Jay Bilas Reveals Top 68 College Basketball Teams for 2025-26 Season
The 2025-26 college basketball season began Monday night after an eventful offseason full of coaching changes and Transfer Portal drama. The excitement is palpable as the season unfolds with major storylines to watch.
Key Questions Shaping the Season
- Will Florida become the first program to win back-to-back National Championships since the recent era began?
- Can Kelvin Sampson lead Houston to its inaugural National Championship?
- Will Duke overcome last season’s Final Four disappointment to secure the first title under Jon Scheyer?
Jay Bilas’ Top-Ranked Team: Purdue
Just after the opening game, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas named Purdue the top team in college basketball. Head coach Matt Painter returns for his 21st season overseeing the Boilermakers’ talented roster, featuring standout point guard Braden Smith, sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer, versatile big man Trey Kaufman-Renn, and newcomer Oscar Cluff from South Dakota State.
Purdue is determined to reach the National Championship Game again, marking their second appearance in three years. They began their regular season with a commanding 82-51 victory over Evansville. Fletcher Loyer was the star of the night, scoring 30 points on an impressive 7-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.
Upcoming Games and Rivalries
The Boilermakers will face one more warm-up game against Oakland before heading to Tuscaloosa to face a top-ranked opponent. This game is a rematch of last year’s close meeting when Purdue defeated the non-conference rival 87-78.
"Purdue has loaded up in their quest to return to the National Championship Game for the second time in three seasons."
Author’s summary: The 2025-26 college basketball season starts with high expectations, highlighted by Purdue’s top ranking and a mix of thrilling storylines involving top contenders and promising talent.