The 2026-27 men's college basketball season tips off on Monday, and Yahoo Sports has released its opening day Top 25 rankings. Florida claims the No. 1 spot after returning its top two scorers, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh, from a team that reached the NCAA Tournament second round last season. The Gators' retention of two of their top three rebounders and rim protectors gives them an early edge over a field heavily reshaped by the transfer portal and NBA departures.
Top Five
Duke sits at No. 2, with coach Jon Scheyer reloading after the departures of Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel. The Blue Devils add high-potential freshmen Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje and Patrick Ngongba II, plus transfer John Blackwell. Illinois lands at No. 3, returning three starters led by sophomore forward David Mirkovic after a 28-win season and Final Four appearance. Arizona, despite losing three NBA-bound stars, ranks No. 4 behind elite post defender Motiejus Krivas. Michigan State rounds out the top five, with star guard Jeremy Fears Jr. back for a team that won 27 games and reached the Sweet 16.
Notable Storylines
UConn (No. 6) returns preseason Big East Player of the Year Silas Demary Jr. and freshman standout Braylon Mullins. Texas (No. 7) expects a larger role for transfer Matas Vokietaitis after a Sweet 16 run. Houston (No. 8) brings back elite defender Joseph Tugler for a fifth straight 30-win campaign. Tennessee (No. 9) adds Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris to offset NBA losses. Virginia (No. 10) leans on Belgian sophomore Thijs de Ridder after a 30-win breakthrough.
Louisville (No. 11) acquires Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, a double-double machine. St. John's (No. 12) adds transfer Keyshawn Hall after losing its frontcourt duo to the NBA. Arkansas (No. 13) pins hopes on freshman Jordan Smith, a two-time U-18 gold medalist. Gonzaga (No. 14) returns WCC Player of the Year Braden Huff. Iowa State (No. 15) relies on senior guard Tamin Lipsey after losing two key players to the NBA and transfer portal.
Miami (No. 16) returns breakout forward Malik Reneau under coach Jai Lucas. Michigan (No. 17) turns to former assistant Mike Boynton Jr. and Final Four Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau after coach Dusty May left for the NBA. Kansas (No. 18) banks on freshman Tyran Stokes, a potential No. 1 pick. Texas Tech (No. 19) awaits the return of JT Toppin from a torn ACL. Alabama (No. 20) hopes senior Aden Holloway can lead the offense after the departure of NBA draft pick Labaron Philon Jr.
USC (No. 21) welcomes back Rodney Rice from injury. Vanderbilt (No. 22) features Player of the Year candidate Tyler Tanner. Kentucky (No. 23) adds Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic. BYU (No. 24) looks to Robert Wright III and freshman Bruce Branch III after losing No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa. UCLA (No. 25) returns guard Trent Perry and forward Eric Dailey Jr. for coach Mick Cronin's eighth season.
