Good Morning, Illini Nation: The best of the best

Aug. 1—The top four in my early preseason top 25 were relatively easy to identify. At least after Texas closed out its offseason by getting Marcus Spears Jr. to reclassify. The order of the top three, however, took a little more thought and could honestly be listed in any permutation.

For now, though, these five teams out my ballot. Until I change my mind several times between now and mid-October.

No. 5 Virginia

The Cavaliers' international imports worked out so well last year Ryan Odom went back to that well again this offseason to pair German wing Nolan Adekunle with returning big men Thijs De Ridder and Johann Grunloh. That duo combined to average 22.7 points and 11.4 rebounds last season, and the 24-year-old Adekunle is coming off a solid season in Germany's top league.

Despite the intrigue around Adekunle, retention was key to Virginia's offseason. The Cavaliers are also bringing back guards Sam Lewis and Chance Mallory, with the latter poised for a bigger role running the offense with Dallin Hall moving on to the professional level.

No. 4 Texas

Spears' addition was an impressive way for Sean Miller to round out his second team in Austin, Texas. The 6-foot-9 forward jumped up a class and still managed to be a top six-level prospect nationally and give the Longhorns a top five class alongside five-star guard and former Dynamic Prep (Texas) teammate Austin Goosby. Both are expected to contribute immediately for an otherwise veteran team.

Junior center Matas Vokietaitis is the only returning player from last year's rotation, but Miller was able to add experience through the portal. That group of five transfers includes new point guard Isaiah Johnson, fresh off an impressive freshman season at Colorado (16.9 points and three assists per game), and former TCU standout David Punch, who averaged 3.2 stocks (that's steals plus blocks) for the Horned Frogs.

No. 3 Florida

There's a real argument to be made that no team returns as good a group of four returning starters as the Gators. Boogie Fland might not have had the sophomore season in the Swamp that everyone expected after he transferred from Arkansas, but the frontcourt trio of Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Reuben Chinyelu delivered. Now they're all back — even Haugh, who had legitimate lottery pick buzz in the 2026 NBA Draft after earning consensus All-American honors last season.

The only question is depth. Starting with the fifth starter. Florida's ideal scenario is Denzel Aberdeen slides in next to Fland in the backcourt. To do so, however, he's going to have to find a way to get a bonus fifth season of eligibility. He's angling for a waiver (he doesn't qualify for), but might have to file suit like dozens of other Class of 2022 players have done to get in on five-for-five.

No. 2 Illinois

Retention. Retention. Retention. It was the singular offseason storyline in Champaign, with David Mirkovic, Andrej Stojakovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and Jake Davis all deciding another season together in Champaign made a lot of sense after last year's Final Four run. It wasn't just retention for retention's sake either. All five played a key role in the rotation last season, and Mirkovic should be a preseason All-Big Ten selection ahead of his sophomore campaign.

That retention also allowed Illinois coach Brad Underwood to be selective in the transfer portal, targeting Providence guard Stefan Vaaks specifically, and gave him the chance to take a couple prep prospect fliers. Quentin Coleman was the notable five-star acquisition, but fellow late additions Zavier Zens and Lincoln Williams are seriously intriguing as future pieces (if they don't contribute early).

No. 1 Duke

The Blue Devils go 10 deep. Legitimately. Jon Scheyer has an abundance of riches between the players he got to come back (some for a third or fourth season), the major transfer portal move he made in landing former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell and a seriously impressive freshman class that features a trio of five-star prospects.

Let's start there. Deron Rippey Jr. was ranked as a top 15 prospect in the Class of 2026, but he might not start in Durham, N.C., with Blackwell's addition and the return of Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer. The frontcourt could have a similar log jam, with five-stars Cameron Williams and Joaquin Boumtje Boumtje contending with junior center Patrick Ngongba II for playing time. Tons of talent. One ball. Still not a bad problem to have.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →