So much for the dog days of summer.
College sports have been in the headlines for the past five weeks — rarely for anything actually happening on a court or field. The reason? Countless lawsuits, injunctions, rule changes over who gets to play college sports. And we don’t appear any closer to finding a true resolution than we were a month ago, leaving rosters across the sport in limbo.
Temporary restraining orders (TROs) or preliminary injunctions have been granted to groups of players in Georgia, California, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New York, Louisiana and Texas. Injunctions were stayed in Tennessee and Ohio, as was the federal class action decision in Colorado. South Carolina is among the states with cases currently pending. Meanwhile, each of the four power conferences has passed rules preventing professional athletes from returning to college — although the SEC’s is facing legal attacks.
We think that covers it all.
For the purposes of the final Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings of this offseason, we’ve decided to include all players who were granted TROs or preliminary injunctions that haven’t been stayed yet, as well as international players. We also ask the biggest question for each team as the season inches closer. In an ideal world, we will have a complete picture of the landscape — and answers to some of these questions — by the time we’re ready for the preseason rankings.
Until then, we’ll be paying more attention to courtrooms than basketball courts.
Previous ranking: 1
Will Denzel Aberdeen be eligible?
Aberdeen, a key reserve on Florida’s 2025 national championship team, wants to return to the Gators after spending last season at Kentucky, where he averaged 13.5 points and shot better than 36% from 3. But he also played four seasons over the course of four years and is therefore currently ineligible. The Colorado court decision temporarily gave him eligibility, but was then stayed, leaving Aberdeen in limbo. Florida remains No. 1 regardless, but Aberdeen being eligible would make it inarguable.
Projected starting lineup
Boogie Fland (11.7 PPG)
Urban Klavzar (9.7 PPG)
Thomas Haugh (17.1 PPG)
Alex Condon (14.9 PPG)
Rueben Chinyelu (11.2 PPG)
Previous ranking: 2
How many starting spots are up for grabs?
Duke doesn’t have any eligibility questions, but Jon Scheyer also likely doesn’t know his opening-day starting five yet. There are three options at the point guard position, with Caleb Foster returning after starting 30 games last season, Cayden Boozer back after starting all seven postseason games and the arrival of five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. Up front, we may see a battle between five-star freshmen Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje and Cameron Williams for the place next to Patrick Ngongba II.
Projected starting lineup
Caleb Foster (8.5 PPG)
John Blackwell (19.1 PPG at Wisconsin)
Dame Sarr (6.4 PPG)
Cameron Williams (No. 5 in SC Next 100)
Patrick Ngongba II (10.5 PPG)
Previous ranking: 3
When will David Mirkovic return?
Mirkovic, who averaged 13.6 points last season and was generating strong offseason buzz as a potential preseason All-American, underwent surgery in early August after suffering a left foot injury during a team workout. There was no definitive timetable announced by the school, but most estimates put him back around the start of the season. The Illini open their campaign with home games against Fairleigh Dickinson and Penn, but Brad Underwood would likely love Mirkovic for their Nov. 10 trip to Texas Tech.
Projected starting lineup
Stefan Vaaks (15.8 PPG at Providence)
Quentin Coleman (No. 23 in SC Next 100)
Andrej Stojakovic (13.5 PPG)
David Mirkovic (13.6 PPG)
Tomislav Ivisic (10.2 PPG)
Previous ranking: 4
How quickly will the newcomers make an impact?
The impact of portal additions and five-star recruits is a question for nearly every team in the top 25, but Texas has arguably its highest preseason expectations since 2009, when it was No. 3 in the preseason AP poll — and almost all of this can be credited to Sean Miller’s class of newcomers. At least four will start, while the first three or four players off the bench could also be freshmen or transfers. Outside of the projected starting lineup below, Saint Mary’s transfer Mikey Lewis and top-five recruit Marcus Spears Jr. are expected to play extensive roles.
Projected starting lineup
Isaiah Johnson (16.9 PPG at Colorado)
Austin Goosby (No. 20 in SC Next 100)
Elyjah Freeman (9.2 PPG at Auburn)
David Punch (14.1 PPG at TCU)
Matas Vokietaitis (15.7 PPG)
Previous ranking: 5
Are Jayden Ross and Nikolas Khamenia ready to take the next step?
It’s a new era in Storrs without Alex Karaban, one of the winningest players in college basketball history. The Huskies will also be without Solo Ball, who has started 84 games over the past three seasons but will miss the 2026-27 campaign with a wrist injury. In place of those two program stalwarts will be Ross and Khamenia. Ross’ defensive energy has been a boost off the bench for Dan Hurley, while Khamenia is a former five-star recruit who came off the bench at Duke as a freshman. Both will need to take on much larger roles.
Projected starting lineup
Silas Demary Jr. (10.6 PPG)
Braylon Mullins (12.0 PPG)
Jayden Ross (4.8 PPG)
Nikolas Khamenia (5.7 PPG at Duke)
Najai Hines (5.5 PPG at Seton Hall)
Previous ranking: 7
Will RJ Godfrey remain eligible?
Tommy Lloyd was missing a high-level power forward coming out of the spring, then landed Godfrey, a fifth-year Clemson transfer, in early August to fill the void. With Godfrey in the fold, the Wildcats have as good a starting five as anyone in college basketball. But Godfrey’s status depends on a lawsuit; he was among the players granted an injunction in Georgia, and that ruling hasn’t been stayed yet. As a precaution, the 6-foot-8 forward — who played in the Reese’s College All-Star Game in April, which typically signals the end of a player’s eligibility — sat out Arizona’s foreign tour in Lithuania.
Projected starting lineup
Derek Dixon (8.5 PPG at North Carolina)
Caleb Holt (No. 3 in SC Next 100)
Ivan Kharchenkov (10.2 PPG)
RJ Godfrey (12.0 PPG at Clemson)
Motiejus Krivas (10.4 PPG)
Previous ranking: 6
Will Jalen Washington be eligible to solve Tennessee’s center spot?
The Volunteers’ transfer haul in the spring was filled with high-level scorers, shotmakers and a slew of perimeter-focused offensive talent. But the late addition of Washington gave Rick Barnes an SEC-proven big man to round out the lineup — that is, if he can play. The Vanderbilt transfer was given a fifth year of eligibility via a lawsuit in the state of Tennessee, though the Court of Appeals stayed the temporary injunction. If Washington is ineligible, Barnes will need to turn to Loyola Chicago transfer Miles Rubin or sophomore DeWayne Brown II.
Projected starting lineup
Terrence Hill Jr. (15.0 PPG at VCU)
Tyler Lundblade (15.6 PPG at Belmont)
Juke Harris (21.4 PPG at Wake Forest)
Jalen Haralson (16.2 PPG at Notre Dame)
Miles Rubin (11.3 PPG at Loyola Chicago)
Previous ranking: 9
Is Anton Bonke ready to anchor Michigan State down low?
Tom Izzo’s roster is set at the guard and forward positions, led by All-American point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., a host of returnees and top-30 freshman Jasiah Jervis. The only potential question mark comes at the center spot, and the Spartans are hoping Bonke is the answer. The Charlotte transfer showed flashes of his ceiling last season with the 49ers, but will that translate to the Big Ten? Sophomore Jesse McCulloch and incoming freshman Ethan Taylor are the other options — unless Izzo opts to go smaller for his primary lineup with returning rotation player Cam Ward.
Projected starting lineup
Jeremy Fears Jr. (15.3 PPG)
Kur Teng (7.5 PPG)
Jordan Scott (5.9 PPG)
Coen Carr (12.0 PPG)
Anton Bonke (10.6 PPG at Charlotte)
Previous ranking: Unranked
Will Darrion Williams, Donovan Atwell and Jamichael Stillwell be eligible?
Texas Tech’s fortunes for 2026-27 have changed as much as anyone’s this offseason, with three key fifth-year additions potentially heading to Lubbock. Former Tech starter Williams is currently eligible via a Texas injunction, while former UCF forward Stillwell has his via a Georgia injunction. Atwell, another former Tech starter, received a TRO on Monday night in the state of Texas. If all three are eligible, and if JT Toppin is healthy in the second half of the season, this is a legitimate Final Four contender.
Projected starting lineup
Cruz Davis (20.1 PPG at Hofstra)
Donovan Atwell (13.5 PPG)
Darrion Williams (14.0 PPG at NC State)
Jamichael Stillwell (11.6 PPG at UCF)
JT Toppin (21.8 PPG)
Previous ranking: 10
How many freshmen will John Calipari start?
As seemingly everyone else in America looks to get older, John Calipari is sticking with what has worked for him for decades: bringing in the best high school talent. The Razorbacks have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, and there’s a case for anywhere between two and four freshmen to earn starting spots. Jordan Smith should be one of the elite guards in college basketball, while Miikka Muurinen, Abdou Toure and JaShawn Andrews could be battling for one starting spot.
Projected starting lineup
Jordan Smith (No. 2 in SC Next 100)
Jeremiah Wilkinson (17.4 PPG at Georgia)
Billy Richmond III (11.1 PPG)
Miikka Muurinen (five-star)
Cooper Bowser (13.8 PPG at Furman)
Previous ranking: 11
What’s Eric Reibe‘s return timetable?
Reibe, the former McDonald’s All-American who played at UConn last season, underwent foot surgery July 31, and the Trojans have not offered a specific return timetable. There’s some hope he could be ready for the start of the season, which would be a sizable boost for Eric Musselman’s team. If Reibe isn’t fully healthy in early November, however, USC will likely have to rely more heavily on incoming freshmen Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff — or potentially go smaller with breakout candidate Jacob Cofie moving from the 4 to the 5 for stretches.
Projected starting lineup
Rodney Rice (20.3 PPG)
KJ Lewis (14.9 PPG at Georgetown)
Christian Collins (No. 5 in SC Next 100)
Jacob Cofie (9.9 PPG)
Eric Reibe (5.9 PPG at UConn)
Previous ranking: 13
Who grabs the fifth starting spot for the Cavaliers?
Virginia had four starting spots fairly secured as soon as last season ended, with Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis and Johann Grunloh all starting at least 35 games apiece a year ago, and point guard Chance Mallory one of the best freshmen in the country. The last spot was less set. Ryan Odom clearly prioritized bigger guards and wings in the offseason, with Jurian Dixon (UC Irvine), Christian Harmon (Arkansas State), Jan Vide (Loyola Marymount) and international addition Nolan Adekunle all vying for the chance to fill it.
Projected starting lineup
Chance Mallory (9.3 PPG)
Jurian Dixon (15.7 PPG at UC Irvine)
Sam Lewis (10.6 PPG)
Thijs De Ridder (15.6 PPG)
Johann Grunloh (7.1 PPG)
Previous ranking: 25
Will Gonzaga be able to roster Xaivian Lee, Chauncey Wiggins and Javon Bennett?
Gonzaga has taken full advantage of the recent fifth-year rulings, adding three players who weren’t perceived to be available two months ago. Lee is the most important and would slot seamlessly into the point guard position vacated by Mario Saint-Supery, who returned to Spain in July. Bennett is another point guard option, and he would provide another dimension as a shooter. Wiggins is a 6-10 39% 3-point shooter and could push for a starting job, too. Lee and Wiggins are still eligible under the Georgia and California injunctions, respectively, while Bennett is currently ineligible after the Ohio injunction was stayed.
Projected starting lineup
Xaivian Lee (11.6 PPG at Florida)
Chauncey Wiggins (13.3 PPG at Florida State)
Davis Fogle (8.6 PPG)
Braden Huff (17.8 PPG)
Massamba Diop (13.6 PPG at Arizona State)
Previous ranking: 18
Will Mark Mitchell be eligible to return to the Tigers?
Mitchell’s decision this week to reenroll at Missouri instead of fighting to play his final year at Kentucky was massive for Dennis Gates. Mitchell is a two-time All-SEC forward and turns a team that was already loaded with talent into one that should win at least a couple of games in the NCAA tournament. But Mitchell is only able to return thanks to a TRO in the state of Kentucky that, thus far, has not been stayed. Five-star freshman Toni Bryant and Tennessee transfer Jaylen Carey are fine alternatives should Mitchell be unable to play one more season, but if he can play, he makes this team a real threat.
Projected starting lineup
Jason Crowe (No. 8 in SC Next 100)
Jamier Jones (11.9 PPG at Providence)
Mark Mitchell (18.3 PPG)
Trent Pierce (10.4 PPG)
Bryson Tiller (7.9 PPG at Kansas)
Previous ranking: 12
Will Seth Trimble be eligible?
When Trimble committed to Louisville in mid-August, the Cardinals suddenly seemed to have one of the more formidable starting units in the country. He’d had the best season of his career at North Carolina last season and would have been a perfect complement to Jackson Shelstad in the Louisville backcourt. But when the Colorado class action decision was stayed, Trimble was ruled ineligible. He has since joined a Kentucky state lawsuit hoping to regain a fifth year of eligibility.
Projected starting lineup
Jackson Shelstad (15.6 PPG at Oregon)
Adrian Wooley (8.7 PPG)
Karter Knox (8.1 PPG at Arkansas)
Alvaro Folgueiras (8.4 PPG at Iowa)
Flory Bidunga (13.3 PPG at Kansas)
Previous ranking: 14
Will Aden Holloway be reinstated?
One of the few situations not related to fifth-year eligibility. Holloway was one of the best guards in the SEC last season, averaging 16.8 points and 3.8 assists, while shooting 43.8% from 3-point range — all career bests. But he was arrested the week the NCAA tournament began, on a felony drug charge. He ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree possession of marijuana and entered a program for first-time offenders. Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said in July that Holloway was working out with the team but hasn’t been fully reinstated. Nate Oats did add reclassified point guard Anderson Diaz as insurance, but the Tide need Holloway back to reach their full potential.
Projected starting lineup
Aden Holloway (16.8 PPG)
Jaxon Richardson (No. 19 in SC Next 100)
Amari Allen (11.4 PPG)
Drew Fielder (14.7 PPG at Boise State)
Brandon Garrison (4.7 PPG at Kentucky)
Previous ranking: 16
Who is ready to step up as the team’s go-to scorer?
Under Kelvin Sampson, Houston has consistently had a high-level bucket-getter in the backcourt. Last year it was Kingston Flemings and Emanuel Sharp. Two years ago, it was Sharp, LJ Cryer and, late in the season, Milos Uzan. Before that, it was Jamal Shead, Marcus Sasser, Quentin Grimes, Corey Davis, Rob Gray … the list goes on and on. So who will be that guy this season? Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty will need to take on bigger roles, but it’s more likely to be LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr. or Purdue Fort Wayne’s Corey Hadnot II.
Projected starting lineup
Dedan Thomas Jr. (15.3 PPG at LSU)
Mercy Miller (5.2 PPG)
Chase McCarty (4.0 PPG)
Joseph Tugler (8.5 PPG)
Delrecco Gillespie (17.7 PPG at Kent State)
Previous ranking: 17
Is there enough 3-point shooting?
Perimeter shooting wasn’t exactly a strength of Jai Lucas’ first team in Coral Gables: The Hurricanes ranked last in the ACC in both 3-point attempt rate and percentage of points from 3s. Unfortunately, so far it doesn’t look like that area will see huge signs of improving. Tre Donaldson, the team’s most prolific 3-point shooter, is gone and will be replaced by Acaden Lewis, who made less than one 3 per game, at a 27% clip. Five-star freshman Caleb Gaskins isn’t a consistent shooter yet, and returning wing starters Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen made a combined 38 3s last season. Miami has plenty of talent and should be elite defensively, but Lucas will hope a knockdown shooter emerges.
Projected starting lineup
Acaden Lewis (12.2 PPG at Villanova)
Dante Allen (6.6 PPG)
Shelton Henderson (13.8 PPG)
Caleb Gaskins (No. 11 in SC Next 100)
Somtochukwu Cyril (9.3 PPG at Georgia)
Previous ranking: Unranked
Will Jaxon Kohler be eligible to solve the glaring need down low?
For most of the past five months, BYU has searched everywhere for a bona fide starter at the center position. The Cougars went into the transfer portal, overseas, on the reclassification market — but they finally solved their problem when Kohler committed last month. Kohler was among the players granted a TRO in California and is therefore eligible, for now. If he’s able to play a fifth season, Kevin Young will have one of the elite offenses in the country; the former Michigan State big man averaged 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and shot 39% from 3 last season.
Projected starting lineup
Robert Wright III (18.1 PPG)
Collin Chandler (9.7 PPG at Kentucky)
Bruce Branch III (No. 6 in SC Next 100)
Jake Wahlin (5.3 PPG at Clemson)
Jaxon Kohler (12.5 PPG at Michigan State)
Previous ranking: 8
What’s the contingency plan after Brandon McCoy‘s ACL injury?
McCoy, an incoming five-star freshman, suffered a right ACL injury during the Wolverines’ trip to Europe and will miss the entire 2026-27 season. He averaged 14.5 points through the first two games of the trip and was expected to play a sizable role in Ann Arbor. Two of Mike Boynton’s potential replacement options are currently ineligible: returnee Roddy Gayle Jr. and Columbia transfer Kenny Noland, both fifth-year seniors. Gayle filed a lawsuit in the state of New York on Monday for another year of eligibility. If neither is eligible, though, Boynton could turn to Oscar Goodman, a seldom-used sophomore who averaged 28 minutes on the European tour.
Projected starting lineup
Elliot Cadeau (10.1 PPG)
Trey McKenney (9.5 PPG)
Oscar Goodman (1.4 PPG)
J.P. Estrella (10.0 PPG at Tennessee)
Moustapha Thiam (12.8 PPG at Cincinnati)
Previous ranking: 15
Will Keyshawn Hall, Quinn Ellis and Babacar Sane all be eligible?
Outside of LSU, St. John’s might be the program with the most players facing eligibility limbo as we enter the final two months before the season begins. Ellis, one of the best international prospects entering college basketball, is yet to be cleared. Sane, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Utah Jazz in 2024, is also facing eligibility questions. And then there’s former Auburn star Hall, one of the best fifth-year summer additions who was initially granted eligibility through the Ohio lawsuit but is once again ineligible after that decision was stayed. With all three — and Reed Bailey, another five-in-five hopeful — able to play, Rick Pitino’s team would be a Big East title contender.
Projected starting lineup
Quinn Ellis (8.4 PPG for Olimpia Milano)
Ian Jackson (9.6 PPG)
Tounde Yessoufou (17.8 PPG at Baylor)
Babacar Sane (9.9 PPG for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg)
Ruben Prey (4.1 PPG)
Previous ranking: 19
What does Kentucky do after losing Mark Mitchell?
Mitchell committing to Kentucky in August was arguably the biggest game changer of any of the fifth-year seniors — for about one week. Instead of fighting the SEC about its intraconference transfer rules, Mitchell opted to reenroll at Missouri. It’s a sizable blow for Mark Pope, who looked poised to have his best and most talented roster in Lexington. Ousmane N’Diaye, who played in Italy last season, and James Madison transfer Justin McBride are now likely to battle for a starting spot, but we’re wondering whether Pope has any other late moves up his sleeve.
Projected starting lineup
Zoom Diallo (15.7 PPG at Washington)
Alex Wilkins (17.8 PPG at Furman)
Milan Momcilovic (16.9 PPG at Iowa State)
Ousmane N’Diaye (9.8 PPG for Cremona)
Malachi Moreno (7.8 PPG)
Previous ranking: 20
What impact can we expect from Nikola Kusturica?
UCLA made a major splash in July when it landed Kusturica, arguably the best European prospect in his age group, and an early contender to be the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA draft — Kusturica turned 17 years old in April and will need to spend two years in college before being eligible for the draft. The Serbian forward was a standout performer at the FIBA U17 World Cup this summer in Turkey, scoring 37 points against the United States. He raises UCLA’s ceiling considerably.
Projected starting lineup
Jaylen Petty (9.9 PPG at Texas Tech)
Trent Perry (12.6 PPG)
Nikola Kusturica (international)
Eric Dailey (11.6 PPG)
Xavier Booker (7.3 PPG)
Previous ranking: 21
Who will surround Tyler Tanner in the starting five?
Mark Byington was able to bring back Tanner, a preseason All-American candidate. He also lost his other four starters from last season’s 27-win team. There are plenty of options to replace those positions, however. Five transfers are arriving in Nashville, all of whom previously played extended minutes at a high level: Ace Glass, Bangot Dak, T.O. Barrett, Sebastian Williams-Adams and Berke Buyuktuncel. There’s also sophomore returnee Chandler Bing, who saw his role increase as last season progressed thanks to his defensive ability, and incoming freshman Gabe Nesmith.
Projected starting lineup
Tyler Tanner (19.5 PPG)
Ace Glass (16.4 PPG at Washington State)
Chandler Bing (3.6 PPG)
Sebastian Williams-Adams (7.0 PPG at Auburn)
Bangot Dak (11.5 PPG at Colorado)
Previous ranking: 22
Is Kansas done adding to its roster?
When 2027 recruit Javon Bardwell reclassified into 2026 but decommitted from Kansas in August, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Bill Self move to add further reinforcements — or bring some back, in this case. Melvin Council Jr. is pursuing another year of eligibility; he voluntarily chose to dismiss his case in Kansas on Monday but plans to refile in New York. There have also been links to another starter from last season, Tre White, though he has yet to pursue an injunction to get a fifth season to play.
Projected starting lineup
Leroy Blyden Jr. (16.5 PPG at Toledo)
Taylen Kinney (No. 21 in SC Next 100)
Tyran Stokes (No. 1 in SC Next 100)
Keanu Dawes (12.5 PPG at Utah)
Christian Reeves (11.1 PPG at Charleston)
Next five
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Iowa State Cyclones
Purdue Boilermakers
Villanova Wildcats
North Carolina Tar Heels
