Listeners, the energy around college basketball these past few days is electric, with headlines shifting faster than a fast break. Starting with the newest AP Top 25, Purdue holds the number one spot after an off-season filled with high expectations and smooth roster transitions. Houston is nipping at their heels, while Florida has surged to third in the rankings following some promising pre-season showings. UConn sits fourth and St. John’s rounds out the top five, both programs generating immense buzz, especially with UConn’s dominant Hall of Fame Exhibition win over Boston College just this week, showing off their depth and defense according to CBS Sports.

Michigan is in the spotlight, rising to seventh in the polls. The Wolverines’ big news is the arrival of Yaxel Lendeborg, who transferred in from UAB. Andy Katz from NCAA.com notes that Lendeborg’s decision to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to college ball could be a game-changer after he averaged an impressive 17 points and 11 rebounds last season. He’s expected to bring Michigan both scoring and rebounding muscle right out of the gate.

Kansas State is another team getting attention thanks to PJ Haggerty, who transferred from Memphis after making the All-American list and notching 21.7 points per game. According to NCAA.com, Haggerty’s explosive offense gives the Wildcats a serious shot at an NCAA tournament run. Over at UCLA, Donovan Dent—last year’s Mountain West Player of the Year—has Bruins fans dreaming of a Final Four return. Dent led New Mexico to a league title and was instrumental in nearly pushing them to the Sweet 16, and now he’s ready to energize UCLA’s backcourt.

Coaches Poll gives a slightly different perspective, with St. John’s landing at number one, embracing their new talent and depth. SEC Media Days kicked off in Birmingham, as covered by Saturday Down South, with coaches sharing insights on new faces and programs, adding another layer to the season’s anticipation.

Meanwhile, the recruiting race remains as fierce as ever. Teams like Duke, Kentucky, and BYU continue to headline the top ten, building toward deep tournament runs. West Coast Conference and Big East Media Days are on the calendar, with updates expected soon from powerhouse teams as they finalize rosters and strategies in Las Vegas and beyond.

It’s a whirlwind start to the 2025-26 college basketball season—the court is set, the teams are ready, and the drama is just beginning. Thanks for tuning in, and make sure to subscribe for all the latest updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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