Jay Bilas Reveals Top 68 College Basketball Rankings for 2025-26 Season
The 2025-26 college basketball season officially began Monday night after an off-season filled with coaching changes and Transfer Portal activity. Basketball is back, bringing high expectations and intriguing storylines.
Key Questions for the Season
- Can Florida become the second team in a row to repeat as National Champions?
- Will Kelvin Sampson lead Houston to its first-ever National Championship?
- Can Duke overcome last season's Final Four defeat and claim the first title under Jon Scheyer?
Purdue Ranked No. 1
ESPN's Jay Bilas released his rankings of the top 68 teams just one game into the season, placing Purdue at the top. Head coach Matt Painter is entering his 21st season, supported by standout players including point guard Braden Smith, sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer, big man Trey Kaufman-Renn, and South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff.
The Boilermakers are aiming to reach the National Championship Game for the second time in three years. They started the season with a commanding 82-51 victory over Evansville. Fletcher Loyer led the team by scoring 30 points with an impressive 7-of-10 three-point shooting.
Upcoming Games
Purdue has one more tune-up match against Oakland before heading to Tuscaloosa for a rematch with a top-ranked opponent, recalling last year’s non-conference meeting which Purdue won 87-78.
“The Boilermakers have loaded up in their quest to return to the National Championship Game,” Jay Bilas noted.
Author's summary: Jay Bilas’s early 2025-26 college basketball rankings highlight Purdue's pursuit of a national title amid a season full of exciting teams and compelling questions.