The Game Haus releases its 2026‑27 college basketball preseason All‑American squads, organized by position (three guards and two forwards per team). The First Team features guards Jeremy Fears (Michigan State), Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt) and John Blackwell (Duke), with forwards Thomas Haugh (Florida) and Thjis De Ridder (Virginia). The Second Team includes guards Rob Wright III (BYU), Silas Demary (UConn) and Tounde Yessoufou (St. John’s), plus forwards Flory Bidunga (Louisville) and Patrick Ngongba (Duke). The Third Team lists guards Jordan Smith (Arkansas), Caleb Holt (Arizona) and PJ Haggerty (Texas A&M), and forwards Tyran Stokes (Kansas) and Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje (Duke).
Northwestern men’s basketball faces an identity crisis after a hectic offseason that saw nine players leave, eight arrive via the transfer portal, and only three true freshmen recruited. The article outlines a high‑ceiling scenario—double‑digit Big Ten wins and a bubble NCAA Tournament spot—driven by returning guards Jake West, Angelo Ciaravino and Phoenix Gill, plus impact transfers like Jack Karasinski (21.7 ppg last season) and LA Pratt (19.5 ppg pre‑ACL injury). Size additions such as Luke McEldon, Okku Federiko and Ryan Soulis could bolster the paint. Conversely, a low‑floor outlook projects just 1‑3 conference wins and a spot at the Big Ten’s bottom. The piece weighs talent upside against continuity challenges.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope says junior forward Kam Williams is edging closer to a return but won’t be cleared for the season‑opening game against Manhattan on Oct. 31. After a Jones fracture and a recent setback, Williams remains on a day‑to‑day rehab plan, with Pope insisting every “light must be green” before he steps on the floor. The Wildcats could see him debut against James Madison three days later or perhaps in the Nov. 10 game versus Kansas in Chicago. Pope is confident Williams will provide an immediate boost once he’s fully healthy.
Three days away from Connecticut's first game of the 2026-27 college basketball season, head coach Dan Hurley has agreed to a contract extension.
Sportsnaut releases its inaugural 2026-27 women’s college basketball Top 25, unveiling the rankings ahead of opening day on Sunday, Oct. 30. The list spots NC State at No. 25 after a dip from a 31‑win season, West Virginia at No. 24 with 28 wins last year, Ole Miss at No. 23 despite senior departures, Illinois at No. 22 aiming for a Big Ten title, Oklahoma State at No. 21 bolstered by transfer Audi Crooks, Oklahoma at No. 20 returning Sweet 16‑maker Aaliyah Chavez, Maryland at No. 19 with scorer Oluchi Okananwa back, and Minnesota at No. 18. Each entry highlights key players, coaching changes, and recent tournament runs, giving fans a quick look at the teams to watch.
Three Bruins were included on positional award preseason watchlists for the second-consecutive season.
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Ahead of the 2026‑27 season, Mountain West Connection releases its final preseason power rankings. Grand Canyon tops the list with four first‑place votes, followed by New Mexico at No. 2, Nevada at No. 3, and UN LV at No. 4. The bottom tier features UTEP at No. 9 and Air Force at No. 10, while Hawai‘i, San Jose State and newcomer UC Davis round out the middle spots. The poll reflects varied panelist opinions, with Nevada and UN LV fluctuating between the top five. Fans are invited to share their thoughts in the comments.
Alex Covill Named to Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award Preseason Watchlist
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University Athletics Marketing Department has released its 2026-27 women's basketball home game promotional schedule at Hope Coliseum.
The TNIAAM preseason poll predicts Syracuse men's basketball will finish 19‑13 (9‑9 ACC) and likely snag an NCAA Tournament berth only because of the expanded field. Analysts praise the Orange’s defensive depth—highlighting Garwey Dual, Gavin Doty, Aiden Tobiason, Sadiq White, and Amarri Monroe—but warn that offensive inconsistencies, poor rebounding and reliance on a few players could limit wins. While Kevin and Sam see a thin‑margin path to March Madness, Szuba doubts the talent level, citing early exhibition struggles and injury setbacks. The consensus: Syracuse must tighten defense, limit turnovers, and improve shooting to survive ACC play and earn a tournament spot.
The SEC enters its third straight season as college basketball's top conference, but its dominance has shifted. In 2025 a +22.09 efficiency rating was needed for a 9‑9 record, dropping to +19.65 in 2024, indicating a slightly weaker top tier. Florida remains the standout, projected as a Final Four contender and the only team with a realistic shot at a national title after a second‑round upset last year. Vanderbilt's point guard Tyler Tanner, the conference’s top returning player per BPR and Jeremy Fears rankings, is highlighted as a potential game‑changer, boasting a 19.5‑point average, top‑three assists and league‑best steals last season. The preview suggests the upcoming season will resemble last year’s solid, though less dominant, landscape.
All-Big Ten center earns national preseason recognition
Fourth-year University of Iowa center Andrew McKeever has been named to the Naismith Starting 5 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Top 20 Preseason Watch List.
Stanford tips off the season with Campus Craze, celebrating the Sixth Man with a variety of student-targeted promotions
Rutgers men’s basketball heads into the 2026‑27 Big Ten season with a solid backcourt anchored by 17‑point scorer Tariq Francis and veteran guard Jamichael Davis, while new guards Lino Mark, RaSheed Jones and freshmen add depth. The wing‑forward group blends experience from Darren Buchanan Jr. and NEC Player of the Year transfer Darin Smith Jr. with international newcomers Martin Tonejc and Diego Garavaglia, though consistency remains a question. Inside, Christian Gurdak returns with a 63% field‑goal rate, aiming to solidify a frontcourt that still seeks steady production. Success hinges on how quickly the mix of transfers, internationals and young talent gel.
Arizona men's and women's basketball jerseys will have a Carvana patch on the right shoulder, and a Monster Energy patch on the left shoulder.
It’s almost Basketball time in the Palace and the initial giveaway schedule for the 2026-27 Razorback Men’s Basketball season is officially here.
Queens point guard Jordan Watford returns for a second year after helping the Royals clinch their first NCAA Tournament berth. Freshman stats of 11.8 points, 3.9 assists and a 59.8% field‑goal rate earned him high‑major attention, but a scouting controversy involving an Auburn assistant and a new NCAA rule barred coaches from non‑team games. Coach Grant Leonard’s candid mentorship convinced Watford to stay, promising tougher coaching and development. Entering the season as the ASUN preseason favorite and a likely Player of the Year, Watford aims to improve his shooting, defense and leadership as Queens targets another conference title.
Boilers Open Season Monday in Las Vegas vs. #15 Gonzaga
Ohio State women’s basketball previews senior redshirt sophomore Seini Henry, who shifts from forward to guard for the 2026‑27 season. After a limited sophomore year (2.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and a summer stint in Tonga’s undefeated 3×3 Pacific Nations League, Henry returns at 6 feet tall with improved shooting and defensive grit. The Buckeyes, featuring five bigs, need depth at guard, making Henry a potential wild‑card off the bench. Expect her to showcase speed, deep three‑point shots, and McGuff‑style hustle during the non‑conference slate, possibly earning early-season minutes.
The 2026‑27 women’s college basketball season kicks off with 24 five‑star freshmen, but five stand out. USC’s Saniyah Hall joins fellow No. 1 recruits JuJu Watkins and Jazzy Davidson, debuting with 23 points in a preseason scrimmage and promising to form a potent “Big 3” under coach Lindsey Gottlieb. South Carolina’s 6‑foot‑3 dunking forward Oliviyah Edwards, a de‑committed Tennessee recruit, arrives alongside senior stars Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, offering a potential modern‑Alyssa Thomas blend in Dawn Staley’s defense‑first system. UNC’s Kate Harpring is highlighted as a guaranteed scorer, while two additional high‑profile newcomers round out the list. Their impacts will shape each program’s chase for the 2027 national title.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University Athletics is excited to announce its group ticket opportunities for the 2026-27 Mountaineer men's and women's basketball seasons, with themed group nights at Hope Coliseum throughout the year.
Ahead of the 2026‑27 season, Mountain West Connection releases its final preseason power rankings for the newly‑minted Pac‑12. Gonzaga tops the list, fueled by Braden Huff and transfer Massamba Diop, and opens the season at No. 15 in the AP Top‑25. San Diego State lands at No. 2, followed by Utah State, Colorado State, Boise State, Oregon State, Texas State, Washington State, and Fresno State at the bottom. The poll notes that only Gonzaga received AP top‑25 votes, while the rest earned none. Fans are invited to discuss the rankings in the comments.
By KACE KIESCHNICK, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter LSU guard Skyy Clark remains eligible to play in the Tigers’ regular season opener on Tuesday and onward after the Kentucky Court of Appeals denied the NCAA’s request [...]
The post LSU Basketball: NCAA’s Emergency Stay Denied, Keeping Tigers’ Talented Guard Skyy Clark Eligible appeared first on TigerRag.com .
Will Wade, LSU basketball head coach, faces a cascade of controversies that could jeopardize the Tigers' SEC standing and land him in court. Former NBA star Rafer Alston accuses Wade of a "disgusting" recruitment deal involving his son Reese and an unauthorized Puma payment. Meanwhile, ex‑NBA player RJ Luis, secured by a temporary restraining order, threatens legal action if Wade doesn't actually play him, with penalties up to six months in jail. The SEC has warned LSU of possible expulsion, while Wade remains silent on Luis's eligibility. The saga raises questions about recruitment ethics and LSU’s future in the conference.