2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Team Rankings

1. Houston Cougars

The Cougars are ranked first due to the return of three of their seven leading scorers: Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan, and Joseph Tugler. Last season, Houston finished with a record of 35-5 and made it to the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. This strong foundation will be enhanced by a recruiting class that features notable players such as Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs and five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr.

2. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue sits in the second position, propelled by the return of five of their top six scorers, including Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith. The Boilermakers completed the last season with a record of 24-12, reaching the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. They will welcome a talented recruiting class that includes South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff and North Florida transfer Liam Murphy.

3. UConn Huskies

Placed third in the rankings, UConn retains four of its leading seven scorers, such as Solo Ball and Alex Karaban. The Huskies concluded their previous season with a 24-11 record and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Key additions from the recruiting class include Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. and five-star freshman Braylon Mullins.

4. St. John’s Red Storm

St. John’s ranks fourth after bringing back two of their top six scorers: Zuby Ejiofor and Vince Iwuchukwu. The team finished 31-5 last season, completing a run to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They are set to bolster their roster with notable transfers, including Bryce Hopkins from Providence and Ian Jackson from North Carolina.

5. BYU Cougars

Ranked fifth, BYU secured the return of four top scorers, including Richie Saunders and Dawson Baker, after a season where they finished 26-10 and reached the Sweet 16. They will enrich their roster with a recruiting class that includes Baylor transfer Robert Wright and five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa.

6. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech is in sixth place, with two of their four leading scorers, JT Toppin and Christian Anderson, returning. The Red Raiders ended the 2025 season with a 28-9 record, advancing to the Elite Eight. Their incoming class will feature transfers from Washington State and Villanova, as well as redshirt freshmen.

7. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan takes the seventh spot in the rankings, with three of the top eight scorers returning, including Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett. The Wolverines finished last season with a 27-10 record and reached the Sweet 16. Incoming transfers like UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg and Illinois’ Morez Johnson Jr. are expected to enhance the team’s performance.