College hoops are poised to begin a 2025-26 season unlike any other. Conference realignment is remapping the landscape and the transfer portal is rebuilding rosters. NIL revenue distribution is redefining how programs recruit and retain players. The result is a season of possibility and uncertainty.
For basketball fans that means a season filled with must-see games, new rivalries and stories that can rechart the course to March Madness. Let’s untangle what’s coming and why the season will be so different.
Realignment Redraws the College Basketball Map
The impact of conference realignment will be complete this season by reshaping rivalries, schedules and postseason implications in ways that haven’t been seen in decades.
Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC’s New Look
No story looms bigger than the earth-shattering realignments in the power leagues. The Big Ten, itself a titan of 18 institutions, adds UCLA to bring coast-to-coast showdowns once the sole domain of March.
The Big 12 expands as well by adding Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado. Expect not to be shocked when heavyweight showdowns like Houston vs. Kansas become regular-season staples.
The new ACC will also be fueled by rivalries. North Carolina and Duke remain the conference pulse but now have to share the limelight with new rivals eager to dethrone the old regime. The realignments will trickle down to all aspects from travel to tournament seeding so each conference game is essentially an April sneak preview.
Farewell Tour for the Mountain West
As the power conferences keep growing stronger the Mountain West is in a state of flux. Boise State, San Diego State and Utah State will be joining the Pac-12 in 2026–27 so this campaign is a bit of a farewell tour.
Expect those programs to compete with a sense of urgency as they try to leave a lasting impression on the conference before heading off to a new chapter.
The Transfer Portal, NIL and the Roster Revolution
Roster building is never going to be the same. Coaches can no longer rely just on high school prospects. Winning now requires ruling the transfer portal and navigating the changing landscape of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rules.
How Player Movement Shapes the Season
The influence of the transfer portal cannot be exaggerated. Those teams that move quickly and smartly can alter their fate in a single offseason. Kentucky under Mark Pope is a good example. He has aggressively added proven veterans who can propel the Wildcats back into national prominence.
In the meantime the House vs. NCAA agreement has introduced revenue-sharing models into the mix that can change how teams recruit and retain talent. Teams with strong NIL frameworks in place may have an enormous edge in building continuity and recruiting elite-level players.
Impact Players on the Move
Several transfers will make immediate impacts this season. Proven scorers and do-everything defenders are spreading out around the country. They are reshaping rosters from top to bottom. Not only does their presence shift the competitive balance but it also injects intrigue into early-season matchups as remade lineups gel on the fly.
Star power on a singular level can change the trajectory of a program completely. Players like Hailey Van Lith and Jalen Suggs demonstrate how breakout talent can shape storylines and captivate the country.
Must-See Early-Season Tournaments and Rivalries
The first few months of the schedule will provide a hint as to who’s ready to contend and who might need a little time to adjust.
Non-Conference Showdowns Set the Tone
Early-season events like the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis will once again be testing grounds for elite programs. Early wins here have a way of influencing NCAA Tournament seeding months down the line.
With new limitations on multi-team events coming in 2026–27 this is one of the last seasons of the current format.
Conference Clashes With High Stakes
As conference play heats up, showcase showdowns will dominate the schedule:
- Big Ten: Kansas at Iowa State tops the new list of rivalries,
- SEC: Alabama and Florida renew their high-stakes clashes,
- ACC: The classic North Carolina-Duke rivalry continues, now joined by new challenges from incoming programs,
- Big 12: Houston’s visit to Kansas promises tournament-type intensity.
Any of these games would shape the postseason picture and provide a sneak peek at the battles to be fought in March. For additional analysis of how these rivalry dynamics might change the season, check out the latest NCAAB trends and analysis.
Power Players to Watch This Season
New season and new hierarchy but familiar names still at the top.
Championship Pedigree Familiar Favorites
Duke, replenishing with a top-ranked recruiting class led by the Boozer twins, is poised for another deep run. Defending national champion Florida brings back core frontcourt players and introduces impact transfers Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland.
Houston, fresh from a runner-up finish, remains a national title contender with returning stars and high-level recruits. Purdue’s continuity with Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn keeps the Boilermakers in the area code of the top. UConn’s roster reload positions the Huskies for another championship run for Dan Hurley.
Programs on the Rise
The field of candidates is deep and interesting. Louisville’s high-octane perimeter group could drive a Final Four push. Michigan is picking up steam under Dusty May with high-caliber transfers. Kentucky’s revamped roster has restored expectations. Kansas is rebounding with blue-chip prospect Darryn Peterson.
And then there is St. John’s. Rick Pitino has assembled one of the most talented Big East rosters anyone can recall, mixing elite transfers with experienced captains back in town. Fans wishing to track projections for the team can refer to the St. John’s basketball odds to see how analysts view their standing in this new reality.
The Road to March: Postseason Outlook and Beyond
March Madness talk is already gaining steam. There are continued rumors of expansion, with some proposals to jump from 68 teams to as many as 72 or even 76. That would provide more chances for mid-major schools to make Cinderella tales and shift the approach of bubble programs to the regular season.
In the near future, the 2026 Final Four will be heading to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. One twist: Houston, which is no longer a host for the South Regional, can potentially benefit from home-court convenience if they advance far enough down the bracket.
The 2025-26 season is not just another basketball year. It’s a turning point. Change is coming and that’s why this season is so exciting. With November openings and March Madness, college hoops are on the cusp of a new era.
Refresh Date: October 23, 2025
