College Basketball Rankings: ESPN releases Way Too Early Top 25 for 2025-26 season

The latest college basketball rankings are here as ESPN revealed its way too early top 25 for the 2025-26 season. So are these the latest or the earliest?

Anyway, it’s a nice look at what could unfold next year. THere are a lot of key pieces back for the top teams and the transfer portal changes a lot of lineups of course.

So let’s not waste anymore time and dive into ESPN’s rankings. It’s only April, so expect a lot of changes ahead of the late-fall.

1. Houston

Don’t worry Houston fans, the Cougars can get back to the title game. It was a bitter ending in the national championship but they’re ESPN’s top team next year.

Guys like Terrance Arceneaux, Emanuel Sharp, JoJo Tugler and Milos Uzan are all back. That’s a great core to be able to run it back.

2. Purdue

Braden Smith coming back as potentially the best guard in the country gives Purdue a big boost next season. Fletcher Loyer is also back for next year.

It seems like the Boilermakers are always in the thick of things. Matt Painter and crew should be one of the top contenders to win it all next season.

3. Louisville

The Cardinals have had a very strong offseason to this point and ESPN loves them already. Louisville looks like a top three team in the country, at least in April.

The Cards landed transfers Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Isaac McKneely (Virginia) and Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State). Not only that, top tier recruit Mikel Brown Jr. is now in the fold. This should be a fun squad to watch.

4. UConn

Well, UConn failed to get the three-peat this season, but they could certainly be in position for a third title in four years. That’s the power of Dan Hurley and his program building.

As ESPN wrote, Solo Ball is likely to receive preseason All-American buzz and Silas Demary Jr. comes in from Georgia. It helps when those two guys already averaged double digits in scoring.

5. Michigan

Dusty May’s first season was very successful but now the expectations have been raised going into next season. Michigan immediately hit the portal and landed three potential starters.

Yaxel Lendeborg, Elliot Cadeau and Morez Johnson Jr. are slated to come in. Let’s not forget returnees Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett and recruit Trey McKenney coming to Ann Arbor.

6. Kentucky

The Wildcats are of course going to be in contention next year right? Mark Pope did a solid job during his first season as Kentucky head coach.

They also landed transfers Jaland Lowe (Pitt) and Kam Williams (Tulane). The recruiting is always going to be there too so a deeper tournament run is expected in 2026.

7. Arkansas

John Calipari quieted a lot of criticism towards the end of the season with a run to the Sweet 16 this year. It was a true rollercoaster year for Arkansas, but perhaps he’s set up for a great run next season.

DJ Wagner is expected back after averaging 11.2 points per game. Big time recruits are coming in, in the form of Darrius Acuff and Meleek Thomas. This could be a solid SEC contender.

8. Duke

Fresh off a Final Four appearance, many want to see what the Blue Devils have for an encore for the 2025-26 season. But, there’s no Cooper Flagg who had one of the best freshman seasons in recent memory.

The good news is, top recruits Cayden Boozer, Nikolas Khamenia and Cameron Boozer are coming in next season. What does Jon Scheyer have for next season?

9. St. John’s

Rick Pitino had one heck of a year this year, but it was a rough second round exit to Arkansas. St. John’s was a popular Final Four pick going into the tournament.

Zuby Ejiofor is back next season and the Red Storm landed some transfers. Bryce Hopkins and Joson Sanon from Providence and Arizona State are coming in next season and ready to roll.

10. UCLA

UCLA was much maligned throughout the year, but the 2025-26 campaign could prove different. Mick Cronin and crew landed Donovan Dent from New Mexico in the portal. He was the Mountain West Player of the Year.

Trent Perry, Eric Dailey Jr. and Tyler Bilodeau are all back this coming season. Perry is key for Cronin and crew and taking a step forward could give UCLA a big jump.

ESPN’s Way Too Early Top 25 for 2025-26

11. Alabama
12. Auburn
13. Iowa State
14. Wisconsin
15. Kansas
16. BYU
17. Arizona
18. Michigan State
19. Florida
20. Gonzaga
21. Tennessee
22. Texas Tech
23. Ohio State
24. Texas
25. North Carolina