A champion has been crowned and the attention of every men's college basketball team is officially on the 2025-26 season.
From expected player departures to top incoming recruits and portal priorities, our analysts break down what to know about each of the final 16 teams in the field of 68 as the NCAA tournament comes to a close.
Last updated: April 7, 2025
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Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | Auburn | BYU | Duke | Florida | Houston | Kentucky | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State | Ole Miss | Purdue | Tennessee | Texas Tech
Won the 2025 NCAA title
Florida Gators
Record: 36-4 (14-4 in the SEC)
How their season ended: Defeated Houston 65-63 to win the 2025 men's national championship
Expected player departures: Florida will have to replace its entire starting backcourt. AP All-America first-team Walter Clayton Jr. will leave the biggest void, followed by Alijah Martin and Will Richard. There isn't an easy way for Todd Golden to reboot. Plus, Alex Condon has been rising in various NBA mock drafts and could choose to test those waters.
Top incoming recruit: Cornelius Ingram Jr. The four-star small forward is ranked 26th in the 2025 class by ESPN. He is also the son of Cornelius Ingram, a former Florida tight end who won a national title with the Gators. The younger Ingram won a couple of state titles as a quarterback in high school, but he's committed to anchoring the next generation of Florida hoops standouts.
Portal priorities: Golden will get immediate help with his new backcourt of Ingram and Alexander Lloyd, a four-star shooting guard ranked 30th in the 2025 class by ESPN. But just as he got Clayton, Martin and Richard through the portal, Golden will search the market to find their replacements. That pursuit will begin with Clayton, who changed the program as one of the nation's best point guards. If Condon leaves for the NBA, Golden would need another top big to replace him -- although Florida also has a strong nucleus of young big men.
What is Florida's ceiling if Alex Condon returns? The Gators could return next season with their entire frontcourt. The 6-foot-11 Condon, a projected late first-round pick in ESPN's latest mock draft, has battled an ankle injury for the past two months but could mature into a lottery pick with another year in college. Still, Florida could be a national title contender even if he leaves because of Thomas Haugh's incredible growth this season. The sophomore could have a breakout season in 2025-26.
Any prospect in the portal who watched Clayton perform in the postseason will see the benefits of playing in Golden's system. The NCAA tournament has been a PR campaign for all of the top guards still in the portal. If the Gators reboot their backcourt and bring back Condon, they will start the season again as an SEC contender. -- Myron Medcalf.
Lost in the NCAA title game
Houston Cougars
Record: 35-5 (19-1 in Big 12)
How they were eliminated: Lost 65-63 to Florida in the national title game
Expected player departures: Kelvin Sampson could have a manageable rebuild or a complete overhaul -- we don't know the extent yet. What we do know is that the Cougars have five seniors: starters L.J. Cryer and J'Wan Roberts and reserves Mylik Wilson and Ja'Vier Francis. (Ramon Walker played only eight games before suffering an injury, so he could get a redshirt.) The two big questions surround Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler, who both could be selected in June's NBA draft.
Top incoming recruit: Chris Cenac Jr. The No. 1 incoming center in the country, Cenac is the Cougars' highest-ranked recruit (No. 6) in the modern era and the linchpin to their No. 2-ranked recruiting class. He had a dominant spring and summer last year to skyrocket up the rankings. He is long (6-10), has good defensive instincts and already possesses an impressive inside-outside offensive repertoire.
Portal priorities: Will Uzan and Tugler return for another season or enter the NBA draft? Sampson already has the nation's second-best recruiting class, featuring five-star prospects Cenac and Isiah Harwell to go with top-20 prospect Kingston Flemings, the No. 1 player in the state of Texas. But Houston will still need to bring in some perimeter shooting.
A big part of the Cougars' success this season has been their improved offense, buoyed by an attack that ranks No. 1 in the country from beyond the arc. Emanuel Sharp should return, but Cryer's volume needs to be replaced. If Uzan and Tugler return, that could be the biggest need. If they leave, Houston needs more experience at point guard and up front.
What is Houston's ceiling if Uzan and Tugler return? Going back to the Final Four. The Cougars might be No. 1 in most Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, including ours -- regardless of whether Uzan returns. They are bringing in one of the nation's elite recruiting classes, with three top-20 recruits. Flemings is a terrific point guard and a potential Uzan replacement if it comes to that -- although we've seen how steep the learning curve can be for a Sampson-coached point guard. If Uzan comes back, along with Tugler and Sharp, Houston would have three returning starters alongside three elite newcomers -- plus whomever Sampson lands in the portal. -- Jeff Borzello
Eliminated in the Final Four
No. 1 Duke Blue Devils
Record: 35-4 (19-1 in the ACC)
How their season ended: 70-67 loss to Houston in the Final Four
Expected player departures: As many as six key players could be on their way out: Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA draft; Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel, who could both be selected in the top 10; projected second-round picks Tyrese Proctor and Isaiah Evans; and senior Sion James, who is out of eligibility.
Top incoming recruit: Cameron Boozer. It's a family affair for Duke, whose No. 1 recruiting class in America includes Boozer, the No. 3 prospect in the 2025 class, and his twin Cayden (No. 16). During an interview with ESPN last week, Cam said Duke fans should expect to win big again next year once he arrives. There's truth to his statement, too. The twin sons of Duke legend Carlos Boozer led their high school to the Chipotle Nationals championship on Friday and, earlier in the week, were part of the East team's win in the McDonald's All American boys' game. Cam also won his second Gatorade national player of the year award and should contend for more individual accolades in college.
Portal priorities: Jon Scheyer could get Maliq Brown, Caleb Foster and other contributors back next year, so any addition from the portal will have to complement them as well as the young freshmen talent. Both James and Mason Gillis were important on the court and also brought a maturity the Blue Devils needed in the locker room. Scheyer will look to again add high-character veterans.
Can Jon Scheyer sustain this level of success with another strong freshman class? The day before his team's matchup with Houston, Scheyer acknowledged his young team's uniqueness.
"Their maturity of not getting too up or down is special," he said. "For me as a coach, it's been amazing to have -- to have guys that are always ready. As freshmen, that usually doesn't happen all the time."
That's an important note for Duke, which is bringing in the aforementioned No. 1 recruiting class. Joining the Boozers will be No. 21 Nikolas Khamenia and No. 33 Shelton Henderson. That's four freshmen to mix in with potential returners Brown, Evans and Foster, who can anchor a team looking to repeat this year's feat and make another Final Four run. Their chemistry and maturity, as Scheyer noted, will factor into that goal for success. -- Myron Medcalf
No. 1 Auburn Tigers
Record: 32-6 (15-3 in SEC)
How their season ended: Lost 79-73 to Florida in the Final Four
Expected player departures: Bruce Pearl could be looking at an entirely new starting lineup next season, as all five starters this season are seniors. That said, Chad Baker-Mazara could return -- thanks to a blanket waiver issued by the NCAA in December that extended an extra year of eligibility to former junior college players for the 2025-26 season. Denver Jones also played junior college ball, but he spent four years in Division I, so he is likely gone. All-American Johni Broome is out of eligibility, along with Miles Kelly, Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson.
Top incoming recruit: Sebastian Williams-Adams. Kaden Magwood is ranked higher than Williams-Adams of Auburn's three ESPN 100 commits, but the presence of Tahaad Pettiford could mean Magwood starts his career in a reserve role. Williams-Adams could carve out a role fairly quickly, though. He is versatile, very long with a 7-2 wing span and plays extremely aggressively at both ends of the floor. He is very good going to the rim and can guard all over the floor.
Portal priorities: Much will depend on Baker-Mazara's decision and whether any other seniors find more eligibility, but Pettiford is a potential All-American and a great starting point for Pearl. Auburn also added a key transfer before the Final Four: UCF forward Keyshawn Hall, who averaged 18.8 points this season. Highly touted junior college transfer Abdul Bashir could double as a hint for another portal target: His brother is Monmouth guard Abdi Bashir, who entered the portal last week and averaged 20.1 points this season. Auburn has pieces on the perimeter, so Pearl will have to focus on the frontcourt, which will have just the seldom-deployed freshman Jakhi Howard. Expect the Tigers to look for size and experience up front.
How does Auburn replace Johni Broome? Broome has been at the heart of so much of Auburn's success since transferring from Morehead State in 2022. He was second-team All-SEC in 2023, first-team All-SEC and third-team All-American in 2024 -- and was closely behind Cooper Flagg in the player of the year race. He averaged 18.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks. He put up otherworldly stat lines all season, carrying the Tigers offensively over stretches. It's not going to be easy to get similar production from next season's frontcourt, let alone one player. Pettiford will be one of the most electric players in the country in 2025-26, but Pearl needs to find a way to replace Broome if Auburn is going to compete at the top of the SEC again. -- Jeff Borzello
Eliminated in the Elite Eight
No. 2 Michigan State Spartans
Record: 30-7 (17-3 in Big Ten)
How their season ended: Lost 70-64 to Auburn in the Elite Eight
Expected player departures: Taking potential portal attrition out of the equation for now, Michigan State's roster isn't in a bad situation. Star freshman Jase Richardson will likely head to the NBA, and Jaden Akins and Szymon Zapala are seniors. But Tom Izzo had a 10-deep rotation this season, and the only other senior is Frankie Fidler. That said, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Xavier Booker hit the portal as a result of his role disappearing down the stretch.
Top incoming recruit: Cam Ward. Though not likely as impactful as his football counterpart namesake in Coral Gables, Florida, Ward is one of two ESPN 100 prospects headed to East Lansing. It's easy to see why Izzo likes Ward -- he is physical, can be effective around the rim and on the glass and knows how to absorb contact and get to the free throw line.
Portal priorities: Izzo needs to add multiple players with offensive pop on the perimeter. Moving Richardson into the starting lineup over the final third of the season jump-started the Spartans' attack, giving the team a shotmaker and someone who could consistently get his own look. Assuming Jeremy Fears Jr. and Tre Holloman are back running the offense, Izzo still needs to replace Richardson and Akins on the wings. The Spartans had a capable offense but were still one of the worst teams in college basketball at 3-point shooting. Up front, they should be fine if Coen Carr can take another step and become more than just a highlight-reel player off the bench.
Has Tom Izzo found his new winning formula? After a couple of down seasons -- relatively speaking, at least -- Izzo entered 2024-25 with a different approach. He went with a legitimate 10-man rotation for nearly the entire season, ranking in the top 20 nationally in bench minutes -- and it worked. The Spartans had one of the best defenses in the country and had plenty of success running teams off the 3-point line and dominating the glass. Having fresh legs the entire game helps. Now the question is whether that's the plan moving forward, or if Izzo will shorten his rotation next season with the departures of three starters and a couple more rotation players. -- Jeff Borzello
No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers
Record: 30-8 (12-6 in the SEC)
How their season ended: Lost 69-50 to Houston in the Elite Eight
Expected player departures: Rick Barnes will have to replace six seniors with starters Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack and Igor Milicic Jr. all leaving, along with sixth man Jordan Gainey and rotation player Darlinstone Dubar. Zeigler and Mashack have been at the heart of some of the best teams in program history, while Lanier was a legitimate All-America candidate this season. That's a lot of production heading out the door.
Top incoming recruit: Amari Evans. Evans is one of two ESPN 100 recruits headed to Knoxville next season, but his college-ready frame and two-way ability give him the edge in terms of immediate impact. He has expanded his offensive game as his high school career has progressed, adding a more consistent perimeter game to complement his ability to get to the rim. He is also a terrific defender, which should fit well at Tennessee.
Portal priorities: Barnes and his staff have had plenty of success in the portal the past couple of years, and they will need to work their magic again without much talent returning to Knoxville, especially on the perimeter. The Volunteers need a high-level playmaker to run the show, and while they are still in the mix for five-star recruit Brayden Burries, they will more than likely need to find one in the portal. They also need to find some size and shooting on the wings, which explains their interest in the likes of Isaac McKneely (Virginia), Elyjah Freeman (Lincoln Memorial) and Jacari White (North Dakota State). Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips should return up front, but Barnes will look to add some versatility in the frontcourt.
Can Barnes strike gold for the third straight year? It's hard to find a program in college basketball that has had more success in the transfer portal than Tennessee over the past two years. In 2023-24, the Vols landed Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht, who developed into the best perimeter player in the country after not even performing to first-team All-Conference levels in the Big Sky, helping lead Tennessee to the 2024 Elite Eight. And last offseason, the Volunteers signed North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier, who struggled for three seasons with the Ospreys before having a great 2023-24 campaign. He was arguably the best transfer in the country for the first half of this season and earned second-team All-SEC honors. Does Barnes have another ace up his sleeve this spring? -- Jeff Borzello
No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide
Record: 28-9 (13-5 in the SEC)
How their season ended: 85-65 loss to Duke in the Elite Eight
Expected player departures: Nate Oats will have to replace his entire starting five, though most of that rebuild could be accomplished with remaining talent. First-team All-American Mark Sears will be the hardest to replace -- Oats will need to find someone who can lead a group that averaged more than 91 points, the top mark in America. Starters Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson and Clifford Omoruyi will also depart. Plus, freshman Labaron Philon (No. 43 prospect in ESPN's latest NBA mock draft) has a decision to make about his future.
Top incoming recruit: Davion Hannah. Hannah and London Jemison are both four-star players and top-50 prospects, according to ESPN. The shooting guard and power forward, respectively, could add to a rotation that -- if Oats retains his top returning talent -- should be competitive in the SEC a year from now, too.
Portal priorities: Oats' approach to the portal will first depend on who stays. Aden Holloway is ready to become a star in the SEC, and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Houston Mallette could join Holloway. But four of the top players from this year's team are gone, and America's top offense will need consistent production from whoever they recruit. Kennesaw State guard Adrian Wooley (18.8 PPG) is a Tuscaloosa native who could come in and help the Crimson Tide sustain their explosive offensive; Alabama is reportedly on his short list. But it is also losing a lot of size with Nelson and Omoruyi, an All-Big Ten defensive team selection at Rutgers last year. He'll have to find long athletes in the portal who also have the stamina to keep up with the fastest team in America.
What will it take for Nate Oats to break through and win a championship? Oats doesn't have to change anything about his offensive scheme and roster construction to eventually win a national title. Since the 2020-21 season, he has made four trips to the Sweet 16, two to the Elite Eight and one to the Final Four. Oats is one of the top coaches in America and is only 50 years old -- but he picked a bad time to put together his best teams. Last year, his team lost in the Final Four to UConn, as the Huskies were on their way to their second consecutive title run. This year, his team lost to a Duke team that might have a generational talent in Cooper Flagg and multiple projected lottery picks. Alabama's biggest flaw over the past two years was drawing two incredibly talented opponents in the NCAA tournament. But it also feels like Oats, who will have to rebuild next year, is close to cracking the code to deliver his school's first national championship. -- Myron Medcalf
No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Record: 28-9 (15-5 in the Big 12)
How their season ended: 84-79 loss to Florida in the Elite Eight
Expected player departures: Grant McCasland's program will lose seniors Elijah Hawkins, a reliable leader for the Red Raiders on and off the court, and Chance McMillian. And the top two scorers, Darrion Williams and JT Toppin, could test the NBA waters. Toppin, an AP All-America third-team selection, also could make some cash in the portal, so McCasland will have to convince Toppin to stay in Lubbock.
Top incoming recruit: Texas Tech has not signed a freshman who could make an immediate contribution next season; instead, the Red Raiders will rely on the portal.
Portal priorities: In a worst-case scenario, Texas Tech could be on the brink of a rebuild. If four of the Red Raiders' top five scorers end up leaving, the program will have to try to land multiple stars through the portal. The Red Raiders can count on Christian Anderson's continued development and move him to point guard, if necessary, but they would be better served finding another guard in the portal. They would need more size and more reliable scorers, as well. But the uncertainty around Toppin makes it difficult to project what Texas Tech might have to do to stabilize the program in the weeks ahead.
Did Texas Tech rely on Darrion Williams too often down the stretch? Not at all. The Red Raiders did what any team would have done as Florida closed the gap late on Saturday: They turned to their hot hand. Williams had been unstoppable all night. The Gators tried to guard him with big men. That didn't work; he was strong enough to shoot over Alex Condon in the paint or drive by Condon when he had the ball on the perimeter. Then they tried to double-team Williams, to no greater success. Nothing seemed to work, and Williams' late bucket while surrounded by multiple Gators proved as much. When he tried to score in the final seconds again, the Gators tied Williams up, and Florida managed to force a jump ball. Despite the unhappy ending, any coach would have put Williams in that same position. He was a force against the Gators, and he was Texas Tech's best mismatch -- its best chance to beat a 1-seed. Texas Tech had the right game plan to beat Florida, whether or not it worked in the end. -- Myron Medcalf
Eliminated in the Sweet 16
No. 4 Purdue Boilermakers
Record: 24-12 (13-7 in Big Ten)
How their season ended: Lost 62-60 to Houston in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: This could be an interesting couple of weeks for Matt Painter and the Boilermakers. There's only one senior in the rotation: Caleb Furst, who has been capable for several years, but is replaceable. What will determine their expectations for 2025-26, however, will be the decisions of Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn -- both are ranked inside the top 100 of ESPN's NBA draft rankings but neither is a lock to be drafted.
Top incoming recruit: Antione West. Purdue's only recruit, the ESPN 100 combo guard chose the Boilermakers over Nebraska and is unlikely to see a significant role next season. Smith rarely sits during games, and if he does depart, Painter will undoubtedly hit the portal for a point guard. But West can play either guard position and will provide depth.
Portal priorities: Again, much of this will be determined by Smith and Kaufman-Renn's decisions. If both return to West Lafayette, Painter doesn't need to do much in the portal. Zero players in the Boilermakers' rotation this season were transfers; Lance Jones was the only transfer on last year's national runner-up team. The Boilermakers will also get a boost from 7-foot-3 freshman center Daniel Jacobsen, who was injured in the second game of this season and hasn't played since. Jacobsen played a key role on the USA Basketball U18 national team last summer and could be the next great big in the Purdue pipeline.
If Smith returns, is he the preseason Player of the Year? Smith is the only AP first-team All-American with remaining college eligibility, and he's been arguably the best point guard in the country all season, so there is a real chance Purdue could produce the national Player of the Year for a third time in four seasons. Without Zach Edey, Smith took ownership of the Boilermakers' offense, improving to 16.0 points per game while maintaining his impressive efficiency. He finished the season ranked second in the country in assists at 8.5 per game. Could he go to the NBA? He was ranked No. 60 in ESPN's NBA draft rankings entering the week, so he's on the borderline. But he could establish an all-time legacy at Purdue if he decides to return. -- Jeff Borzello
No. 5 Michigan Wolverines
Record: 27-10 (14-6 in Big Ten)
How their season ended: Lost 78-65 to Auburn in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: Danny Wolf's emergence as one of the Big Ten's best players after transferring from Yale likely means this will be his only year in Ann Arbor: The 7-footer is a projected first-round NBA draft pick. Dusty May also has three senior starters in Vladislav Goldin, Rubin Jones and Nimari Burnett, so the Wolverines will have a very different lineup next season.
Top incoming recruit: Trey McKenney. May's first five-star recruit is a big-time scorer who can shoot it from the perimeter or use his physicality and strength to get to the rim. He is a mismatch for most opposing guards, because he knows how to overpower smaller defenders and is also a very good 3-point shooter who can make plays on the perimeter.
Portal priorities: Tre Donaldson is slated to return in the backcourt, as is freshman L.J. Cason, who saw an increased role down the stretch. There have been some portal rumors regarding Roddy Gayle Jr., the team's sixth man for most of the past six weeks, but he would be the team's best perimeter scorer next season. McKenney also adds some pop to the backcourt. It's clear May's focus needs to be on the frontcourt, even if he could dip into the portal for another guard. Sam Walters is the only frontcourt player returning, and he's been out since early February with an injury. The Wolverines desperately need interior help.
How does Michigan adjust without Wolf and Goldin? Michigan's identity this season revolved around starting two 7-footers, with Wolf creating matchup problems as a playmaker and Goldin dominating down low. Does May try to go double big in his lineup again next season? Or will he look to hit the portal for a team more like his Florida Atlantic groups that surrounded one post player (Goldin) with those that can make shots? May's ability to adapt and create an attack -- and defense -- that utilized two 7-footers should provide confidence he'll figure it out either way. -- Jeff Borzello
No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats
Record: 24-12 (10-8 in SEC)
How their season ended: Lost 78-65 to Tennessee in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: Mark Pope leaned on veteran players when rebuilding his roster after taking over in Lexington in April. As a result, he's facing a litany of departures. Starters Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Amari Williams and Koby Brea are all seniors, as is Jaxson Robinson, who missed the final stretch of the season due to injury. Otega Oweh is a junior but is also ranked as a top-100 NBA draft prospect.
Top incoming recruit: Jasper Johnson. Johnson is a five-star recruit and one of the elite pure scoring guards in the class. He has high-level shotmaking ability but also can get to the rim off the bounce if opponents close out too aggressively. His size and wingspan also make him a capable defender. He'll make an immediate impact.
Portal priorities: Pope has already landed an impact player out of the portal, with Tulane transfer Kam Williams committing Friday. Williams is a high-ceiling 3-and-D prospect and one of the best shooters in the portal, hitting more than 41% of his 3s in his first season with the Green Wave. Now the Wildcats need pretty much everything else. They could use a veteran combo guard on the perimeter to add experience alongside Johnson and Acaden Lewis, though Collin Chandler's late-season surge could portend a larger role next season. They also need physicality and versatility up front with Carr and Williams out the door. We can assume Pope will look to target players who will space the floor and make shots from the perimeter.
Where does Kentucky turn after missing out on Donovan Dent? Dent, the best available player in the portal, committed to UCLA on Friday night. Kentucky had been heavily linked to the New Mexico transfer, but now has to look elsewhere for its impact point guard -- or does it? Numbers-wise, Kentucky is well-stocked. If Oweh returns and doesn't enter the NBA draft, the Wildcats will have one of the best two-way guards in the SEC leading the way. As mentioned above, Chandler saw an increased role down the stretch of the season after Robinson's injury and could return as a key player in the rotation. Travis Perry saw four starts late in the season. And Pope is bringing in Johnson and Lewis after landing Williams, a versatile wing, out of the portal. You obviously can't turn down a player like Dent, but it will be interesting to see what happens to the rest of the group if someone of his caliber heads to Lexington. -- Jeff Borzello
No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels
Record: 24-12 (10-8 in SEC)
How their season ended: Lost 73-70 to Michigan State in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: Ole Miss ranked third nationally in Division I experience this season; as a result, Chris Beard is set to embark on a massive rebuild. Of the Rebels' top seven players, six are seniors, with Malik Dia being the lone junior in the rotation. Double-figure scorers Sean Pedulla, Jaemyn Brakefield, Matthew Murrell, Jaylen Murray and Dre Davis are all out of eligibility.
Top incoming recruit: Tylis Jordan. An ESPN 100 forward from Georgia, Jordan's biggest positive is his upside and potential -- although it might not show itself immediately next season. He can get points in a variety of ways, running the floor in transition and showing an ability to make shots from the perimeter. He finished his high school career with a state championship earlier this month.
Portal priorities: Ole Miss needs everything in the portal, which isn't an unfamiliar position for Beard and his staff -- they are used to overhauls and mass rebuilds, dating to Beard's days in junior college and at Little Rock. Dia will at least provide an anchor down low, meaning the Rebels will have to focus on their perimeter group. The biggest difference between Beard's first and second teams in Oxford was the ability of this season's group to defend, which was much more akin to Beard's teams at Texas and Texas Tech. Expect Beard to find players who will buy in defensively.
Does Beard get caught up in the remaining carousel dominoes? The high-major coaching carousel has slowed considerably in the past week, but the potential of Kevin Willard leaving Maryland for Villanova could create a second wave -- and it wouldn't be surprising if Beard becomes a domino in that effect. Early canvassing of industry sources indicates Texas A&M's Buzz Williams could be a potential candidate in College Park (or even Beard), which could open a job in College Station, a deep-pocketed program that can attract any number of coaches. Beard will likely be a name on the Aggies' board. He is in a great situation in Oxford, however, with a roster that had one of the higher NIL numbers in the country this season. -- Jeff Borzello
No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks
Record: 22-14 (8-10 in the SEC)
How their season ended: 85-83 loss to Texas Tech in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: Adou Thiero is a projected first-round pick in ESPN's latest NBA mock draft, while five-star recruit Boogie Fland is projected to go early in the second round. Both could choose to leave. Meanwhile, seniors Jonas Aidoo and Johnell Davis have exhausted their college eligibility.
Top incoming recruit: Darius Acuff. John Calipari continues his knack for attracting top high school players. Acuff (2025 ESPN 100 No. 5) and Meleek Thomas (2025 ESPN 100 No. 10) are the top players in Calipari's incoming class.
Portal priorities: Calipari's focus will be on his backcourt with the losses of Davis and Fland. Above all, he'll need shooters to boost a roster that made just 32% of its 3-point attempts in 2024-25. He'll also need elite post players to replace Thiero and Aidoo. But Calipari could also have enough returning talent -- Zvonimir Ivisic, Billy Richmond III, D.J. Wagner and Karter Knox -- for the foundation of another NCAA tournament team. It'll be a major difference from last year, when Calipari didn't have a single scholarship player on the roster as he took the job.
What grade does John Calipari deserve after his first year at Arkansas? An A-minus. When he took the job last April, Calipari had to build an entire roster from scratch (before Trevon Brazile agreed to return to Arkansas). Injuries were a problem, though the Razorbacks got healthier through the season. And then what was a good defensive squad matured into a more efficient offensive team. Yes, the Razorbacks blew a major lead in the Sweet 16, but consider how far they got in the tournament despite minimal contributions from their two leading scorers, Thiero and Fland, due to injuries. This was, overall, a strong debut by Calipari in Fayetteville. -- Myron Medcalf
No. 4 Arizona Wildcats
Record: 24-13 (14-6 in the Big 12)
How their season ended: 100-93 loss to Duke in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: Senior Caleb Love will leave Arizona after helping the Wildcats win 51 games in two years and reach the Sweet 16 twice. Trey Townsend, one of the heroes of Oakland's upset of Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year, is done, too. Freshman Carter Bryant, an intriguing NBA prospect off the bench, could leave Tucson for the professional league.
Top incoming recruit: Koa Peat. Hours before Arizona's Sweet 16 matchup Thursday, the 6-foot-7 five-star forward (2025 ESPN 100 No. 9) announced his commitment to Tommy Lloyd and the Wildcats. He's the top player in an incoming Wildcats class that also features Bryce James, the younger son of NBA superstar LeBron James.
Portal priorities: The Wildcats could return four of their top six scorers next season and might not enter the portal as desperate for new talent as other teams. Still, replacing Love -- a legit star who kept the Wildcats alive in games against elite opponents -- will be tough. Arizona will need to identify and sign another high-level guard in the portal. But it's also already a potential preseason top-25 team. Retaining some of its existing players with eligibility remaining seems to be as big a priority as the portal right now.
How will Caleb Love be remembered? Love is a lot like Russell Westbrook: He is a magnificent guard who never evolved into a consistent 3-point threat but is one of the top scorers in recent college basketball history. And he helped two teams make the NCAA tournament. With Love, North Carolina had a double-digit lead over Kansas in the 2022 national title game. And Arizona reached the Sweet 16 in back-to-back years. That matters. Love should be remembered as the star that he was at the collegiate level. -- Myron Medcalf
No. 4 Maryland Terrapins
Record: 27-9 (14-6 Big Ten)
How their season ended: Lost 87-71 to Florida in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: Derik Queen has cemented his position as a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft. The talented freshman will be difficult to replace. His frontcourt mate Julian Reese and a third starter, Selton Miguel, are also done. But coach Kevin Willard moving to Villanova would be the biggest departure.
Top incoming recruit: Chris Jeffrey. A 6-3 point guard from New York City, the four-star recruit averaged more than 24 points at Mt. Zion Prep in Lanham, Maryland. He would give the Terps a young player to develop.
Portal priorities: Not to harp on the Willard reports, but so much of this depends on what happens next for him. If Willard stays, he'll need to immediately hit the portal for top big men to replace Queen and Reese, a duo that led the program to its second Sweet 16 since 2003. If Willard's starting backcourt -- Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice -- returns, then he will have the building blocks for his team and just need to add key veterans. If Willard leaves, however, the Terps might have to start from scratch with their new head coach.
What happens if Kevin Willard leaves? The vibes around Maryland men's basketball right now are weird. Willard spent a portion of his news conferences this week criticizing the resources given to his program, and also refusing to directly address reports of him taking the Villanova coaching job. Maryland is a good job that can attract a quality coach should Willard leave. But with his departure the Terps could lose the bulk, if not all, of their roster, and his replacement could enter the revenue-sharing era of college basketball without any continuity. If, however, Maryland's investment in men's basketball is as real an issue as Willard has been making it out to be, the program might struggle to lure a top coaching target. -- Myron Medcalf
No. 6 BYU Cougars
Record: 26-10 (14-6 Big 12)
How their season ended: Lost 113-88 to Alabama in the Sweet 16
Expected player departures: Egor Demin, a 6-9 point guard, has averaged 10.5 PPG and 5.4 APG for the Cougars this season. That unique size at a key position turned Demin into a projected lottery pick this summer. Trevin Knell (9.1 PPG) and Fousseyni Traore (8.7 PPG) are seniors who will exit, too.
Top incoming recruit: A.J. Dybantsa. The 6-10 star, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, committed to BYU after reportedly accepting nearly eight figures in an NIL deal. Dybantsa, who can play multiple positions, could change the program's future if he lives up to the hype that has preceded his arrival.
Portal priorities: With Dybantsa and Xavion Staton (2025 ESPN 100 No. 35) arriving and Demin leaving, coach Kevin Young's first priority will be to identify an elite point guard. Young has said he's open to exploring both the portal and the European basketball pool. If Richie Saunders returns, Young will have his top scorer from this season alongside the top freshman. But he'll need a maestro to lead the way for this intriguing group in 2025-26.
What did the Cougars learn in Kevin Young's first season? BYU's goal this season was to compete in the Big 12 with the veteran talent it had on its roster, and the Cougars did just that. Not only that, but the Cougars reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since Jimmer Fredette's reign -- a significant milestone for Young. His success should continue to help BYU attract some of the best talent from high school as well as the transfer portal. With zero head coaching experience on his résumé prior to this stint, Young has proved he can lead a college basketball program, which will matter for a team that will face more scrutiny next season with the arrival of Dybantsa. -- Myron Medcalf