Oct 19, 2026, 12:09 PM ET

The AP has released its preseason Top 25 poll for the 2026-27 men's college basketball season.

Defending champion Michigan lands at No. 16 after head coach Dusty May departed during the summer. Florida takes the No. 1 position, with Duke slotted directly behind.

This offseason featured 54 coaching changes, heavy transfer portal movement and eligibility cases unfolding in court. Those factors, combined with tournament expansion, set up a compelling 2026-27 campaign.

Here is a breakdown of projected starting lineups (players with eligibility decisions pending are marked by an asterisk) and the biggest early-season games for each of the 25 teams in the AP poll.

All times Eastern

1. Florida Gators

2025-26 record: 27-8 (lost to 9-seed Iowa in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Miami in Tampa, 6 p.m., ESPN2

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 1 vs. Duke (ACC/SEC Challenge), 9:30 p.m., ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Boogie Fland (11.7 PPG)
Denzel Aberdeen (13.5 PPG at Kentucky)*
Thomas Haugh (17.1 PPG)
Alex Condon (14.9 PPG)
Rueben Chinyelu (11.2 PPG)

2. Duke Blue Devils

2025-26 record: 35-3 (lost to 2-seed UConn in Elite Eight)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Army, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 25 vs. UConn in Las Vegas, 7 p.m., Prime Video

Projected starting lineup:
Caleb Foster (8.5 PPG)
John Blackwell (19.1 PPG at Wisconsin)
Dame Sarr (6.4 PPG)
Drew Scharnowski (10.7 PPG at Belmont)
Patrick Ngongba II (10.5 PPG)

3. Illinois Fighting Illini

2025-26 record: 28-9 (lost to 2-seed UConn in Final Four)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson, 8 p.m., BTN

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 17 at Duke, 7 p.m., ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Stefan Vaaks (15.8 PPG at Providence)
Quentin Coleman (No. 23 in SC Next 100)
Andrej Stojakovic (13.5 PPG)
David Mirkovic (13.6 PPG)
Tomislav Ivisic (10.2 PPG)

4. UConn Huskies

2025-26 record: 34-6 (lost to 1-seed Michigan in national championship game)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Gardner-Webb, 9 p.m., Peacock

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 6 vs. Michigan in Boston, 8 p.m., TNT

Projected starting lineup:
Silas Demary Jr. (10.6 PPG)
Braylon Mullins (12.0 PPG)
Jayden Ross (4.8 PPG)
Nik Khamenia (5.7 PPG at Duke)
Na'jai Hines (5.5 PPG at Seton Hall)

5. Arizona Wildcats

2025-26 record: 36-3 (lost to 1-seed Michigan in Final Four)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. UCLA in Las Vegas (Hall of Fame Series), 10 p.m., TNT

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 18 vs. UConn, 9 p.m., FS1

Projected starting lineup:
Derek Dixon (8.5 PPG at North Carolina)
Caleb Holt (No. 3 in SC Next 100)
Ivan Kharchenkov (10.2 PPG)
RJ Godfrey (12.0 PPG at Clemson)*
Motiejus Krivas (10.4 PPG)

6. Michigan State Spartans

2025-26 record: 27-8 (lost to 2-seed UConn in Sweet 16)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Quinnipiac, 7 p.m., B1G+

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 10 vs. Duke in Chicago (Champions Classic), 7 p.m., ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Jeremy Fears Jr. (15.3 PPG)
Jordan Scott (5.9 PPG)
Coen Carr (12.0 PPG)
Cam Ward (5.2 PPG)
Anton Bonke (10.6 PPG at Charlotte)

7. Texas Longhorns

2025-26 record: 27-8 (lost to 2-seed Purdue in Sweet 16)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Chicago State, 9 p.m., SECN/SECN+

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 1 @ Louisville (ACC/SEC Challenge), 9 p.m., ESPN2

Projected starting lineup:
Isaiah Johnson (16.9 PPG at Colorado)
Austin Goosby (No. 20 in SC Next 100)
Elyjah Freeman (9.2 PPG at Auburn)
David Punch (14.1 PPG at TCU)
Matas Vokietaitis (15.7 PPG)

8. Tennessee Volunteers

2025-26 record: 25-12 (lost to 1-seed Michigan in Elite Eight)

Season opener: Nov. 3 vs. Wofford, 6 p.m., SECN/SECN+

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 17 vs. Michigan State, 9 p.m., ESPN2

Projected starting lineup:
Terrence Hill Jr. (15.0 PPG at VCU)
Tyler Lundblade (15.6 PPG at Belmont)
Juke Harris (21.4 PPG at Wake Forest)
Jalen Haralson (16.2 PPG at Notre Dame)
Miles Rubin (11.3 PPG at Loyola Chicago)

9. Virginia Cavaliers

2025-26 record: 30-6 (lost to 6-seed Tennessee in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 3 vs. Drexel, 7:30 p.m., ACC Network

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 20 vs. UConn in New York, 3 p.m., ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Chance Mallory (9.3 PPG)
Jurian Dixon (15.7 PPG at UC Irvine)
Sam Lewis (10.6 PPG)
Thijs De Ridder (15.6 PPG)
Johann Grunloh (7.1 PPG)

10. Houston Cougars

2025-26 record: 30-7 (lost to 3-seed Illinois in Sweet 16)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. La Salle, 9 p.m., CBSSN

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 17-19 in Las Vegas (Players Era 8), ESPN networks

Projected starting lineup:
Dedan Thomas Jr. (15.3 PPG at LSU)
Mercy Miller (5.2 PPG)
Chase McCarty (4.0 PPG)
Joseph Tugler (8.5 PPG)
Delrecco Gillespie (17.7 PPG at Kent State)

11. Louisville Cardinals

2025-26 record: 24-11 (lost to 3-seed Michigan State in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Chattanooga, 9 p.m., ACC Network

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 12 @ Kentucky, 4 p.m., ABC

Projected starting lineup:
Jackson Shelstad (15.6 PPG at Oregon)
Seth Trimble (14.0 PPG at North Carolina)*
Karter Knox (8.1 PPG at Arkansas)
Alvaro Folgueiras (8.4 PPG at Iowa)
Flory Bidunga (13.3 PPG at Kansas)

12. Arkansas Razorbacks

2025-26 record: 28-9 (lost to 1-seed Arizona in Sweet 16)

Season opener: Nov. 3 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 7 p.m., SECN+

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 26 vs. Michigan State in Detroit, 4:30 p.m., CBS

Projected starting lineup:
Jordan Smith (No. 2 in SC Next 100)
Jeremiah Wilkinson (17.4 PPG at Georgia)
Billy Richmond III (11.1 PPG)
Miikka Muurinen (five-star)
Cooper Bowser (13.8 PPG at Furman)

13. St. John's Red Storm

2025-26 record: 30-7 (lost to 1-seed Duke in Sweet 16)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Monmouth, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 5 vs. Arizona in New York (Hall of Fame Series), 12 p.m., Fox

Projected starting lineup:
Quinn Ellis (8.4 PPG for Olimpia Milano)
Ian Jackson (9.6 PPG)
Tounde Yessoufou (17.8 PPG at Baylor)
Keyshawn Hall (19.3 PPG at Auburn)*
Ruben Prey (4.1 PPG)

14. Miami Hurricanes

2025-26 record: 26-9 (lost to 2-seed Purdue in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Florida in Tampa, 6 p.m., ESPN2

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 12 vs. Texas in Houston, 5:30 p.m., ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Acaden Lewis (12.2 PPG at Villanova)
Dante Allen (6.6 PPG)
Shelton Henderson (13.8 PPG)
Malik Reneau (18.9 PPG)*
Somto Cyril (9.3 PPG at Georgia)

15. Gonzaga Bulldogs

2025-26 record: 31-4 (lost to 11-seed Texas in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Purdue in Las Vegas (Hall of Fame Series), 7:30 p.m., TNT

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 19 vs. Michigan State in Palm Springs, California (Acrisure Series), 2 p.m., TBD

Projected starting lineup:
Xaivian Lee (11.6 PPG at Florida)*
Chauncey Wiggins (13.3 PPG at Florida State)*
Davis Fogle (8.6 PPG)
Braden Huff (17.8 PPG)
Massamba Diop (13.6 PPG at Arizona State)

16. Michigan Wolverines

2025-26 record: 37-3 (won national championship)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Oakland, 6 p.m., BTN

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 24-28 in Las Vegas (Players Era 16), ESPN networks

Projected starting lineup:
Elliot Cadeau (10.1 PPG)
Trey McKenney (9.5 PPG)
Roddy Gayle Jr. (7.3 PPG)*
J.P. Estrella (10.0 PPG at Tennessee)
Moustapha Thiam (12.8 PPG at Cincinnati)

17. Kansas Jayhawks

2025-26 record: 24-11 (lost to 5-seed St. John's in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Fordham, 8 p.m., ESPN+

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 10 vs. Kentucky in Chicago (Champions Classic), 9:30 p.m., ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Leroy Blyden Jr. (16.5 PPG at Toledo)
Melvin Council Jr. (12.6 PPG)*
Tre White (13.8 PPG)*
Tyran Stokes (No. 1 in SC Next 100)
Keanu Dawes (12.5 PPG at Utah)

18. Iowa State Cyclones

2025-26 record: 29-8 (lost to 6-seed Tennessee in Sweet 16)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Memphis in Sioux Falls, 7 p.m., FS1

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 24-28 in Las Vegas (Players Era 16), ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Tamin Lipsey (13.5 PPG)*
Killyan Toure (8.6 PPG)
Jamarion Batemon (6.6 PPG)
Tre Singleton (7.6 PPG at Northwestern)
Blake Buchanan (8.5 PPG)

19. Texas Tech Red Raiders

2025-26 record: 23-11 (lost to 4-seed Alabama in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Jackson State, 7 p.m., CBSSN

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 10 vs. Illinois, 8 p.m., Peacock

Projected starting lineup:
Cruz Davis (20.1 PPG at Hofstra)
Donovan Atwell (13.5 PPG)*
Darrion Williams (14.0 PPG at NC State)*
Jamichael Stillwell (11.6 PPG at UCF)*
JT Toppin (21.8 PPG)

20. Alabama Crimson Tide

2025-26 record: 25-10 (lost to 1-seed Michigan in Sweet 16)

Season opener: Nov. 3 vs. Sam Houston, TBD

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 24-28 in Las Vegas (Players Era 16), ESPN networks

Projected starting lineup:
Aden Holloway (16.8 PPG)
Jaxon Richardson (No. 19 in SC Next 100)
Amari Allen (11.4 PPG)
Drew Fielder (14.7 PPG at Boise State)
Brandon Garrison (4.7 PPG at Kentucky)

21. USC Trojans

2025-26 record: 18-14 (lost to Washington in Big Ten tournament second round)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Milwaukee, 10:30 p.m., B1G+

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 13 vs. Texas Tech in Fort Worth (Coast to Coast Challenge), 2 p.m., ESPN2

Projected starting lineup:
Rodney Rice (20.3 PPG)
KJ Lewis (14.9 PPG at Georgetown)
Alijah Arenas (14.1 PPG)
Jacob Cofie (9.9 PPG)
Eric Reibe (5.9 PPG at UConn)

22. UCLA Bruins

2025-26 record: 24-12 (lost to 2-seed UConn in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Arizona in Las Vegas (Hall of Fame Series), 10 p.m., TNT

Biggest early-season game: Dec. 5 vs. Gonzaga in Anaheim, California, 11:30 p.m., Fox

Projected starting lineup:
Jaylen Petty (9.9 PPG at Texas Tech)
Trent Perry (12.6 PPG)
Nikola Kusturica (international)
Eric Dailey (11.6 PPG)
Xavier Booker (7.3 PPG)

23. Kentucky Wildcats

2025-26 record: 22-14 (lost to 2-seed Iowa State in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 3 vs. Manhattan, TBD, SECN+

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 10 vs. Kansas in Chicago (Champions Classic), 9:30 p.m., ESPN

Projected starting lineup:
Zoom Diallo (15.7 PPG at Washington)
Alex Wilkins (17.8 PPG at Furman)
Milan Momcilovic (16.9 PPG at Iowa State)
Ousmane N'Diaye (9.8 PPG for Cremona)
Malachi Moreno (7.8 PPG)

24. Vanderbilt Commodores

2025-26 record: 27-9 (lost to 4-seed Nebraska in round of 32)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Bellarmine, TBD

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 24 @ Ohio State, 7 p.m., Peacock

Projected starting lineup:
Tyler Tanner (19.5 PPG)
Ace Glass (16.4 PPG at Washington State)
Chandler Bing (3.6 PPG)
Berke Buyuktuncel (6.5 PPG at Nebraska)
Bangot Dak (11.5 PPG at Colorado)

25. BYU Cougars

2025-26 record: 23-12 (lost to 11-seed Texas in round of 64)

Season opener: Nov. 2 vs. Ohio State in Salt Lake City (Bad Boy Mowers Series), 9 p.m., FS1

Biggest early-season game: Nov. 23-25 in Maui (Southwest Maui Invitational), ESPN networks

Projected starting lineup:
Robert Wright III (18.1 PPG)
Collin Chandler (9.7 PPG at Kentucky)
Bruce Branch III (No. 6 in SC Next 100)
Jake Wahlin (5.3 PPG at Clemson)
Jaxon Kohler (12.5 PPG at Michigan State)*