The 2025–26 college basketball season features familiar powerhouses poised to lead their conferences. Programs like Kansas, Duke, and Arizona boast stacked rosters, premier recruiting classes, and elevated expectations. These teams enter as early favorites for league supremacy and deep NCAA tournament runs.
At the same time, under-the-radar teams are preparing to disrupt the hierarchy. Nebraska, Virginia, and Oregon State may not have a national spotlight yet, but their rosters and momentum suggest sleeper potential. As the season unfolds, these underdogs could challenge expectations and play spoiler in key conference battles.
Top Contender Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas remains a perennial powerhouse and is expected to dominate the Big 12 in the 2025–26 season. Head coach Bill Self continues to bring in elite talent, with another top-10 recruiting class on the way and several key veterans returning. Their system, depth, and home-court advantage at Allen Fieldhouse make them a tough out in any conference matchup.
The Jayhawks should also benefit from improved guard play and greater defensive stability. Building on last year’s tournament run, their experience and team chemistry distinguish them from challengers. With a mix of McDonald’s All-Americans and seasoned upperclassmen, Kansas has what it takes to remain atop the Big 12.
ACC Power Duke Blue Devils
Duke is entering the 2025–26 season as a clear favorite in the ACC, fueled by Jon Scheyer’s elite recruiting and growing leadership. The Blue Devils return a core group of high-IQ players who gained valuable experience last season and are now ready to take over. Combine that with a top-tier incoming class, and Duke’s upside is massive.
What separates Duke this year is their balance of size, speed, and outside shooting. Several former five-star recruits are maturing into impact players, and the team’s defensive metrics have steadily improved. This strength is reflected in early FanDuel and many sportsbooks’ odds, where Duke ranks among the top picks for a conference title run in a year where the ACC is full of question marks.
Big 12 Threat Arizona Wildcats
Now fully integrated into the Big 12, Arizona is poised to make noise thanks to its explosive offense and seasoned backcourt. Head coach Tommy Lloyd has adapted quickly to the physicality of the Big 12 and continues to recruit at a high level. With returning stars and a strong international presence, the Wildcats are positioned as legitimate title contenders.
Arizona’s versatility is a major strength. Their ability to run in transition, dominate on the boards, and stretch defenses with shooting makes them one of the most complete teams in the country. If their defense continues to trend upward, they could not only win the Big 12 but also make a deep NCAA tournament run.
Sleeper Pick Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska showed flashes last season and could surprise the Big Ten in 2025–26. Head coach Fred Hoiberg has built a roster with upperclassman leadership, transfer depth, and young shooters. Despite being picked to finish 14th in the Big Ten preseason poll, this year’s squad has the potential to break that cycle.
Key to their rise will be consistency on defense and better late-game execution. If their incoming freshmen develop quickly and they can steal a few road wins early, Nebraska might be in the conversation come March. They won’t be favorites, but they have enough upside to be a dangerous sleeper team.
Underdog Watch Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia isn’t the first name that comes to mind in the 2025–26 ACC race, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. While the Tony Bennett era has entered a period of recalibration, the core defensive identity remains strong. With lower expectations and fewer media spotlights, the Cavaliers could surprise with their methodical pace and efficiency.
They’ll need improved shooting and fewer injuries to stay in the hunt. But with several returning contributors and a quietly promising recruiting class, Virginia has the pieces to cause headaches for higher-ranked ACC foes. Their style of play always gives them a chance in close games, especially during conference season.
Surprise Team Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State enters the 2025–26 season under the radar, but they’ve quietly been stockpiling talent through the portal and high school ranks. After struggling in recent years, the Beavers are developing a more competitive culture. Their roster now features experienced guards, a couple of breakout candidates, and much-needed frontcourt help.
The Beavers’ success will hinge on team defense and finding a go-to scorer in crunch time. If they can start the season strong and gain confidence, they could outperform expectations in a weakened Pac-12 field. Expert NCAAB Game Predictions already list Oregon State as a potential spoiler, so don’t be surprised if they steal a few key wins and challenge for a middle-to-upper-tier conference finish.
Value on the Board This Season
The 2025–26 college basketball season brings a dynamic mix of powerhouse programs and rising underdogs across major conferences. For safer plays, pick Kansas, Duke, and Arizona. They’re teams with elite rosters, strong coaching, and high win potential in their respective conferences, which are solid picks for conference futures, moneyline parlays, and covering spreads, especially at home.
For those seeking value and upset potential, Nebraska, Virginia, and Oregon State are worth monitoring. These underdogs may not dominate headlines, but they’re capable of covering spreads, pulling off surprise wins, and outperforming preseason expectations. No matter the side, stay informed and bet responsibly.
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