Duke Earns Top Spot in Preseason College Basketball Rankings

Duke has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in college basketball's preseason Top 25, according to The Post's Zach Braziller. The Blue Devils are followed closely by Florida at No. 2, Arizona at No. 3, and UConn at No. 4.

The college basketball offseason has been marked by significant player movement and ongoing legal battles concerning eligibility, creating an uncertain landscape heading into the new season. Despite the off-court drama, the season's arrival promises a compelling year of competition.

Duke's strong preseason ranking is attributed to a blend of returning key players, impactful transfers, and a talented freshman class. Center Patrick Ngongba II, guards Cayden Boozer and Caleb Foster, and wing Dame Sarr are among the notable returners. The team also adds Wisconsin shooting guard John Blackwell through the transfer portal and freshmen forwards Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje and Cameron Williams, and guard Deron Rippey Jr. Coach Jon Scheyer's squad is noted for its depth, with the second unit considered strong enough to be ranked independently.

Florida secured the No. 2 spot, largely due to retaining its core frontcourt of Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Rueben Chinyelu. The experienced backcourt includes junior Boogie Fland and Denzel Aberdeen, who returns after a year at Kentucky.

Arizona, ranked third, aims for another Final Four appearance. Coach Tommy Lloyd has retained key players like 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas and wing Ivan Kharchenkov. The team also welcomes top freshman Caleb Holt. However, questions remain regarding the impact of North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon at point guard and the eligibility of Clemson transfer RJ Godfrey.

UConn, at No. 4, has a strong returning backcourt with Big East preseason player of the year Silas Demary Jr. and Braylon Mullins. The Huskies have also added transfers Na’jai Hines and Nik Khamenia, replacing departed players Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban. Top freshmen Colben Landrew and Junior County have impressed, with the potential return of sharpshooter Solo Ball from injury adding further depth.

Michigan State, led by coach Tom Izzo, is ranked fifth. The team features guard Jeremy Fears Jr., wing Coen Carr, and sharpshooter Kur Teng, supported by forwards Cam Ward and Jordan Scott. Freshman guard Jasiah Jervis is expected to contribute off the bench.

Illinois, at No. 6, adds Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks to a roster that includes key players from its first Final Four team in 21 years. The health of forward David Mirkovic is a key factor for their championship aspirations.

Louisville, ranked seventh, faces high expectations under coach Pat Kelsey. The team has added significant newcomers, including Flory Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad, Seth Trimble, and Karter Knox. Despite a strong record in previous coaching stints, Kelsey seeks to elevate the Cardinals' performance against ranked opponents.

Houston, No. 8, enters the season after a 30-win campaign. Coach Kelvin Sampson faces the task of integrating new transfers like Corey Hadnot II, Braden East, and Delrecco Gillespie, alongside significant newcomer Dedan Thomas Jr. at point guard.

Kansas, at No. 9, benefits from court orders granting an extra year of eligibility to Tre White and Melvin Council Jr., as well as former Purdue player Trey Kaufman-Renn. The addition of top recruit Tyran Stokes gives coach Bill Self a potentially Final Four-caliber roster, contingent on the legal rulings.

Gonzaga rounds out the top 10. The team saw guard transfers Mario Saint-Supery and Jack Kayil opt for professional paths but retained forward Braden Huff. Significant additions include Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop and fifth-year players Xaivian Lee, Javon Bennett, and Chauncey Wiggins, whose eligibility is tied to ongoing legal cases.

The preseason rankings also feature St. John’s at No. 11, Virginia at No. 12, Vanderbilt at No. 13, Miami at No. 14, and Arkansas at No. 15. Texas is ranked 16th, followed by Michigan at 17th, Alabama at 18th, Texas Tech at 19th, and Tennessee at 20th. USC is ranked 21st, UCLA 22nd, Kentucky 23rd, Iowa State 24th, and Baylor completes the Top 25 at No. 25.