Monday, Nov. 3, marks the first day of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball regular season, which means it is time to get my men’s basketball version of The Honor Roll started. Without further ado, here it is.
Purdue kicks us off at No. 1 with a loaded team including preseason All-Americans Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn. The Boilermakers kick the season off in Evansville on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Houston comes in at No. 2 as the national runner-up from last season, with key returners including Joseph Tugler. The Cougars host Lehigh to kick the season off on Monday at 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
Florida begins at No. 3 as the defending national champions and is a deep team again. Florida takes on No. 18 Arizona in Las Vegas on Monday at 7 p.m. on TNT.
UConn comes in at No. 4 as one of the top teams in the Big East. Alex Karaban, Solo Ball and Tarris Reed Jr. are back. The Huskies host New Haven on Monday at 7 p.m., streaming exclusively on ESPN+.
St. John’s debuts at No. 5 with hopes for back-to-back Big East titles, and. Zuby Ejiofor will be one of the best forwards in the country. The Red Storm hosts Quinnipiac on Monday at 6:30 p.m. on FS1.
Michigan is No. 6 with an All-American candidate in UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg. The Wolverines host Oakland on Monday at 8:30 p.m. on FS1.
Kentucky comes in at No. 7 with preseason SEC Player of the Year Otega Oweh leading the way. The Wildcats open against Nicholls on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.
BYU is No. 8 with a national player of the year candidate in AJ Dybantsa. The Cougars take on Villanova in Las Vegas on Monday at 9:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV and HBO Max.
Duke comes in at No. 9 with one of the top freshmen in the country in Cameron Boozer, who had a terrific preseason. The Blue Devils face Texas in Charlotte on Tuesday at 8:45 p.m. on ESPN.
Louisville wraps the top 10 up at No. 10 with a deep backcourt, including Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr. The Cardinals host South Carolina State on Monday at 9 p.m. on ACC Network.
Texas Tech comes in at No. 11 with preseason Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin staying in Lubbock. The Red Raiders host Lindenwood on Tuesday at 8 p.m., streaming exclusively on ESPN+.
Tennessee is No. 12 with a superstar freshman in Nate Ament. The Volunteers host Mercer on Monday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Iowa State comes in at No. 13 with three players from the Cyclones’ second-most productive lineup returning. They will host FDU on Monday at 8 p.m., streaming exclusively on ESPN+.
Arkansas is No. 14 to start the season, with D.J. Wagner and Karter Knox looking to be the top contributors. The Razorbacks host Southern on Monday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network.
Illinois comes in at No. 15 and is a team I am high on, with Kylan Boswell, Tomislav Ivisic and Andrej Stojakovic leading the way. The Fighting Illini hosts Jackson State on Monday at 8:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
UCLA debuts at No. 16 with an All-American-caliber guard in New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent, whose game I love. The Bruins host Eastern Washington on Monday at 10:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Alabama is No. 17 with hopes that Labaron Philon and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. are as dynamic as they can become. The Crimson Tide hosts North Dakota on Monday at 8 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Arizona comes in at No. 18 with Koa Peat expected to be one of the top freshmen in the country. They take on No. 3 Florida in Las Vegas on Monday at 7 p.m. on TNT.
Creighton comes in at No. 19 despite losing Ryan Kalkbrenner. It is now up to Owen Freeman, Jackson McAndrew and Josh Dix to lead the charge. The Bluejays host South Dakota on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m., streaming exclusively on Peacock.
Kansas starts the season at No. 20 with one of the top freshmen in the country in Darryn Peterson. The Jayhawks host Green Bay on Monday at 8 p.m., streaming exclusively on ESPN+.
Michigan State is No. 21, even though the Spartans did not appear to be fully ready on Tuesday at UConn. The Spartans host Colgate on Monday at 7 p.m. on Big Ten+.
Auburn comes in at No. 22 as the Tigers begin the Steven Pearl era. They kick things off against Bethune-Cookman on Monday at 8 p.m. on SEC Network+.
N.C. State comes in at No. 23 as they begin the Will Wade era with preseason ACC Player of the Year Darrion Williams. The Wolfpack hosts North Carolina Central on Monday at 7 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
Wisconsin debuts at No. 24 with three potential double-digit scorers in: John Blackwell, Nolan Winter and Nick Boyd. The Badgers host Campbell to start the season on Monday at 8 p.m. on Big Ten+.
Gonzaga wraps it up at No. 25 with Graham Ike returning as one of the top big men in the country. The Bulldogs open the season with Texas Southern on Monday at 9 p.m., streaming exclusively on ESPN+.