NCAA basketball 2025-26 predictions: from Sarah Strong to Darryn Peterson, the names you’ll know by March | College basketball
What are you most looking forward to, on or off the field?
I will go with the St Thomas – Minnesota men’s teameligible for the NCAA tournament for the first time after making an unprecedented jump from Division III to Division I. They enter as Summit League favorites and now have a $175 million arena that has given them a major recruiting advantage. A run in March could solidify the Tommies as the Gonzaga of the Midwest. Bryan Armen Graham
Beyond the excitement of opening night, I can’t wait to see how Tennessee’s Kim Caldwell steers the ship in her sophomore season — and where Notre Dame lands after Olivia Miles leaves for TCU. Honestly, Miles herself is one of the main storylines I’ll be watching this year. Stephanie Kaloi
Can the Duke men repeat their success with freshmen leading the way? In the era of the transfer portal and with teams older and more experienced than ever, can five-star freshman Cameron Boozer lead the Blue Devils to a Final Four like Cooper Flagg did? Nicolas Levine
The surprise package of the season will be…
Kansas Women. The Jayhawks return five starters led by S’Mya Nichols and add two five-star freshmen. A Sweet 16 run is not out of the question. BAG
Living in Nashville, I’m particularly curious about Vanderbilt women’s team – they have quietly built something special. Miami is also worth paying attention to: the Hurricanes have made some noise and could easily turn that momentum into a 2025-26 campaign. Sask.
San Diego State Men. Despite being ranked outside the preseason top 25, the Aztecs return a good chunk of last year’s team that made the NCAA Tournament. Miles Byrd and Magoon Gwath are potential future NBA players and Reese Waters (former Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year at USC) returns after a year out due to injury. A core group that understands what Aztec culture is all about, mixed in with some talented newcomers, SDSU will be a tough ask for everyone in March. NL
Which team in the preseason top 10 will struggle?
The men of Saint-Jean. Rick Pitino cycled through options at the point guard position before settling on Stanford transfer Oziyah Sellers, a career off-ball shooter with minimal playing experience. Without a true floor general, the Red Storm’s top-10 talent could sputter early against a non-conference schedule. BAG
Unfortunately, I would lean towards one or the other NC State or Maryland on the women’s side. Not because they sit 9th and 10th, but because it’s hard to imagine any of the other top teams slumping enough to miss the pack. Sask.
BYU men. The Cougars play in the ultra-competitive Big 12 where they are picked to finish third. They have the most talented freshman in the country as a future lottery pick, AJ Dybantsa. Can the 18-year-old lead them through a tough schedule against (much) older players with consistency? Time will tell. NL
The National Men’s Player of the Year will be…
I like the one from Michigan Yaxel Lendeborg to seize the throne thanks to their overall dominance over a top five team. BAG
It’s hard to bet against Purdue Brad Smith. The Big Ten preseason player of the year is ready to take another leap forward, and all eyes will be on how he commands the Boilermakers’ offense from start to finish. Sask.
Brad Smith. The best player on the best team, Smith averaged over eight assists per game last year and is surrounded by just as much, if not more, talent this season. An extension of Matt Painter on the field, Smith has an idea of how to run a team. NL
The National Women’s Player of the Year will be…
Sarah Strong of UConn is balanced, powerful and now the focal point of Geno Auriemma’s latest juggernaut. Look for the Super Soph to go from Prodigy to Legend of Storrs. BAG
If she stays healthy, Sarah Strong is clearly the favorite. Barely a sophomore, she’s already playing in her own league and looks poised to dominate at every level. Sask.
Lauren Betts of UCLA was a double-double for the Bruins last season, averaging 20 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. After making the program’s first Final Four last season, Betts will look to continue his dominant play, which will lead the Bruins to the national title. NL
The NBA’s hottest prospect is…
Darryn Peterson, Kansas. The 6-foot-6’s mix of NBA-ready size, smooth athleticism and advanced shot creation makes him one of the most well-rounded guard prospects in years. He scores effortlessly at all three levels, defends with energy and already manages the game like a pro. BAG
The name to know is Darryn Peterson. The Kansas freshman is shaping up to be one of the most complete guards in years: a true one-and-done talent who can score, create and direct. Sask.
AJ Dybantsa, Brigham Young. The 6-foot-9 freshman has a lot of pressure to live up to the hype that has surrounded him for years now. The athletic winger has the body and feel for the game that should allow him to make an immediate impact in the league. One area he will need to improve will be shooting from distance. NL
The hottest prospect in the WNBA is…
Lauren Betts, UCLA. The 6-foot-7 frontcourt anchor, who dominates both ends with power, touch and consistency, combines elite footwork and rim protection with emerging mid-range and passing skills. BAG
Spanish teenager Awa Fam is likely next year’s No. 1 pick, but among American college players, Azzi Fudd of UConn and Rori Harmon of Texas come out. Both have grown immensely since their first seasons and appear fully ready for the pros: proof that sticking with one program can refine a player’s game as much as raw talent ever could. Sask.
I’ll stick to the 6’7″ center Lauren Betts. Her size and touch around the rim make her ready to contribute from day one at the W. NL
A bold prediction
A No. 16 seed will upset a No. 1 team in the men’s tournament. It took more than three decades for this to finally happen the first time, until Fairleigh Dickinson did it twice in five years in 2023. It won’t be long before we see it again for several reasons, primarily the way the transfer portal redistributes talent to the fringes while traditional superpowers continue to rely on one-time players. BAG
The USC women could be the biggest surprise of the season. Even without JuJu Watkins and Kiki Iriafen, the Trojans have the courage and cohesion to exceed their goals. Think of an Indiana Fever style campaign – a young team that simply refuses to give up and continues to find ways to win. Sask.
Eric Olen and New Mexico will win the Mountain West Conference tournament. The longtime UCSD coach has a proven system that wins, but with 14 new players on the team, it will take some time for the Lobos to gel. UNM has good position size that will allow them to go 1-5 and be one of the most disruptive defenses in the league. Come tournament time, which will be difficult to prepare for, even for some of the most talented teams in MWC. NL
Four-man final
Connecticut, Houston, Kentucky, Tennessee. BAG
Duke, Houston, Michigan, Purdue. Sask.
Gonzaga, Michigan, Purdue, St. John’s. NL
Men’s national champion
Houston. The Cougars seem built to finish where they failed so badly in April. Kelvin Sampson returns three starters and seven key contributors from the team that nearly won the title game last year, including star guards Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan and defensive anchor Joseph Tugler. To this battle-tested core, they added a top-five recruiting class, led by five-star phenoms Chris Cenac Jr. and Isiah Harwell, along with elite point guard Kingston Flemings. The unpredictability of March Madness is right there in the name, but Houston is the safest bet on the board. BAG
Houston. The Cougars came awfully close last year, and that unfinished business still burns. With their chemistry, defense and experience, they have all the ingredients to finish the job this time. Sask.
Saint John. The Johnnies are led by arguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time, Rick Pitino. When Pitino has talent and a group of guys that match his personality, he wins. They return to last year’s Big East POY in Zudy Ejiofor and they have the best transfer class in the country. Look for the Johnnies to send Pitino into retirement by cutting down the nets in Indianapolis. NL
Final Four Women
Connecticut, LSU, South Carolina, UCLA. BAG
Connecticut, South Carolina, Texas, UCLA. Sask.
Connecticut, Notre Dame, South Carolina, UCLA. NL
Women’s national champion
Connecticut. UConn has the right mix of size, shooting and experience to cut down the nets in Phoenix. Even without Paige Bueckers, these Huskies could be better: Sarah Strong is poised to become the best player in the country, Azzi Fudd is healthy, and Wisconsin transfer Serah Williams adds depth. Geno Auriemma’s 13th title seems awfully close to a fait accompli. BAG
Connecticut. This year’s squad is more complete and more balanced than last season’s. Adding Serah Williams was a perfect fit, and with their size, shooting, and championship experience, the Huskies are built to reclaim the throne. Sask.
South Carolina. Dawn Staley reloads with another talented group led by Florida State transfer Ta’Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring a year ago. Last year’s runners-up, the Gamecocks will avenge their embarrassing loss to UConn and give Staley his fourth national championship trophy. NL
