The nets have been cut down in Indianapolis with Michigan defeating Connecticut to win the national title and close the book on the men's college basketball season. After a short breath, it's already time to start looking ahead to the 2026-27 campaign and determine which teams are the contenders to play in the Final Four in Detroit next April.
There's a lot in flux before we get to the start of the season in November, making the predictions for next season challenging. The biggest factor to weigh is the impact of the transfer portal, which officially opens Tuesday, April 7. However, we already know many of the major players moving places. There's also the matter of the uncertain futures for several candidates for the NBA draft. In those instances, we've assumed upper echelon will depart but left open the door for others to stay.
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We've done our best to put all information together and release our too-early Top 25 ranking with a heavy dose of power schools dominating.
Despite losing twin big men Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, this could be a special season for the Spartans if - as expected - it brings back point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. and forward Coen Carr. Those give them two standouts to build around. Michigan State will also have great depth with most of this year’s rotation back in the fold. Tom Izzo will add in a very impressive recruiting class that ranks second nationally.
