"Any reactions we have to the 2025-26 men's college basketball season will be considered premature, being just three nights in. What won't be an overreaction is an early gauge of the power conferences. Last season we correctly predicted the SEC would be the best, by strength, number of bids, average seeding -- and eventual champion. This year, instead of measuring just by NCAA bids and potential seeding, we're ranking the power conferences based on answering on a single question: Which league is most likely to produce the 2026 national champion? Given its history this century, the No. 1 choice may surprise you. Happy hoops!"
"Championship caliber: Duke is a legitimate and obvious national championship contender, but don't sleep on Louisville. It's hard to believe the Cardinals were a Quad 4 team just two years ago. Joey Brackets says: In many ways, the ACC has only one way to go. The conference hasn't sent at least half of its teams to the NCAA tournament since 2018, and hasn't come close to that benchmark since ballooning to 18 members two years ago."
"But the bottom has been hit (we're sure this time!) and a growing number of bubble teams could lead to the league in exceeding its projection for March. Game of the year: Duke at Louisville (Jan. 6, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN) 4. Big East Championship caliber: If you live in the Northeast, buckle in for an emerging UConn- St. John's rivalry neither side is trying to downplay. Both have rosters good enough to play in April, and both have coaches with multiple national championships."
Early-season reactions to the 2025-26 men's college basketball campaign are premature after only three nights, but an early gauge of power conferences is presented. Conferences are being ranked by which league is most likely to produce the 2026 national champion rather than by bids or seeding. Last season's SEC led by strength, bid count and seeding and produced the eventual champion. The ACC includes Duke as a clear title contender and an improving Louisville; the conference has not sent at least half its teams to the NCAA tournament since 2018. A growing number of bubble teams could push the ACC past March projections. The Big East features an emerging UConn–St. John's rivalry with both teams and coaches positioned for deep postseason runs.
Read at ESPN.com
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