CBS Sports releases updated Top 25 and 1 for 2023-24 college basketball season

With college basketball season still a few months out, CBS Sports released an updated version of its Top 25 and 1 preseason rankings. It’s been nearly a month since the last Top 25 and 1 rankings from CBS, and while a few teams have both risen and fallen on the list, the top 10 remains the same.

Kentucky made the biggest jump, moving up from No. 24 to No. 16 after landing a commitment from 7-foot-2 Croatian center Zvonimir Ivisic. The Wildcats are one of five SEC schools to make the rankings, tying with the Big East to lead all conferences.

Kansas leads the way as the No. 1 team after returning three starters and making aggressive moves both in the transfer portal and on the high school recruiting trail. You can view the full CBS Sports Top 25 and 1 rankings for the 2023-24 college basketball season below.

1. Kansas Jayhawks

Coming off of a Big 12 championship and No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Kansas loses its top two scorers in Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick to the NBA. But the Jayhawks still make a compelling case for the best team in the country thanks to the return of starters Kevin McCullar, Dajuan Harris and KJ Adams.

The transfer additions and incoming freshman that coach Bill Self added this offseason are what really strengthens Kansas’ case for No. 1. That includes Michigan center Hunter Dickinson, Towson sharpshooter Nick Timberlake (41.6% 3-point in 2022-23) and four-star freshman Elmarko Jackson.

2. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue saw its season end in embarrassing fashion last year, becoming just the second No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament history to lose to a 16 seed. The good news is center Zach Edey opted to forgo the NBA Draft and return after sweeping the National Player of the Year awards.

Edey dominated the paint this past season to average 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He won’t be without help, as the Boilermakers also return six of their top seven scorers as they hope to avenge their disappointing 2023 March Madness exit.

3. Duke Blue Devils

The Blue Devils return several key pieces from their 2022-23 roster including their top four scorers. Kyle Filipowski, Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell are all back after earning starting roles as true freshmen, while Jeremy Roach will offer veteran leadership entering his senior season.

That core helped Duke win the ACC Tournament this past year before bowing out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils also loaded up on incoming talent with the No. 2 recruiting class according to On3’s Team Recruiting Rankings, highlighted by five-star shooting guard Jared McCain.

4. Florida Atlantic Owls

Florida Atlantic enters 2023-24 on the heels of the greatest season in program history. Making just their second NCAA Tournament appearance, the Owls advanced all the way to the Final Four and finished the year with a 35-4 record.

They managed to keep most of the team together from that run, including all five starters led by 7-footer Vladislav Goldin and guards Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin. That should give FAU a chance at another deep March Madness run, though they certainly won’t enter this season under the radar.

5. Michigan State Spartans

Coming off of a Sweet Sixteen appearance this past season, Michigan State will be in the mix as one of college basketball’s top programs. The Spartans return five of their top six scorers and are a veteran-laden team as all five of those players are upperclassmen.

Last year’s leading scorer Tyson Walker (14.4 ppg) and AJ Hoggard (12.9 ppg, 5.9 apg) give them one of the best backcourts in the Big Ten. Michigan State also brings in five-star center Xavier Booker, one of four freshman from On3’s No. 6-ranked recruiting class.

6. Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette fittingly comes in just behind that knocked it out in the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Golden Eagles were upset as a No. 2 seed after claiming the Big East Tournament title, but should have a chance to bounce back from that loss thanks to their returning talent.

That includes starting point guard Tyler Kolek (12.9 ppg, 7.5 apg) and leading scorer Kameron Jones (15.9 ppg). They make up two of four starters who are back for another year, and that core will make Marquette a championship contender entering the season.

7. Houston Cougars

Set to enter its first season in the Big 12, Houston should immediately stake its claim as one of the conference’s top teams. The Cougars earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament this past season and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after claiming its second straight AAC regular season championship.

They lose top two scorers Marcus Sasser and Jarace Walker, but return five of their top eight scorers including Jamal Shead and J’Wan Roberts. Houston also brought in Baylor transfer guard LJ Cryer, who averaged 15.0 points per game this past season with the Bears.

8. UConn Huskies

UConn breezed through the NCAA Tournament this past season with an average margin of victory of 20.0 points on its way to winning the national championship. However, the Huskies lose their top two scorers in Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins, who combined for 33.4 points per game.

Still, they should have a solid shot at defending their title thanks to the returns of guard Tristen Newton, forward Alex Karaban and center Donovan Clingan, who should slide into Sanogo’s spot. UConn also adds a top 10 recruiting class highlighted by five-star shooting guard Stephon Castle.

9. Creighton Blue Jays

Creighton advanced to the Elite Eight this past season and should have a shot to go even further in 2023-24 with its top three scorers back. Seven-footer Ryan Kalkbrenner leads the way after putting up a team-high 15.9 points to go along with 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game this past season.

In the backcourt, sharpshooter Trey Alexander and Baylor Schierman, who led the Blue Jays with 8.3 rebounds per game, also return. Creighton also added a valuable transfer piece in former Utah State point guard Steven Ashworth, the No. 32 player in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings.

10. Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes advanced to the Final Four this past season and bring back three starters from that team: Nijel Pack, Norchad Omier and Wooga Poplar. All those players will be expected to take on larger roles due to the loss of Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller, the team’s top two scorers from 2022-23.

As it did last season with Pack and Omier, Miami went to the transfer portal to add Florida State star Matthew Cleveland. He led the Seminoles with 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this past season and should make an immediate impact.

CBS Sports college basketball Top 25 and 1: 11-26

11. Arkansas Razorbacks
12. USC Trojans
13. San Diego State Aztecs
14. Tennessee Volunteers
15. Texas A&M Aggies
16. Kentucky Wildcats
17. Arizona Wildcats
18. Baylor Bears
19. Gonzaga Bulldogs
20. Texas Longhorns
21. Saint Mary’s Gaels
22. North Carolina Tar Heels
23. Illinois Fighting Illini
24. Villanova Wildcats
25. Mississippi State Bulldogs
26. St. John’s Red Storm

That wraps up the CBS Sports college basketball Top 25 and 1 rankings for the 2023-24 season. With so much time before the regular season begins, these rankings are likely to change again.

As we saw last season with Cinderella runs from FAU and San Diego State, there will be teams who come out of nowhere to surprise. But for now, they provide an idea of the biggest contenders to cut down the nets come March.