AP men’s hoops preseason poll: Breaking down all Top 25 teams

Legendary Gators coach Donovan highlights how Florida was able to overcome adversity and make plays down the stretch throughout last season. (2:12) The 2025-26 preseason men’s college basketballAP Top 25 poll resultsare out! Purdue will tip off the season at No. 1 for the first time. Reigning national champion Florida (No. 3) and national runner-up Houston (No. 2) were also in the mix. Can either the Gators or the Cougars return to the NCAA title game on April 6 in Indianapolis? The Top 25 features blue bloods Duke (No. 6), Kentucky (No. 9), Kansas (No. 19) and North Carolina (No. 25). All eyes will be on No. 8 BYU, as the Cougars — helmed by No. 1 recruit and projected top NBA draft pick AJ Dybantsa — attempt to improve on last season’s Sweet 16 run. The ever-presenttransfer portaland62 coaching changes– coupled with NIL deals and the launch of revenue sharing — will make this college basketball season one to watch when it begins on Nov. 3. Let’s break down the projected starting lineups and biggest early-season games for each of the 25 men’s hoops teams in the AP poll rankings. 2024-25 record:24-12 (lost to 1-seed Houston in Sweet 16) Biggest early-season game:Dec. 20 vs. Auburn in Indianapolis (Indy Classic), 6:30 p.m., Peacock Projected starting lineup:Braden Smith(15.8 PPG)C.J. Cox(6.0 PPG)Fletcher Loyer(13.8 PPG)Trey Kaufman-Renn(20.1 PPG)Oscar Cluff(17.6 PPG at South Dakota State) 2024-25 record:35-5 (lost to 1-seed Florida in national title game)