Borzello and Medcalf rank 75 college basketball teams in 11 tiers
Florida, Duke, and Illinois lead the preseason list, but lawsuits over player eligibility create uncertainty for dozens of other programs.
By Megan Scott ·
ESPN analysts Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf released a preseason tier list for the 2026-27 men's college basketball season on Sunday. The list splits 75 teams into 11 groups. The top tier contains three teams: Florida, Duke, and Illinois.
The analysts chose a tier system instead of a traditional Top 25 ranking to allow for flexibility. They noted that legal outcomes regarding player eligibility will determine how many teams can compete at a high level this season. This approach gives more room for error than a strict numerical order.
Florida leads the top tier because it retains four starters from its 2025 national championship team. Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Rueben Chinyelu form the core of that roster. Denzel Aberdeen is currently eligible after a court injunction. If he plays, he adds guard depth to a squad already considered the best in the country by coach Todd Golden.
Duke returns four key players and adds John Blackwell, the top guard in the transfer portal. The Blue Devils also brought in the second-best recruiting class in the nation. Illinois kept five key players from its first Final Four appearance in 20 years. Coach Brad Underwood added Stefan Vaaks from Providence and recruit Quentin Coleman to that group.
A new fourth tier addresses teams with players in eligibility limbo. Texas Tech and St. John's sit at the top of this group. Their success depends on court decisions for players like Donovan Atwell and Keyshawn Hall. Atwell's trial is not scheduled until June, making his status the most stable among the uncertain players. Other teams in this tier include Gonzaga, BYU, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and LSU.
The list identifies specific factors for other programs. Arizona lost Jaden Bradley but gained Caleb Holt, a projected top-five NBA draft pick. UConn signed Braylon Mullins to a large NIL deal. Texas added Marcus Spears Jr., the No. 1 recruit in the 2027 class. Michigan State relies on point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. after losing its frontcourt players.
Source: ESPN
