College Basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25 Rankings for the 2026-27 Season
College basketball rosters for the 2026-27 season are taking shape as the sport deals with lingering player eligibility disputes across federal courthouses, according to On3. While the NCAA continues fighting legal challenges regarding fifth-year players attempting to return, program lineups are shifting ahead of tip-off next month.
Programs like Kentucky, UCLA, and Indiana are retooling through the transfer portal and incoming recruiting classes. These rankings reflect committed rosters as programs finalize their lineups for the upcoming season.
Kentucky Reloads Frontcourt for Mark Pope's Projected Lineup
Kentucky reloaded its frontcourt after securing Malachi Moreno back from the NBA Draft process and landing Milan Momcilovic via the transfer portal, according to On3. Those additions join a roster featuring returning player Kam Williams alongside incoming pieces Zoom Diallo, Franck Kepnang, Justin McBride, Jerone Morton, Ousmane N’Diaye, and Alex Wilkins.
The Wildcats lost Denzel Aberdeen, Collin Chandler, Mo Dioubate, Andrija Jelavic, Jaland Lowe, Otega Oweh, and Jayden Quaintance. Mark Pope’s projected starting five features Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Milan Momcilovic, Ousmane N’Diaye, and Malachi Moreno.
UCLA Secures International Prospect Nikola Kusterica
UCLA adds international prospect Nikola Kusterica to a roster that returns Xavier Booker, Eric Dailey, and Trent Perry, according to On3. Kusterica arrives in the college game two years before he can enter the NBA Draft, giving Mick Cronin a significant wildcard for the upcoming campaign.
The Bruins also brought in Filip Jovic, Sergej Macura, Jaylen Petty, Joe Philon, and Azavier Robinson, while losing Tyler Bilodeau, Skyy Clark, and Donovan Dent. The projected starting five includes Trent Perry, Jaylen Petty, Nikola Kusterica, Eric Dailey, and Xavier Booker.
Indiana Overhauls Roster Through Transfer Portal
Indiana revamped its roster this offseason by securing a frontcourt featuring Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu, according to On3. Darian DeVries added size to help unlock the scoring potential of Markus Burton in the backcourt.
The Hoosiers welcomed newcomers Bryce Lindsay, Justin Monden, Jaeden Mustaf, and Clemens Sokolov, while parting ways with Reed Bailey, Tayton Conerway, Tucker DeVries, Nick Dorn, and Lamar Wilkerson. Sam Alexis returns for Indiana alongside a projected starting five of Markus Burton, Bryce Lindsay, Jaeden Mustaf, Samet Yigitoglu, and Aiden Sherrell.
St. John’s Retains Ian Jackson and Adds Tounde Yessoufou
Rick Pitino kept Ian Jackson and Ruben Pry in the fold while landing NBA Draft prospect Tounde Yessoufou from the transfer portal, according to On3. International guard Quinn Ellis joins the program to run the offense.
St. John’s added Reed Bailey, Kyle Cuffe, Donnie Freeman, Keyshawn Hall, Babacar Sane, and Lazar Stojkovic, while losing Dylan Darling, Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, Oziyah Sellers, and Joson Sanon. The projected starting five lists Quinn Ellis, Keyshawn Hall, Tounde Yessoufou, Babacar Sane, and Ruben Pry.
USC Rebuilds Around Returning Trio
USC brings back just three players from last season, but Alijah Arenas and Rodney Rice look to form a dynamic scoring backcourt after dealing with injuries, according to On3. Jacob Cofie also withdrew from the NBA Draft to join the frontcourt.
The Trojans added Isaac Bruns, Christian Collins, Jalen Cox, Josh Hughes, Aaron Hunkin-Claytor, Jadis Jones, KJ Lewis, Adonis Ratliff, Darius Ratliff, and Eric Reibe. Departures include Ezra Ausar, Chad Baker-Mazara, Jaden Brownell, Jordan Marsh, and Kam Woods, leaving a projected starting five of Alijah Arenas, Rodney Rice, Christian Collins, Jacob Cofie, and Eric Reibe.
Kansas Lands Top Recruit Tyran Stokes
Kansas landed No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes, alongside freshman guard Tay Kinney, according to On3. The incoming duo joins returning contributors Melvin Council and Tre White.
The Jayhawks supplemented their roster with mid-major stars Keanu Dawes, Dennis Parker, Christian Reeves, and Leroy Blyden, while losing Flory Bidunga, Darryn Peterson, and Bryson Tiller. Kansas projects a starting five of Tay Kinney, Melvin Council, Tre White, Tyran Stokes, and Keanu Dawes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026-27 Rankings
When does the 2026-27 college basketball season tip off?
The upcoming season begins next month. Rosters remain subject to change as ongoing eligibility lawsuits play out in courts nationwide.
Which major players withdrew from the NBA Draft to return to school?
Malachi Moreno returned to Kentucky from the NBA Draft process, while Jacob Cofie withdrew from the NBA Draft to join the frontcourt at USC. Both players are expected to feature prominently in their respective starting lineups.
Who are the notable international additions for the 2026-27 season?
UCLA welcomed Nikola Kusterica, an international prospect arriving two years before he can enter the NBA Draft. St. John’s also added international guard Quinn Ellis to run the offense.
Court rulings regarding fifth-year players continue to influence final roster constructions across the country as tip-off approaches.
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