by William Burns
Monday, Oct 26, 2026Just like the past couple of season's, I'm back with another College Basketball Preview to start the '26-'27 season. Last season was brilliant, and I'm expecting another phenomenal campaign of both watching and picking winners. Here's my "Deep Dive," looking into the different players and best teams for the upcoming season. (Odds via. DraftKings Sportsbook)
Five Players to Watch Out For (Guard-Center) + Honorable Mentions :
G - Jeremy Fears Jr (Michigan State)
One of the best passers in College Basketball history, Jeremy Fears Jr returns for his senior year this season. During the 2025–26 campaign, Fears led the nation with 9.4 assists pg & 328 total assists. That set a single season Michigan State record. He's also capable of putting the team on his back with this playmaking. I believe that he can create his own buckets quite well as well. He might just be my favorite guard in the country to watch.
G - Jordan Smith Jr (Arkansas)
Described as a similar player to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (by HC John Calipari) with his ability to dominate in transition, I believe that Jordan Smith Jr is going to be one of the most dynamic players in the country this year. Last year, the Razorbacks were led by a guard that I'm sure all of you know in Darius Acuff Jr. This time, it could definitely be Jordan Smith Jr. Every single year, Calipari has elite guard play. That will continue this season.
F - Thomas Haugh (Florida)
Florida's best player a season ago and the #1 team in the country coming into this season (AP Top 25.) I believe that Haugh can improve even more this season. He averaged 17.1 PPG as well as 6.2 RPG a season ago. I expect Haugh to run the offensive and play a bit of point forward again this year., The Gators are loaded and he's the best player on the team.
F - J.T. Toppin (Texas Tech)
Before tearing his ACL, I was very high on JT Toppin last season. However, he didn't get to prove just how good he was. Back for his senior season, (probably won't play until December sadly) Toppin is expected to have a massive role in this squad once he's back. Cruz Davis at guard should only make him better with Darrion Williams returning as well. JT scores the ball at an excellent rate and he was the Big 12 Player Of The Year two season's ago.
C - Motiejus Krivas (Arizona)
A season ago, Arizona was one of the most complete teams in College Basketball. A big reason of that was the big men in Motiejus Krivas & Tobe Awaka. Krivas was the starter and now that Awaka departs, I believe that the 7'2' center can dominate both on the glass and with defensive production. He might not be the best scorer of all time. But, his paint presence is nothing short of elite and I think that he's going to make Arizona very strong again.
One of the best passers in College Basketball history, Jeremy Fears Jr returns for his senior year this season. During the 2025–26 campaign, Fears led the nation with 9.4 assists pg & 328 total assists. That set a single season Michigan State record. He's also capable of putting the team on his back with this playmaking. I believe that he can create his own buckets quite well as well. He might just be my favorite guard in the country to watch.
G - Jordan Smith Jr (Arkansas)
Described as a similar player to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (by HC John Calipari) with his ability to dominate in transition, I believe that Jordan Smith Jr is going to be one of the most dynamic players in the country this year. Last year, the Razorbacks were led by a guard that I'm sure all of you know in Darius Acuff Jr. This time, it could definitely be Jordan Smith Jr. Every single year, Calipari has elite guard play. That will continue this season.
F - Thomas Haugh (Florida)
Florida's best player a season ago and the #1 team in the country coming into this season (AP Top 25.) I believe that Haugh can improve even more this season. He averaged 17.1 PPG as well as 6.2 RPG a season ago. I expect Haugh to run the offensive and play a bit of point forward again this year., The Gators are loaded and he's the best player on the team.
F - J.T. Toppin (Texas Tech)
Before tearing his ACL, I was very high on JT Toppin last season. However, he didn't get to prove just how good he was. Back for his senior season, (probably won't play until December sadly) Toppin is expected to have a massive role in this squad once he's back. Cruz Davis at guard should only make him better with Darrion Williams returning as well. JT scores the ball at an excellent rate and he was the Big 12 Player Of The Year two season's ago.
C - Motiejus Krivas (Arizona)
A season ago, Arizona was one of the most complete teams in College Basketball. A big reason of that was the big men in Motiejus Krivas & Tobe Awaka. Krivas was the starter and now that Awaka departs, I believe that the 7'2' center can dominate both on the glass and with defensive production. He might not be the best scorer of all time. But, his paint presence is nothing short of elite and I think that he's going to make Arizona very strong again.
Three Honorable Mentions:
1.) Joseph Tugler (Houston)
Last year, I expected Joseph Tugler to have a big season. He wasn't all that great offensively with all of the other talent around him. But, the Cougars' forward has a type of game that everyone in College should appreciate. Tugler is one of the best defensive players in the nation. He's also an extreme pest on the offensive boards (Houston's specialty.) Oh, and I forgot. He's got a 7'6" wingspan. While the Cougars aren't quite as good all-around this year, that's why he remains an honorable mention for me.
2.) Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt)
Breaking out last season as one of the best guards in the country, I expect Tyler Tanner to have another phenomenal year in 2026-27. He tested waters by declaring for the NBA draft & going through the combines. But, he decided to come back for another year which is very smart in my eyes. Maybe a tad undersized, don't let it deceive you. He will be one of the best guards in the country again this season.
3.) Braden Huff (Gonzaga)
Wrapping up my "Honourable Mentions" list is Braden Huff out of Gonzaga. There's so many players to choose from as this season should be absolutely loaded with talent. However, a proven wing from the Zags is more than capable of living up to the hype of being their best player this season. Braden Huff averaged 17.8 PPG last season and paired that with 5.6 rebounds. Expect him to make another leap and possibly average north of 20 PPG this season.
Burns' Preseason Top 25 Rankings:
1.) Duke Blue Devils
2.) Florida Gators
3.) Arizona Wildcats
4.) Arkansas Razorbacks
5.) Illinois Fighting Illini
6.) Louisville Cardinals
7.) Virginia Cavaliers
8.) Michigan State Spartans
9.) Kansas Jayhawks
10.) Gonzaga Bulldogs
11.) Michigan Wolverines
12.) St. John's Big Red
13.) UCONN Huskies
14.) Houston Cougars
15.) Texas Tech Red Raiders
16.) Miami FL Hurricanes
17.) Texas Longhorns
18.) Alabama Crimson Tide
19.) Missouri Tigers
20.) Tennessee Volunteers
21.) Vanderbilt Commodores
22.) UCLA Bruins
23.) Iowa State Cyclones
24.) Kentucky Wildcats
25.) USC Trojans
2.) Florida Gators
3.) Arizona Wildcats
4.) Arkansas Razorbacks
5.) Illinois Fighting Illini
6.) Louisville Cardinals
7.) Virginia Cavaliers
8.) Michigan State Spartans
9.) Kansas Jayhawks
10.) Gonzaga Bulldogs
11.) Michigan Wolverines
12.) St. John's Big Red
13.) UCONN Huskies
14.) Houston Cougars
15.) Texas Tech Red Raiders
16.) Miami FL Hurricanes
17.) Texas Longhorns
18.) Alabama Crimson Tide
19.) Missouri Tigers
20.) Tennessee Volunteers
21.) Vanderbilt Commodores
22.) UCLA Bruins
23.) Iowa State Cyclones
24.) Kentucky Wildcats
25.) USC Trojans
Three Future Bets to Make Before the Season:
1.) Duke Blue Devils to win the National Championships (+550)
2.) St. Johns to win the Big East Conference Reg Season (+270)
3.) McNeese State to win the Southland Conference Reg Season (-210)
