Hey there, basketball fans! I'm coming to you with all the latest buzz from the college hoops world, and let me tell you, there's plenty to talk about these days.

The NCAA is shaking things up for the upcoming 2025-26 season with some potentially major changes on the horizon. The men's basketball rules committee is seriously considering switching to a four-quarter format, moving away from the traditional two-half structure we've all grown accustomed to. They're also looking at ways to enhance the flow of the game - addressing those frustrating delay-of-game tactics and limiting the time officials spend reviewing plays at the monitor.

Looking ahead to next season, we've already got some early rankings to chew on. Houston is sitting pretty at the top of the Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings, with Kelvin Sampson's Cougars bringing in one of the elite recruiting classes in the country. They've got three top-20 prospects coming in, and with Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler returning, they're the team to beat.

Right behind them is Purdue at number two, and they could be something special next year. Braden Smith is projected to be the best guard in the country and possibly even the preseason Wooden Award favorite. With Trey Kaufman-Renn dominating in the paint and the addition of South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff, the Boilermakers will be a force.

The Louisville Cardinals round out the top three, followed by UConn at number four. And let's not forget about Florida, who just made history with Todd Golden becoming the youngest coach to win a national championship since 1983, guiding the Gators to their third title in the past 19 years.

The transfer portal is absolutely buzzing right now too. St. John's guard RJ Luis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, has declared for the NBA Draft while also entering the portal. Luis was a standout this season, averaging 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for a Red Storm team that dominated the Big East.

Another big move saw Donovan Dent, the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, choosing UCLA after transferring from New Mexico. The talented guard averaged more than 20 points and 6.4 assists per game last season and will bring that firepower to the Bruins for his final year of eligibility.

With only 210 days until tipoff for the 2025-26 season, the landscape of college basketball continues to evolve. The combination of rule changes, transfers, and emerging talents promises to make the upcoming season one to remember.

This past week in college basketball has been a whirlwind of change and anticipation as the landscape shifts both on and off the court. As fans catch their breath after a thrilling season that saw Florida’s Todd Golden become the youngest coach to win a national championship since 1983, attention is rapidly turning to what’s next.

The talk of the town has been the major rule changes the NCAA is considering for the 2025-26 season. There’s real momentum behind switching from traditional halves to four quarters, a move designed to streamline the flow of games and modernize the sport. In addition, a new coach’s challenge system may be on the horizon, potentially letting coaches contest calls and, ideally, cutting down on those frustrating, drawn-out trips to the monitor late in tight games. The NCAA’s Rules Committee is also looking to crack down on delay-of-game tactics and improve game administration, all with an eye toward making basketball more exciting and efficient for players and fans alike.

While the rules are being debated in boardrooms, the real action is happening in the transfer portal. It’s become a high-stakes game of musical chairs, with programs across the country vying for star players to complete their rosters for the upcoming season. The portal is especially critical this year, as several top programs are reloading after deep tournament runs and high-profile departures.

At the top of early preseason rankings, the Houston Cougars are looking formidable. Even with key players like Milos Uzan potentially heading to the NBA, Houston is bringing in one of the nation’s elite recruiting classes and returns standouts Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler. Purdue is right behind, boasting stars like Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, and adding South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff to shore up the frontcourt. Louisville and UConn round out the top contenders, making for a stacked field when the new season tips off.

With just over 200 days until college basketball returns, excitement is already building. Between the evolving rules, the transfer market frenzy, and the emergence of powerhouse lineups, all signs point to a dramatic and transformative year ahead in the world of college hoops.

It’s been a fascinating week in college basketball as the sport continues its relentless pace, even in the offseason. The headlines over the past few days have been dominated by transfer news, power rankings shakeups, and the building excitement for the 2025-26 season.

Let’s start with the teams making the biggest moves. Gonzaga has been turning heads as the most significant mover in the latest power rankings. The Bulldogs, often a fixture in the top tiers, surged three spots to land at number 21 in the latest CBS rankings. That jump was propelled by the additions of Miller and Jefferson, two transfers who bring fresh talent and depth. Combine that with the return of Huff and Ike, and suddenly Gonzaga’s roster looks far more formidable than it did just a few weeks ago. Their momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed, with other major outlets like ESPN and Jon Rothstein also bumping the Zags upward in their respective top-25 lists.

But the story of the week can’t be told without mentioning Houston. They’re reigning at the very top of several early-offseason rankings, widely expected to start next season as the team to beat. Right behind them, St. John’s and BYU have crept up the rankings, while perennial powers like Purdue, UConn, and Duke are holding strong. These early lists are always in flux, especially with the transfer portal seeing more activity than ever, but they offer a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come.

Speaking of the transfer portal, this has been another record-setting month for player movement. Programs across the country are navigating a rapidly changing landscape, with commitments, departures, and official visits dominating the conversation. Teams are racing to finalize their rosters, and fans are watching closely as big-name players announce their destinations for next year.

As for major announcements, roster updates are pouring in daily, and the arms race for top recruits and transfers is especially fierce. With coaching staffs retooling and players seeking the best fit, the offseason feels as frenzied as the regular season.

There’s no offseason lull in college basketball anymore. From Gonzaga’s leap in the rankings to Houston’s continued dominance and the flurry of transfer news, the stage is set for another electrifying season. The next few months promise more surprises, more rankings shifts, and no shortage of drama—just the way college basketball fans like it.

Good morning basketball fans! The offseason shuffle continues as we look ahead to the 2025-26 college basketball season. I've been tracking all the movement these past few days, and let me tell you, things are getting interesting.

The transfer portal window has officially closed, but the drama is far from over. Many top programs are still looking to make significant additions to their rosters. What's fascinating is that many of the best available players in the portal have also declared for the NBA Draft, creating this interesting limbo where teams are waiting to see who returns to college ball.

Take Yaxel Lendeborg from UAB, the top-ranked player in the transfer portal. He's declared for the draft but has committed to Michigan if he returns to college. This dual-track approach is becoming more common, and it makes perfect sense when you think about it.

The NIL landscape has completely changed the calculus for these decisions. Players used to have to go pro to make money, but that's no longer the case. A two-way NBA contract paid about $578,577 last season, which is actually less than what some players can make in college through NIL deals. That's reshaping how players view their options.

Looking at the early rankings, we've seen a major shift at the top. Purdue has vaulted past Houston into the #1 spot in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25. Matt Painter's team got the edge after adding much-needed depth to round out their roster, while Houston took a hit when Milos Uzan entered the NBA draft.

The rankings are fascinating right now. Depending on which poll you check, you'll see either Purdue or Houston at the top, with schools like St. John's and Texas also in the conversation for top-5 spots.

Speaking of St. John's, they're dealing with some uncertainty as RJ Luis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, has both entered the transfer portal and declared for the draft. Luis was outstanding last season, averaging 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds for a Red Storm team that went 31-5 overall.

And I can't overlook Donovan Dent, the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, who's transferring from New Mexico to UCLA. Dent averaged over 20 points and 6.4 assists per game last season and will be a massive addition for the Bruins.

The next few weeks will be crucial as NBA draft decisions get finalized and these transfer commitments settle. Teams like Purdue, Houston, and St. John's are positioning themselves as early contenders, but so much could change before the season tips off. Stay tuned, basketball fans – this offseason is just heating up!

What a whirlwind week it’s been in college basketball. The confetti may have barely settled after Florida’s triumph, but the landscape is already shifting as everyone sets their sights on the next season. Todd Golden, still basking in the glow of becoming the youngest coach to win a national championship since 1983, led Florida to its third title in less than two decades. It’s a moment that’s electrified Gator Nation and left fans wondering: can they do it again next year?

The offseason may have just begun, but the transfer portal is already buzzing with activity and rumors. This year’s portal promises even more movement, with NIL opportunities luring top talent and reshaping rosters across the country. Some big names are on the move: St. John’s star RJ Luis has both declared for the NBA Draft and entered the portal, fresh off an impressive season where he averaged over 18 points and helped lead the Red Storm to an outstanding 31-5 record and dual Big East titles. Yet their run ended abruptly, stunned by Arkansas in the second round—a bitter finish for a team with such high hopes.

Over at UCLA, Donovan Dent, last year’s Mountain West Player of the Year, has landed after a standout season at New Mexico, where he put up more than 20 points and 6 assists per game. Dent’s arrival is sure to add firepower to the Bruins, who are looking to bounce back on the national stage. The portal has only been open since late March, but already there’s a sense that this could be the most talent-rich and volatile transfer cycle we’ve ever seen, especially with the window shortened to 30 days this year to help teams manage the chaos.

Amid all this, early rankings for next year are fueling debates. Houston sits at the top, powered by a stellar recruiting class and the anticipated return of key players like Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler. Purdue follows closely, with Braden Smith projected to be one of the best guards in the country and new additions like Oscar Cluff set to bolster the frontcourt. Louisville and UConn are right in the mix, each eyeing a breakthrough.

The season may be months away, but the game never really stops. With coaching changes, new faces on old teams, and future stars still deciding where to play, college basketball is in perpetual motion. And if the past few days are any indication, the drama and excitement are just getting started.

"Hey basketball fans! What a wild few weeks it's been in college hoops. As we look ahead to the 2025-26 season, I can't help but reflect on the historic moment we witnessed last month when Todd Golden led Florida to its third national championship in the past 19 years. At his age, he's the youngest coach to win it all since 1983 - talk about making your mark early!

The transfer portal has been absolute chaos since it opened on March 24th. The window closed just last month on April 22nd, and we've seen some massive movement. This year's portal window was actually shortened to 30 days instead of 45, part of the NCAA's effort to create more stability for programs trying to manage rosters and recruiting.

Looking at the early rankings for next season, Houston sits at the top of ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25. The Cougars are bringing in one of the elite recruiting classes with three top-20 prospects. Even if Milos Uzan decides to turn pro - he's currently ranked 40th in NBA draft projections - they'll have Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler returning.

Purdue lands at number two, and they might have the preseason Wooden Award favorite in Braden Smith, who's expected to be the best guard in the country. With Trey Kaufman-Renn dominating the paint and South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff joining the squad, the Boilermakers are looking formidable.

Louisville and UConn round out the top four in these early rankings. Remember, we still have the NBA draft withdrawal deadline coming up on May 28th, which is the last chance for players with NCAA eligibility to pull out of the draft and return to school.

Some of the hottest names in the transfer portal this year include Bennett Stirtz, Donovan Dent, Adrian Wooley, and Dedan Thomas. Teams are actively reshaping their rosters, with NIL deals playing a bigger role than ever in these decisions.

ESPN and other outlets have been tracking roster changes for over 90 men's college basketball teams, following who's leaving, who's joining, and how these moves might shift the power balance heading into next season.

We still have about 210 days until the 2025-26 season tips off, but the offseason chess match is well underway. With Florida celebrating their championship and programs nationwide rebuilding through the portal and recruiting, the foundation for next season's March Madness is already being laid. Stay tuned, hoop heads - this is just the beginning of what promises to be another unforgettable college basketball season!"

Hey basketball fans! It's Friday, May 2nd, 2025, and college hoops is buzzing with offseason action that's reshaping the landscape for next season.

Big news dropped yesterday when St. John's was announced as UCLA's replacement in the 2025 CBS Sports Classic. This means Rick Pitino will face his former team Kentucky in what promises to be an emotionally charged matchup. Talk about drama! Pitino's redemption tour continues as he builds St. John's into a contender.

Speaking of St. John's, they've made serious waves in the transfer portal by landing Ian Jackson, the top-rated shooting guard in this transfer cycle. Pitino isn't playing around - he's assembling talent to compete immediately.

The transfer portal has been absolutely wild since opening on March 24th. This year's window is shorter - just 30 days instead of 45 - closing on April 22nd. The NCAA made this change hoping to create more stability for programs juggling roster management and recruiting.

Some names to watch from the portal include Bennett Stirtz, Donovan Dent, and Adrian Wooley, all making moves that could shift conference power dynamics. Josh Dix, ranked second among shooting guards, is also on the move in what analysts are calling the most talent-rich portal cycle ever.

Looking ahead to next season, bracketologists are already hard at work on their first projections for 2025-26. Purdue is emerging as the potential preseason number one team in the country. Despite their tournament disappointments, Matt Painter's program has been remarkably consistent - they haven't been seeded worse than fifth since the 2015-16 season.

What makes Purdue's success story fascinating is their old-school approach in this new era of college basketball. They're not landing lottery picks, but Painter's player development system keeps producing results. Remember, Zach Edey wasn't even good enough to start as a freshman, and he became the program's best player in recent history.

For players testing NBA waters, May 28th is the critical date to circle - that's the deadline for players with remaining NCAA eligibility to withdraw from the draft and return to college.

The grassroots recruiting calendar kicks off in May, which is why the NCAA moved to close the portal beforehand, reducing overlap and uncertainty for programs.

With NIL money playing a bigger role than ever, no player or program seems off-limits in this transfer cycle. Teams are reshuffling, stars are relocating, and the 2025-26 season is already taking shape through these crucial offseason moves.

That's your college basketball update for now - stay tuned as the offseason drama continues to unfold!

What a whirlwind week it’s been in college basketball. The echoes of last week’s national championship game are still fresh. On that energetic Monday night, it all came down to Houston and Florida, both No. 1 seeds, clashing for supremacy. Houston’s physical defense and disciplined play gave them the edge they needed to clinch the title, capping a tournament packed with buzzer-beaters, bracket busters, and future pros making their mark.

But as soon as the nets were cut, the spotlight swung to an entirely different kind of madness—the transfer portal. This year, the portal opened just after March Madness wrapped, a week later than last year, and the stakes have never been higher. With more money in name, image, and likeness deals on the table, every major program is vying for top talent, hoping to reload or, in some cases, completely reinvent their rosters. The portal window itself is tighter now, just 30 days. The NCAA made this move to bring a little more stability and keep the chaos from leaking into the recruiting calendar, but even in a shorter window, the movement is nonstop.

Names like Bennett Stirtz, Donovan Dent, and Adrian Wooley are lighting up the rumor mill. These players are hot commodities, each with their own list of suitors and the potential to tip the balance of power for next season. And with the portal set to close tomorrow night, you can bet the next 24 hours will be a frenzy of commitments, surprise announcements, and social media buzz.

Meanwhile, on the recruiting front, the story of AJ Dybantsa continues to unfold. He recently made headlines with his commitment that sent ripples not just through his future team, but across the entire recruiting landscape. Dybantsa took to social media to reach out to the No. 4 recruit, fueling speculation about potential package deals and what super teams might form in the upcoming season.

As April winds down and the dust settles from all this movement, college basketball fans are left to analyze, predict, and debate what the landscape will look like come November. The names, the teams, and the storylines may change, but the passion and unpredictability of the sport remain constant.

This past week in college basketball has been nothing short of electrifying, with headlines dominated by both the buzzer-beaters and the whirlwind movement in the transfer portal. The 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament has just wrapped up, and it was Florida who stood atop the bracket, clinching the national championship with a hard-fought victory over Houston on Monday, April 7. Both squads entered the final as No. 1 seeds, delivering on the season’s promise of top-tier basketball and ending the season with a memorable title game that capped weeks of March Madness drama.

Beyond the championship, the landscape of college basketball is already shifting as the transfer portal takes center stage. The portal officially opened right after the tournament’s Round of 32, and it’s been a frenzy ever since, with marquee players making game-changing decisions. Notably, St. John’s guard RJ Luis—this season’s Big East Player of the Year—has both declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and entered the transfer portal. Luis averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, and was a key figure in St. John’s impressive 31-5 campaign, where they swept both the Big East regular season and the tournament. However, their season ended in disappointment with a second-round upset loss to Arkansas, prompting Luis to look for the next step in his career.

Meanwhile, UCLA has been a hot destination, grabbing headlines with the commitment of Donovan Dent from New Mexico. Dent was the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, putting up more than 20 points and 6.4 assists per game this season, and he brings a veteran presence to a UCLA squad looking to reload after consecutive competitive campaigns. The transfer portal is buzzing with activity, and NIL deals continue to drive player interest and opportunity, making the current cycle one of the most talent-rich and unpredictable in recent memory. In fact, the portal window is shorter this year—thirty days instead of forty-five—which has only heightened the pace and intensity of roster changes for teams and fans alike.

With championship celebrations just starting to wind down and transfer news heating up by the hour, college basketball is proving that its excitement never really takes a break—even in the offseason.

What a whirlwind the past few days have been in college basketball. The dust has barely settled in San Antonio, where the 2025 NCAA men’s national championship came right down to the wire. Florida, after trailing most of the second half, surged back to edge Houston 65-63 and lift their first trophy in almost two decades. Both programs had looked dominant throughout a tournament filled with tight finishes and bracket-busting upsets. Houston, ranked number two in the nation, looked poised to claim their own redemption but just couldn’t hold off Florida’s furious rally in the final minutes. With that, March Madness closed in spectacular fashion, and the Gators find themselves atop both the AP and Coaches Polls to end the season.

If you follow the rankings, there’s plenty to talk about. Houston, Duke, Auburn, and Tennessee round out the top five, with Alabama and Michigan State hot on their heels. St. John's made a massive leap, finishing at number eleven after clinching both the Big East regular season and tournament titles, only to get knocked out early by Arkansas in the NCAA bracket. The Big East’s resurgence has been one of the year’s big stories.

It’s not just the teams making headlines—there’s been a shakeup on the coaching carousel. Maryland’s Kevin Willard jumped to take the reins at Villanova, while over in Miami, Duke assistant Jai Lucas will step up as head coach next season. Utah landed Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen, marking another high-profile NBA-to-college move this spring.

Of course, the transfer portal is wide open and as chaotic as ever. Xavier, under Richard Pitino, has been especially aggressive, landing a top-20 haul and addressing big gaps in their lineup. Michigan made waves picking up Yaxel Lendeborg from UAB—a forward who put up monster numbers in the AAC Tournament. Kentucky, despite losing several starters, landed four key transfers already, including Kam Williams from Tulane and point guard Jaland Lowe from Pittsburgh. With the portal closing next week, more surprises are likely on the way, as programs scramble to reload.

Individual players also impressed this past season. Villanova’s Eric Dixon led all scorers with 23.3 points per game, while Gonzaga’s lead guard paced the country in assists at just under 10 per contest. As seniors move on and new faces join the fold, it sets the stage for another unpredictable season ahead.

And just like that, the focus turns to offseason intrigue—coaching hires, recruits, and the ever-spinning transfer portal—proving there’s rarely a dull moment in college basketball.