The preseason AP Top 25 poll just dropped, and yeah, no shockers at the very top: Florida, Duke, Illinois, and UConn are sitting pretty as the top four, looking like legit national title contenders for 2027. But hold up, this ranking thing is about to get wild, because at least a dozen of the teams ranked in the preseason poll have one or more players fighting for a fifth year of eligibility in the courts, and it could totally reshape the landscape.
The Elite Four Setting the Standard
When it comes to the real deal, the teams with the best shot at making the Final Four in Detroit, CBS Sports broke it down into tiers. We’re talking about the S-Tier here: teams with a legitimate shot at winning the national title. That’s your No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Illinois, and No. 4 UConn. These aren’t just ranked high, they’re built differently.
Florida, for example, boasts the best frontcourt in the country. Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Alex Condon have been grinding together for two seasons. That’s a national title win in 2025 and back-to-back No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament under their belt. This trio can flat-out wear down opponents. Plus, their guards are coming in improved, with Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar back, and Denzel Aberdeen returning after a season at Kentucky. Then you’ve got Duke, who just has ridiculous depth. Seriously, they could field two starting fives with the talent on that roster.
Eligibility Battles Could Remake the Top 25
Here’s where things get absolutely fascinating. The preseason rankings are just a snapshot, especially with so many players caught up in eligibility battles. Take No. 17 Kansas. The Jayhawks are hoping former Purdue star Trey Kaufman-Renn gets a sixth year of eligibility. On top of that, they’re waiting on Tre White and Melvin Coucil Jr. to be cleared. If those three get the green light? Kansas immediately jumps into “clear-cut top 10 team” territory. That’s a massive bump from No. 17, and it changes everything for them.
It’s the same story for No. 19 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are banking on Donovan Atwell, Darrion Williams, and Jamichael Stillwell getting their fifth years. If the courts rule in their favor, Texas Tech suddenly becomes the team that can actually challenge Arizona for the Big 12 title. Think about that: a court decision potentially swinging a conference championship race. This isn’t just about individual players; these rulings could completely shift who we’re talking about as title contenders by the time March rolls around.
This isn’t just about who made the list, it’s about who *could* make waves if these court decisions drop the right way. Keep your eyes peeled, because the preseason numbers are just a starting point. This season is already shaping up to be a wild ride, and these eligibility rulings could just be the first twist.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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