The Bilas Index is my season road map — a judgment-driven ranking of the 68 most compelling men’s college basketball teams entering 2025–26. I update it as the season unfolds, offering context on coaches, impact newcomers and the reasons each program belongs where it does.
1. Purdue Boilermakers — A veteran, disciplined frontcourt and the nation’s best floor general in Braden Smith give Purdue a balanced title-caliber roster. Coach Matt Painter’s steady system plus addition Omer Mayer boost depth and perimeter play.
2. Houston Cougars — Kelvin Sampson’s program remains elite on effort and defense. Returners Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp and stopper Joseph Tugler keep Houston among national favorites.
3. Florida Gators — The defending champion returns a rugged frontcourt and must replace last season’s backcourt production. New guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee will dictate whether Florida repeats as a contender.
4. UConn Huskies — Despite a rocky early trip last year, Dan Hurley’s club finished strong. Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Tarris Reed Jr. anchor a team with size and Final Four upside.
5. Duke Blue Devils — Jon Scheyer has built sustained success quickly. Cameron Boozer headlines a top recruiting haul; guard leadership from Caleb Foster will determine how far Duke goes.
6. St. John’s Red Storm — Rick Pitino resurrected this program with relentless defense and offensive rebounding. Zuby Ejiofor and additions like Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell make St. John’s dangerous again.
7. Michigan Wolverines — UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg provides a do-it-all presence to replace depth lost up front. Coach Dusty May has pieces in Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr. to contend in the Big Ten.
8. Kentucky Wildcats — Mark Pope improved Kentucky’s offense and will add length and defensive athleticism this year. Otega Oweh and new transfers should lift the defense; Jaland Lowe bolsters the backcourt.
9. Tennessee Volunteers — Rick Barnes must remake identity after significant departures. Freshman Nate Ament pairs with Felix Okpara to give Tennessee frontcourt star power and shot‑blocking.
10. UCLA Bruins — A solid returning trio and Donovan Dent’s floor leadership could return UCLA to higher expectations. Xavier Booker’s development is key for interior presence.
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders — JT Toppin returns as an all-around playmaker; Christian Anderson adds guard punch. A lineup that shoots and defends makes the Red Raiders a Big 12 threat.
12. Illinois Fighting Illini — Brad Underwood’s international-flavored roster features shooters and size. Andrej Stojakovic provides perimeter scoring and playmaking fits this team well.
13. Louisville Cardinals — Pat Kelsey’s turnaround continues. Mikel Brown Jr. projects as a star freshman, supported by Isaac McKneely and Ryan Conwell as reliable scorers in the ACC.
14. Alabama Crimson Tide — Nate Oats keeps Alabama a tournament mainstay. Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway form a dynamic backcourt as the Tide reload offensively.
15. Iowa State Cyclones — Tamin Lipsey is a lockdown combo guard and anchor for another strong Big 12 club. Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson should step up scoring.
16. BYU Cougars — Kevin Young’s offense rolls with new blue-chip freshman AJ Dybantsa and transfer Robert Wright III. Richie Saunders’ shooting makes BYU a Final Four hopeful.
17. Arizona Wildcats — Tommy Lloyd mixes elite freshman talent (Brayden Burries, Koa Peat) with veteran defenders. Peat’s early breakout signals Arizona’s readiness for a deep run.
18. Kansas Jayhawks — Bill Self gets a lift from Darryn Peterson, an elite freshman guard, and sophomore Flory Bidunga’s anticipated growth as the Jayhawks rebuild.
19. Gonzaga Bulldogs — Mark Few still produces WCC favorites. Graham Ike and Braden Huff give Gonzaga interior scoring and spacing for another 30‑win season.
20. Arkansas Razorbacks — John Calipari has three returning starters and high-upside freshman Darius Acuff Jr. Karter Knox’s late-season surge suggests Arkansas can move up the SEC pecking order.
21. Creighton Bluejays — Greg McDermott reloads around perimeter shooting with transfers Josh Dix and Owen Freeman to plug recent frontcourt losses.
22. Baylor Bears — Scott Drew’s roster turnover is massive, but Tounde Yessoufou brings elite scoring potential as a foundation to build around.
23. Wisconsin Badgers — With John Tonje gone, John Blackwell and addition Nick Boyd should carry the scoring load as Wisconsin looks to remain competitive in the Big Ten.
24. Ole Miss Rebels — Malik Dia returns to anchor a team that must replace several contributors but still projects as an SEC threat if he continues to develop.
25. USC Trojans — Eric Musselman retools after turnover; Terrance Williams II and Rodney Rice offer veteran scoring while portal additions will determine consistency.
26. Michigan State Spartans — Tom Izzo’s steady core of role players (Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears Jr., Carson Cooper) aims for Big Ten relevance after recent success.
27. Auburn Tigers — Steven Pearl inherits talent around Tahaad Pettiford but must stabilize a roster that lost much of its Final Four group.
28. North Carolina Tar Heels — Hubert Davis needs a bounce-back season; top recruit Caleb Wilson already showed scoring punch in the opener to help an uncertain rotation.
29. Maryland Terrapins — Buzz Williams’ program adds familiar pieces and talent such as Pharrel Payne; Maryland remains a tough out in a loaded Big Ten.
30. NC State Wolfpack — Will Wade injected transfer scoring and balance quickly; Darrion Williams headlines an offense-ready roster after a 12-win prior season.
31. Vanderbilt Commodores — A 20‑win season and NCAA return give hope; Tyler Nickel and AK Okereke returning and transferring provide perimeter scoring options.
32. Mississippi State Bulldogs — Josh Hubbard’s 18.9 PPG returns as the offensive foundation after portal and graduation attrition.
33. Texas A&M Aggies — Bucky McMillan brings energy and transfers like Pop Isaacs and Jacari Lane to keep the Aggies competitive in the SEC.
34. Texas Longhorns — Sean Miller’s first season in Austin starts with returners Jordan Pope and Tramon Mark; expectations will rise as he installs his system.
35. Missouri Tigers — Mark Mitchell leads Missouri’s scoring attack, and transfers have already shown they can contribute in early wins.
36. Indiana Hoosiers — Darian DeVries aims to restore March relevance; Tucker DeVries’ arrival brings scoring pedigree to Bloomington.
37. Georgia Bulldogs — Georgia reloads after NBA departures; Blue Cain and newcomers like Kanon Catchings make them interesting in the SEC mix.
38. Marquette Golden Eagles — Shaka Smart’s group returns key pieces and incoming freshmen such as Nigel James Jr.; Chase Ross is the steady scoring presence.
39. Cincinnati Bearcats — Wes Miller faces a must-produce year; new scorers and transfers flashed in the opener, giving Cincinnati offensive optimism.
40. Oregon Ducks — Dana Altman leans on Nate Bittle and Jackson Shelstad for interior production as Oregon navigates a tougher nonconference slate and Big Ten play.
41. Clemson Tigers — A full rebuild after major turnover makes this a transitional season; coach Brad Brownell will piece together a competitive roster from transfers and mid‑major talent.
42. San Diego State Aztecs — Brian Dutcher still breeds toughness; Miles Byrd’s continued growth keeps SDSU in the tournament conversation in its final Mountain West season.
43. Ohio State Buckeyes — Bruce Thornton’s elite efficiency returns and gives Jake Diebler a chance to get the Buckeyes back to March competition.
44. Virginia Tech Hokies — Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry offer scoring punch, while international newcomer Neoklis Avdalas projects as a future key creator.
45. Utah State Aggies — Mason Falslev leads a program chasing one more Mountain West title before moving conferences; Sweet 16 potential exists if things align.
46. Saint Louis Billikens — Robbie Avila’s breakout production anchors Saint Louis as it aims for an A-10 title and continued postseason appearances.
47. Nebraska Cornhuskers — Fred Hoiberg’s group aims to sustain success in the Big Ten with Rienk Mast back and more depth available this season.
48. Boise State Broncos — Andrew Meadow leads a team that will again be in bubble discussions if it recovers from early surprises and avoids costly nonconference losses.
49. Xavier Musketeers — Richard Pitino rebuilt via the portal; early balanced scoring suggests competitiveness, though Big East tests will be steep.
50. Memphis Tigers — Penny Hardaway’s roster makeover features Dug McDaniel, Aaron Bradshaw and Sincere Parker — talent is present if chemistry follows.
51. Wake Forest Demon Deacons — Steve Forbes seeks his first March berth at Wake; Tre’Von Spillers and Mekhi Mason should help stabilize the backcourt.
52. Saint Mary’s Gaels — Randy Bennett’s program keeps winning; replacing Augustas Marčiulionis is the key task to remain a WCC multibid team.
53. Virginia Cavaliers — A coaching change brings Ryan Odom; new signee Thijs De Ridder made an immediate impact and Virginia hopes to regain defensive identity.
54. Kansas State Wildcats — PJ Haggerty’s scoring punch can jumpstart a bounceback year after a down season.
55. Pittsburgh Panthers — Jeff Capel needs the Panthers back in the tournament; interior force Cameron Corhen projects as a key difference-maker.
56. UCF Knights — Johnny Dawkins’ new-look roster will push the pace and rely on transfers like Riley Kugel for scoring.
57. Syracuse Orange — Adrian Autry returns J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman; newcomers and a renewed frontcourt effort will determine tournament chances.
58. TCU Horned Frogs — Transfer guards Jayden Pierre and Brock Harding must stabilize a team that showed early flashes but also inconsistency.
59. West Virginia Mountaineers — Ross Hodge inherits a blank slate; Treysen Eaglestaff is an early leader as the program restocks.
60. Northwestern Wildcats — Nick Martinelli returns as a top Big Ten scorer; new pieces and transfers aim to push Northwestern back into the tournament mix.
61. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets — Damon Stoudamire’s club will ride bigs Baye Ndongo and Mouhamed Sylla; interior production will dictate outcomes.
62. VCU Rams — Lazar Djokovic’s scoring and Phil Martelli Jr.’s leadership make VCU a team to watch in a competitive A-10.
63. Oklahoma Sooners — A major portal haul offsets Jeremiah Fears’ NBA departure; additions like Xzayvier Brown and Nijel Pack give high-level depth.
64. Providence Friars — Kim English looks to rebound; Jason Edwards provides a veteran scoring option to lead the Friars.
65. SMU Mustangs — Andy Enfield returns seniors capable of big nights; if the supporting cast holds, SMU can contend in a tougher ACC.
66. Arizona State Sun Devils — Bobby Hurley needs quick production from a renovated roster to climb out of a recent conference slump.
67. Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Markus Burton’s scoring ability gives Notre Dame a foundation; team improvement around him is the missing piece.
68. LSU Tigers — Matt McMahon’s best roster yet in Baton Rouge leans on Dedan Thomas Jr. to provide scoring and a path to the NCAA tournament.
This index reflects preseason evaluations: coaching stability, returning production, elite newcomers and roster fit. I’ll revise rankings as the season progresses and teams reveal themselves on the court.
