NEW Men’s College Basketball Rankings: UCLA Makes BIG Jump, Nebraska Returns to Top 25

After months of waiting, recruiting, and transfer portal speculation, the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season is underway. So who are the best teams in the country after the first two weeks of the new season? We look to answer that question with our all-new men’s college basketball rankings ahead of this weekend’s matchups.

25. Kentucky (LW: 23)

Year two for Kentucky coach Mark Pope was a letdown as the Wildcats won just 22 games and were ousted in the second round of the tournament. While they lost their top two scorers from last season, they did make a big addition in the transfer portal with Iowa State star Milan Momcilovic.

The newcomer has been fine, but probably not as good as the program hoped for to begin the season. Fortunately, transfer Zoom Diallo has carried the offense, scoring 17 points a night. Unfortunately, a dominant 20-point loss to Kansas is why the Wildcats remain near the back of our updated college basketball rankings.

24. Michigan (LW: 17)

Michigan will be a fascinating team to watch in the new season. Not only did the Wolverines lose major impact players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. to the draft, but they also lost the coach who turned them into a powerhouse, Dusty May, to the NBA. Former assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. has a very tough act to follow.

While they suffered a loss to UConn in their season debut, guards Roddy Gayle Jr. and Trey McKenney have played very well in expanded roles this season. The duo is posting close to 40 points a night for the Wolverines.

23. Miami (LW: 16)

Jai Lucas was handed a difficult situation in having to turn Miami basketball around after a disastrous 7-24 season from his predecessor. However, he achieved a lot in his first season as a head coach when the Hurricanes went 26-9 and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years.

While they suffered a season-opening loss to Florida, they have looked good since. And the big reason is the performance of sophomore forward Shelton Henderson. He currently leads the Hurricanes in points (13), rebounds (6), and steals (2).

22. Arkansas (LW: 13)

Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr. led an impressive all-freshman backcourt for Arkansas last season. Unfortunately, both took their talents to the pros after the season. Leaving a big void to fill. Coach John Calipari is hoping freshman Jordan Smith can make up some of the difference, and after two starts, the early results look promising.

However, the prospect has gotten a lot of help from portal addition Jeremiah Wilkinson, who is posting 17 points a night for the Razorbacks. But an early loss to Virginia is why they fell out of our new top-25.

21. Nebraska (LW: Unranked)

Nebraska has continued to grow as a program under the guidance of head coach Fred Hoiberg, and 2025-26 delivered a new high point as the Cornhuskers won 28 games, their most in school history. They will be hoping for the same and a deeper run in the tournament this season.

So far, there has been no letdown in 2026-27 as the team has started 2-0 and Pryce Sandfort has grown in his second season in Lincoln. Leading the team in scoring with 22 PPG.

20. BYU (LW: 24)

BYU did not dominate in 2025-26 despite having arguably the best player in the country, 2026 NBA Draft No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa. Now, they will have to somehow be better in the new season and fill the massive stats void left by the star forward.

Fortunately, coach Kevin Young still has Robert Wright III, and the talented guard has been outstanding in his second season with the Cougars. The junior averaging 25 points a game is a major reason why BYU has started the season 3-0.

19. USC (LW: 21)

While it wasn’t a big step, USC got better in year three under head coach Eric Musselman. They have the potential for further growth in 2026-27 with top scorer Rodney Rice returning after only suiting up in six games last year. If they can get a solid second option behind him, the Trojans could end up being a handful in the Big Ten.

Well, they have gotten that in Alijah Arenas, the son of one-time NBA superstar Gilbert Arenas. The sophomore has taken a big leap forward in his second season and is their leading scorer (25.5 PPG).

18. Vanderbilt (LW: 22)

Vanderbilt’s backcourt duo of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles led a competitive Commodores offense that posted 87 points a night last season. It’s why the team went 27-9 and won a game in the tournament. It was a nice step forward in year two for coach Mark Byington.

With Miles moving to the NBA, transfer Ace Glass has become Tanner’s new running mate. The sophomore is posting 17 points a night for the 3-0 team.

17. Gonzaga (LW: 14)

Mark Few’s Gonzaga squad posted a strong 31-4 record last season because of what their veteran front court of Braden Huff and Graham Ike gave them every night as they averaged close to 40 points and 15 boards a game. While they lost their WCC POTY senior, Huff is back to lead the Bulldogs in 2026-27.

While the veteran has played well to start the season, sophomore Davis Fogle taking a huge leap ahead in his second season is why the Bulldogs have looked very good in their first two games. The guard leads the team in points (22) and rebounds (4) per night.

16. Alabama (LW: 20)

Alabama was a problem for any team in the nation last season as the Crimson Tide had the best scoring offense in college basketball because of eventual NBA draft pick Labaron Philon Jr. In the new season, coach Nate Oats will be hoping to lead the Crimson Tide to just the second 30-plus-win season in school history.

It is still early, but the 3-0 squad is on pace to do it because of an offense that is among the 20 best in the nation to start the new season.

15. Texas Tech (LW: 19)

Coach Grant McCasland seemed set up to have his best season yet, leading Texas Tech with formidable duo JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. However, a torn ACL for Toppin derailed hopes of a deep run in the tournament. While Anderson went to the NBA and Toppin won’t be back until December, the Red Raiders have gotten off to a very good start.

The 3-0 program already owns a win over Illinois thanks to guards Cruz Davis, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, and Damarion Dennis. The trio is averaging over 40 points a night for the Big 12 Conference leaders.

14. Kansas (LW: 18)

Kansas was inconsistent for much of last seson season. You never truly knew what you would get from week to week. However, the Jayhawks finished the campaign strong before they were ousted in the second round of the tournament.

While they lost top star Darryn Peterson to the NBA, senior Tre White has stepped into the lead scoring role seamlessly. The guard is posting a team-leading 20 points a night for the 3-0 program that owns a win over Kentucky.

13. Tennessee (LW: 9)

After a 30-win season the year before, Tennessee took a step back in 2025-26. That, matched with losing top stars Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament to the NBA, should be reason for concern. However, coach Rick Barnes landed one of the best wings available in the portal with Juke Harris.

While Harris is still getting comfortable in their system, fellow transfer Terrence Hill Jr. has assimilated quickly. Leading the 2-0 Volunteers in scoring (17 PPG) and assists (3 APG).

12. Arizona (LW: 4)

Arizona was impressive throughout 2025-26 as they won 36 games. Reaching the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament due to the outstanding play of Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, and Jaden Bradley. Unfortunately, all of them exited in the spring to make the jump to the NBA.

After a big upset loss to UCLA to begin the season, the Wildcats have played much better of late because sophomore Ivan Kharchenkov has taken a massive leap forward in year two. The forward is averaging close to 25 points, 9 boards and 5 assists a game over the first two weeks.

11. St. John’s (LW: 12)

While St. John’s struggled to find their footing early in the 2025-26 season, they finished strong and won the Big East Tournament thanks to their talented front-court duo of Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins. Unfortunately, both exited the program for the NBA after the season.

Coach Rick Pitino filled one of those spots with high-upside transfer Keyshawn Hall, and added talented guard Tounde Yessoufou through the portal as well. Both have played an integral role in the Johnnies’ 2-0 start by combining for close to 40 points and 12 rebounds a night.

10. Louisville (LW: 11)

In year two for Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey, the program took a bit of a step back as they won three fewer games and weren’t nearly as good inside the conference. However, they are projected to take a big jump forward in the new season after acquiring Kansas big man Flory Bidunga in the transfer portal.

Thus far, the junior has formed a strong front court duo with freshman Obinna Ekezie Jr. Plus, Adrian Wooley has taken a big step forward in his second season for the Cardinals. Putting up 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists a night.

9. UCLA (LW: 25)

Last season, UCLA posted a rock-solid 24-12 record and won a game in the NCAA Tournament. In year eight, more will be expected from coach Mick Cronin and his team. Well, after a couple of games, things are looking up for the Bruins.

To begin the season, they scored a huge upset win over a top-five Arizona team, and non-brothers Jaylen Petty and Trent Petty have played well. However, freshman Nikola Kusturica has been a big standout, posting 19 points, 5 boards, and 2 blocks a night in his college debut.

8. Houston (LW: 8)

Kelvin Sampson’s Houston squad posted a fifth straight 30-plus-win season in 2025-26 due to the impressive play of Emanuel Sharp and star freshman Kingston Flemings. Unfortunately, both exited the program for the NBA after the season.

They got back senior leader Joseph Tugler, an elite defender who knows nothing but winning, but they still need scoring. Well, senior transfers Dedan Thomas Jr. and Delerecco Gillespie have done that (they are combining for 31 points a night) and have made Sampson look very smart for adding them.

7. Texas (LW: 7)

In coach Sean Miller’s debut season leading Texas, the Longhorns had a solid season. Winning 21 games and reaching the Sweet 16. While talented forward Dailyn Swain took his talents to the NBA in the spring, 2025 transfer portal addition Matas Vokietaitis is expected to have a larger role in 2026-27.

While they haven’t faced a ranked team yet, the Longhorns have looked impressive on both sides of the ball during their SEC-leading 3-0 start.

6. Illinois (LW: 3)

In year 10 for head coach Brad Underwood, Illinois took a nice step by winning 28 games and reaching the Final Four. Although they lost Freshman star Keaton Wagler to the NBA, the Fighting Illini have another talented roster to begin 2026-27.

However, to begin the new season, 2025 portal addition Andrej Stojakovic and freshman Quetin Coleman have been the standouts. The son of the former NBA star leads the team in scoring (21 PPG), and the newcomer is posting 17, 6, and 4 over his first week in the Big Ten. But a loss to Texas Tech is why they drop in our new college basketball rankings.

5. Virginia (LW: 10)

After some lean seasons to begin his tenure at Virginia, coach Ryan Odom broke through in 2025-26 as he led the Cavaliers to a 30-win campaign and big victories over ranked competition. A major reason for their success was Belgian big man Thijs de Ridder.

The sophomore is back in 2026-27 and again building his future NBA Draft value. Leading the 4-0 Cavaliers in points (18), rebounds (8), and blocks (3) per night.

4. Connecticut (LW: 6)

To the surprise of no one, Dan Hurley had his UConn program among the elite schools in the country last season despite retooling the roster and introducing stud freshman Braylon Mullins to the Big East. While they lost some key veterans in the offseason, the Huskies still have a strong roster led by Mullins and preseason Big East Player of the Year Silas Demary Jr.

Mullins has played well, but senior Silas Demary Jr. having a big start (15 points and 6 rebounds PG) in year two with the Huskies is a major reason for the 3-0 start and why they already have a win over the defending champs Michigan.

3. Duke (LW: 2)

Expectations are once again high in Durham after Duke won 35 games and reached the regional final. Coach Jon Scheyer continues to maintain the high standard set by Mike Krzyzewski and was able to replace Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel with Cam Boozer a year ago. How will he replace the 2026 Player of the Year?

He will do so with high-potential freshmen — Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje — returning impact players — Patrick Ngongba II — and some gems in the transfer portal — John Blackwell. While they suffered a tough loss to Michigan State recently, the Blue Devils are off to a rock-solid start.

2. Michigan State (LW: 5)

Legendary coach Tom Izzo had another good Michigan State team on his hands in 2025-26, as last year’s group had four players averaging 10 or more points and was led by star guard Jeremy Fears Jr. The Spartans will have Fears Jr. back in the new season, and the early POTY candidate will aim for his team to improve on their 27 wins and Sweet 16 appearance last season.

After three games, it is looking likely, and their win over Duke is the proof. Fears Jr. is averaging a points-and-assists double-double and is getting a lot of help from returning senior Coen Carr (10 points and 5 rebounds) and freshman Jasiah Jervis (10 points and 4 rebounds).

1. Florida (LW: 1)

After a rough start last season, Florida righted the ship and played well down the stretch. Although they lost in the second round of the tournament, they enter the 2026-27 season as a title contender because they return top stars, Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh.

Bringing back their top two scorers and two of their top three rebounders and rim protectors gives the Gators a leg up on their competition. So far, both are playing well (each is averaging close to a double-double a night), and along with Rueben Chinyelu’s continued growth as one of the premier centers in the country, the Gators hold on to the top spot in our top 25.