Bart Torvik’s early 2025-26 college basketball season projections have already produced a wave of buzz across the college basketball community.
The ratings, compiled from transfer data, recruiting information and returning production forecasts, have revealed a clear view of what the next season might bring.
Houston leads the power rankings ahead of Purdue and BYU, among other power programs that occupy unexpected positions.
Fans immediately jumped in, debating, questioning and supporting their teams’ placements according to predictions — in typical college basketball fashion.
Way-Too-Early or Spot-On? Torvik’s 2026 Rankings Stir Debate
Torvik’s latest analysis positions Houston at the top and Purdue in second, while BYU and Duke occupy the third and fourth spots before Michigan rounds out the top five. The rankings incorporate three key elements: retained minutes, player efficiency ratings and recruiting class abilities.
Torvik 2026 Projected Top 30:
1. Houston
2. Purdue
3. BYU
4. Duke
5. Michigan
6. St. John’s
7. UCLA
8. Arkansas
9. Kentucky
10. Kansas
11. Louisville
12. MSU
13. UNC
14. Vanderbilt
15. UConn
16. Iowa State
17. Florida
18. Creighton
19. Ohio State
20. Illinois
21. USC
22.…— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) April 25, 2025
Michigan State holds the No. 12 ranking based on its experienced players and incoming talent pool, though performance outcomes may be influenced by unresolved depth and role questions in their backcourt.
Meanwhile, Marquette’s initial No. 43 national ranking shifted to No. 41 once guard Sean Jones was factored into projection models, highlighting how roster updates can quickly alter the landscape of preseason predictions.
Coaching moves — such as John Calipari’s shift from Kentucky to Arkansas — create major disturbances to team composition. Changes in leadership often cause fundamental alterations to team tactics and playing styles, which preseason models struggle to measure effectively.
Fans and analysts continue to question certain placements, even when some rankings seem justified. How much importance to place on these preliminary evaluations remains up for debate.
Who’s Overlooked and Who’s Overhyped?
San Diego State fans showed intense frustration over their team being overlooked in the top projections, despite returning their entire lineup — including key player Reese Waters — and adding three important transfers. They called the omission “a joke lol,” with many citing SDSU’s consistent NCAA Tournament success as proof of their worthiness.
Arizona’s low placement became another major talking point, with fans wondering why a traditionally strong program wasn’t ranked higher. Florida’s fanbase also reacted with displeasure to their No. 17 ranking, believing their coach’s championship pedigree and resilient roster deserved more recognition.
Reactions ran both positive and negative across social media. One user humorously replied with a meme captioned “That’s bait,” suggesting Torvik executes these rankings strategically.
Others celebrated Michigan’s No. 5 spot with a proud “#GoBlue” shoutout, showing that for every critic, there is an equally vocal supporter.
KEEP READING: AJ Dybantsa Speaks on BYU’s Future
Torvik’s 2026 college basketball rankings, regardless of their early nature or accuracy, have launched passionate fan theories and debates — discussions that will no doubt continue until the opening tip.
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