18. Auburn

Last Season: 32-6, Final Four

Key Player: Tahaad Pettiford, PG

19. NC State

Last Season: 12-19, Missed ACC Tourney

Key Player: Darrion Williams, SF

20. Alabama

Last Season: 28-9, Elite Eight

Key Player: Labaron Philon Jr., PG

21. Wisconsin

Last Season: 27-10, Round of 32

Key Player: John Blackwell, SF

22. Gonzaga

Last Season: 26-9, Round of 32

Key Player: Graham Ike, PF

23. Kansas

Last Season: 21-13, Round of 64

Key Player: Darryn Peterson, PG

24. Creighton

Last Season: 25-11, Round of 32

Key Player: Owen Freeman, C

25. North Carolina

Last Season: 23-14, Round of 64

Key Player: Caleb Wilson, PF

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Conference Champions

ACC

Duke over Louisville

Big East

St. John’s over UConn

B1G

Purdue over Illinois

Big XII

Houston over BYU

SEC

Kentucky over Arkansas

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Awards & Honors

Coach of the Year: Kevin Young, BYU

Newcomer of the Year: Cameron Boozer, Duke

Wooden Award: Braden Smith, Purdue

First Team All Americans

Braden Smith, Purdue

Darryn Peterson, Kansas

JT Toppin, Texas Tech

Cameron Boozer, Duke

Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s

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Final Four & National Champion Picks

Final Four: Purdue, St, John’s, Houston, Kentucky

National Champion: Houston over Purdue