College basketball rankings 2026-27: Duke, Florida, Illinois lead Sporting News preseason Top 25

College basketball rankings 2026-27: Duke, Florida, Illinois lead Sporting News preseason Top 25 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A few years ago, any next-season college basketball rankings before April were far too early. When the era of increased player movement began, any rankings before May were too early.

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This offseason, it felt like any rankings before the literal first tip-off were too early.

The chaos surrounding eligibility dragged through the summer and into the fall, leaving teams with roster uncertainty right up to the start of the season. After so many months of off-the-court headlines, though, the focus of college basketball is finally right back where it belongs: on the hardwood.

The Sporting News ranks the top 25 teams entering the season, headlined by Duke and Florida.

Sporting News College Basketball Preseason Top 25

1. Duke

Coach: Jon Scheyer (5th season)

Key players: G John Blackwell, F Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje, C Patrick Ngongba II, G Cayden Boozer, F Dame Sarr, G Caleb Foster

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2026 finish: 35-3, Elite Eight

Why they’re here: Jon Scheyer obviously still has something to prove after back-to-back seasons ended in complete collapse in the NCAA Tournament, but this is the deepest team he’s ever had. There might not be a Cooper Flagg or a Cameron Boozer, but the combination of returnees Ngongba, Cayden Boozer, Sarr and Foster plus the addition of talented scorer John Blackwell alone make this team dangerous. Add in an impressive class of freshmen, including freakishly talented 17-year-old Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje, and the Blue Devils have everything needed to win a national championship, provided point guard play is stable enough.

MORE:Duke betting preview for 2026-27

2. Florida

Coach: Todd Golden (5th season)

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Key players: F Thomas Haugh, F Alex Condon, C Rueben Chinyelu, G Boogie Fland, G Denzel Aberdeen, G Urban Klavzar

2026 finish: 27-8, Round of 32

Why they’re…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/college-basketball-rankings-2026-27-141443503.html

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Publish date : 2026-11-03 14:14:00

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