Aaron Torres College Basketball 'Way Too Early Top 25' - 2025-2026 - Version I

Well folks, I've got some bad news: College basketball's season has officially come to an end, as just minutes ago as Florida beat Houston in the most shocking way possible.

But now the real fun - and real craziness begins - as it's time to look ahead to 2025-2026 with our first "Way Too Early Top 25" of the off-season.

Now to be clear, this is just Version I - and a LOT is going to change. With the transfer portal pillaging rosters, we've now reached a point where no one's roster is finalized in early April. And to be blunt, some rosters haven't even really begun yet.

Heck, there are a handful of really good teams that right now couldn't even field a starting five if the season started tomorrow, and will be adding several pieces in the coming weeks.

So please, take this list with a grain of salt. It will change between now and mid-June. A lot.

Still, you want a Top 25 - and I'm here to give it to you. Here's Version I.

1. Duke Blue Devils

Key Returnees: Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, Isaiah Evans, Patrick Ngongba

Key Departures: Mason Gillis, Sion James, Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel

Key Additions: Cam Boozer, Cayden Boozer, Shelton Henderson, Nikolas Khamenia

Yes, Duke lost in catastrophic fashion on Saturday night. And it means absolutely nothing when putting together a "Way Too Early Top 25" for next year.

Duke might not be as good next season as this year, but we know they'll have elite freshmen talent (headlined by five-star McDonald's All-American's Cam and Cayden Boozer) and several of this year's role players could return, including Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster and Maliq Brown.

Plus, say what you want about Jon Scheyer's Saturday performance, but he found perfect fits in the portal last off-season when filling out his roster. Expect him to do the same this off-season.

2. Purdue Boilermakers

Key Returnees: Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufmann-Wrenn, CJ Cox, Daniel Jacobsen 

Key Departures: Caleb Furst, Myles Colvin (transfer), Will Berg (transfer), Cam Heide (transfer)

Key Additions: Antoine West

There's been a little bit more activity than usual at Purdue with three players leaving the program via portal. But as long as Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer and Trey Kaufmann-Wrenn are back, the Boilermakers should be good enough to beat anyone.

Put simply, Smith was the best pure point guard in college basketball this year averaging 15 points and nearly eight assists per game, and Kauffman-Wrenn was one of the best big men as well. He emerged as a monster in the post, finishing the year averaging 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Purdue will also welcome back former high-profile recruit Daniel Jacobsen who missed this season with injury.

3. Houston Cougars

Key Returnees: Milos Uzan, Emmanuel Sharp, Terrence Arceneaux, JoJo Tugler

Key Departures: LJ Cryer, J'Wan Roberts, Javier Francis, Mylik Wilson

Key Additions: Chris Cenac Jr., Kingston Flemings

It was a devastating end for Houston on Monday night, but they should return a team good enough to win it in 2025-2026.

Yes, star guard LJ Cryer and program stalwart J'Wan Roberts are gone. But second and third leading scorers Milos Uzan and Emmanuel Sharp could both be back, along with Saturday tournament hero JoJo Tugler and versatile wing Terrence Arceneaux.

Oh, and the Cougs also welcome in two five-star freshmen as well in big Chris Cenac Jr. and guard Kingston Flemings. The Cougars aren't going anywhere.

4. Arizona Wildcats

Key Returnees: Jaden Bradley, Carter Bryant, Tobe Awaka, Motiejus Krivas, Anthony Dell'Orso

Key Departures: Caleb Love, Trey Towsend, KJ Lewis (transfer), Henri Veesaar (transfer)

Key Additions: Koa Peat, Dwayne Aristode, Bryce James

This may be a wee bit too high for the Wildcats, but what I can also tell you is this: Arizona should have a better roster in 2025-2026 than the one that gave Duke all it could handle in this year's Sweet 16.

Yes, Caleb Love is gone and the program got a bit of a surprise when big man Henri Veesaar left for North Carolina. But Jaden Bradley remains one of the best point guards in college basketball and there is increasing buzz that emerging star Carter Bryant could turn down guaranteed first round pick status in the NBA to return for another year.

Even better, Arizona also recently landed five-star Koa Peat, and another could be on the way, as the Wildcats are heavy favorites for five-star guard Brayden Burries who is expected to commit any day now.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide

Key Returnees: Aden Holloway, Jarin Stevenson, Derrion Reid, Aidan Sherrell, Latrell Wrightsell Jr., Hunter Mallette

Key Departures: Mark Sears, Grant Nelson, Cliff Omoruyi, Grant Nelson, Chris Youngblood, Labaron Philon

Key Additions: Taylor Bol Bowen (transfer), Jalil Bethea (transfer), Noah Williamson (transfer), London Jemison, Davion Hannah, Amari Allen

It was a busy weekend in Tuscaloosa, where not one, not two but four players all announced their returns to play for Alabama next year. Point guard Aden Holloway will return to lead the team, alongside sharpshooters Latrell Wrightsell and Hunter Mallette (both of whom were mostly injured this year). And then the big one, as big main Aidan Sherrell will return as well.

The Tide are still technically waiting on decisions from Derrion Reid and Jarin Stevenson, but whether they leave or not - they've more than made up with plenty of talent on the wings. Former McDonald's All-American Jalil Bethea committed over the weekend and former Florida State Seminole Taylor Bol Bowen will provide athleticism on the wing.

There's probably a piece or two to add in the frontcourt, but Nate Oats' 2025-2026 roster is largely set = and absolutely good enough to win another SEC title.

6. Michigan Wolverines

Key Returnees: Roddy Gayle, Will Tschetter

Key Departures: Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin, Rubin Jones, Nimari Burnett, Justin Pippen (transfer), Tre Donaldson (transfer), , Sam Walters (transfer)

Key Additions: Elliot Cadeau (transfer), Yaxel Lendeborg (transfer), Morez Johnson Jr. (transfer), Trey McKinney, Winters Grady

Another team that maybe I'm just a little too high on, but there's a simple reason why: Your boy Torres came down with a bad case of Yaxel fever over the weekend.

Yup, on Saturday, Michigan landed Yaxel Lendeborg, a 6'9 forward who doubled as the best player in the portal. While he very easily could stay in the NBA Draft, if he does come back there is a legitimate chance that he can be an All-American playing in Dusty May's system. And he'll be supplemented by plenty more talent including center Morez Johnson and point guard Eliot Cadeau.

We'll obviously adjust if in fact Lendeborg stays in the draft (a real possibility) but if he does return, Michigan might be playing on the final weekend of the season in 2026.

7. UCLA Bruins 

Key Returnees: Tyler Bilodeau, Skyy Clark, Eric Dailey, Trent Perry

Key Departures: Kobe Johnson, Lazar Stefanovic, Dylan Andrews (transfer), William Kyle III (transfer), Aday Mara (transfer)

Key Additions: Donovan Dent (transfer), Xavier Booker (transfer)

You might not like Mick Cronin. And his rants about travel may be exhausting. But he should also have a stacked team in 2026.

The big news of course is the addition of Donovan Dent, arguably the best guard to enter the transfer portal all season. The Mountain West Player of the Year and Southern California native will return to Los Angeles, after averaging over 20 points and six assists per game this season. He should immediately be able to step in and have an impact in the Big Ten.

The Bruins also return their two leading scorers in big man Tyler Bilodeau and wing Eric Dailey and added size in the portal with Xavier Booker.

UCLA does need more pieces, but unlike most other teams in college basketball, it's about adding depth at this point. Not star talent.

8. UConn Huskies

Key Returnees: Solo Ball, Tarris Reed, Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross

Key Departures: Alex Karaban, Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson, Liam McNeeley,  Ahmad Nowell (transfer), Isaiah Abraham (transfer),  Aidan Mahaney (transfer)

Key Additions: Silas Demary Jr. (transfer), Braylon Mullins, Eric Reibe, Darius Adams, Jacob Furphy

There's an old saying that sometimes your biggest recruiting wins are retaining the guys already in your program - and the Huskies have quietly retained a bunch of key pieces heading into 2025-2026.

Second-leading scorer Solo Ball will return after averaging 14.4 points on 41 percent three-point shooting last season. Tarris Reed meanwhile was one of the best low post players in the Big East by the end of last year, including a monstrous 24-point, 18 rebound game against Providence.

Then there are the newcomers. UConn has added three McDonald's All-American out of the high school ranks, and Braylon Mullins should be able to step in and be a Day 1 star. Most importantly, they needed a big guard and got one of the best out there in Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr.

Oh, and there's increasing buzz that Alex Karaban - a three-year starter - could return as well.

Talks of the Huskies demise have been GREATLY exaggerated.

9. Louisville Cardinals

Key Returnees: J'Vonne Hadley, James Scott, K'Sean Pryor, Khani Rooths

Key Departures: Chucky Hepburn, Terrence Edwards Jr., Reyne Smith

Key Additions: Ryan Conwell (transfer), Isaac McKneely (transfer), Adrian Wooley (transfer), Mikel Brown Jr., Sananda Fru

People, I'm just warning you. To quote Deion Sanders Louisville is "comin'."

Coming off an ACC Tournament title game runner up, Pat Kelsey has been on a portal rampage. He added 16-point per game Ryan Conwell from Xavier, one of the nation's top three-point shooters (Isaac McKneely) and one of the best mid-major guards in the country in Adrian Wooley, an 18-point per game scorer from Kennesaw State. And that's in addition to a recruiting class that features McDonald's All-American Mikel Brown Jr. and German star big man Sananda Fru.

And while the Cards did lose a lot of this year's team, plenty returns too. James Scott is a big man who got exponentially better over the season while fellow big Kesean Pryor is hoping to get a medical redshirt.

Khani Booths is an emerging star for this team as well.

10. Creighton Bluejays

Key Returnees: Jackson McAndrew, Jasen Green, Isaac Traudt, Fedor Zugic

Key Departures: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth, Jamiya Neal, Pop Isaacs (transfer), Fredrick King (transfer)

Key Additions: Owen Freeman (transfer), Josh Dix (transfer), Nick Graves (transfer), 

You never root for another man to lose his job, but no one has taken more advantage of Iowa firing Fran McCaffrey than Creighton has.

The Jays added two of the Hawkeyes' top three scorers this season, landing big man Owen Freeman and wing Josh Dix. The pair combined to average over 30 points a game last season in the Big Ten and now come to the Big East, teaming with several high-profile returnees. Jackson McGregor could be a breakout star after a big March this year.

Creighton is probably a guard or two away, but again have a team that will compete at the top of the Big East.

11. BYU Cougars

Key Returnees: Richie Saunders, Keba Keita, Dawson Baker, Mihailo Boskovic, Khadim Mboup

Key Departures: Trevin Knell, Mawot Mag, Fouss Traore, Trey Stewart, Egor Demin, Kanon Catchings (transfer),  Dallin Hall (transfer)

Key Additions: AJ Dybantsa, Xavion Staton, Dominique Diomande (transfer)

At a certain point this season I'll admit: I got a little Cougar crazy. But how could I not with BYU going on a late run and landing in the Sweet 16.

The best part is, Kevin Young is just getting started at BYU.

The big story of course is the arrival of the No. 1 high school player in America in AJ Dybantsa, but what will be equally as interesting is who joins him. Freshman star Egor Demin is still weighing his options, but realistically feels NBA bound. Then there's All-Big 12 wing Richie Saunders, who just might return for another season.

The Cougs already got good news with the return of center Keba Keita over the weekend. If he teams with Dybantsa and Saunders (among others) that's an elite squad.

Who knows, maybe it will require a return trip to Provo for me this season.

12. Arkansas Razorbacks

Key Returnees: DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Billy Richmond, Trevon Brazile

Key Departures: Johnell Davis, Jonas Aidoo, Boogie Fland, Adou Thiero,  Zvonimir Ivisic (transfer)

Key Additions: Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, Isaiah Sealy

I already know what you're thinking: "Oh boy, here goes Torres with the Hog love again." And it's probably fair.

But one: Arkansas was playing like a Top 15 team by the end of the season.

And two: It's hard to rank the Hogs much lower with the talent they could have.

The questions should start to get answered soon, but it doesn't seem unrealistic to assume that four key players off last year's team could all be back, with DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Billy Richmond and Trevon Brazile all running it back for another season. None are projected as top line picks this year, and will likely make more money playing college basketball next year.

The freshman class is again loaded with five-stars Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr., joining whatever core of returnees John Calipari ends up bringing back.

Oh, and you know John Calipari has a few tricks up his sleeve in the portal and maybe even in the high school ranks (Nate Ament, anyone?).

This has the chance to be a national championship caliber roster when it's all said and done.

13. St. John's Red Storm

Key Returnees: Zuby Ejifor, Simeon Wiltcher, Sadiku Ibine Ayo, Ruben Prey, Brady Dunlap

Key Departures: RJ Luis (transfer),  Vince Iwuchukwu (transfer), Kadary Richmond, Devion Smith, Aaron Scott

Key Additions: Bryce Hopkins (transfer), Joson Sanon (transfer)

It's certainly been an interesting couple weeks at St. John's, where the season ended, and off-season began with RJ Luis drama. But regardless of what happens with the former Big East Player of the Year (a return to St. John's seems like almost a zero percent chance at this point), Pitino will again have a squad ready to compete for a Big East title.

Zuby Ejifor is back, after playing like one of the best big men in college basketball over the final few weeks of the season. He'll have more offensive help in the frontcourt with Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins and former Arizona State wing Joson Sanon is full of upside.

The Johnnies still need a guard or two to fill out their roster (Ian Jackson, anyone?) but the Red Storm have the makings of another special team.

14. Kentucky Wildcats

Key Returnees: Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Travis Perry, Trent Noah, Collin Chandler

Key Losses: Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, Jaxson Robinson, Amari Williams, Andrew Carr, Ansley Alamanor

Key Additions: Mo Dioubate (transfer), Jaland Lowe (transfer), Acaden Lewis, Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson

Mark Pope didn't even get the Kentucky job until April 12th of last year, and still managed to put together an All-Star staff and Sweet 16 roster despite the rest of college basketball getting a one-month head start.

Now, it's time to see what he can do with a full off-season.

First off, we're working under the assumption that star guard Otega Oweh returns, and if so he has All-American potential. Pope is definitely building a deeper, more athletic team around him with both his portal additions (most recently Alabama's Mo Dioubate) and the freshman class (headlined by five-star Jasper Johnson and McDonald's All-American Malachi Moreno).

It feels like this team is one more star player from really being a factor nationally - but all the other pieces are there.

15. Iowa State Cyclones

Key Returnees: Justin Jefferson, Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic

Key Departures: Curtis Jones, Keshon Gilbert, Brandon Chatfield, Dischon Jackson (transfer)

Key Additions: Blake Buchanon (transfer), Eric Mulder (transfer), Mason Williams (transfer), Jamarion Bateman, Killyan Toure, Xzavion Mitchell, Dominykas Pleta

In some ways you feel bad for Iowa State, because it felt like this past season was kind of their year. And with Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones (among others) both moving on, it's hard to see things setting up much better for the Cyclones for a while.

Still, Justin Jefferson, Tamin Lipsey and Milan Momcilovic are as good of a trio as you'll see almost anywhere. And TJ Otzelberger always does a good job finding pieces in the portal who fit.

The Cyclones are probably one more guard away from being a really interesting team.

16. Kansas Jayhawks

Key Returnees: Elmarko Jackson, Flory Bidunga

Key Departures: Dajuan Harris, Hunter Dickinson, KJ Adams, Zeke Mayo, Shakeel Moore, Flory Bidunga (transfer), AJ Storr (transfer), Rylan Griffen (transfer), Rakease Passmore (transfer)

Key Additions: Darryn Peterson, Tre White (transfer), Jayden Dawson (transfer)

It's at this point where we really starting seeing teams with good pieces but major holes and work to be done. So, take the next 10 teams with a grain of salt.

But with that said, let's talk Kansas. Yes, they're coming off two disappointing seasons. And they barely have enough players currently committed to field a starting five.

But here's the other thing: They may have the best player - yes, player - in college basketball next year in Darryn Peterson. And him and Flory Bidunga is a hell of a one-two punch.

Peterson is of course not only a five-star talent, but was the McDonald's All-American Game MVP, as a 6'5 guard that can do just about everything. He and AJ Dybantsa for "No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft" will likely be the hottest First Take debate of February and March of 2026.

Yeah, you can already see it coming.

Since the weekend Bill Self has added a few more pieces, but really at this point it's just about adding depth behind this big two.

I'm calling for a bit of an overcorrection on the "Bill Self has lost his fastball" narrative next season. And it'll be thanks to Peterson.

17. Tennessee Volunteers

Key Returnees: Felix Okpara, Cade Phillips, JP Estrella

Key Departures: Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier, Jordan Gainey, Jahmai Mashack,

Key Additions: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (transfer), Jaylen Carey (transfer), Amari Evans, DeWayne Brown, Troy Henderson

Most of the Volunteers production returns in the frontcourt, but the Vols did make a major backcourt splash this weekend with the addition of former Maryland guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie.

Gillespie was a star for the Terps' Sweet 16 team this year, finishing second on the team in scoring and first in assists. He'll now return to the state where he started his career (he began at Belmont) to replace Zakai Zeigler.

Tennessee still probably needs minimum two to three guards and another big, but the framework of a preseason Top 20 team is there.

18. Michigan State Spartans

Key Returnees: Coen Carr, Jaxson Kohler, Jeremy Fears Jr.,

Key Departures: Jaden Akins, Jase Richardson, Frankie Fidler, Szymon Zapala, Tre Holloman (transfer), Xavier Booker (transfer)

Key Additions: Cam Ward, Jordan Scott

Yes, it feels like Michigan State largely overachieved this year. And yes, they did lose some unexpected players in the transfer portal.

But what we also learned is that it's probably safe to never really doubt Tom Izzo. Especially when he brings back a couple key players.

Jeremy Fears is the (bad pun definitely intended) fearless point guard to run the show and Coen Carr is maybe the best athlete in the country. Jaxson Kohler is an improving big man.

No, this team will never be great offensively or shoot a ton of threes.

But they'll defend. Rebound. And... win.

19. Florida Gators:

Key Returnees: Denzel Aberdeen, Ruben Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh, Micah Handlogten, Sam Alexis

Key Departures: Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin, Will Richard, Alex Condon

Key Additions: Alex Lloyd, CJ Ingram

Let's be clear here: After playing in Monday night's title game, the Gators have officially lost their entire starting backcourt. Meaning there's still major work to do this off-season for Todd Golden.

But Golden has also proven an adept portal evaluator so I'm not really worried. And he'll still have plenty of frontcourt pieces, with the almost certain returns of Ruben Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh and Micah Handlogten.

And to be clear, the cupboard isn't empty in the backcourt either as sixth man Denzel Aberdeen set to return and two highly-touted freshmen coming in.

The Gators have some work to do, but they're also not as far off as you think either.

20. San Diego State Aztecs

Key Returnees: Miles Byrd, Magoon Gwath, BJ Davis, Pharoah Compton

Key Departures: Nick Boyd, Jared Coleman-Jones, Wayne McKinney III

Key Additions: Jeremiah Oden, Sean Newman Jr., Tae Simmons

Maybe mid-major basketball isn't dead after all?! At least not at San Diego State.

The Aztecs got arugably the biggest win of anyone this off-season, convincing Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Magoon Gwath to withdraw from the return and return to SDSU. He'll joined by emerging star Miles Byrd and BJ Davis.

In an ever-evolving college basketball landscape, the Aztecs will again have the best team outside the power five conferences next season.

21. Saint Mary's Gaels

Key Returnees: Paulius Murauskas, Jordan Ross, Mikey Lewis, Harry Wessels

Key Departures: Augustas Marciulionis, Mitchell Saxen, Luke Barrett

Key Additions: Dillon Shaw 

How about a double "maybe mid-majors aren't dead yet" as Saint Mary's should be the class of the WCC next year.

Paulius Murauskas emerged as a star after arriving as an Arizona transfer and Jordan Ross and Mikey Lewis are young guys who add scoring pop.

Like everyone else, they need to add a few pieces, and like some others there's always fear of losing key guys. But if nothing crazy happens, this will again be a Top 25-ish team all season.

22. LSU Tigers.

Key Returnees: Jalen Reed

Key Departures: Cam Carter, Jalen Sears, Tyrell Ward (transfer), Daimion Collins (transfer), Vyctorious Miller (transfer), Mike Williams (transfer), Noah Boyde (transfer)

Key Additions: Dedan Thomas (transfer), Michael Nwoko (transfer), Rashad King (transfer), Marquel Sutton (transfer), Mazi Mosely, Jalen Reece, Matt Gilhool

Alright, I'm doing it. I'm making the leap.

Yes, I know Matt McMahon's first few years at LSU haven't been good. But the school promised to commit financial resources to the program and it's clear they did with the portal haul so far.

Dedan Thomas Jr. was one of the top point guards available, as a former five-star and All-Mountain West player. He is headed to Baton Rouge, along some nices pieces in the frontcourt (Omaha's Marquel Sutton, Mississippi State's Michael Nwoko ).

It's up to McMahon to coach them up. But at minimum this should be an NCAA Tournament team next year.

23. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Key Returnees: JT Toppin, Christian Anderson, Kevin Overton

Key Departures: Darrion Williams (transfer), Elijah Hawkins, Chance McMillian, Federiko Federiko

Key Additions: N/A

We're really struggling to get to 25 teams here (insert Spongebob sweating GIF) but I'll bet on the team that could potentially return the Big 12 Player of the Year.

There is work to be done, but Grant McCasland has proven that he's capable of putting together a roster on the fly in the summer.

And we're excited to see if Toppin returns, and what pieces join him.

24. North Carolina Tar Heels

Key Returnees: Drake Powell, Seth Trimble, Ven-Allen Lubin

Key Departures: RJ Davis, Ian Jackson (transfer), Elliot Cadeau (transfer), Jalen Washington (transfer)

Key Additions: Henri Veesaar (transfer), Jonathan Powell (transfer), Caleb Wilson, Isaiah Denis, Derek Dixon

It feels like one step forward and two steps back with Carolina. Just when I thought they were finally figuring out the portal/NIL world they lost Ian Jackson to transfer on Monday. Even if he was up-and-down, it was a spot that Carolina could not afford to lose a player of his upside.

Still, there are pieces there: Henri Veesaar was one of the best bigs in the portal. Caleb Wilson is a five-star. Seth Trimble is a serviceable ACC guard.

But the work just got tougher without Jackson.

25. Auburn Tigers

Key Returnees: Tahaad Pettiford, Jahki Howard, Chad Baker-Mazara

Key Departures: Johni Broome, Dylan Cardwell, Denver Jones, Miles Kelly

Key Additions: Keyshawn Hall

Auburn basically has one confirmed player for 2025-2026 right now: UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall.

But this article is like 4,000 words deep and you need team and here we are.

Trust me, we'll be updating this thing plenty the next few weeks.

Can't wait until that 2025-2026 season.