Opting to elevate Blake Brandel to the C1 spot comes at a cost. Not many backups are five-in-one players, capable of jumping into any of the o-line’s five positions. So, the Brandel promotion to a starting job is an instance of stealing from Peter to pay for Paul.

Who is going to replace the incredibly versatile Vikings o-lineman?

Last week, OC Wes Phillips addressed the issue in his press conference in front of the Minnesota media. He clarified that the depth setup may need to revert to a more traditional setup, with swing guards and swing tackles doing more work than previous years due to what Brandel offered. He looped in Henry Byrd, though, which hits as a surprise mention given the modest start to the large lad’s NFL career.

OC Wes Phillips Names Surprise Vikings O-Lineman

The question centered on how to replace Brandel due to the strategy at center. Is somebody ready to take on that job of being able to jump into any of the five positions?

“Yeah, the short answer is you got multiple guys,” Phillips began, “that have to kind of fill those roles that Blake was able to play.” Not long afterwards, Phillips described Byrd as somebody who is doing a lot of good things: “Henry Byrd’s played some center, played some guard, played some tackle. He’s been a guy who has been with us for a few years now and has continued to progress.” Note: Byrd is the only player to be specifically mentioned.

“Otherwise, it’ll be a little more standard, probably,” Phillips explained.

Originally, Henry Byrd turned pro in 2023, going undrafted. A shot with the Denver Broncos didn’t lead to a lasting home, allowing the Vikings to scoop him up.

Apart from a quick trio to the Bay Area to be a 49er, Byrd has been a Viking since 2023. He has primarily functioned as a depth lineman by working on the practice squad.

Being at that level of ball means needing to get shuffled around since his weeks would have involved giving the 53-man roster a look in practice by mimicking what the upcoming opponent likes to do. Indeed, being a practice squad talent means dabbling in many different responsibilities; whatever helps the starters to prepare is what needs to happen.

In other words, Byrd would have been in a nice spot to get shuffled all over the front five.

At 6’5″ and close to 315 pounds, Byrd boasts a nice build. He played his college ball at Princeton, suggesting there’s a brain in his head. All he has done so far in his pro career is play a dozen snaps on special teams, but he evidently has been putting in work behind the scenes. Phillips has taken notice.

Per the team, Byrd played both o-line and d-line in high school before performing at an elite level for Princeton’s o-line. So, too, does he have a connection to tap dancing, possibly allowing him to move elegantly across different spots.

Right now, the iOL is working through a transitional phase.

The top spots belong to LG Donovan Jackson, C Blake Brandel, and RG Will Fries. Maybe Caleb Tiernan gets moved inside. Already, Walter Rouse is being tasked with playing guard. Minnesota is then working with options such as Michael Jurgens and Delby Lemieux to further fortify these spots.

Lost in the shuffle, perhaps, has been Henry Byrd. He’ll boast a very good understanding of the offense since he has been in town for several years. That’s a necessary prerequisite were he to become a five-in-one depth player who mirrors what Brandel did for several years. He’s somebody to watch in training camp and the preseason.

Henry Byrd is 26.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Morgan Rogers is one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League, with Arsenal installed as favourites to sign the Aston Villa midfielder ahead of Manchester United this summer.

Morgan Rogers is rapidly establishing himself as one of the Premier League‘s most sought-after players at present, and the transfer window hasn’t even formally opened yet. The England midfielder is tipped to feature prominently in the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign following his impressive displays at Aston Villa, to the extent that Premier League champions Arsenal and Manchester United are both eager to secure his signature.

The bookmakers are positioning Arsenal as the clear frontrunners to complete his signing at 4/6 with bet365, while Sky Bet and Paddy Power are providing 1/2 odds as well. You can also discover additional betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers.

Arsenal may have already encountered an obstacle in their pursuit of Morgan Rogers after the midfielder previously declared “there is no team bigger” than Manchester United – who are likewise monitoring him. The Aston Villa attacker is anticipated to be amongst the summer’s most coveted names.

The 23-year-old has been amongst Villa’s finest performers across the previous two campaigns and has contributed 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions this season.

Bet £10 Get £15 Free Bets with BetGoodwin

Advertisement

Bet £10 Get £15 Free Bets

BetGoodwin

Claim here

New customers can enjoy £15 in free bets with BetGoodwin when they sign-up using promo code WELCOME15 and bet £10 on any sports market at the minimum odds. Here is your step-by-step guide on how to get that during the business-end of the football season:

1. Head over to BetGoodwin’s welcome offer page
2. Register your account and head over to “My Bonuses” to enter code WELCOME15
3. Deposit at least £10 into your account and place a qualifying bet of £10 at EVS (1/1) or greater on any sports market within seven days of registering your account
4. Only the first bet placed after registration counts towards this promotion
5. Once the bet has fully settled, you will be credited with three £5 free bets

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Free bets in the form of 3 x £5 free bet tokens: £5 accumulator free bet; £5 Sports free bet; £5 Sub Cover Free Bet | Head to BetGoodwin for Sub Cover details | Free bets available for seven days from full settlement of qualifying bet | Not to be used in conjunction with any other BetGoodwin offer | Full T&Cs apply

Such form has unsurprisingly attracted attention from clubs including Arsenal and United, with Villa understood to be demanding a fee exceeding £90million. football.london understands Rogers features amongst the Gunners’ priority targets, while the Manchester Evening News reported in early May that Old Trafford officials were considering a bid, reports the Mirror.

Overseas reports have since suggested United made contact with Villa to sound out the possibility of a deal, while Arsenal are understood to have approached the player’s camp. Both clubs are seeking to strengthen their attacking options, with United expected to explore targets in midfield and on the left flank – positions Rogers is capable of filling – as Mikel Arteta looks to bring in a world-class left winger.

Nevertheless, Rogers’ remarks from last December hint he may favour United if pushed to make a choice. Speaking following Villa’s 2-1 victory over United – a match in which he netted both goals – he said: “It’s massive. Every game is important, there’s no bigger team than United.

“They came here to play, they’re a tough team to play against and we’ve not had a great record against them recently so we knew we had to put it right and we’re happy with the three points.”

Rogers has been linked with a departure from Villa this summer, though he is not thought to be agitating for a transfer following the club’s Champions League qualification.

When asked whether the speculation had unsettled him, he told The Rest Is Football: “I think the first time it ever happened it was [impactful]. You’re in an uncomfortable spot of not realising that people have so much interest in you and you’re not quite realising that. But as you get older and gain experience along the way, you know that comes with it and 95 per cent of it is just noise.

“You hear it, course you do. You can’t help not. You know it’s there but you’ve got to use it in a positive way. You just try and get on with your game and just focus.”

Morgan Rogers next club odds

• Arsenal – 4/6
• Aston Villa – 7/2
• Man United – 7/1
• Chelsea – 10/1
• Man City – 14/1
• Liverpool – 20/1
• BAR – 25/1

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change | Odds supplied by bet365

Gamble responsibly

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over.

Odds are subject to change too.

We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.

The first of five days of Royal Ascot beings on Tuesday afternoon, with TV coverage on Virgin Media 1 (1.30pm – 5.30pm) and Virgin Media 2 (5.20pm – 6.30pm), Sky Sports Racing and ITV.

A total of £2,765,000 is available over six races on the opening day.

Day One Races, History and Statistics

2.30pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £800,000 Straight mile

The Queen Anne Stakes, a race founded in 1840 in honour of the British Monarch who first established racing at Ascot in 1711. The race usually attracts Europe’s top older milers and achieved the highest three-year average rating of any Group 2 race in Britain from 1999 to 2002. This saw the race elevated to Group 1 status as of 2003, is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ contest for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and among its notable previous winners are Cape Cross (1999), Goldikova (2010), Frankel (2012), Tepin (2016) and Baaeed (2022).

Irish-trained horses have been successful seven times in the race: Southbourne (1952), Upadee (1954), Imperial March (1975), Ad Valorem (2006), Haradasun (2008), Declaration Of War (2013), and Circus Maximus (2020).

Your Going Report a day out from #RoyalAscot ☀️ pic.twitter.com/ktaaFlkIhO

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 15, 2026

3.05pm The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 2 £200,000 Six furlongs

The six-furlong Coventry Stakes is the early season highlight for two-year-olds. First run in 1890, it regained Group 2 status in 2004, having been a Grade 3 since 1984. It is the first Group race for two-year-olds in Britain each year. Notable past winners include The Tetrarch (1913), Mill Reef (1970), Chief Singer (1983), and Canford Cliffs (2009).

The winner of the race has been trained in Ireland on 14 occasions: Solinus (1977), Verglas (1996), Harbour Master (1997), Fasliyev (1999), Landseer (2001), Statue of Liberty (2002), Henrythenavigator (2007), Power (2011), Dawn Approach (2012), War Command (2013), Caravaggio (2016), Arizona (2019), River Tiber (2023), and Gstaad (2025).

Aidan O’Brien has 11 wins in the race, Ryan Moore five, while Coolmore partnerships have taken 11 wins since 1977.

3.40pm The King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) 3+ £700,000 Five furlongs

This race, originally called the Royal Stand Plate, became known by its present name in 2023. It is a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ contest, offering a place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Dayjur (1990), Choisir (2003) and Blue Point (2019) are notable former winners.

Ireland has been successful eight times since 1946, with Sound Track (1950), Cassarate (1952), Abergwaun (1973), Godswalk (1977), Solinus (1978), Bluebird (1987), Sole Power (2013 & 2014).

We’re all set for a blockbuster clash in the St James’s Palace Stakes 😍

Watch it live on Sky Sports Racing at 4.20pm tomorrow.

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 15, 2026

Advertisement

4.20pm The St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 3 colts £700,000 Round (old) mile

First run in 1834, a host of Epsom Derby winners have gone on to win the St James’s Palace Stakes, notably British Triple Crown winners Ormonde (1886), Rock Sand (1903) and Bahram (1935). Nowadays, the St James’s Palace Stakes usually features colts that won or were placed in the Irish, English, or French 2,000 Guineas, with the race having Group 1 status since 1988.

Some of the notable past winners of the contest are Brigadier Gerard (1971) and Frankel (2011).

There have been 17 Irish-trained winners since 1946: Chevastrid (1957), Thatch (1972), Jaazeiro (1978), Dara Monarch (1982), Brief Truce (1992), Giant’s Causeway (2000), Black Minnaloushe (2001), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Azamour (2004), Excellent Art (2007), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009), Dawn Approach (2013), Gleneagles (2015), Circus Maximus (2019), Poetic Flare (2021), and Paddington (2023).

Aidan O’Brien is the most successful modern day trainer with 9 wins, while former Ballydoyle rider, Mick Kinane, has six successes to his name. Coolmore partnership colours have been carried to victory nine times: Giant’s Causeway (2000), Black Minnaloushe (2001), Rock of Gibraltar (2002), Excellent Art (2007), Henrythenavigator (2008), Mastercraftsman (2009), Gleneagles (2015), Circus Maximus (2019), and Paddington (2023).

Bow Echo 🆚 Gstaad

Which side are you on in the St James Palace Stakes? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WOgHsgRqPP

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 14, 2026

5.00pm The Ascot Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £120,000 Two miles, four furlongs

Founded in 1839, the two-and-a-half-mile handicap is one of only four races at Royal Ascot in which the field passes the winning post twice. Trainers whose main emphasis is jump racing have enjoyed great success in the race, particularly Martin Pipe (5 wins) and Willie Mullins (4 wins).

Junior (2010), Simenon (2012) – the last horse to complete the Ascot Stakes/Queen Alexandra Stakes double, and Coltrane (2022) are some of the more famous former winners of the race, which Ireland has won 10 times since 1977, with San Sebastian (1998), Barba Papa (2000), Leg Spinner (2005), Simenon (2012), Domination (2014), Clondaw Warrior (2015), Jennies Jewel (2016), Thomas Hobson (2017), Lagostovegas (2018), and Ascending (2025).

5.35pm The Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 4+ £125,000 One mile, two furlongs

The race became a listed contest rather than a listed handicap in 2018. The mile-and-a-quarter contest for older horses has been won by the likes of Contributer (2014), Addeybb (2019), and Royal Champion (2023). There have only been two Irish-conditioned winners of the race In Time’s Eye (2003) and Sir Isaac Newton (2016).

6.10pm The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £120,000 One mile, six furlongs

Run over a mile and three-quarters, this handicap for four-year-olds and upwards was introduced as part of the enhanced order of running for Royal Ascot in 2020. Notable winners include subsequent Ebor winner Fujaira Prince (2020) and Vauban (2023), now racing in Australia.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

McLaren have lodged an appeal against the decision to overturn Alpine driver Pierre Gasly’s pit-lane speeding penalty at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Alpine won a right of appeal review against the penalty and the Frenchman has been reinstalled in third place, having been demoted to seventh.

Governing body the FIA established in the Alpine hearing that the pit-lane speed limit had been miscalculated at Monaco.

A McLaren statement said: “This case raises important questions concerning sporting fairness, regulatory consistency and the integrity of competition.

“Throughout the Monaco Grand Prix weekend – and in every event – all teams operated according to the regulations and established standard practices for what concerns the speed limit in the pit lane as they were applied at the time.

“Competitors adjusted their procedures accordingly and, where required, accepted and served penalties imposed under those regulations.

“In our view, the subsequent removal of penalties creates a situation in which some competitors are disadvantaged by having acted in accordance with the rules and the Stewards’ decisions.

“Such an outcome risks creating sporting inequity and undermining confidence in the consistent application of the FIA sporting regulations.”

The Gasly hearing turned on the evidence that drivers could drive a shorter route along the pit lane than F1 and the FIA used to measure the speed limit.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was one of four further drivers who were given pit-lane speeding penalties and lost positions as a result.

The Australian was demoted to fifth from fourth with the removal of Gasly’s penalty.

McLaren’s decision to lodge a notification of appeal with the FIA Court of Appeal takes the case to the governing body’s highest legal authority.

J.J. Spaun looks to win his second U.S. Open in a row when he competes in the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., June 18-21. Spaun won last year’s event by two strokes over Robert MacIntyre. Spaun has three career wins on the PGA Tour, with four other professional wins, including one on the European Tour. He enters Round 1 on June 18 at +5500 in the 2026 U.S. Open odds. 

Scottie Scheffler enters as the 2026 U.S. Open favorite at +550, followed by Rory McIlroy (+1200), Jon Rahm (+1300) and Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele, both at +2000. Before making any 2026 U.S. Open picks, you need to see the 2026 PGA Championship predictions from golf expert David Bearman. 

Visit our DraftKings promo code review to see their latest offers and get started.

Bearman joins SportsLine after serving as ESPN’s golf researcher from 2008-11 and as the Deputy Editor of ESPN Chalk from 2019-23, where he authored the weekly golf betting column for that site. He started the year by chasing 28 placement golf betting picks (top 5/10/20) in the first 11 tournaments and hit Cam Young outright at The Players Championship. He also hit on Matt Fitzpatrick at the RBC Heritage and Cam Young at the Cadillac Championship, and is up more than 18 units in 2026.

Now, Bearman has focused on the 2026 U.S. Open field and locked in his predictions, sleepers and golfers to avoid. You can only see them here. 

Top 2026 U.S. Open expert picks

One of Bearman’s 2026 U.S. Open predictions: He’s fading Bryson DeChambeau, despite him being among the top-10 favorites. He is also a two-time major champion. DeChambeau has 16 career wins as a professional, including nine wins on the PGA Tour. He has been dominant in the LIV Golf League, notching five victories, including a playoff victory at the LIV Golf South Africa tournament this past March.

“DeChambeau has also missed the cut in three of his last four majors, including both this year and last year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont,” Bearman told SportsLine. “He was downright awful at the PGA Championship in May, losing 1.15 strokes to the field overall and 2.13 around the greens.” See who Bearman is backing at SportsLine.

New to sports trading? Visit our Kalshi promo code review to see their latest offers and get started. 

How to make 2026 U.S. Open picks

Bearman has revealed his best bets, including a player who price at nearly 70-1 and “has the game to win another major.” You can only see who they are at SportsLine.

What are the best bets for the 2026 U.S. Open, and which gigantic longshot should you target? Check out the 2026 U.S. Open odds below, then visit SportsLine to see David Bearman’s top picks for the 2026 U.S. Open, all from the expert who is up over 18 units in 2026. 

2026 U.S. Open odds, field

See U.S. Open picks, best bets and predictions here.
Odds via FanDuel (subject to change)

Scottie Scheffler +550
Rory McIlroy +1200
Jon Rahm +1300
Matt Fitzpatrick +2000
Xander Schauffele +2000
Tommy Fleetwood +2200
Ludvig Åberg +2200
Cameron Young +2200
Bryson DeChambeau +3300
Brooks Koepka +3500
Si Woo Kim +3500
Russell Henley +3500
Collin Morikawa +4000
Sam Burns +4000
Tyrrell Hatton +4000
Chris Gotterup +4500
Patrick Cantlay +4500
Patrick Reed +4500
Viktor Hovland +4500
Justin Thomas +4500
Wyndham Clark +4500
Justin Rose +5000
Maverick McNealy +5500
J.J. Spaun +5500
Min Woo Lee +6000
Hideki Matsuyama +6500
Kurt Kitayama +6500
Jordan Spieth +7000
Robert MacIntyre +7000
Joaquin Niemann +7000
Shane Lowry +7000
Aaron Rai +8000
Harris English +8000
Alex Fitzpatrick +8000
Adam Scott +8000
Kristoffer Reitan +8000
Ben Griffin +8000
Bud Cauley +8000
Jake Knapp +10000
Alex Smalley +10000
Akshay Bhatia +10000
Jacob Bridgeman +10000
David Puig +10000
Gary Woodland +10000
Cameron Smith +10000
Ryan Gerard +10000
Nicolai Højgaard +10000
Sepp Straka +10000
Alex Noren +10000

Tino Livramento has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a calf injury.© England FA

Wide receiver is the latest position in the NFC North rankings that I will be reviewing, following my previous examinations of QB and RB. The division is absolutely stacked at WR with little to choose between the four teams.

NFC North WR Rankings for 2026

Since last season, one big name has left the division with DJ Moore swapping Chicago for Buffalo for the 2026 season. The biggest new addition came to Minnesota, helping them retain the top spot I gave them in my 2025 rankings. The main focus is on the top 3 WRs on each squad, with the depth after them considered afterwards.

Minnesota Vikings – Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings

Justin Jefferson is the difference-maker, and it will take an incredible trio for me to drop the Vikings from the top of these rankings while Jefferson is still at the peak of his powers. Even in a season of turmoil, with several injuries to Vikings quarterbacks and generally poor play by whoever was out there, Jefferson still put together a 1000-yard season, something that is seen as the benchmark for a top receiver, but was a “down season” for Jefferson.

There was some doubt on whether the Vikings would pick up Jordan Addison’s fifth-year option – mostly due to his off-field issues in previous years. However, Addison is back for 2026 and will continue to be the Robin to Jefferson’s Batman and should continue to put up respectable WR2 numbers. Minnesota added Jauan Jennings to the mix this year (which I believe to be a great addition) as someone who has called for the Vikings to add a big physical receiver for years. Tai Felton is the wildcard, and if he can emerge in his second season as an extremely speedy deep threat, then the Vikings will have a formidable quartet.

Detroit Lions – Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa

Amon-Ra St. Brown continued to be one of the league’s best in 2025, and I don’t expect that to change this year. The good news for Detroit is that, after a slow start to his NFL career, Jameson Williams has become good after recording back-to-back 1000-receiving yards seasons. It gives the Lions a very strong duo who will be backed up by Isaac TeSlaa. Last season, a third-round rookie had an interesting season. There wasn’t a huge amount of opportunity, but he turned what he did get into insane numbers. TeSlaa caught 16 of 27 targets for 239 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 14 first downs. It will be interesting to see if he is used this season and whether he can keep up that level of production.

Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond

With Moore out of Chicago, they are left to trust in their two high draft picks in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. Both men went over 600 receiving yards last season; one, if not both, will need to go up a level in 2026 if the Bears hope to keep the top spot in the NFC North. Ben Johnson brought in Kalif Raymond, who he worked with in Detroit, who will be a solid veteran depth option, but the Bears’ WR room is a story of potential at the moment, and they need to prove themselves this year.

Green Bay Packers – Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed

The Green Bay Packers being in last place is an indication of the strength at the position inside this division. Newly signed $27 million a year WR Christian Watson is leading the way and second-year first-rounder is Matthew Golden alongside him. The Packers don’t lack talent. Watson has all the attributes to be a top receiver, but injuries in all four seasons he’s played have hampered his ability to have a true breakout season. 

Golden had a relatively quiet rookie year, coming in at under 400 receiving yards and failing to score a touchdown. Green Bay will need more from him in Year 2, and they will also need a healthier year for Jayden Reed. The former second-round pick had impressed in his first two seasons in the league, but a broken collarbone in Week 2 saw him miss a big chunk of last season. If the Packers can get all three firing, they will be a dangerous trio, but all three have doubts lingering over them at the moment.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

It was a weird offseason in Big 12 country as a ton of top-level, proven talent chose to leave the conference via the transfer portal.

Eight of the Big 12’s top-30 scorers transferred to another rival high-major league, headlined by Kansas‘ Flory Bidunga signing a monster deal with Louisville, Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic choosing desperate Kentucky, Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou heading to St. John’s and Texas poaching TCU’s David Punch and Colorado’s Isaiah Johnson.

Proven production in the Big 12 is a bit harder to find in 2026-27, and while the league is lacking foolproof rosters at the top of the pecking order, it’s clear as day that the depth of the league will be there, especially after Cincinnati and Arizona State made significant coaching hires.

Way-too-early SEC basketball tiers: Florida and Texas headline college basketball’s best league

Isaac Trotter

Advertisement

Conference tiers provide a preferable way to contextualize each roster’s outlook.

• Tier 1 – Title contenders: Pretty cut and dry. I think these teams have the upside to win the title. Not just make the second weekend. Not just win three in a row because of a nice draw. Six straight, do-or-die wins.
• Tier 2 – Top 25 caliber club: These teams have accrued plenty of talent and should be safely in the NCAA Tournament field today, but they have a few flaws that could keep them out of the top tier.
• Tier 3 – Tournament team: These teams have built good rosters and could flirt with top-25 status, but let’s be honest: they aren’t serious title threats.
• Tier 4 – Bubble, even with a 76-team field: A Big Dance appearance is in the range of potential outcomes, but the NIT, the Crown (or worse) looms if things fizzle.
• Tier 5 – The basement: These teams have a slim chance of making the Big Dance unless something drastically clicks or they make a late splash in recruiting.

Let’s dive in.

Tier 1: National title contenders

1. Arizona

2025-26 record: 36-3 overall, 16-2 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 1 seed. Lost in the Final Four.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G JJ Mandaquit, F Maksim Brnovic, F Mabil Mawut, F Ugnius Jarusevicius, C Evan Otten, F Endurance Aiyamenkhue, G Bryce James

The scoop: It’s hard to see how Arizona is not an excellent defensive team. Five-star freshman Caleb Holt, sophomore wing Ivan Kharchenkov and 7-foot-2 mountain Motiejus Krivas are all elite defenders for their respective positions, and Arizona will have excellent positional size when 6-foot-4 point guard Derek Dixon and 6-foot-6 wing Cameron Holmes join that trio.

Arizona is not quite as physical or physically imposing as last year’s club, but a lot of those same tenets of rebounding and rim protection, fueling a hellacious transition attack, can stay intact. Washington transfer point guard JJ Mandaquit will make sure Arizona continues to play at a breakneck pace, and he’ll force-feed the big dawgs at all times.

Your bigs control your floor, which means Arizona’s floor is extremely high with Krivas in the fold. There’s a chance he is the Big 12 Player of the Year since he won’t have to share the sugar with Koa Peat and Tobe Awaka. I like the depth options, too. Keep a close eye on Nebraska transfer Ugnius Jarusevicius. If he can buck a nasty back injury, he can help this club with physical low-post, duck-ins. 

Arizona could be a bit more wobbly some nights without the steady Jaden Bradley, but Lloyd should be able to get plenty out of these young guards. Mandaquit is too high-feel to fail under this coaching staff. Dixon is the same way. Too smart and too good a shooter to fail. Toss in Holt into that mix, too. Too big, too strong, too physical to fail.

Tier 2: Top 25-caliber club

2. Houston

2025-26 record: 30-7 overall, 14-4 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 2 seed; lost in the Sweet 16

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Corey Hadnot II, G Ikenna Alozie, F Braden East, C Arafan Diane, G Kordel Jefferson, G Bryce Jackson

The scoop: Normal programs are supposed to take a significant step back when they lose two starters from a Final Four team (Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan) and two first-round picks in Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac.

Houston isn’t a normal program.

For such a new-look group, Houston has a wildly high floor. LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr. was hand-picked by Kelvin Sampson to continue the lineage of dynamic UH point guards. Thomas, armed with a dazzling career 2.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, is a snug fit. Thomas’ sky-high feel in pick-and-rolls should make life easier for Houston’s collection of unproven, off-ball guards like Mercy Miller, Chase McCarty, Corey Hadnot II and Ikenna Alozie. They’ll get easier shots because Thomas is on the floor, and Miller has the talent to be a dynamic scoring threat. Thomas also plays so clean, which is everything for this Houston attack that covets offensive rebounding. With big man JoJo Tugler returning and Kent State transfer Delrecco Gillespie entering the fold, Houston is poised to rack up so many second-chance points. This Houston frontcourt could be so deep. Tugler is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Gillespie is a voracious rebounder with a bit of a funky offensive game, but he makes just enough jumpers from the midrange or downtown to keep defenses honest. Mammoth freshman big man Arafan Diane isn’t expected to play major minutes in Year 1, but you’ll feel the big fella when he’s out there. Lamar transfer Braden East was one of the best offensive rebounders from the mid-major ranks. He is a perfect fourth fiddle in this Houston frontcourt rotation.

Truth be told, Houston’s incubator of player development has to pop yet again for the Coogs to be National Championship-level good. I’m not sure there’s quite enough NBA talent to get there, but will you be that surprised if Houston is up 65-62 on top-seeded Duke in the Sweet 16 with 3:52 left? 

3. Kansas

2025-26 record: 24-11 overall, 12-6 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 4 seed; lost in the Round of 32

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Kohl Rosario, C Paul Mbiya, G Dennis Parker Jr., F Davion Adkins, G Trent Perry, G Luke Barnett

The scoop: Kansas finished with a +3 rebounding differential last season in 28 games against Quad 1 or Quad 2 competition, per CBB Analytics. That ranked just eighth in the Big 12 and lowered KU’s floor dramatically.

Big guys who don’t play that big shouldn’t be a problem this year with this personnel. 7-foot-2 Charleston transfer Christian Reeves was the best per-minute rebounder in the CAA last year. 6-foot-9 Utah transfer Keanu Dawes was the second-best per-minute rebounder in Big 12 play. Top-rated recruit Tyran Stokes was one of the best rebounders in all of high school basketball.  

Sensing a theme?

Reeves has to get his shoulder healthy, but Kansas’ new-look front-line should be vacuum cleaners on the boards. When you rebound, you can compete in every game.

The mercurial Stokes will be a hot-button topic, but I’m not too concerned about his on-court impact. A 6-foot-7 burly forward who passes, dribbles, shoots, slashes, rebounds and defends will find ways to be very impactful even on nights when the jumper isn’t going in. Stokes is going to be really good, but fellow five-star guard Taylen Kinney is the far bigger question mark. Objectively, Kinney had a rough showing for Team USA’s U18 team this summer. Kinney’s erratic decision-making — both with the shots he chooses to take and the passes he tries — has to get cleaned up, or there will be some low-lows in the well-schemed Big 12. 

There’s a real shot that Kansas doesn’t have a true point guard on the roster. Kinney’s summer showing with Team USA reiterated that he is more of a scorer than a true set-the-table point guard, and Toledo transfer Leroy Blyden Jr. is better-suited as a secondary handler who can punish teams with his speed and shooting. The more you look at this Kansas roster, the more it’s obvious that Stokes is going to have the ball in his hands as much as humanly possible. He’s the trigger man for all of this.

A Hall of Fame coach who has one of the best players in the country on his roster gives Kansas plenty of high-floor outcomes, but you can poke real holes in both KU’s offense and defense. Without Flory Bidunga, Kansas’ switchability defensively goes from a strength to a weakness. I expect a bunch more drop coverage with Reeves at the 5, but are these smaller guards going to have enough bite defensively to pull it off? How good can this offense be with all the creation questions at point guard and with bigs who aren’t passers?

Kansas is a good team, but it has some red flags in the profile that keep it off the national championship short list … for now.

4. Iowa State

2025-26 record: 29-8 overall, 12-6 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 2 seed; lost in the Sweet 16

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: F Leon Bond III, G Ryan Prather Jr., F Taj Manning, F Dominykas Pleta

The scoop: Iowa State doesn’t have Milan Momcilovic, Joshua Jefferson or Tamin Lipsey anymore, but T.J. Otzelberger isn’t in the excuse-making business. It’s plain, boring analysis, but Iowa State just has a lot of good players on the roster and the defense will be the calling card. 

Sophomore guard Killyan Toure is a terrific point-of-attack defender, and big man Blake Buchanan is a stud defender in his own right. Otzelberger smartly surrounded those two lynchpins with a ton of plus rangy off-ball defenders, headlined by Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III and Northwestern transfer Tre Singleton. Oh, and Bradley transfer Jaquan Johnson is an ideal Lipsey replacement. Johnson shot just 50% at the rim last year, but the 5-foot-11 bullyball guard adds another takeaway machine to this defense who can also drain 3s, get to the free throw line, hit pull-ups and create for others without turning it over much.

Iowa State has had four top-10 defenses under Otzelberger’s watch, and this personnel looks poised to do that again. Johnson and Toure can take tough assignments on lead guards. Singleton and Buchanan are physical up front. Bond will check in to clamp any good wing. Taj Manning and Dominykas Pleta give Iowa State plenty of rock-solid frontcourt depth. The speed and length should coalesce into another defense that takes the ball away at a high clip.

But this offense hinges mightily on Jamarion Batemon and Singleton. Iowa State will miss Jefferson’s creation and Momcilovic’s automatic jumper, but Batemon showed flashes of brilliance offensively as a shooter and Singleton’s got some Jefferson vibes as a big forward who can pass, dribble and maybe shoot.

A top-10 defense plus a top-40 offense? That sounds realistic for this personnel and would put Iowa State in the mix for a No. 4 or No. 5 seed. 

Tier 3: Tournament team

Advertisement

5. West Virginia

2025-26 record: 21-14 overall, 9-9 in Big 12 play

Postseason: Won The Crown.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Martin Somerville, G Amir Jenkins, F Aliou Dioum, G Keonte Greybear, C Amadou Seini, F Javan Buchanan (if eligible, needs a waiver)

The scoop: Speed. That’s the first thing you notice about this new-look West Virginia roster. Butler transfer Finley Bizjack and top-20 freshman Miles Sadler can both hit the gas and leave defenders in the dust. Sadler has the opportunity and the talent to be a real Big 12 Freshman of the Year contender, and West Virginia is primed to give him the ball and let him shred from Day One.

There’s room for this offense to be a tough cover with Sadler and Bizjack playing on the ball, Joson Sanon adding shot-making, big man Mo Sylla operating as a lob threat and FSU transfer Martin Somerville checking in off the bench to bring instant offense and plenty of triples. Sylla also has terrific defensive tools and could be a match made in heaven under outstanding defensive coach, Ross Hodge. West Virginia’s defense won’t allow much at the rim with the no-middle gameplan and Sylla looming on the back line as a shot-blocker.

Javan Buchanan’s case for a waiver could make or break West Virginia’s chances to truly compete in this league. Buchanan is trying to get another year of eligibility after starting his college tenure at the NAIA ranks. The 6-foot-7, 4-man is the perfect blend piece for this roster who can be a settling two-way connector, but if he can’t play, WVU’s frontcourt picture gets a little shaky and thin behind Sylla. 

6. BYU

2025-26 record: 23-12 overall, 9-9 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 6 seed; lost in the Round of 64

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: F Tyler Betsey, G Dawson Baker, F Dean Ruckert, G Brooks Bahr, F Brody Kozlowski, C Will Openshaw, F Adam Stewart

The scoop: After a flirtation with Kentucky in the portal, Rob Wright III returned to Provo, and he’s about to put up ludicrous numbers under a coaching staff that isn’t afraid to heavily concentrate the offense onto its star. BYU has added so much shooting this offseason to spread the floor for Wright. Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler is a 41% 3-point shooter on volume. Syracuse transfer Tyler Betsey drilled 40% of his treys last season. Clemson transfer forward Jake Wahlin will be more on the floor for his defense, but he is a capable 34% 3-point shooter. Five-star freshman wing Bruce Branch III shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc on the circuit. 

Wright rated in the 78th percentile in pick-and-roll efficiency and was one of the top drivers in all of college basketball last year. With this spacing, he’s primed to erupt. I’d be stunned if he’s not in the Big 12 Player of the Year race.

BYU’s offense is going to have to smash because the defense is a major question mark. Young has missed on some of his top targets on the absurd big-man market. BYU is still doing some work on that front, but at this point, get ready for a heavy dose of Khadim Mboup at the 5. The 6-foot-9 forward is a bit undersized, but watching lots of Flory Bidunga tape could be illuminating. Mboup has ridiculous motor, length and athleticism. If he can take another stride with his decision-making on offense and defense, Mboup can be a real-deal, switch-everything defender. BYU will be undersized with Mboup at the 5, but it’s not going to be a disaster, either.

If BYU can add just another rotation big man late in the cycle, it will be in the mix.

7. Baylor

2025-26 record: 17-17 overall, 6-12 in Big 12 play

Postseason: Lost in the second round of The Crown.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Isaac Williams, G Brett Decker Jr., F Evan. Chatman, F Maikcol Perez, F Andre Igoudala II, F Mayo Soyoye

The scoop: Baylor’s lack of a true point guard last year was jarring, but that won’t be the case in 2026-27. Scott Drew landed Penn State transfer Kayden Mingo, who was one of the top paint-touch point guards in the portal. Mingo is always in attack mode, and he can defend, rebound, create and pressure the rim. Mingo shot 63% at the rim on a whopping 151 attempts, even though most defenders were not scared of his jumper.

One Mingo brother was not enough. Baylor also reeled in five-star recruit Dylan Mingo, who was once UNC-bound before Hubert Davis was fired in favor of Michael Malone. Dylan Mingo has to get healthy, but when he’s right, the jumbo guard can also attack the rim and create advantages left and right. 

The Mingo brothers will make this Baylor ship sail, but the Bears did stockpile some needed role players to round out the rotation. Returning junior guard Isaac Williams is Steady Eddie and can play on or off the ball. Top-30 freshman Elijah Williams has a chance to be a two-way difference-maker from Day One. Liberty transfer Brett Decker Jr. is one of the top snipers in the portal (47% from downtown on 7.1 attempts), which was key because both Mingo brothers struggle to consistently drain jumpers. 6-foot-6 Yale transfer Isaac Celiscar is another excellent role-player bet with his mix of size, secondary creation, spot-up shooting and cutting. 

All of that is fine and cool, but nothing matters if Baylor’s centers don’t show up. No bigs? No shot. High Point transfer Juslin Bodo Bodo has to be a difference-maker if Baylor wants to compete. If the 7-footer can be that interior enforcer, Baylor’s got a chance to get back to the Big Dance, but the frontcourt depth is very thin and Bodo Bodo missed all of last year with an arm injury. Baylor just can’t be outside the top-60 defensively for the fourth year in a row, but Dylan Mingo and Bodo Bodo have to be fully healthy all year for that streak to get sent to the shadow realm.

8. Texas Tech

2025-26 record: 23-11 overall, 12-6 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 5 seed, lost in the Round of 32.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Damarion Dennis, F Marial Akuentok, F LaTrell Hoover, F Treaton Hall, F JT Toppin (recovering from torn ACL)

The scoop: JT Toppin’s status looms over Texas Tech like a dark cloud. The gut-wrenching loss of the All-American forward has made life difficult this spring for Grant McCasland. When will Toppin return? And what can we do in roster-building when a hefty chunk of change is tied up in one of the best players in the country, who just tore his ACL in late February and could miss most if not all of next season?

On the bright side, the backcourt will get buckets. Hofstra transfer point guard Cruz Davis is a smooth operator. I think he will get a cup of coffee in the NBA one day, and he’s one heckuva Christian Anderson replacement. UNLV transfer Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn and 6-foot-5 freshman DaKari Spear can both score, and Wyoming transfer guard Damarion Dennis should blend into this mix nicely as a fill-the-gaps role player.

Texas Tech is in the market for an international big man (top target Momo Faye is finishing up his professional season in France this week); if that development comes through, Texas Tech will be competitive while it waits for Toppin to heal up.

If we fast-forward to March and the starting lineup is Davis, Gibbs-Lawhorn, Spear, Toppin and Faye, Texas Tech has shot-makers in the backcourt and a physical, dominant frontcourt that can play with anybody. Right now, though, this roster is thin and vastly unproven in the frontcourt.

There are a lot of “ifs” at this point with Toppin’s recovery and the NCAA cracking down heavily on international recruiting.

For now, we wait.

9. Oklahoma State

2025-26 record: 20-15 overall, 6-12 in Big 12 play

Postseason: Lost in the second round of the NIT.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Anthony Felesi, G Jacob Walker, F Andrija Grbovic, F Benjamin Ahmed, G Ryan Crotty, C Mekhi Ragland, F Jalen Montonati, G Parker Robinson, G Kashie Natt (needs a waiver)

The scoop: What an offseason for Steve Lutz. This Oklahoma State roster has made an about-face and enters 2026-27 with loads of playable depth after it found usable pieces in every area of roster-building.

Oklahoma State retained two key building blocks in point guard Kanye Clary and enormous big man Benjamin Ahmed. It landed two top-35 freshmen in forward Latrell Allmond (beast on the boards) and Anthony Felesi (excellent wing defender). And boy, the Pokes did work in the portal, reeling in some shooting with UNC’s Luka Bogavac and UCF‘s Jordan Burks, some high-major size in Georgetown transfer Julius Halaifonua and Arizona State transfer Andrija Grbovic and a dynamic backup point guard in Sam Houston State‘s Jacob Walker. We didn’t even mention destructive defender Kashie Natt, who needs a waiver to play after spending time at the NAIA ranks, but would be a no-doubt rotation player.

This is a tournament team that could sniff the top-25 with the right breaks.

Tier 4: The bubble

Advertisement

10. Cincinnati

2025-26 record: 18-15 overall, 9-9 in Big 12 play

Postseason: None

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Akai Fleming, G Trevian Carson, G Elijah Perryman, C Riley Allenspach, F Eric Mahaffey

The scoop: New Cincinnati coach Jerrod Calhoun has two of everything on his first Bearcats’ roster. Two point guards in Tylen Riley and Elijah Perryman. Two centers in defensive menace Jayden Hastings and skilled offense-first big man Riley Allenspach. Two scoring guards in Myles Colvin and Akai Fleming. Two of the best role-player bets from the mid-major ranks in Akron transfer Eric Mahaffey and North Dakota State transfer guard Trevian Carson. Two long wings in Tyler Tejada and the toolsy Adlan Elamin, who followed Calhoun from Utah State and some scouts believe could play in the NBA one day.

Everyone wants playable depth, but few coaches weaponize a 10-man rotation as well as Calhoun. Cincinnati should be able to toggle its lineups to go big or small with Riley humming as the veteran floor general who makes life easier for whoever else is on the floor. This personnel screams Calhoun-style basketball, featuring a ton of cutting, slashing with capable, unselfish decision-makers at almost every spot.

That should be enough to make the Bearcats a tough out in this league, although it’s fair to wonder if this roster doesn’t have quite enough physicality to fully contend with the big dawgs.

11. Arizona State

2025-26 record: 17-16 overall, 7-11 in Big 12 play

Postseason: None.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: F Jonathan Griman, F Marcus Vaughns, G JRob Croy, C Nathaniel Garcia, C Filip Malesevic, G Vijay Wallace, Bryce Ford

The scoop: Arizona State being able to scoop Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett is one of the biggest coups of the offseason. Bennett has made the Big Dance and outperformed his preseason KenPom projection in each of the past five seasons. 

The Big 12, though, is a different beast. To keep Bennett’s terrific streak alive, Arizona State is going to need its big dawgs to play like big dawgs. The Sun Devils have built one of the largest teams in the league. Emmanuel Innocenti and Dillan Shaw are two rangy defense-first wings who can lock up the top two perimeter players on the scouting report. That should allow diminutive Portland transfer point guard Joel Foxwell to meander into the shadows defensively, while providing expert feel and creation in pick-and-rolls.

But we’ve buried the lede. The star of the show is bruising forward Paulius Murauskas. The chiseled 6-foot-8 thumper can pass, dribble, shoot and plays with so much force. He followed Bennett from Saint Mary’s to Arizona State and could be an All-Big 12 player in 2026-27. Bennett has four (!) skyscrapers 6-foot-11 or taller who can sop up minutes at the 5-spot.

Size, physicality, defense and good point guard play should vault Arizona State back to the NCAA Tournament mix.

12. TCU

2025-26 record: 23-12 overall, 11-7 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 9 seed, lost in the Round of 32.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: F DJ Thomas, G Gavin Sykes, G Tanner Toolson, F Ricards Aizpurs, F Milos Sojic, C Ryan Hunt

The scoop: Jamie Dixon just stays in the fight, man. Year after year, underfunded TCU finds ways to just compete. The Frogs will be a gritty bunch, thanks to the return of mismatch nightmare forward Xavier Edmonds and three more rotation players from an NCAA Tournament team (point guard Brock Harding, wing Micah Robinson and veteran guard Tanner Toolson).

Superstar forward David Punch got poached by money-bags Texas, but that should open up even more usage for Edmonds to shred. The 6-foot-8 big man should be a 15-and-8 guy this year with answers to the test inside and outside. Dixon also backfilled the frontcourt in some smart ways. Texas Tech transfer Luke Bamgboye brings a rim protector, WVU transfer DJ Thomas is that physical 6-foot-9 forward that TCU always has in spades and Long Beach State transfer guard Gavin Sykes was one of the best mid-major scorers last season. TCU also mined the JUCO market for two rotation players (scoring guard Trent Lincoln and 7-footer Ryan Hunt, who can step out and hit some 3s). Plus, Latvian wing Ricards Aizpurs is expected to compete for real minutes from the jump.

A good coach like Dixon with a budding star in Edmonds and this many rock-solid rotation players should find a way to sneak back into the NCAA Tournament, although Punch will be sorely missed some nights. 

Tier 5: The basement

13. Kansas State

2025-26 record: 12-20 overall, 3-15 in Big 12 play

Postseason: None.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Andrej Kostic, G Montana Wheeler, C Papa N’Diaye, F Timotej Malovec, F Matt Gilhool, G Jaylen Alexander, G Devin Hutcherson, F Brock Vice

The scoop: On paper, this Kansas State roster does not pack a punch. Kansas State added 10 transfers and none of them were of the four-star variety. Kansas State did not have the buying power this spring like it did in other cycles, but transfer portal rankings are notoriously fickle and first-year coach Casey Alexander has routinely had a sharp eye for talent and how to maximize it.

Could this work? Sure, I suppose.

The bullish case centers around Kansas State adding a ton of shooting. Jaden Schutt shot over 38% from 3-point range on 5.3 attempts last season. Returner Andrej Kostic is a dead-eye. Colorado State transfer point guard Brandon Rechsteiner shot 40% on over 6.0 attempts per game last year. Kansas State added a ton of size, although it’s unproven at the high-major ranks in JT Rock, Papa N’Diaye, Matt Gilhool and Brock Vice. It has multiple wing defenders in Isaiah Abraham and Dez Lindsay, who won’t be in over their heads against high-major athletes. Size, shooting and cutting is what make Alexander’s offenses hard to guard, and this group should buy into that.

The bear case is that Kansas State doesn’t have enough wiggle and will need to rely on the scheme to create advantages because the personnel can’t win one-on-one matchups a ton. That’s a hard life to live if you have to scheme it up every single time. Plus, the defensive outlook for this group is just average at best.

Alexander deserves the benefit of the doubt but this roster hints that his hands were tied on the financial front far more than he anticipated. 

14. Utah

2025-26 record: 10-22 overall, 2-16 in Big 12 play

Postseason: None.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: F Zati Loubaki, G TJ Burch, F Malek Gomma, F Alec Anigbata, G Styles Clemmons, G David Katoa, F Lukas McCanna, F Jaxon Johnson, F Colin McHaney

The scoop: Utah will have one of the best guards in the Big 12 in 2026-27. Yes, you heard that right. Israeli star Noam Yaacov will turn 22 before the season-opener, and the sturdy lead guard will be a floor-raiser due to his ability to navigate pick-and-rolls, create easy shots and consistently bend the defense. Yaacov will be in the conversation for All-Big 12 honors and is the engine who will make the Utes go.

This supporting cast leaves a lot to be desired, though. Ohio State transfer Taison Chatman will add some floor spacing, and Utah Valley transfer Jackson Holcombe profiles as a big-bodied jumbo initiator who makes up for his lack of shooting with expert feel as a playmaker.

This frontcourt is a blank canvas. Junior college product Zati Loubaki, Australian forward Fynn Schott, Weber State forward Malek Gomma and returner Babacar Faye, who missed all of last year with an injury, will sop up the minutes at the frontcourt spots. Utah won’t have elite positional size, but second-year coach Alex Jensen is clearly leveraging Yaacov’s ability to be that force multiplier who makes others so much better. 

15. UCF

2025-26 record: 21-12 overall, 9-9 in Big 12 play

Postseason: No. 10 seed; lost in the Round of 64

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Carmelo Pacheco, G Christian Gibson, F Jason Asemota, F Isaiah Malone, G Cayden Vasko, C Churchill Abass

The scoop: Johnny Dawkins’ projected starting lineup is simple: two elite scorers in Dior Johnson and Lewis Walker surrounded by three potential game-wrecking defenders at three different levels of the floor. The Dean brothers (Arturo and Mister) will be a blast. Arturo Dean isn’t much of an offensive threat, but he can heat up the basketball with the best of ’em. Mister Dean owns one of the best names in the sport, and he can be a menacing wing defender thanks to his eye-popping athleticism. UCF is hopeful 7-foot big man John Bol can take another stride after averaging 5.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 19 minutes in his first season in Orlando. The Year 2 transfer jump could work wonders for him as a back-line eraser for a UCF group that won’t be the biggest at the point of attack with Dean (5-11) and Johnson (6-3). 

Johnson is the no-brainer, X-Factor. The well-traveled lead guard is an extremely talented bucket-getter, but he has to stay on the straight and narrow. If he’s on the floor, Johnson has a wizard handle and the ability to generate paint touches on command. He can make a barrage of tough shots and is a one-man fastbreak. If this UCF defense can get stops and Johnson gets to run, good luck and best wishes.

But the talent level on this roster has diminished. A return to the Big 12 cellar seems imminent. The floor for this offense is very low because Walker and Johnson are going to take a bunch of toughhhh shots.

16. Colorado

2025-26 record: 17-16 overall, 7-11 in Big 12 play

Postseason: Lost in the first round of The Crown.

Projected 2026-27 starting lineup

Top bench options: G Rider Portela, G Ian Inman, F David Gomez, F God Malual, G Alex Dickeson, G Amir Jones, F Eric Jacobsen

The scoop: It’s tough sledding for an under-resourced Colorado program that feels a bit like a feeder for other high-majors. All four of the Buffs’ highest usage-rate players exited stage left in the portal, so Tad Boyle is forced to reconfigure this club.

Senior guard Barrington Hargress will be the catalyst. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged north of 14 points a game with 4.5 dimes on elite efficiency. He’s really good. This frontcourt is old and grizzled. Noah Fedderson and Justin Neely are high-floor, mid-major products who will add rebounding, grit and a splash of skill. Colorado won’t be pushed around by other high-major foes.

But the upside hinges on all these young guys. There are nine underclassmen in this rotation. Who pops? Four-star freshman Rider Portela and sophomore shooter Ian Inman are going to get plenty of chances to prove they are legit high-major rotation players. There’s just a significant gap between the haves and the have-nots in this league.