College basketball fans, what a whirlwind it’s been these past few days. With rosters now settling after a busy offseason, there’s plenty of anticipation for the 2025-26 season. According to ESPN, some of the biggest storylines come from programs making dramatic moves in the rankings, thanks in large part to high-profile newcomers and returning stars. The BYU Cougars, for instance, have surged into the conversation, with top-ranked recruit A.J. Dybantsa joining a starting lineup that includes names like Robert Wright III and Richie Saunders. Dybantsa has long carried a lot of hype, and the Cougars hope his two-way skillset can translate to wins right out of the gate.
Meanwhile, the Louisville Cardinals are making waves under coach Pat Kelsey, bringing in what's being described as one of the strongest transfer classes in the country. But it’s actually freshman Mikel Brown Jr. who’s turning the most heads—he’s regarded as one of the best shotmakers in the incoming class, and came off a big victory in the McDonald’s All American 3-point contest.
Looking at individual performances, ESPN reports Villanova’s Eric Dixon is the current offensive leader, putting up an impressive 23.3 points per game, with others like Trent McLaughlin of Northern Arizona and PJ Haggerty of Memphis trailing close behind. On the defensive side, rebound machines like Northern Arizona are setting the pace, and Quincy's standout shot blockers are making their presence felt.
The summer has also seen The Basketball Tournament roll on, as FOX Sports highlighted, with Best Virginia—comprised of West Virginia alumni—recently overpowering Shell Shock, moving one step closer to that $1 million prize. James Reese V was the star, dropping 24 points and controlling the tempo as Best Virginia advanced to the semifinals.
Another major talking point has been around coaching changes and key players deciding to return instead of jumping to the NBA, as Sports Illustrated explained. Houston managed to retain all three starters who had eligibility, including JoJo Tugler and Emanuel Sharp, making them early favorites for a deep run this upcoming season. Florida’s Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh, Auburn’s now-sophomore Tahaad Pettiford, and Alabama’s Labaron Philon are all set to return bigger and better, sparking excitement among their fanbases.
Lastly, the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel just approved adjustments aimed at making the men’s game flow faster and reduce stoppages for the 2025-26 season, which could lead to an even more exciting product on the court.
Thanks for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe for more updates and in-depth analysis. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
