by William Burns
Monday, Oct 20, 2025Just like last year, I'm back with another College Basketball Preview to start the '25-'26 season. Last season was brilliant, and I'm expecting another phenomenal campaign of both watching and picking winners. Here's my "Deep Dive," looking into the different players and best teams for the upcoming season. (Odds via. DraftKings Sportsbook)
Five Players to Watch Out For (Guard-Center) + Honorable Mentions :
G - Braden Smith (Purdue)
One of the premier guards in College, Braden Smith has the opportunity to accomplish something very special this season. Even if his assist totals drop just a tad from last year (assuming he plays every game this season,) Smith could end up breaking the all time assist record in the NCAA. That would be extremely special. He's also an incredible scorer of the basketball given his height of just six feet tall. Purdue is many peoples #1 overall team coming in (#1 in the AP Poll) and there's no doubt that Smith will help lead the Boilermakers to the tournament.
G - Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)
On a team that lost many guys from last season, Pettiford should stand out as the top option for the Auburn Tigers in 2025-26. He was the sixth man for the majority of the year in his freshman season and I, like most people, are expecting an absolutely monstrous season from Auburn guard. He's a polished all-around player, a fantastic dribbler with an excellent touch around the hoops. He's poised for an NBA career after the season.
F - AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
As one of two Freshman on this list, Dybantsa really stands out for me as the top prospect coming into College this season. He's 6'9" and has the ball handling skills of a point guard. He can score from anywhere on the basketball court and already has a Gold Medal/MVP to his name from the FIBA U19 World Cup with Team USA. Dybantsa has all the talent in the world and should be one of the top options to win the CBB Player Of The Year Award (Naismith) at the end of the year.
F - Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue)
As my second Purdue Boilermaker on this list, there's no doubt that I believe that they are one of the best teams in the country. Kaufman-Renn sort of took over the Zach Edey role a season ago and really helped keep this Purdue team at that top level. Averaging 20.1 PPG last season, he is one of the best scorers in the nation and I fully believe that he can produce similar numbers here in '25-'26.
F/C - Cameron Boozer (Duke)
Just like AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer has the all intangibles to be great in his first Collegiate season. The son of Bulls legend Carlos Boozer and brother of teammate Cayden Boozer is likely to be one guy that stands out from the Blue Devils this season. Yes, they've got immense talent around him. However, Boozer is a dominant force under the hoop and he can also extend his range beyond the arc. He will be one of the best players in the country.
One of the premier guards in College, Braden Smith has the opportunity to accomplish something very special this season. Even if his assist totals drop just a tad from last year (assuming he plays every game this season,) Smith could end up breaking the all time assist record in the NCAA. That would be extremely special. He's also an incredible scorer of the basketball given his height of just six feet tall. Purdue is many peoples #1 overall team coming in (#1 in the AP Poll) and there's no doubt that Smith will help lead the Boilermakers to the tournament.
G - Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)
On a team that lost many guys from last season, Pettiford should stand out as the top option for the Auburn Tigers in 2025-26. He was the sixth man for the majority of the year in his freshman season and I, like most people, are expecting an absolutely monstrous season from Auburn guard. He's a polished all-around player, a fantastic dribbler with an excellent touch around the hoops. He's poised for an NBA career after the season.
F - AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
As one of two Freshman on this list, Dybantsa really stands out for me as the top prospect coming into College this season. He's 6'9" and has the ball handling skills of a point guard. He can score from anywhere on the basketball court and already has a Gold Medal/MVP to his name from the FIBA U19 World Cup with Team USA. Dybantsa has all the talent in the world and should be one of the top options to win the CBB Player Of The Year Award (Naismith) at the end of the year.
F - Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue)
As my second Purdue Boilermaker on this list, there's no doubt that I believe that they are one of the best teams in the country. Kaufman-Renn sort of took over the Zach Edey role a season ago and really helped keep this Purdue team at that top level. Averaging 20.1 PPG last season, he is one of the best scorers in the nation and I fully believe that he can produce similar numbers here in '25-'26.
F/C - Cameron Boozer (Duke)
Just like AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer has the all intangibles to be great in his first Collegiate season. The son of Bulls legend Carlos Boozer and brother of teammate Cayden Boozer is likely to be one guy that stands out from the Blue Devils this season. Yes, they've got immense talent around him. However, Boozer is a dominant force under the hoop and he can also extend his range beyond the arc. He will be one of the best players in the country.
Three Honorable Mentions:
1.) Joseph Tugler (Houston)
As you can see down below, Houston is my #1 team in the country coming into this season and Tugler is going to be a massive reason why. He didn't crack my list above. But, the Cougars' forward has a type of game that everyone in College should appreciate. Tugler is one of the best defensive players in the nation. He's also an extreme pest on the offensive boards (Houston's specialty.) Oh, and I forgot. He's got a 7'6" wingspan.
2.) JT Toppin (Texas Tech)
After the way last season ended and with Chance McMillan & Darrion Williams departing, I wasn't entirely sure if JT Toppin would stay at Texas Tech for this upcoming season. However, since he has, the Red Raiders are going to be in for another fantastic year of basketball. Toppin scores the ball at an excellent rate and he was the Big 12 Player Of The Year last season.
3.) Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan)
Wrapping up my "Honourable Mentions" list is Yaxel Lendeborg. The transfer from UAB is going to be a huge force within the Big Ten this season and he might just be the best transfer that was in the portal this offseason. With Dusty May as his head coach for this upcoming season, I expect massive things from the guy that absolutely dominated the AAC on both offense and defense through his first couple of seasons.
Burns' Preseason Top 25 Rankings:
1.) Houston Cougars
2.) Purdue Boilermakers
3.) Connecticut Huskies
4.) Duke Blue Devils
5.) BYU Cougars
6.) Florida Gators
7.) Michigan Wolverines
8.) St. John's Red Storm
9.) Louisville Cardinals
10.) Texas Tech Red Raiders
11.) Kentucky Wildcats
12.) Iowa State Cyclones
13.) Arkansas Razorbacks
14.) UCLA Bruins
15.) Arizona Wildcats
16.) Alabama Crimson Tide
17.) Tennessee Volunteers
18.) Kansas Jayhawks
19.) Illinois Fighting Illini
20.) Auburn Tigers
21.) Wisconsin Badgers
22.) Gonzaga Bulldogs
23.) North Carolina Tar Heels
24.) Michigan State Spartans
25.) San Diego State Aztecs
2.) Purdue Boilermakers
3.) Connecticut Huskies
4.) Duke Blue Devils
5.) BYU Cougars
6.) Florida Gators
7.) Michigan Wolverines
8.) St. John's Red Storm
9.) Louisville Cardinals
10.) Texas Tech Red Raiders
11.) Kentucky Wildcats
12.) Iowa State Cyclones
13.) Arkansas Razorbacks
14.) UCLA Bruins
15.) Arizona Wildcats
16.) Alabama Crimson Tide
17.) Tennessee Volunteers
18.) Kansas Jayhawks
19.) Illinois Fighting Illini
20.) Auburn Tigers
21.) Wisconsin Badgers
22.) Gonzaga Bulldogs
23.) North Carolina Tar Heels
24.) Michigan State Spartans
25.) San Diego State Aztecs
Three Future Bets to Make Before the Season:
1.) Houston Cougars to win the National Championships (+950)
Even though Purdue and Florida seem to be the main picks from the "experts" to start the season, with my Championship Pick (prior to the season) I'm going to go with a team that I don't see not making the Final Four this year at the very least. This Cougars team is absolutely stacked, from returning players last year to the freshman class of this year and transfers. I believe that Houston is the most complete team in the country and they will always have extremely great condition under head coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars were so close last season and I believe that they are even better this season.
2.) San Diego State to win the MWC Regular Season Title (+140)
The Mountain West has become extremely competitive over the past couple of seasons and more and more teams are starting to make the big dance. I believe that the Aztecs should just be one level above the rest this season. Reese Waters finally will get to play again after missing last season and that will be a massive add to SDST who has an even more confident Miles Bird & BJ Davis. I'll take the Aztecs at this price to win the conference.
3.) Gonzaga to win the WCC Regular Season Title (-160)
The West Coast Conference normally comes down to a two-team race between Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. Yes, the Gaels won last year with an extremely strong 17-1 conference record. However, I believe that Saint Mary's will take a step back this season and Gonzaga shouldn't have four losses inside conference play. The Zags will be back to the top of the conference.
