Preseason College Basketball: Favorites, Roster Overhaul

Preseason coverage projects a crowded 2025–26 national title race led by Houston, UConn, Purdue and Michigan, with Houston returning key starters and adding five‑star Chris Cenac Jr., UConn keeping core players Solo Ball, Silas Demary and Alex Karaban, and Purdue featuring Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman‑Renn. USA TODAY highlights additional players to watch — including Purdue’s Smith and Kaufman‑Renn, Houston’s Milos Uzan, Oregon’s Bittle and Louisville freshman guard Brown — who could shape conference races and March positioning. NC State has overhauled its roster under new coach Will Wade, adding nine Division I transfers (six from teams that won NCAA Tournament games) and emphasizing a push to become a top‑10/15 defense. North Carolina opens its 116th season buoyed by freshman Caleb Wilson’s early breakout, and European prospect Luka Bogavac has received NCAA reinstatement but still awaits institutional clearance to play. Arizona State, coming off a 13–20 season, returns one scholarship player, adds seven internationals and — now competing in the Big 12 under Bobby Hurley — is focused on fixing turnovers, rebounding and ball‑handling.