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1. Houston Cougars
Houston suffered a devastating loss in Monday night’s National Championship Game, but the program should have a good shot at vying for the title once again in 2026. The Cougars will lose star guard L.J. Cryer, big man J’Wan Roberts and could see Milos Uzan leave for the NBA, as well. However, Kelvin Sampson could have another potential All-American guard if Emanuel Sharp takes his game to another level. Additionally, Houston’s defense will remain anchored by Joseph Tugler. Sampson and Co. have also put together a great recruiting class led by three players that fall within the top-2o of ESPN 100 — Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 6), Isiah Harwell (No. 13) and Kingston Flemings (No. 20).
2. Purdue Boilermakers
After years of underachieving in the NCAA Tournament, Purdue reached the title game in 2024. Now, after losing a heartbreaker to Houston in the Sweet 16 this past season, Purdue is once again poised to compete for the big prize in 2026. The Boilermakers are set to return the nation’s top point guard (Braden Smith) and potentially a second All-American contender (Trey Kaufman-Renn). In total, Purdue will return four starters — with Fletcher Loyer (13.8 PPG) being an above-average player in his own right. Coach Matt Painter will have a new weapon to work with, as well. Oscar Cluff spent last year at South Dakota State after starting for Washington State in 2024. Entering his last year of eligibility, Cluff averaged 17.6 PPG and 12.3 RPG for the Jackrabbits last year. There is a strong case for Purdue to be the No. 1 team entering next season.
3. UConn Huskies
UConn’s bid for a three-peat ended in the Round of 32 — a two-point loss to Florida — but it figures to be one of the top teams in America next year. Dan Hurley’s crew will be led by Solo Ball and Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. Ball was great as a sophomore, averaging 14.4 PPG in his first year as a starter. Demary Jr. was Georgia’s second leading scorer (13.5 PPG) and will provide the Huskies with another shooter. Braylon Mullins is a top-2o recruit and will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact. The future of Alex Karaban remains a mystery. Karaban averaged a career-high 14.3 PPG as a junior and has not announced whether he will return for a fourth season or turn his attention towards the NBA. If Karaban returns, UConn may become the team to beat.
4. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville underwent a remarkable transformation last season. Under former head coach Kenny Payne, Louisville went 12-52 in two seasons and won just five games in the ACC. Payne’s dismissal paved the way for Pat Kelsey to take over the program, but nobody could have expected Kelsey to change the trajectory of the program as fast as he did. The Cardinals went 18-2 in ACC play and entered the NCAA Tournament as an 8-seed. Despite a loss to Creighton in the Round of 64, Louisville figures to be a contender in 2026. Kasean Pryor and Aly Khalifa are likely to return, Kelsey has added three impact transfers — Ryan Conwell (16.5 PPG), Isaac McKneely (14.4 PPG), Adrian Wooley (18.8 PPG) — and has a top-10 recruit joining the group in Mikel Brown Jr.
5. Michigan Wolverines
There’s no denying Dusty May’s status as one of the top coaches in the country, and he appears to have Michigan on a path towards the top of the college basketball hierarchy. Two years after leading Florida Atlantic to the Final Four, May guided the Wolverines to 27 wins and an appearance in the Sweet 16. May has hit the transfer portal hard, adding three potential starters including Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson. The Wolverines figure to boast solid depth, as well, allowing five-star freshman Trey McKenney to ease into his first year with the program.
