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2026-27 NCAA Basketball Way-Too-Early Rankings Analysis

ESPN General •
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ESPN's latest Way-Too-Early Top 25 reflects a turbulent offseason that saw over 2,700 players enter the transfer portal and 60-plus declare for the NBA draft. Despite the chaos, the upper crust remains remarkably stable, with Florida Gators holding steady at No. 1 after securing their frontcourt trio's returns. Coach Todd Golden's retention efforts paid dividends.

The most notable shift involves traditional powerhouses returning to prominence. Kansas landed the nation's No. 1 recruit, while North Carolina replaced departing big man Henri Veesaar with international talent. Both programs missed the previous rankings but now sit firmly in contention for next season's preseason polls.

All eyes remain on Milan Momcilovic, the former Iowa State forward who withdrew from the NBA draft but hasn't committed. His decision among Kentucky, Louisville, and Arizona will significantly reshape the top 25 picture. Each program's trajectory hinges on his choice.

The top five stayed unchanged because those programs prioritized retention over flashy moves. Duke added Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell, while Michigan reloaded through the portal despite losing Morez Johnson Jr. to the NBA draft. These early rankings suggest next season's title race will be wide open.