CBS Sports releases first Top 25 and 1 update ahead of 2023-24 college basketball season

The college basketball season might have ended less than a week ago, but it’s never too early to start thinking toward next year. CBS Sports wasted no time in doing so, releasing its first Top 25 and 1 for the 2023-24 college basketball season.

UConn fittingly enters at No. 1 after cutting down the nets for the fifth national championship in program history. As of now, the Huskies will return four of their five starters from their title run with Jordan Hawkins being the only departure. UConn also brings in the No. 8 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Team Rankings, highlighted by five-star guard Stephon Castle.

Florida Atlantic comes in at No. 5 after making a Cinderella run for the ages on its way to the Final Four. The Owls had never won an NCAA Tournament game before escaping the first round with a one-point win and later taking out Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee and Kansas State to reach the national semifinal and lose to San Diego State on a buzzer beater.

FAU coach Dusty May received a 10-year contract extension following the tournament. The Owls return all five starters after losing just four games all season and claiming the Conference USA title. They make the move to the AAC next season and should enter as the favorite there with Houston and Cincinnati departing for the Big 12.

Purdue, Marquette and Miami coming in at 2-4 in that order to round out the top five. The Boilermakers’ ranking hinges on the assumption that reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey decides to return for his senior season. He led them to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament after averaging 22.3 points and 12.9 rebounds.

The Golden Eagles suffered a second-round upset to Michigan State but return almost their entire roster after winning the Big East championship. Miami loses only Jordan Miller from its starting lineup after making a run to the first Final Four in program history.

See below for the CBS Sports Top 25 and 1 for the 2023-24 college basketball season.

CBS Sports Top 25 and 1 for 2023-24 season

1. UConn
2. Purdue
3. Marquette
4. Miami
5. Florida Atlantic
6. Alabama
7. Duke
8. UCLA
9. Creighton
10. Kansas
11. Michigan State
12. Kentucky
13. Arizona
14. San Diego State
15. Tennessee
16. Arkansas
17. Baylor
18. Houston
19. Texas A&M
20. Gonzaga
21. Saint Mary’s
22. Auburn
23. Iowa State
24. Xavier
25. Mississippi State
26. Missouri