This season’s November slate of males’s school basketball is as loaded because it has ever been, which suggests notable fluctuation within the early-season rankings. The most important risers over the primary 10 days had been Arizona and Alabama, as each applications leveraged their strengths to safe enormous street wins over top-five opponents Florida and St. John’s, respectively.
There have been questions on whether or not Arizona had sufficient capturing on its roster heading into the season — the Wildcats did take solely 5 3-point photographs in opposition to the reigning champs, making two of them. However they had been completely dominant across the rim and on the free throw line, with their 81 factors between the 2 proving that their lack of perimeter capturing is not a lot of an element.
As for Alabama, it was clear the Crimson Tide had elite guards, nevertheless it wasn’t clear whether or not they had the frontcourt stability to make one other deep run in March. Towards St. John’s, although, their guards had been sufficient. Labaron Philon Jr., Aden Holloway and Latrell Wrightsell mixed for 63 factors, 10 assists and eight 3-pointers, whereas 6-foot-10 wing Taylor Bol Bowen had 4 of the crew’s 14 offensive rebounds to go along with 17 factors.
We did have Louisville proper exterior the highest 5 in our ultimate preseason prime 25, so whereas the Cardinals’ spectacular win over Kentucky does not enhance their rating a lot, Pat Kelsey’s crew — particularly its guards — look each bit like a possible Closing 4 crew.
Ditto for Illinois, which knocked off Texas Tech.
Now let’s dive into ESPN’s prime 25 primarily based on the primary 10 days of motion.
Preseason rating: 1
Purdue does not lose the No. 1 spot, regardless of struggling for a lot of Friday’s 87-77 win over Oakland — the Boilermakers nonetheless received each of their first two video games by double-digits regardless of injured All-American ahead Trey Kaufman-Renn but to go well with up. Braden Smith’s help numbers and Fletcher Loyer’s scoring exploits have impressed, however freshman ahead Jack Benter has been the shock, averaging 11.0 factors, 6.5 rebounds and a couple of.5 assists whereas hitting six 3s by way of two video games.
Subsequent seven days: at Alabama (Nov. 13), vs. Akron (Nov. 16)
Preseason rating: 3
It has been enterprise as typical for Houston thus far, holding its three opponents to a median of fifty factors. Kelvin Sampson does not sometimes lean closely on freshmen, however he is beginning two this season — and each are performing. Chris Cenac Jr. has hit double figures in scoring and rebounding in two video games, and Kingston Flemings has been incredible. Flemings had 20 factors on 8-for-10 capturing in opposition to Towson, then adopted it up Wednesday with 19 factors and 9 assists on 8-for-12 capturing in opposition to Oakland.
Subsequent seven days: at Auburn (Nov. 16)
Preseason rating: 4
UConn rolled by way of its first three opponents, beating New Haven, UMass Lowell and Columbia by a median of 38 factors. The schedule is about to get far more troublesome, with BYU and Arizona within the coming week, adopted by Illinois, Kansas and Florida between late November and early December. After sitting out the opener due to a hamstring harm, Tarris Reed Jr. has been dominant on the inside. He is averaging 19.2 factors, 10.0 rebounds and three.5 blocks.
Subsequent seven days: vs. BYU in Boston (Nov. 15), vs. Arizona (Nov. 19)
Preseason rating: 13
Koa Peat is getting many of the plaudits within the wake of Arizona’s season-opening win over Florida, and justifiably so, contemplating his unbelievable debut in opposition to the reigning champs. However Jaden Bradley’s senior-year leap may be much more essential for the Wildcats. He has taken a backseat practically each season in school, courting to his complementary function as a freshman at Alabama. However Tommy Lloyd is leaning on Bradley, and he is responding, along with his 27 factors and 5 assists in opposition to Florida the spotlight thus far.
Subsequent seven days: at UCLA (Nov. 14), at UConn (Nov. 19)
Preseason rating: 6
Louisville’s first 28-Half-hour in opposition to Kentucky on Tuesday was as spectacular a stretch as we have seen from any crew this season. The Cardinals merely overwhelmed the Wildcats with their tempo, capturing, depth and aggressiveness. And it doubled as Mikel Brown Jr.’s coming-out social gathering. The star freshman completed with 29 factors, 5 assists, 3 3-pointers and only one turnover, upping his averages to 19.3 factors and 6.7 assists by way of three video games.
Who does Mikel Brown Jr’s recreation remind you of? 🤔
The Louisville freshman dropped 29 PTS to beat No. 9 Kentucky 🤯 pic.twitter.com/m3AnQcKb7e
— ESPN (@espn) November 12, 2025
Subsequent seven days: vs. Ohio (Nov. 15)
Preseason rating: 19
What Alabama’s guards did to St. John’s final Saturday was one thing we’ve got not often seen since Rick Pitino took over in Queens. The Crimson Tide had been constantly capable of generate their very own photographs off the dribble, limiting the impression of the Pink Storm’s rotations. Philon was unbelievable, ending with 25 factors and three assists whereas making two 3-pointers, with a lot of his photographs coming in contested conditions that required spectacular physique management.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Purdue (Nov. 13), vs. Illinois in Chicago (Nov. 19)
Preseason rating: 7
Coming into the season, BYU’s perimeter trio of AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders and Robert Wright III appeared to be one of many elite offensive teams within the nation. And it appears to be translating on the court docket. All three are averaging no less than 18 factors and have every taken between 39 and 43 photographs. Dybantsa and Wright have been actually troublesome for defenders to maintain out of the lane, and Saunders — regardless of the elevated utilization competitors — is definitely taking extra photographs than final season. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how UConn approaches attempting to restrict them Saturday.
Subsequent seven days: vs. UConn in Boston (Nov. 15)
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AJ Dybantsa throws down putback slam
AJ Dybantsa throws down putback slam
Preseason rating: 16
We had been prepared to maneuver Illinois up even earlier than its win over Texas Tech on Tuesday, just because the Illini appeared like one of many nation’s really elite offenses. However the win over Tech — notably with out Tomislav Ivisic — led to a major rise within the rankings. Kylan Boswell is quietly breaking out over the primary few video games, averaging 21.0 factors and capturing 53% from 3-point vary, whereas additionally establishing himself as considered one of school basketball’s premier defensive guards.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Colgate (Nov. 14), vs. Alabama (Nov. 19)
Preseason rating: 2
Florida is simply three video games into its title protection, and whereas it is too early to attract any actual conclusions, there are actual considerations growing — notably on the perimeter. The Gators’ 3-point capturing has been abysmal by way of the primary week and a half, rating within the backside 30 nationally at simply over 21% from past the arc whereas capturing 30 3s per recreation. They’re turning it over at a reasonably excessive charge, together with 18 occasions in opposition to Florida State, and are permitting groups to get into the tooth into the protection far too simply.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Miami in Jacksonville (Nov. 16)
Preseason rating: 8
Although star switch Yaxel Lendeborg hasn’t fairly made his presence but, UCLA switch Aday Mara has been probably the most spectacular two-way bigs within the nation to this point. The 7-foot-3 Spain native simply had 18 factors, 13 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks in opposition to Wake Forest, fully altering the sport at each ends of the court docket. That was on the heels of 12 factors, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks in opposition to Oakland. Mara is trying very very like an NBA participant.
Subsequent seven days: at TCU (Nov. 14), vs. Center Tennessee (Nov. 19)
Preseason rating: 10
Cameron Boozer’s first-week performances weren’t as eye-popping as these of, say, Arizona’s Peat or North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, however he is averaging 18.3 factors, 9.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists by way of three video games whereas attending to the free throw line practically eight occasions a recreation. They are not the numbers Boozer was posting in Duke’s exhibition video games, however the Blue Devils have not wanted him to achieve these heights but. And once they did want him to rise to the event to beat a slender first-half deficit in opposition to Texas, Boozer responded with 15 factors within the second. It is clear he’ll nonetheless be close to the highest of ranks on the subject of freshman manufacturing.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Indiana State (Nov. 14), vs. Kansas in New York (Nov. 18)
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Cam Boozer fights off defender for spectacular and-1
Cam Boozer fights off defender for spectacular and-1
Preseason rating: 5
St. John’s level guard points acquired loads of consideration within the aftermath of the Pink Storm’s loss to Alabama, however an offense that scored 96 factors with a 58% help charge arguably wasn’t the primary wrongdoer. It was a massively disappointing efficiency on the different finish of the court docket. The Tide scored 103 factors, changing into the primary nonconference opponent to attain 100 in opposition to St. John’s since 2004. In addition they scored 1.22 factors per possession, greater than probably the most (1.19) the Pink Storm gave up in a recreation final season.
Subsequent seven days: vs. William & Mary (Nov. 15)
Preseason rating: 20
Gonzaga had arguably probably the most dominant back-to-back performances we have seen this season, beating two potential NCAA event groups in Oklahoma and Creighton by a mixed 52 factors. Although it has been a remarkably balanced effort — 4 totally different gamers scored in double figures in every win — Graham Ike including a fringe risk to his recreation whereas nonetheless sustaining his typical around-the-rim dominance is price noting. He made all 4 3-pointers in opposition to Creighton after making solely 19 3s in his earlier 115 school video games.
Subsequent seven days: at Arizona State (Nov. 14), vs. Southern Utah (Nov. 17)
Preseason rating: 11
We have stated earlier than that there won’t have been a greater participant — moreover Cooper Flagg — over the second half of final season than JT Toppin. And after sitting out the opening recreation of the season, Toppin has picked up the place he left off. He had 31 factors, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and three steals in opposition to Sam Houston State, then went for 35 factors, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and three steals in Tuesday’s loss to Illinois. His defensive tasks may be lessened as soon as elite shot blocker Luke Bamgboye will get wholesome. Now the query is whether or not that might make him much more efficient on the offensive finish.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Milwaukee (Nov. 14)
Preseason rating: 9
The most effective defender on Kentucky’s roster has but to go well with up, with Jayden Quaintance nonetheless out after final February’s ACL harm, and the Wildcats’ deficiencies in that division had been uncovered by Louisville on Tuesday. It was simply far too straightforward for the Cardinals to get open appears to be like or get to the free throw line. The Wildcats aren’t a protection that forces turnovers they usually do not supply elite rim safety with out Quaintance, which allowed Louisville to dictate the phrases at that finish of the court docket. The Cardinals ended up scoring greater than 1.25 factors per possession.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Japanese Illinois (Nov. 14), vs. Michigan State in New York (Nov. 18)
Preseason rating: 25
North Carolina’s clearance of guard Luka Bogavac hours earlier than the primary recreation of the season was already excellent news for the Tar Heels, nevertheless it has taken on added significance within the wake of Seth Trimble’s harm, with the senior guard out indefinitely due to a damaged forearm. Bogavac, of Montenegro, was probably the greatest gamers within the Adriatic League final season, and he took Trimble’s spot within the beginning lineup for UNC’s recreation in opposition to Radford on Tuesday and completed with 19 factors and 5 assists.
Subsequent seven days: vs. North Carolina Central (Nov. 14), vs. Navy (Nov. 18)
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Luka Bogavac is computerized from 3-point land
Luka Bogavac nails the three vs. Radford Highlanders
Preseason rating: 12
It wasn’t clear whether or not Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas would have a excessive sufficient utilization charge to each be among the many finest freshman guards within the nation earlier than the season tipped, however by way of three video games, the five-star recruits appear to be the nation’s finest freshman backcourt and probably the most explosive offensive duos. Acuff is averaging 19.7 factors and 4.7 assists, and Thomas — who has began solely considered one of three video games — is placing up 18.0 factors, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Samford (Nov. 14), vs. Winthrop (Nov. 18)
Preseason rating: 15
The personnel would possibly change, however the tradition and system at Iowa State underneath T.J. Otzelberger stays the identical. By way of three video games, the Cyclones are already exhibiting indicators of one more elite protection in Ames. They held Fairleigh Dickinson and Grambling State to fewer than 0.83 factors per possession, then pressured Mississippi State into turnovers on greater than 34% of the Bulldogs’ possessions. Tamin Lipsey has clearly recovered from his preseason knee harm, averaging 17.7 factors, 5.7 assists and 4.3 steals with solely three turnovers in three video games.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Stonehill (Nov. 17)
Preseason rating: 14
Mick Cronin was clearly not thrilled with UCLA’s begin to the season, telling reporters after the Bruins’ season-opening win over Japanese Washington that “there are such a lot of errors, I would like to fireplace myself” in regard to their protection. Cronin needs to be happy with the efficiency of key gamers he wanted to interrupt out, although. Michigan State switch Xavier Booker averaged 14.5 factors, 6.0 rebounds and three.0 blocks by way of two video games, and Trent Perry is averaging 12.3 factors and simply had 9 assists to 2 turnovers in opposition to West Georgia.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Arizona (Nov. 14), vs. Sacramento State (Nov. 18)
Preseason rating: 18
Nate Ament has been pretty much as good as marketed — his passing may be even higher than anticipated — and Ja’Kobi Gillespie has bounced again after a subpar opening recreation, however the shock for the Vols thus far has been redshirt sophomore huge man J.P. Estrella. He performed double-figure minutes 3 times as a freshman and performed solely three video games in 2024-25 earlier than shutting it down due to a foot harm. However by way of three video games this season, he is averaging 17.3 factors and eight.7 rebounds whereas capturing 75% from the sphere.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Rice (Nov. 17)
Preseason rating: Unranked
It wasn’t the prettiest efficiency, and it did not do a lot to reply the questions on their perimeter points, however the Spartans gutting out a three-point win over a gifted Arkansas crew regardless of capturing 1-for-14 from 3 was a pleasant résumé booster. And Michigan State appears to be like probably dominant within the paint: 4 totally different frontcourt gamers scored in double figures of their first two video games, and the crew posted a 47.5% offensive rebound charge.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Kentucky in New York (Nov. 18)
Preseason rating: 17
Auburn has responded properly to its opening-night extra time struggles in opposition to Bethune-Cookman, blowing the doorways off Merrimack and Wofford in its previous two video games. Tahaad Pettiford has but to actually get going, averaging 11.0 factors and capturing simply 27.9% from the sphere and 17.4% from 3-point vary, however Keyshawn Corridor’s manufacturing has translated seamlessly from UCF to Auburn. He has scored no less than 20 factors in all three video games whereas averaging 11.0 rebounds.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Houston (Nov. 16), vs. Jackson State (Nov. 19)
Preseason rating: 21
It hasn’t been the stiffest of competitors, however early returns on the potential Nolan Winter breakout season are constructive. He opened with 17 factors and 12 rebounds in opposition to Campbell, went for 12 factors in opposition to Northern Illinois then had a 19-point, 10-rebound, 3-block effort in Tuesday’s win over Ball State. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how he performs subsequent Friday in opposition to Keba Keita and BYU, however Winter’s mixture of defensive enchancment and offensive effectivity is price watching.
Subsequent seven days: vs. SIU Edwardsville (Nov. 17)
Preseason rating: 24
To date, it seems that the offseason hype a couple of potential Paul McNeil Jr. breakout season was actual. After averaging 4.2 factors in 8.6 minutes final season, he has shortly cemented himself as a constant shotmaker on the perimeter for Will Wade. McNeil is averaging 20.3 factors by way of three video games, making 13 3-pointers at a 46.4% clip over that span. NBA evaluators are additionally taking discover: McNeil debuted at No. 56 in ESPN’s first 2026 NBA draft huge board.
Subsequent seven days: vs. VCU (Nov. 17)
Preseason rating: Unranked
Ohio State’s offense has been incredible thus far, and Bruce Thornton appears to be like as if he’ll be probably the most productive guards within the nation. He put up 38 factors on 14-for-17 capturing with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in opposition to Purdue Fort Wayne final Friday. Per ESPN Analysis, Thornton is simply the second Division I participant to hit these marks prior to now 5 years — and the primary Large Ten participant to take action prior to now 30 seasons. There is a runway over the following couple of weeks for the Buckeyes to generate some actual momentum.
Subsequent seven days: vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 16)
Dropped out: Kansas Jayhawks (No. 22), Creighton Bluejays (No. 23)