Thanks to the transfer portal, the opportunity for teams to “bounce back” from disappointing, losing seasons is easier than ever. This past year, eight programs from among the top eight conferences increased their win total by seven or more games compared to the prior season:
- Cal Bears: 14-19 in ‘24-25 to 22-12 in ‘25-26
- Iowa Hawkeyes: 17-16 to 24-13
- Miami Hurricanes: 7-24 to 22-12
- Nebraska Cornhuskers: 21-14 to 28-7
- Seton Hall Pirates: 7-25 to 16-16
- South Florida Bulls: 13-19 to 25-9
- TCU Horned Frogs: 16-16 to 23-12
- Vanderbilt Commodores: 20-13 to 27-9
- Virginia Cavaliers: 15-17 to 30-6
Based on the current roster construction, which college basketball teams from the top leagues are most likely to make similar improvements for the 2026-27 season? Here’s a look at the top 10 candidates.
1. Marquette Golden Eagles
2025-26 record: 12-20 (7-13 Big East)
After two years without landing a single transfer, Shaka Smart seems to have learned his lesson following an awful 2025-26 campaign. Six-foot-5 junior guard Nolan Minessale (19.8 points per game) was the marquee offseason pickup, paired with returning leading scorer, 6-foot sophomore guard Nijel James (16.4 points per game). Based on Smart’s history, last year should be a blip on the radar and Marquette should have a nice bounce-back campaign.
2. Providence Friars
2025-26 record: 15-18 (7-13 Big East)
Providence is another good candidate to be competitive. It’s a new era, with Bryan Hodgson taking over from South Florida and landing one of the top overall transfer classes. They have one of the best groups of incoming guards, including 6-foot-1 senior guard Malik Mack (13.6 points per game) from Georgetown, while 6-foot-8 former G League forward Dink Pate could have a big impact out of the gate to raise the Friars’ ceiling even more.
3. Maryland Terrapins
2025-26 record: 12-21 (4-16 Big Ten)
After the lowest win total for the program in 34 years, Maryland is an obvious candidate to bounce back. Six-foot-9 senior forward Pharrel Payne (17.5 points per game) was limited to just 10 games with a hip injury but is back, joined by five-star forward prospect Baba Oladotun. Buzz Williams is one of the most consistent high-major coaches in college basketball, and after a rough first year, should be much more competitive in the Big Ten in 2027.
4. Baylor Bears
2025-26 record: 17-17 (6-12 Big 12)
It’s been a slow decline for the program since they won the 2021 national title. The hope is that things can get back to normal under Scott Drew. The Bears will be led by the Mingo brothers, including 6-foot-3 sophomore guard and Penn State transfer Kayden Mingo (13.7 points and 4.3 assists per game) and Dylan, a 6-foot-5 incoming five-star freshman guard. They should have one of the top perimeter rotations in the Big 12, but will the frontcourt hold its end of the bargain?
5. Memphis Tigers
2025-26 record: 13-19 (8-10 American)
Even after the worst year of Penny Hardaway’s tenure, Memphis was still able to get a nice portal haul, including multiple double-digit scorers from the high-major ranks. Six-foot-3 junior guard Brandin Cummings (12.5 points per game) has the chance to be one of the top scorers in the American, while four-star 6-foot-8 freshman forward and local product Fred Smith Jr. has the chance to be an impact newcomer. Between this and the conference losing most of its scoring overall, it’s set up for the Tigers to get back to being a contender.
6. Boston College Eagles
2025-26 record: 11-20 (4-14 ACC)
Former UConn assistant Luke Murray was one of the most high-profile coaching carousel moves this offseason, and he signed a number of impact players. One was Money Williams, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who averaged more than 20 points per game at Montana, along with 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Brandon Benjamin, who averaged a double-double back at Fairfield. While there aren’t immediate postseason expectations in Year 1 of the Murray era, winning at least 18 games with this roster shouldn’t be viewed as a long shot.
7. Creighton Bluejays
2025-26 record: 16-18 (9-11 Big East)
Longtime coach Greg McDermott stepped down this offseason and Alan Huss took over and brought in some quality defenders, including 6-foot-1 senior guard BJ Davis from San Diego State and Oswin Erhunmwunse, a 6-foot-10 junior center from Providence. The interior upgrades alone should get the Bluejays back into the top half of the league.
8. Loyola Chicago Ramblers
2025-26 record: 9-24 (4-14 Atlantic 10)
In their four years in the A-10, the Ramblers have finished either in the top four or the very bottom of the standings. In a prove-it year for coach Drew Valentine, look for Loyola to get to at least .500 overall. Six-foot-5 senior guard Donald Hand averaged 14.1 points per game the last two years at Boston College and is set up to be the lead guard, and he’ll be flanked by plenty of frontcourt and wing depth, which should help them improve on both sides of the court.
9. Pitt Panthers
2025-26 record: 13-20 (5-13 ACC)
It was a complete roster overhaul for the Panthers, starting with several players with past ACC history. Six-foot-9 senior forward Baye Ndongo (11.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game) is a proven all-league forward, while 6-foot-3 senior guard A’lahn Sumler averaged around 20 points per game at Charleston Southern. It’s a roster that doesn’t have the highest of ceilings but a floor that can put them in the 20-win range next season.
10. Mississippi State Bulldogs
2025-26 record: 13-19 (5-13 SEC)
Just bringing back 5-foot-10 senior guard and soon-to-be all-time program leading scorer Josh Hubbard (22.1 points per game) gives Mississippi State a chance to be competitive. But it comes down to how well the team revamped its supporting cast. There’s some potential, including a pair of sophomore breakout frontcourt candidates in 6-foot-8 forward Thomas Bassong (5.9 points per game at Florida State) and 6-foot-8 forward Kendyl Sanders (5.2 points per game at Utah). Whether ideal second- and third-string offensive options emerge will determine the Bulldogs’ improvement.
Meet your guide
