Never-Too-Early Preseason Top 25 Update: Florida Jumps to No. 1

For recruiting rankings, I am using the 247Sports Composite, both for where the school’s class ranks as a group as well as the rankings for the individual players. Those ranks are in parentheses.

Here, then, is the (correct) order of the Top 25 teams in my Never-Too-Early Preseason Top-25 rankings. The players in bold indicate changes that have been made since my last rankings.

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1. FLORIDA

Last week: 6

Losing: Xaivian Lee, Micah Handlogten, Olivier Rioux

Retaining: Boogie Fland, Urban Klavzar, Isaiah Brown, C.J. Ingram, Alex Lloyd, Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu

Incoming (144): Jones Lay (NA), Denzel Aberdeen (Kentucky), Arturas Butajevas (Lithuania), Domen Petrovic (Slovenia)

When my first rankings came out, I had the Gators near the bottom of the top 25 based on the assumption that Haugh, Condon and Chinyelu would leave for the draft. Haugh and Condon announced weeks ago that they were returning to Gainesville, and last week Chinyelu did the same. That means Florida has six of the top seven scorers back from a team that won the SEC by three games and earned a No. 1 seed to the NCAA Tournament. Florida still has one significant question hanging overhead regarding the status of Aberdeen, who has appealed to the NCAA for a waiver to play next season. Even if he is denied, however, the Gators have enough in the cupboard to enter the 2026-27 season as the consensus No. 1 team.

2. Duke

Last week: 1

Losing: Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, Maliq Brown, Nikolas Khamenia, Darren Harris

Retaining: Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster, Dame Sarr, Patrick Ngongba, Sebastian Wilkins

Incoming (3): Cameron Williams (3), Bryson Howard (15), Maxime Meyer (84), Deron Rippey, Jr. (10), John Blackwell (Wisconsin), Drew Scharnowski (Belmont), Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje (Spain), Jacob Theodosiou (Loyola, Md.)

Blackwell’s decision to withdraw from the draft was not a surprise, but it was welcome news for the Blue Devils, who will once again take a championship-quality roster into next season. Ngongba’s decision to turn down a chance to be a first-round pick was an enormous boost. The Blue Devils will have another five-star freshman named Cameron who has a chance to be an All-American. Scheyer also went the international route with Boumtje-Boumtje, a dynamic 7-foot center who plays on a development team for FC Barcelona, averaging 16.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23 minutes. He’s originally from Florida (his father Ruben played for the Portland Trail Blazers) and moved to Spain a few years ago. Boumtje-Boumtje is only 16, which means he can’t declare for the NBA Draft for another two years.

3. Michigan

Last week: 2

Losing: Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson, Roddy Gayle, Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter

Retaining: Elliot Cadeau, L.J. Cason, Trey McKenney

Incoming (4): Brandon McCoy (14), Quinn Costello (44), Joseph Hartman (95), Malachi Brown (169), Marcus Moller (Spain), Lincoln Cosby (45), J.P. Estrella (Tennessee), Jalen Reed (LSU), Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati)

Johnson was already projected to stay in the draft, so his announcement last week that he was doing so did not change the Wolverines’ assessment. Cadeau also made the expected move two weeks ago and announced he was returning to Ann Arbor. Dusty May has had enormous success signing big men out of the transfer portal, and he got another great one in Thiam, a 7-foot-2 junior center from Senegal who averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for the Bearcats. Reed is a 6-foot-10 senior forward who saw limited action the last two seasons due to ACL and Achilles injuries. Throw in Estrella, and the Wolverines will once again be dominant in the paint.

4. Arizona

Last week: 3

Losing: Brayden Burries, Koa Peat, Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell’Orso, Dwayne Aristode

Retaining: Ivan Kharchenkov, Sid Gueye, Bryce James, Montiejus Krivas

Incoming: (26): Caleb Holt (4), Cameron Holmes (29), Derek Dixon (North Carolina), J.J. Mandaquit (Washington), Endurance Aiyamenkhue (The Netherlands), Ugnius Jarusevicius (Nebraska), Evan Otten (Idaho State)

As of this writing, we still do not have official word from Peat on what he will do. He has been projected to be a first-round pick all season, but his poor shooting at the combine brought the prospect of a return to Tucson into play. If that happens, the Wildcats will move up in the rankings. Krivas’ decision to bypass the draft was also a game changer. Dixon was a terrific pickup after showing much promise as a freshman in Chapel Hill.

5. Michigan State

Last week: 4

Losing: Jaxon Kohler, Trey Fort, Carson Cooper, Denham Wojcik, Divine Ugochukwu

Retaining: Jeremy Fears, Kur Teng, Coen Carr, Cam Ward, Jordan Scott, Jesse McCulloch, Kaleb Glenn

Incoming (5): Ethan Taylor (28), Jasiah Jervis (33), Carlos Medlock Jr. (46), Julius Avent (86), Anton Bonke (Charlotte)

Fears has not yet made his draft intentions clear, but he is expected to return given that he’s projected to go undrafted. Tom Izzo’s only incoming transfer is Bonke, a 7-foot-2 junior center from the South Pacific island of Vanuatu who averaged 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season for the 49ers. Otherwise, continuity will once again be a major feature for this program, putting the Spartans in contention to pursue a Big Ten championship.

6. Illinois

Last week: 5

Losing: Keaton Wagler, Kylan Boswell, Ben Humrichous, Mihailo Petrovic, Toni Bilic, Ty Rodgers, Brandon Lee

Retaining: Andrej Stojakovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis, David Mirkovic

Incoming (8): Quentin Coleman (34), Lucas Morillo (59), Ethan Brown (164), Landon Davis (243), Zavier Zens (210), Stefan Vaaks (Providence)

The Illini are waiting for a final decision from Stojakovic. He is projected by Peek as the No. 41 overall pick, but he has indicated all along that he is likely to return. He attended the draft combine but did not play in the five-on-five scrimmages. If Stojakovic stays in the draft, the Illini will drop in the rankings, but if he returns it would mean that Brad Underwood will bring back five of the top eight scorers from his Final Four squad. Vaaks could be an All-Big Ten guard after a terrific freshman season at Providence.

7. Louisville

Last week: 7

Losing: Mikel Brown Jr., Ryan Conwell, Kasean Pryor, J’Vonne Hadley, Ally Khalifa, Isaac McKneely, Kobe Rodgers, Sananda Fru, Khani Rooths, Vangelis Zougris

Retaining: Adrian Wooley

Incoming: Obinna Ekezie Jr. (4), Boyuan Zhang (49), Isaac Ellis (NA), London Johnson (NBA G League), Flory Bidunga (Kansas), Jackson Shelstead (Oregon), Karter Knox (Arkansas), Alvaro Folgueiras (Iowa), De’Shayne Montgomery (Dayton), Gabe Dynes (USC)

Bidunga announced he is coming back to school as projected. He is part of yet another big-time transfer haul by Kelsey, which has been aided by a seemingly unlimited NIL budget. Ekezie was another big-time late pickup. He is an uber-talented 7-foot center who was ranked No. 4 in the 247Sports Composite for the Class of 2027 before he reclassified into the Class of 2026. He will make for an imposing duo alongside Bidunga. In addition, Knox was a two-year starter (mostly) at Arkansas who will bring wing athleticism. Folgueris is a 6-foot-9 senior forward who was one of the stars of Iowa’s run to the Elite Eight.

8. Tennessee

Last week: 8

Losing: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Nate Ament, Felix Okpara, Cade Phillips, Jaylen Carey, J.P. Estrella, Bishop Boswell, Amari Evans

Retaining: DeWayne Brown, Ethan Burg, Troy Henderson

Incoming (15): Chris Washington (49), Ralph Scott (54), Manny Green (100), Marquis Clark (212), Tyler Lundblade (Belmont), Dai Dai Ames (Cal), Miles Rubin (Loyola Chicago), Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame), Terrence Hill Jr. (VCU), Braedan Lue (Kennesaw State), Juke Harris (Wake Forest), Christian Fermin (VCU)

Rick Barnes’ impressive portal haul is headlined by Harris, who averaged 21.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Demon Deacons. Lue is a 6-foot-8 junior forward who averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists, and Lundblade is one of the nation’s best three-point shooters. This is shaping up to be one of the best offensive teams Barnes has coached.

9. UConn

Last week: 9

Losing: Tarris Reed, Alex Karaban, Malachi Smith, Eric Reibe, Jacob Furphy, Jaylin Stewart, Solo Ball

Retaining: Silas Demary, Jayden Ross, Jacob Ross, Braylon Mullins

Incoming (30): Colben Landrew (22), Junior County (36), Najai Hines (Seton Hall), Nik Khamenia (Duke), Oskar Giltay (Stanford), Nils Machowski (Wofford), Jaye Nash (Jacksonville State), Isaiah Shaw (Northern Arizona)

Dan Hurley added more depth with Shaw, a 6-foot-7 senior who averaged 8.1 points on 46-percent three-point shooting for the Lumberjacks. The best thing that happened for UConn this spring was Mullins’ decision to forego the NBA Draft. He and Demary will form one of the nation’s top backcourt tandems. Khamenia was also a huge addition from Duke. Nash is a 6-foot-3 junior guard who averaged 5.1 points, 4.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds for the Gamecocks. He and Machowski will give UConn some needed perimeter depth in the wake of Ball’s announcement that he is taking a medical redshirt next season following wrist surgery.

10. Gonzaga

Last week: 10

Losing: Graham Ike, Tyon Grant-Foster, Jalen Warley, Adam Miller, Steele Venters, Emmanuel Innocenti, Braeden Smith

Retaining: Braden Huff, Davis Fogle, Mario Saint-Supery, Parker Jefferson

Incoming (21): Luca Foster (39), Sam Funches (89), Isiah Harwell (Houston), Massamba Diop (Arizona State), Izan Almansa (Spain)

Gonzaga got some unexpectedly bad news a couple of weeks ago when Jack Kayil, a 6-foot-5 point guard from France, said he intends to remain in the NBA Draft. That aside, it has been a solid spring for Mark Few, beginning with the addition of Diop, a 7-foot-1 sophomore center from Senegal who averaged 13.6 points and 2.1 blocks in his freshman season. He will make a perfect complement to Huff, who needs to get back to health after missing the last three months of the season with a knee injury. Fogle is poised for a breakout sophomore season.

11. Iowa State

Last week: 11

Losing: Joshua Jefferson, Dominick Nelson, Tamin Lipsey, Nate Heise, Eric Mulder, Cade Kelderman, Milan Momcilovic, Mason Williams

Retaining: Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan, Jamarion Batemon, Dominykas Pleta, Xzavion Mitchell

Incoming (20): Donovan Davis (38), Dorian Rinaldo-Komian (103), Jackson Kiss (106), Christian Wiggins (120), Yusef Gray Jr. (188), Taj Manning (Kansas State), Leon Bond (Northern Iowa), Jaquan Johnson (Bradley), Tre Singleton (Northwestern)

Momcilovic has not yet announced his draft intentions, but even if he withdraws his price tag will be way out of range for Iowa State. T.J. Otzelberger bagged five guys from the transfer portal over the first weekend. He also landed a big-time high school recruit in Davis. The 6-foot-7 forward from Wisconsin chose the Cyclones over local schools Wisconsin and Marquette, among others.

12. Texas

Last week: 12

Losing: Dailyn Swain, Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark, Chendall Weaver, Lassina Traore, Nic Codie, Declan Duru, Cam Heide, Simeon Wilcher

Retaining: Matas Vokietaitis

Incoming (14): Austin Goosby (19), Bo Ogden (38), Joe Sterling (101), Isaiah Johnson (Colorado), David Punch (TCU), Amari Evans (Tennessee), Elyjah Freeman (Auburn), Mikey Lewis (Saint Mary’s), Mantas Laurencikas (Lithuania)

The hits keep coming for Sean Miller, who got some more perimeter depth two weeks ago in Laurencikas, who played for AS Monaco Basket, a EuroLeague team in France. Laurencikas will be 20 next season and has four years of eligibility remaining. He’ll be a more than capable backup at the point to Johnson, who had an outstanding freshman season at Colorado. Punch has the potential to be an All-SEC forward after he averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Horned Frogs. He and Vokietaitis will comprise one of the top frontcourt tandems in the country. Lewis and Johnson are dynamic scorers who have proven themselves against top competition.

13. Virginia

Last week: 13

Losing: Malik Thomas, Jacari White, Dallin Hall, Ugonna Onyenso, Devin Tillis

Retaining: Thijs De Ridder, Chance Mallory, Sam Lewis, Johann Grunloh, Elijah Gertrude, Martin Carrere, Silas Barksdale

Incoming: Fabour Ibe (139), Jurian Dixon (UC Irvine), Christian Harmon (Arkansas State), Kalu Anya (Saint Louis)

The Cavs will return four of the top six scorers from the team that finished second in the ACC. Ryan Odom was quiet for a while, but he has now brought in three transfers with the addition two weeks ago of Anya, a 6-foot-8 junior forward who averaged 6.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Billikens. Ibe is a 7-foot-1 center from Maryland who also considered Tennessee, Alabama and Villanova. Dixon is a 6-foot-5 junior guard who averaged 15.7 points and 2.4 assists per game for the Anteaters.

14. Arkansas

Last week: 14

Losing: Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas, Trevon Brazile, Nick Pringle, Karter Knox, D.J. Wagner, Malique Ewin

Retaining: Billy Richmond, Isaiah Sealy

Incoming (1): Jordan Smith (2), J.J. Andrews (12), Abdou Toure (26), Miika Muurinen (55), Jeremiah Wilkinson (Georgia), Cooper Bowser (Furman)

The Razorbacks are waiting on Thomas and Richmond to announce their draft decisions. Based on both their performance and comments during the combine, the projections of Thomas to remain in the NBA Draft and Richmond to return to school remain intact. That would leave John Calipari with a strong roster. He recently added Muurinen, a native of Finland who played at two different American high schools before heading overseas to play in Serbia. That gave Arkansas the No. 1 recruiting class in the 247 Sports composite. Wilkinson, who averaged 17.4 points for the Bulldogs as a sophomore, was another huge pickup, but Arkansas’ fortunes next season will depend heavily on whether Smith can live up to his considerable hype.

15. Houston

Last week: 15

Losing: Kingston Flemings, Milos Uzan, Chris Cenac Jr., Emanuel Sharp, Isiah Harwell, Ramon Walker, Kalifa Sakho

Retaining: Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller, Chase McCarty, Cedric Lath, Bryce Jackson, Kordel Jefferson

Incoming (28): Arafan Diane (16), Ikenna Alozie (55), Dedan Thomas (LSU), Delrecco Gillespie (Kent State), Corey Hadnot II (Fort Wayne), Braden East (Lamar)

The Cougars are loaded up for another run at a Big 12 title. Tugler’s decision to return instead of going to the NBA Draft was huge. He and Diane will make for an imposing tandem in the paint. Thomas is going to need to carry a heavy load to offset the losses of Uzan, Flemings and Sharp.

16. USC

Last week: 16

Losing: Chad Baker-Mazara, Ezra Ausar, Jaden Brownell, Kam Woods, Ryan Cornish, Terrance Williams, Jordan Marsh, Jerry Easter, Gabe Dynes

Retaining: Rodney Rice, Jacob Cofie, Alijah Arenas

Incoming (7): Christian Collins (9), Adonis Ratliff (17), Darius Ratliff (23), KJ Lewis (Georgetown), Eric Reibe (UConn), Jalen Cox (Colgate), Joshua Hughes (Evansville), Aaron Hunkin-Claytor (Hawaii), Jadis Jones (Lindenwood), Isaac Bruns (South Dakota)

Eric Musselman’s third team at USC should be his best. Cofie announced last week that he is returning to school as expected, but the big news this spring was Arenas’ decision to withdraw from the NBA Draft as well. The 6-foot-8 wing only played 14 games due to a knee injury, but he showed great promise while averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists. The best incoming transfer is Reibe, a 7-foot-1 sophomore forward who is a former McDonald’s All-American who is poised for a breakout season after averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.8 minutes as a freshman at UConn. If Rice returns to form after missing most of last season due to a knee injury and the Trojans stay healthy otherwise, they can contend for a Big Ten title. Collins and the Ratliff twins are high-impact freshmen.

17. KANSAS

Last week: 17

Losing: Darryn Peterson, Melvin Council, Tre White, Flory Bidunga, Bryson Tiller, Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell

Retaining: Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, Samis Calderon

Incoming (2): Tyran Stokes (1), Taylor Kinney (13), Davion Adkins (70), Trent Perry (94), Luke Barnett (140), Grant Mordini (N/A), Keanu Dawes (Utah), Leroy Blyden (Toledo), Christian Reeves (Charleston), Dennis Parker Jr. (Radford)

The biggest news for Kansas this spring came when Stokes announced his commitment on April 28. He is a potential No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft and will have an immediate impact in Lawrence. Kinney will also likely be a day-one starter as a freshman. Reeves, a 7-foot-2 center who averaged 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, should help make up for the loss of Bidunga. Blyden was the MAC Freshman of the Year after averaging 16.4 points, 4.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from three-point range.

18. Alabama

Last week: 18

Losing: Labaron Philon, Amari Allen, Latrell Wrightsell, Houston Mallette, Noah Williamson, Taylor Bol Bowen, Jalil Bethea, Aiden Sherrell, Davion Hannah

Retaining: Aden Holloway, London Jemison, Keitenn Bristow, Collins Onyejiaka

Incoming (12): Qayden Samuels (18), Jaxon Richardson (21), Tarris Bouie (40), Cole Cloer (NC State), Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State), Brandon Garrison (Kentucky), Drew Fielder (Boise State)

Allen still has not announced his decision. If he decides to return to Alabama, that will boost the Tide’s ranking. Peek projects him as the No. 24 overall pick. Nate Oats shored up his frontcourt with the recent addition of Fielder, a 6-foot-10 senior forward who averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Broncos last season. Garrison is a talented big man who should help offset the loss of Sherrell. The big question moving forward is Holloway, whose season ended early after he was arrested on drug charges but recently announced his intentions to return.

19. Ohio State

Last week: 19

Losing: Bruce Thonrton, Devin Royal, Christoph Tilly, Brandon Noel, Puff Johnson, Colin White, Gabe Cupps, Taison Chatman

Retaining: John Mobley, Amare Bynum, Ivan Njegovan, Josh Ojianwuna

Incoming (34): Anthony Thompson (7), Alex Smith (122), Andrija Jelavic (Kentucky), Justin Pippen (Cal), Jimmie Williams (Duquesne), Curtis Givens (Memphis), Vuk Lazarevic (Serbia)

Replacing Thornton won’t be easy, but Jake Diebler has an impressive roster that can play its way into the top tier of the Big Ten. Mobley will have to carry the load as the team’s new alpha male. Bynum should be headed for a breakout sophomore season, and Ojianwuna could be a major defensive presence as he comes off a knee injury that sidelined him last season following his transfer from Baylor. Williams averaged 15.1 points per game as a sophomore for the Dukes. Expectations are sky high for Thompson’s freshman season in Columbus.

20. UCLA

Last week: 20

Losing: Donovan Dent, Tyler Bilodeau, Skyy Clark, Jamar Brown, Steven Jamerson

Retaining: Trent Perry, Eric Dailey, Xavier Booker, Brandon Williams, Eric Freeny

Incoming (44): Joe Philon (71), Javonte Floyd (193), Sergej Macura (Mississippi State), Filip Jovic (Auburn), Jaylen Petty (Texas Tech), Azavier “Stink” Robinson (Butler)

Once again, Mick Cronin is relying heavily on the transfer portal instead of recruiting freshmen. His strategy appears to be paying off as the Bruins have landed several top players. Robinson will slide into the starting point guard role as a replacement for Dent. Petty averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a freshman at Texas Tech. But UCLA’s success will hinge largely on whether the returning veterans can take steps forward.

21. Indiana

Last week: 21

Losing: Lamar Wilkerson, Tayton Conerway, Tucker DeVries, Reed Bailey, Sam Alexis, Conor Enright, Nick Dorn, Aleksa Ristic, Jasai Miles

Retaining: Trent Sisley

Incoming (16): Vaughn Karvala (51), Trevor Menhertz (65), Prince-Alexander Moody (80), Bryce Lindsay (Villanova), Aiden Sherrell (Alabama), Samet Yigitoglu (SMU), Markus Burton (Notre Dame), Darren Harris (Duke), Jaeden Mustaf (Georgia Tech), Clemens Sokolov (Germany), Justin Monden (Maryland Eastern Shore)

Darien DeVries’ roster has been heavily replenished through the transfer portal. Lindsay and Burton are high-scoring guards, and Harris would have had more impact at Duke if he weren’t playing alongside so much talent. Yigitoglu is an experienced big who can finish at the rim and protect it on defense. Sokolov is a 7-foot center who averaged 6.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in a German pro league. He is 18 years old and considered a developmental prospect.

22. Miami

Last week: 22

Losing: Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson, Ernest Udeh, Tru Washington, Noam Dovrat, Timo Malovec, Salih Altuntas, John Laboy

Retaining: Shelton Henderson, Dante Allen, Marcus Allen

Incoming (67): Caleb Gaskins (20), Acaden Lewis (Villanova), Somto Cyril (Georgia), DeSean Goode (Robert Morris), Quin Berger (Bucknell), Nick Dorn (Indiana), Brent Bland (St. Peter’s)

Jai Lucas has done a great job rebuilding a roster that lost seven players to the portal. Lewis was one of the top freshmen in the country last season and should be a top-three ACC point guard. Henderson has the potential to play his way into the lottery as a sophomore. The 6-foot-11 Cyril was a starter last season for Georgia, where he averaged 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in 21.2 minutes. Bland is a three-point specialist who averaged 13.9 points per game for the Peacocks, while Dorn is a 6-foot-7 senior forward who averaged 8.1 points on 38-percent three-point shooting for the Hoosiers. 

23. Purdue

Last week: 23

Losing: Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, Oscar Cluff

Retaining: Omer Mayer, Daniel Jacobsen, C.J. Cox, Gicarri Harris, Jack Benter, Antoine West Jr., Raleigh Burgess

Incoming (9): Luke Ertel (41), Jacob Webber (64), Sinan Huan (83), Jemyn Sondrup (134), Rivers Knight (211), Caden Pierce (Princeton)

Purdue is one of the few high-major programs that did not lose any significant players to the portal. Matt Painter made a run at Kansas forward Flory Bidunga and Saint Mary’s center Paulius Murauskas, but both landed elsewhere. The Boilemakers’ fortunes in the Big Ten will depend heavily on whether Pierce can make an immediate impact and whether Mayer takes advantage of his opportunity to play more minutes now that Smith and Loyer have graduated.

24. NEBRASKA

Last week: 24

Losing: Rienk Mast, Jamarques Lawrence, Sam Hoiberg, Jared Garcia, Berke Buyuktuncel, Ugnius Jarusevicius

Retaining: Connor Essegian, Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Cale Jacobsen, Leo Curtis,

Incoming (34): Collin Rice (81), Jacob Lanier (96), Sam Orme (Belmont), Kadyn Betts (Montana), Trevan Leonhardt (Utah Valley), Boden Kapke (Boston College), Taj DeGourville (San Diego State), Damon Wilkinson (South Dakota State)

Fred Hoiberg got some good players in the transfer portal, but the heart of this team will be its returning veterans. Essegian is a sharp shooter who is coming off a season-ending ankle injury he sustained in November. Wilkinson is a 6-foot-10 junior forward who averaged 13.9 points and 6.4 rebounds for the Jackrabbits.

25.  BYU

Last week: 25

Losing: A.J. Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, Keba Keita, Mihailo Boskovic, Kennard Davis, Abullah Ahmed

Retaining: Aleksej Kostic, Dominique Diomande, Khadim Mboup, Tyler Mrus, Brooks Bahr, Robert Wright, K.J. Perry

Incoming (29): Bruce Branch (6), Dean Rusckert (77), Abdullah Ahmed (NBA G League), Will Openshaw (NA), Jake Wahlin (Clemson), Tyler Betsey (Syracuse), Collin Chandler (Kentucky), Adam Stewart (TCU)

No one should expect Branch to match what Dybantsa did as a freshman, but he will have an immediate impact. Wright’s decision to return after entering the portal and considering Kentucky was huge. Wahlin is a 6-foot-10 senior forward who was a starter at Clemson last season.

Notable Omissions

Missouri: The Tigers added Western Carolina guard Cord Stansberry last week. He averaged 14.1 points and 4.0 rebounds last season. Dennis Gates is bringing in arguably the best recruiting class in history, and he did well in the portal by adding former BYU guard Kennard Davis and former Kansas forward Bryson Tiller.

St. John’s: Rick Pitino has been going heavy on international recruiting, but he added another transfer last week in Mercer senior guard Kyle Cuff, who averaged 7.3 points per game. Pitino has dipped into the international market this spring while also signing Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman, who averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds last season.

North Carolina: Matt Able’s decision on Tuesday to withdraw from the draft was expected but welcome news. The NC State transfer will be a major threat from the perimeter. First-year coach Michael Malone has had a hard time rebuilding this roster but he got a gem in Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores are waiting to see what Tyler Tanner is going to decide. He indicated at the combine that he wants to stay in the draft. Peek projects him as the No. 25 overall pick.

Kentucky: Good news has been hard to come by this spring for Mark Pope, but he got some on Monday when Malachi Moreno withdrew from the NBA Draft. He was projected to go undrafted. Pope has lost out on a lot of high school and transfer targets, but he did add a couple of quality players in Furman guard Alex Wilkins and Washington forward Zoom Diallo.