Duke gets major preseason boost as college basketball rankings reveal surprising contenders

Duke gets major preseason boost as college basketball rankings reveal surprising contenders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The college basketball season is approaching, and one of the sport’s most respected statistical models has already identified its early favorite.

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Duke opens the 2026-27 season ranked No. 1 in the preseason KenPom ratings.The Blue Devils lead a talented group of contenders that includes Florida, Houston, Illinois and Arizona.

Those five programs occupy the top five positions in the initial ratings released ahead of the November 2 opening of the regular season.

However, the rankings also reveal several interesting developments that could shape the national championship conversation. Some traditional powers appear positioned for another strong season. Others enter with considerably more questions than their reputations might suggest.

Duke leads impressive preseason top five

Duke’s position at No. 1 shows the model’s expectations for the Blue Devils entering another season under Jon Scheyer. Florida follows at No. 2, giving the SEC one of the nation’s strongest projected teams. Houston checks in at No. 3, followed by Illinois and Arizona.

Iowa State ranks sixth, Michigan State seventh, Kansas eighth, Alabama ninth and Texas tenth.

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The distribution highlights the strength of several major conferences.

The Big 12 places Houston, Arizona, Iowa State and Kansas among the top eight. The SEC has Florida, Alabama and Texas inside the top ten, with several additional programs close behind.

The ratings are based on projected team efficiency rather than simply ranking the most recognizable programs. That distinction makes them particularly useful when evaluating teams with significant roster turnover.

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Publish date : 2026-10-13 11:47:00

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