NIL

Draft Notes: Early Entrants, T. Johnson, C. Bryant, Combine

When the NBA announced its initial early entrant list for the 2025 NBA draft, there were just 106 names on that list. As Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic writes, that’s the lowest total since 91 players declared early in 2015, which was the last year before college players were granted permission to test the draft […]

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4 weeks ago

May 3, 2025

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According to Vorkunov, a handful of factors contributed to the major drop-off in early entrants this season, but the money now available to college players is easily the No. 1 factor. Prospects increasingly have opportunities to earn higher “salaries” playing college basketball than they would if they were a second-round pick in the NBA, Vorkunov points out.

The name, image, and likeness (NIL) money available to NCAA players isn’t just reducing the number of American-born players entering the draft. As Vorkunov details, international prospects have also become increasingly inclined to leave top teams and developmental programs in Europe in order to play college basketball, lowering the number of international early entrants.

Here’s more on the 2025 NBA draft:

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic has published a new mock draft ahead of this year’s lottery and combine, with Texas wing Tre Johnson among his big risers — the No. 7 pick in Vecenie’s March mock draft, Johnson moves up to No. 3 this time around, with Ace Bailey slipping to No. 5. Arizona’s Carter Bryant is among the other notable risers on Vecenie’s board, moving up to No. 9 after coming in at No. 23 in his previous mock draft. According to Vecenie, Bryant has a “ton of juice when you talk to front offices” and has moved into the No. 7 to No. 16 range of the draft.
Although Cooper Flagg is considered a high-end talent at No. 1 overall and Dylan Harper looks locked in at No. 2, teams around the NBA have “real questions” about the average value of this year’s draft class starting at No. 3, Vecenie notes within that new mock draft. While there are solid prospects to be had in the middle of the lottery and into the teens, those players come with significantly more question marks, so the results of the lottery will be especially important for teams seeking a cornerstone player, Vecenie explains.
According to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony (Twitter link), all 75 prospects invited to this month’s NBA combine in Chicago are among the top 100 players on ESPN’s big board. ESPN’s top 56 prospects all made the cut, with No. 57 Mouhamed Faye of Reggio Emilia representing the site’s highest-ranked player who didn’t get a combine invite. Kentucky’s Amari Williams (No. 58) and Malique Lewis of South East Melbourne (No. 59) are the others in ESPN’s top 60 who weren’t invited to the event.

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Red Raiders advance to WCWS semifinals

Texas Tech softball coach Gerry Glasco on facing UCLA in Women’s College World Series Texas Tech softball coach Gerry Glasco on facing UCLA in Women’s College World Series OKLAHOMA CITY — The Texas Tech softball team scored another victory in the 2025 Women’s College World Series today by downing UCLA 3-1 at Devon Park. The […]

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4 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Texas Tech softball team scored another victory in the 2025 Women’s College World Series today by downing UCLA 3-1 at Devon Park.

The Red Raiders got another stellar pitching performance from NiJaree Canady and timely offense from Hailey Toney (solo home run) and Raegan Jennings (pinch-hit RBI single).

Texas Tech now advances to the semifinals and will play either Oregon or Oklahoma on Monday.

Texas Tech softball vs. UCLA Women’s College World Series live updates

7:46 p.m.: NiJaree Canady has retired the last six batter since giving up the home run. Texas Tech softball leads 2-1 going to the 7th.

7:40 p.m.: Hailey Toney muscles a home run to right center and Texas Tech goes up 2-1 heading to the bottom of the 6th.

7:28 p.m.: Texas Tech softball takes a 1-0 lead after Makayla Garcia steals home plate. UCLA has tied it back up with a solo home run from Kaniya Bragg. Red Raiders and Bruins tied 1-1 through 5 innings.

7:04 p.m.: 1-2-3 innings for both pitchers as we head to the 5th looking for some offense.

6:52 p.m.: Texas Tech softball and UCLA remain scoreless through 3 innings. Red Raiders still looking for their first hit.

6:39 p.m.: Gerry Glasco disagreed with the ump’s strike zone and was issued a warning for arguing. NiJaree Canady issued two walks and UCLA loaded the bases before Canady got a strikeout and force out at home to end the inning. Still scoreless through 2 full.

6:26 p.m.: Lauren Allred gets hit by a pitch but then gets doubled off at first on a popout from Canady in the top of the 2nd.

6:20 p.m.: NiJaree Canady sends the Bruins down in order in response. No score after the 1st.

6:13 p.m.: Texas Tech softball goes down in order in the top of the first. UCLA coming up to bat.

5:22 p.m.: About 45 minutes out from first pitch. Texas Tech will be the visitors tonight wearing their white uniforms. UCLA wearing their blues as the home team.

What TV channel is Texas Tech vs. UCLA softball on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo

Texas Tech’s game against UCLA will air on ESPN and can be streamed on Fubo, which requires a subscription.

Watch Texas Tech softball vs UCLA in Women’s College World Series

Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss softball start time

Date: Saturday, May 31
Time: 6 p.m. CT

First pitch for Texas Tech and UCLA’s Women’s College World Series game is set for 6 p.m.

Texas Tech softball schedule 2025

Below is Texas Tech’s postseason schedule:

Big 12 Tournament

May 8: Texas Tech 4, Baylor 0
May 9: Texas Tech 18, Arizona State 0 (5)
May 10: Texas Tech 4, Arizona 0

Lubbock Regional

May 16: Texas Tech 6, Brown 0
May 17: Texas Tech 10, Mississippi State 1 (6)
May 18: Texas Tech 9, Mississippi State 6

Tallahassee Super Regional

May 22: Texas Tech 3, Florida State 0
May 23: Texas Tech 2, Florida State 1

Women’s College World Series schedule

Here’s the full schedule for the 2025 Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City:

All times Central

Thursday, May 29

Game 1: No. 6 Texas vs. No. 3 Florida 0
Game 2: No. 2 Oklahoma 4, No. 7 Tennessee 3
Game 3: No. 12 Texas Tech 1, Ole Miss 0
Game 4: No. 9 UCLA 4, No. 16 Oregon 2

Friday, May 30

Game 5: Florida vs. Tennessee 6 p.m., ESPN2 (Fubo)
Game 6: Ole Miss vs. Oregon, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Fubo)

Saturday, May 31

Game 7: Texas vs. Oklahoma, 2 p.m., ABC (Fubo)
Game 8: Texas Tech vs. UCLA, 6 p.m., ESPN (Fubo)

Sunday, June 1

Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser, 2 p.m., ABC (Fubo)
Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 6 p.m., ESPNU (Fubo)

Monday, June 2

Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 11 a.m., ESPN (Fubo)
Game 12 (if necessary): Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 1:30 p.m., ESPN (Fubo)
Game 13: Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6 p.m., ESPN2 (Fubo)
Game 14 (if necessary): Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2 (Fubo)

Tuesday, June 3

Wednesday, June 4

WCWS finals Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m., ESPN (Fubo)

Thursday, June 5

WCWS finals Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m., ESPN (Fubo)

Friday, June 6 (if necessary)

WCWS finals Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m., ESPN (Fubo)

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Mississippi State announces next baseball coach shortly after season ends

Well, that didn’t take long. In less than 45 minutes after Mississippi State’s 2025 baseball season came to an end in a 5-2 loss to Florida State on Saturday night, the university announced the hiring of its next head baseball coach: Brian O’Connor. A lot will be written about O’Connor and the expectations that await […]

Published

37 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Well, that didn’t take long.

In less than 45 minutes after Mississippi State’s 2025 baseball season came to an end in a 5-2 loss to Florida State on Saturday night, the university announced the hiring of its next head baseball coach: Brian O’Connor.

A lot will be written about O’Connor and the expectations that await him in Starkville, but let’s get two things on record right away:

“This is a defining moment for Mississippi State Baseball,” Mississippi State Athletics Director Zac Selmon said.

There weren’t any major leaks in the Bulldogs’ coaching search, but one thing everyone knew and hoped for was that this hire would be a big one.

Nobody will ever pull off what Texas did last year in hiring its rival schools’ coach less than a few days after that coach lost a national championship game.

But what Mississippi State has done comes pretty close.

The Bulldogs will welcome a coach with 917 wins, a national championship, seven College World Series appearances (including three out of the last five), and is a three-time national coach of the year award winner.

“Brian O’Connor is one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in college baseball,” Selmon said in the official announcement. “He’s a national champion, a Hall of Famer, and a proven leader with a track record of building a championship-caliber program.”

The fact both Selmon and Mississippi State University president Dr. Mark E. Keenum had quotes included in the school’s official announcement tells us the plan all along was the announcement to be made after the Bulldogs’ season came to an end and not a moment sooner.

It’s great timing, too. The NCAA transfer portal opens for all student-athletes today and will remain open until July 1. The transfer portal class O’Connor brings in will go a long in determining the level of success Mississippi State has next year.

And that should excite Bulldog fans everywhere.

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Oklahoma Avoided Elimination Again and Gained Valuable Experience at the WCWS

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma got it done. Again. The Sooners won their ninth-straight elimination game, fending Oregon off with a 4-1 victory on Sunday night at Devon Park. Veteran first baseman Cydney Sanders rocketed a pair of home runs to help lead her squad, which looks a lot different from the last OU group who […]

Published

38 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma got it done. Again.

The Sooners won their ninth-straight elimination game, fending Oregon off with a 4-1 victory on Sunday night at Devon Park.

Veteran first baseman Cydney Sanders rocketed a pair of home runs to help lead her squad, which looks a lot different from the last OU group who had to pick themselves off the mat at the 2024 Women’s College World Series against Florida.

Patty Gasso just wishes her team was as excited as her.

“We walk over and we shake hand,” said Gasso after the win. “And we walk in the dugout like, ‘Hey, okay, and I’m like: Do you know what we just did? Does anyone know what we just… we’re in the Final Four.’

“Can somebody celebrate? Can we do something fun? They’re just the most calm, chill — sometimes I’m like, I don’t know that you know. Do you know?”

Most of Gasso’s Sooners are new, but the returners can be forgiven for showing little emotion.

The expectation is to make it to Wednesday’s championship series.

But the 2025 Sooners extended the program’s streak of winning elimination games to nine, as Oklahoma still looms as the so far un-killable horror movie villain in OKC.

“That’s impressive. Nine is pretty dang impressive,” Gasso said. “That means you’re a team that when — that’s character. That is we’re not going to quit, so I love, love, love that.”

To keep the dreams of a fifth-straight national title alive, the Sooners will have to stave off elimination twice more on Monday.

The 12-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders and star pitcher NiJaree Canady loom in the semifinals, and 2-seeded Oklahoma has no margin for error.

Oregon took a 1-0 lead on Sunday, and while it lasted just half an inning, Gasso’s new faces got a chance to feel what it’s like to trail in an elimination game at Devon Park.

Every twist and turn through OU’s first three games at the WCWS will help Oklahoma’s next generation grow.

“They learned a valuable lesson,” Gasso said. “And that’s the one thing that we’re doing this whole season, learning so many valuable lessons to help this team go into next year so much better than when we started.

“Still, I mean, I’m on an amazing ride. I don’t know how they feel. They don’t share a lot… It’s swaggy, but it’s bizarre at the same time. Trying to figure it out.”

The Sooners learned how to handle Sunday’s elimination game.

Now they’ll have to replicate that success on Monday to get another shot at either Texas or Tennessee. OU will take on Texas Tech at 6 p.m.

Should the Sooners emerge victorious, they’ll immediately turn around and battle the Red Raiders again at Devon Park to try and take down Canady and reach a sixth-straight championship series.

“They just sometimes don’t make a lot of noise.” Gasso said. “Every once in a while they’ll create something. But they were definitely more focused and ready (against Oregon).”

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How NBA draft withdrawal moved our early NCAA top 25 rankings

Jeff BorzelloJun 2, 2025, 07:25 AM ET Close Basketball recruiting insider. Joined ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware. Open Extended Reactions With the transfer portal and the increasing number of international prospects going to college, the real college basketball offseason is shorter than ever. Even as you read this, rosters are still being […]

Published

45 minutes ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

How NBA draft withdrawal moved our early NCAA top 25 rankings

Jeff BorzelloJun 2, 2025, 07:25 AM ET
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- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduate of University of Delaware.

With the transfer portal and the increasing number of international prospects going to college, the real college basketball offseason is shorter than ever. Even as you read this, rosters are still being tweaked and fine-tuned.

But the final major deadline of the offseason calendar came and went on May 28, the deadline for players to withdraw their names from the NBA draft and return to college. Now, the 2025-26 college basketball landscape is finally coming into focus.

The debate over preseason No. 1 intensified with Milos Uzan returning to Houston and Florida adding Boogie Fland while also getting back Alex Condon. Both programs are squarely in the conversation alongside Purdue, with UConn and St. John’s not far behind.

As things stand, we have the fewest questions about the Boilermakers, who likely have the highest floor given the return of Wooden Award favorite Braden Smith and All-American Trey Kaufman-Renn. So, for now, Matt Painter’s team retains its place atop the rankings.

As the offseason progresses and we have more time to dive into rosters and rotations, there will be constant shuffling. But let’s take a look at our latest projections for the top 25 teams for next season.

Previous ranking: 1

There’s a chance Purdue has the preseason Wooden Award favorite and two All-Americans on its roster next season.

Braden Smith will start the season as the best guard in the country after taking the next step in his development this past campaign, while Trey Kaufman-Renn is a dominant paint force.

The addition of South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff should help inside, while a healthy Daniel Jacobsen could be poised for a breakout season. Landing Israeli guard Omer Mayer and North Florida transfer Liam Murphy adds needed depth.

Projected starting lineup

Braden Smith (15.8 PPG)
C.J. Cox (6.0 PPG)
Fletcher Loyer (13.8 PPG)
Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 PPG)
Oscar Cluff (17.6 PPG at South Dakota State)

Previous ranking: 18

No team in the country saw a bigger rise in the rankings as a result of NBA draft withdrawals than the reigning national champions.

First, former Arkansas guard Boogie Fland committed to the Gators after his decision to withdraw shortly after the combine. Then, the week of the deadline, Alex Condon also pulled his name out of the draft to return to Gainesville. Those two should join Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee as well as returnees Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh — an obvious breakout candidate — in one of the most talented starting fives in the country.

There could be growing pains as Todd Golden figures out how all his players fit, but the Gators are certainly in the discussion to go back-to-back — an impressive achievement after the departures of Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, Alijah Martin and Denzel Aberdeen.

Projected starting lineup

Boogie Fland (13.5 PPG at Arkansas)
Xaivian Lee (16.9 PPG at Princeton)
Thomas Haugh (9.8 PPG)
Alex Condon (10.6 PPG)
Rueben Chinyelu (6.1 PPG)

Alex Condon’s decision to return to Florida boosts the outlook for Todd Golden’s team in 2025-26. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY SportsPrevious ranking: 4It was an eventful NBA draft withdrawal deadline for Houston with all eyes on Milos Uzan’s decision. Hours before Uzan announced his return — which puts the Cougars in the conversation for preseason No. 1 — Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs rescinded his commitment to sign with Texas A&M. That loss coupled with LJ Cryer’s graduation means Houston could lack some scoring pop on the perimeter, though Kelvin Sampson is bringing in three top-25 prospects to help fill the gaps.

Combined with what should be a typically elite Houston defense and the returns of Emanuel Sharp and Joseph Tugler, Sampson’s program isn’t leaving the national conversation anytime soon.

Projected starting lineup

Milos Uzan (11.4 PPG)
Emanuel Sharp (12.7 PPG)
Isiah Harwell (No. 14 in ESPN 100)
Joseph Tugler (5.5 PPG)
Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 6 in ESPN 100)

Previous ranking: 2

UConn’s national championship streak ended at two, but Dan Hurley and the Huskies have reloaded to make another run.

Alex Karaban‘s decision to forego the NBA draft and return to Storrs vaulted them up the rankings — we expect him to again team up with potential preseason All-America Solo Ball to form a high-level offensive duo. Silas Demary Jr. is a similar player to former Huskies guard Tristen Newton, while Braylon Mullins should be one of the more impactful newcomers in the country

If Tarris Reed Jr. can stay on the floor consistently, UConn is as loaded as any team in America.

Projected starting lineup

Silas Demary Jr. (13.5 PPG at Georgia)
Solo Ball (14.4 PPG)
Braylon Mullins (No. 14 in ESPN 100)
Alex Karaban (14.3 PPG)
Tarris Reed Jr. (9.6 PPG)

Previous ranking: 3

The Red Storm’s NCAA tournament run ended earlier than expected, but Rick Pitino guided them to the Big East regular-season and tournament titles and has them back in the national discussion.

The losses of Kadary Richmond, RJ Luis Jr. and Aaron Scott will sting, but Zuby Ejiofor is back. And Pitino has one of the best portal classes in the country, led by five top-100 additions: Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Joson Sanon (Arizona State), Oziyah Sellers (Stanford) and Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati).

Idaho State transfer Dylan Darling solves both point guard and depth issues.

Projected starting lineup

Ian Jackson (11.9 PPG at North Carolina)
Joson Sanon (11.9 PPG at Arizona State)
Oziyah Sellers (13.7 PPG at Stanford)
Bryce Hopkins (15.5 PPG at Providence in 2023-24)
Zuby Ejiofor (14.7 PPG)

Editor’s Picks2 RelatedPrevious ranking: 7All eyes will be on Provo, Utah, next season, as No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa arrives in college to suit up for the Cougars. How has Kevin Young built around Dybantsa? Teaming him up with high-level scorer Richie Saunders on the wing was a great start, and landing Robert Wright III at point guard was a boost. That trio should be one of the country’s most explosive on the offensive end.

In addition, two more high-level shooters with size — Kennard Davis (Southern Illinois) and Tyler Mrus (Idaho) — are entering the program via the portal.

BYU’s remaining focus will be improving defensively.

Projected starting lineup

Robert Wright III (11.5 PPG at Baylor)
Kennard Davis (16.3 PPG at Southern Illinois)
Richie Saunders (16.5 PPG)
A.J. Dybantsa (No. 1 in ESPN 100)
Keba Keita (7.4 PPG)

Previous ranking: 7

Pat Kelsey had as strong an offseason as any coach in the country so far, landing impact transfers Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Isaac McKneely (Virginia) and Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State) to go with top-10 recruit Mikel Brown Jr. in the backcourt.

Kasean Pryor and J’Vonne Hadley were question marks entering the offseason, but both have since announced their returns. And despite the late portal departure of James Scott, there’s still depth up front behind Pryor and Hadley, with particular excitement surrounding the arrivals of Germany native Sananda Fru and Greek big man Vangelis Zougris.

Kelsey’s first NCAA tournament win isn’t far away.

Projected starting lineup

Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 8 in ESPN 100)
Isaac McKneely (14.4 PPG at Virginia)
Ryan Conwell (16.5 PPG at Xavier)
J’Vonne Hadley (12.2 PPG)
Kasean Pryor (12.0 PPG in seven games)

Previous ranking: 9

Michigan solidified its preseason standing at the withdrawal deadline, when potential first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg pulled his name out of the draft and headed to Ann Arbor. The UAB transfer has been one of the most productive frontcourt players in the country the past two years.

Dusty May hit the portal early in the cycle, landing three potential starters for the next season in Lendeborg, Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina) and Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois). Cadeau is an incredibly gifted passer while Johnson is primed for a big jump down low.

The Wolverines also added 7-foot-3 UCLA transfer Aday Mara. Returnees Roddy Gayle Jr. and Nimari Burnett and five-star signee Trey McKenney will play on the wings.

Projected starting lineup

Elliot Cadeau (9.4 PPG at North Carolina)
Roddy Gayle Jr. (9.8 PPG)
Nimari Burnett (9.4 PPG)
Yaxel Lendeborg (17.7 PPG at UAB)
Morez Johnson Jr. (7.0 PPG at Illinois)

Previous ranking: 11

Kentucky is absolutely loaded on the perimeter next season, with the arrivals of transfers Jaland Lowe (Pitt), Kam Williams (Tulane) and Denzel Aberdeen (Florida) and five-star prospect Jasper Johnson, to go along with the return of leading scorer Otega Oweh and reserve Collin Chandler.

Mark Pope also revamped the frontcourt with defense in mind, with the additions of Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama) and Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State). Quaintance could miss time after suffering a torn ACL in late February, so a step forward from Brandon Garrison will be needed.

Projected starting lineup

Jaland Lowe (16.8 PPG at Pitt)
Denzel Aberdeen (7.7 PPG at Florida)
Otega Oweh (16.2 PPG)
Mouhamed Dioubate (7.2 PPG at Alabama)
Jayden Quaintance (9.4 PPG at Arizona State)

Previous ranking: 8

Grant McCasland’s team had the biggest rise from the first iteration of our rankings on championship Monday to the mid-April update. The biggest move was the return of JT Toppin, a preseason All-American who dominated the second half of the season. And LeJuan Watts, a versatile and skilled wing forward, would be a seamless replacement for Darrion Williams should Williams opt to remain in the portal or declare for the NBA draft. Christian Anderson should also take a step forward in his sophomore season.

Don’t overlook the addition of VCU transfer Luke Bamgboye, who will provide an anchor defensively.

Projected starting lineup

Christian Anderson (10.6 PPG)
Donovan Atwell (13.3 PPG at UNC Greensboro)
Tyeree Bryan (10.4 PPG at Santa Clara)
LeJuan Watts (13.7 PPG at Washington State)
JT Toppin (18.2 PPG)

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Previous ranking: 10

Arkansas surged down the stretch of the season, earning an NCAA tournament bid then making a run to the Sweet 16 before losing to Texas Tech in overtime. Can John Calipari carry that momentum over to next season?

Four of the Razorbacks’ top six minute-getters from the postseason run will be back next season with Karter Knox withdrawing from the draft at the deadline. Top-10 recruits Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas add scoring pop to the backcourt, while Calipari also added proven depth down low in Nick Pringle (South Carolina) and Malique Ewin (Florida State).

Projected starting lineup

Darius Acuff (No. 5 in ESPN 100)
D.J. Wagner (11.2 PPG)
Karter Knox (8.3 PPG)
Trevon Brazile (6.8 PPG)
Malique Ewin (14.2 PPG at Florida State)

Previous ranking: 6

Duke jumped from No. 11 to No. 6 in May after Isaiah Evans opted to forgo the NBA draft and transfer portal to return to Durham, followed by Washington State transfer Cedric Coward‘s commitment. But when it became apparent that Coward — a borderline first-round pick — would remain in the draft, Jon Scheyer had to pivot. He quickly landed potential future first-rounder Dame Sarr, an Italian wing who played for FC Barcelona, and top-25 recruit Sebastian Wilkins, who reclassified up from 2026.

Scheyer once again brings in the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, headlined by Cameron Boozer, who should be among the most productive frontcourt players in the country.

Projected starting lineup

Caleb Foster (5.1 PPG)
Isaiah Evans (6.8 PPG)
Nikolas Khamenia (No. 15 in ESPN 100)
Cameron Boozer (No. 3 in ESPN 100)
Patrick Ngongba II (3.9 PPG)

Previous ranking: 12

Tommy Lloyd is a lock to start two freshmen next season, with top-15 prospects Koa Peat and Brayden Burries entering the fold. Peat is a consistent producer and winner, while Burries is an aggressive multidimensional scorer.

Jaden Bradley is back at the point guard spot, and the Wildcats also return big men Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas. It’s difficult to see Awaka and Krivas lining up alongside each other often, though, so Lloyd will likely turn to Anthony Dell’Orso (28 starts last season).

The strength of this roster took a hit when Carter Bryant decided to stay in the draft, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Wildcats add one more player on the wing.

Projected starting lineup

Jaden Bradley (12.1 PPG)
Brayden Burries (No. 11 in ESPN 100)
Anthony Dell’Orso (7.2 PPG)
Koa Peat (No. 9 in ESPN 100)
Tobe Awaka (8.0 PPG)

Previous ranking: 15

After reaching the Final Four this past season, Bruce Pearl’s roster faces an overhaul.

Tahaad Pettiford‘s decision to withdraw from the draft and return to the Tigers was a significant development — he’s one of the most electric players in the country and has a chance to open 2025-26 as a preseason All-American. The sudden loss of Chad Baker-Mazara to the portal in late April was a surprise, but Pearl turned around and landed Texas Tech transfer Kevin Overton and Division II import Elyjah Freeman.

Auburn already had high-major transfers Keyshawn Hall (UCF) and KeShawn Murphy (Mississippi State) in the fold, and also landed a potential impact frontcourt player in Serbian big man Filip Jovic.

Projected starting lineup

Tahaad Pettiford (11.7 PPG)
Kevin Overton (7.8 PPG at Texas Tech)
Elyjah Freeman (19.3 PPG at D-II Lincoln Memorial)
Keyshawn Hall (18.8 PPG at UCF)
KeShawn Murphy (11.7 PPG at Mississippi State)

Previous ranking: 14

UCLA made a massive early splash in the portal, landing Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent from New Mexico. He gives the Bruins a dynamic, aggressive playmaker. Three starters from this season’s team should also be back, while Mick Cronin will hope for a step forward from Trent Perry in Year 2.

Eric Dailey and Tyler Bilodeau form one of the better frontcourt duos in the Big Ten, with both players posing matchup problems for opponents. Kansas City transfer Jamar Browns adds an experienced shot-maker and Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker is a former five-star prospect who has shown flashes.

Projected starting lineup

Donovan Dent (20.4 PPG at New Mexico)
Skyy Clark (8.5 PPG)
Trent Perry (3.7 PPG)
Eric Dailey (11.4 PPG)
Tyler Bilodeau (13.5 PPG)

Previous ranking: 17

Brad Underwood’s roster will have a heavy international feel to it next season, with plenty of talent to compete for a second-weekend trip in the NCAA tournament. Kylan Boswell and Tomislav Ivisic were key pieces in this past season’s team, while Ben Humrichous started 26 games and Ty Rodgers started all 38 games in 2023-24 before redshirting last season.

Underwood hit the portal and overseas market to reinforce the rest of the roster, landing transfers Andrej Stojakovic (California) and Zvonimir Ivisic (Arkansas) as well as international pros Mihailo Petrovic and David Mirkovic.

Projected starting lineup

Mihailo Petrovic (14.3 PPG for Mega Superbet)
Kylan Boswell (12.3 PPG)
Andrej Stojakovic (17.9 PPG at California)
Zvonimir Ivisic (8.5 PPG at Arkansas)
Tomislav Ivisic (13.0 PPG)

Previous ranking: 24

Alabama was one of the big winners of the withdrawal deadline, with Labaron Philon making a late decision to remove his name from the draft and return to Tuscaloosa. The talented guard told reporters at the combine that he had closed the door on going back to college. But Nate Oats was on the hunt for a playmaker on the perimeter and now has Philon back in the fold.

Philon is part of a talented perimeter group that includes returnees Aden Holloway and a healthy Latrell Wrightsell Jr., while former five-star recruit Jalil Bethea will look to bounce back after transferring from Miami.

The frontcourt will likely have to rely on portal additions, namely Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson, who was named 2024-25 Patriot League Player of the Year, and Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen, a skilled forward and former highly touted recruit. Aiden Sherrell needs to take a step forward, too.

Projected starting lineup

Labaron Philon (10.6 PPG)
Aden Holloway (11.4 PPG)
Jalil Bethea (7.1 PPG at Miami)
Taylor Bol Bowen (8.0 PPG at Florida State)
Noah Williamson (17.6 PPG at Bucknell)

Previous ranking: 13

Iowa State’s offensive improvement could take a hit with the losses of Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones, but the Cyclones were ranked in the top 15 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency in each of TJ Otzelberger’s four seasons in Ames, so there is a relatively high floor given the returning starters.

Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson form a great core, while Nate Heise started in place of Gilbert late in the season. Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan should help down low while fellow portal additions Mason Williams (Eastern Washington) and Dominick Nelson (Utah Valley) add depth.

Projected starting lineup

Tamin Lipsey (10.6 PPG)
Nate Heise (5.1 PPG)
Milan Momcilovic (11.5 PPG)
Joshua Jefferson (13.0 PPG)
Blake Buchanan (5.7 PPG at Virginia)

Previous ranking: 22

It will be a new look for Gonzaga, with starters Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Khalif Battle and Ben Gregg all out of eligibility. But Graham Ike returns as the team’s anchor down low, and Braden Huff is back to play alongside Ike in the frontcourt. And the Zags get a bump in the rankings after landing Grand Canyon transfer Tyon Grant-Foster, one of the most talented scorers in the country — he averaged just 14.8 points last season but put up 20.1 points in 2023-24.

The perimeter still has some questions. Braeden Smith and Jalen Warley both sat out this past season after transferring, while Steele Venters hasn’t played since 2023 because of injury. Mark Few did add Arizona State transfer Adam Miller, who will be playing at his fourth school after having his most efficient offensive season in 2024-25.

Projected starting lineup

Braeden Smith (12.5 PPG at Colgate in 2023-24)
Adam Miller (9.8 PPG at Arizona State)
Tyon Grant-Foster (14.8 PPG at Grand Canyon)
Braden Huff (11.0 PPG)
Graham Ike (17.3 PPG)

Previous ranking: 16

Wisconsin found success this past season playing at a much faster tempo than previous teams under Greg Gard. The Badgers were also more reliant on the 3-point shot. Is that their new formula moving forward?

Gard hit the transfer portal in a big way, landing three potential starters in Nick Boyd (San Diego State), Andrew Rohde (Virginia) and Austin Rapp (Portland) early in the cycle. All-Big Ten guard John Blackwell is also back to lead the way, while Nolan Winter enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024-25.

Projected starting lineup

Nick Boyd (13.4 PPG at San Diego State)
Andrew Rohde (9.3 PPG at Virginia)
John Blackwell (15.8 PPG)
Austin Rapp (13.8 PPG at Portland)
Nolan Winter (9.4 PPG)

Previous ranking: 21

Bill Self received a huge boost for next season during Final Four weekend, when Flory Bidunga withdrew from the transfer portal and announced he was returning to the Jayhawks. He should form one of the best inside-outside duos in the country alongside Darryn Peterson, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.

But Kansas still needs much more. The Jayhawks have landed a trio of potential wing starters in Tre White (Illinois), Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure) and Jayden Dawson (Loyola Chicago). But they missed on Darrion Williams and Dame Sarr, and there aren’t many impact players still on the market.

Projected starting lineup

Darryn Peterson (No. 2 in ESPN 100)
Melvin Council Jr. (14.6 PPG at St. Bonaventure)
Jayden Dawson (13.9 PPG at Loyola Chicago)
Tre White (10.5 PPG at Illinois)
Flory Bidunga (5.9 PPG)

Previous ranking: 19

Greg McDermott loses two of the program’s stalwarts from the past few years in Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth, as well as starter Jamiya Neal. But Creighton has an aesthetically pleasing offensive system and plenty of minutes to sell, and it worked in the portal this offseason, landing Owen Freeman (Iowa), Josh Dix (Iowa), Blake Harper (Howard), Nik Graves (Charlotte) and Austin Swartz (Miami).

We’re also expecting a step forward from Jackson McAndrew, a 6-foot-10 sniper who showed considerable promise as a freshman for the Bluejays.

Projected starting lineup

Blake Harper (19.5 PPG at Howard)
Josh Dix (14.4 PPG at Iowa)
Jackson McAndrew (7.8 PPG)
Jasen Green (4.9 PPG)
Owen Freeman (16.7 PPG at Iowa)

Previous ranking: 20

Tennessee has been busy reloading the roster, with top-five recruit Nate Ament and Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie representing two of the most impactful newcomers for any team in the country. Ament has incredible long-term upside, while Gillespie was among the best point guards in college basketball this past season. Louisiana Tech transfer Amaree Abram also adds shooting.

Rick Barnes has strong frontcourt depth, with Jaylen Carey (Vanderbilt) joining starter Felix Okpara and reserves Cade Phillips and J.P. Estrella. The Vols need more, though, with starters Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack and Igor Milicic Jr. and reserves Jordan Gainey and Darlinstone Dubar all gone.

Projected starting lineup

Ja’Kobi Gillespie (14.7 PPG at Maryland)
Amaree Abram (12.3 PPG at Louisiana Tech)
Nate Ament (No. 4 in ESPN 100)
Jaylen Carey (8.0 PPG)
Felix Okpara (7.1 PPG)

Previous ranking: Unranked

Expectations for Will Wade’s first season in Raleigh grew dramatically in late May, when the Wolfpack beat out Kansas for Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams, one of the best players in the portal this spring. Now NC State has a legitimate offensive fulcrum and an All-American-caliber player.

While Wade brought along a couple of players with him from McNeese, he also focused on power-conference experience with portal additions Tre Holloman (Michigan State), Terrance Arceneaux (Houston), Jerry Deng (Florida State) and Ven-Allen Lubin (North Carolina) all having played high-major basketball.

Lubin should battle with international addition Paul Mbiya for a starting spot down low.

Projected starting lineup

Tre Holloman (9.1 PPG at Michigan State)
Terrance Arceneaux (6.5 PPG at Houston)
Quadir Copeland (9.2 PPG at McNeese)
Darrion Williams (15.1 PPG at Texas Tech)
Ven-Allen Lubin (8.7 PPG at North Carolina)

Previous ranking: 25

Hubert Davis has been busy in the portal, replacing the departing Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson with transfers Kyan Evans (Colorado State) and Jonathan Powell (West Virginia). Davis also landed one of the best bigs in the portal with Arizona’s Henri Veesaar, as well as upside players in Alabama’s Jarin Stevenson and Virginia Tech’s Jaydon Young.

With Seth Trimble‘s return and top-10 recruit Caleb Wilson‘s arrival, there’s a talented core in Chapel Hill. But Carolina had also been swinging (and missing) on impact wings, especially after Drake Powell opted to remain in the NBA draft despite not appearing to be a lock first-round pick. That drought ended when Montenegrin wing Luka Bogavac picked North Carolina. The 22-year-old should make an immediate impact as a shooter.

Projected starting lineup

Kyan Evans (10.6 PPG at Colorado State)
Seth Trimble (11.6 PPG)
Luka Bogavac (14.9 PPG for SC Derby)
Caleb Wilson (No. 7 in ESPN 100)
Henri Veesaar (9.4 PPG at Arizona)

Next in line

San Diego State Aztecs
North Carolina Tar Heels
Ohio State Buckeyes
Texas Longhorns
USC Trojans

NIL

USC Trojans Lose To Oregon State In Corvallis Regional Final, Now Face Elimination

The USC Trojans lost to the Oregon State Beavers on Sunday night 14-1. USC had a chance to clinch a spot in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Super Regionals but were no match for the Beavers. The Trojans will have another chance on Monday. USC was one of the last teams to make the NCAA tournament […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

May 31, 2025; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC pitcher Caden Hunter (22) throws the ball in the ninth inning against Saint Mary's at t — May 31, 2025; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC pitcher Caden Hunter (22) throws the ball in the ninth inning against Saint Mary’s at the NCAA Corvallis Regional at Goss Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

May 31, 2025; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC head coach Andy Stankiewicz takes questions after a game against Saint Mary's at the NC — May 31, 2025; Corvallis, OR, USA; USC pitcher Caden Hunter (22) throws the ball in the ninth inning against Saint Mary’s at the NCAA Corvallis Regional at Goss Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

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NIL

The new playbook

The Vestavia Hills High School football program has produced several high-profile players over the years, but one stands out above the rest in terms of the recruiting process he faced. Defensive end Jordan Ross was one of the most highly sought prospects in America before he signed with the University of Tennessee in late 2023. […]

Published

4 hours ago

June 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The Vestavia Hills High School football program has produced several high-profile players over the years, but one stands out above the rest in terms of the recruiting process he faced.

Defensive end Jordan Ross was one of the most highly sought prospects in America before he signed with the

University of Tennessee in late 2023. He put together an illustrious career at Vestavia, and with that came plenty of attention.

“His recruitment was eye-opening,” Vestavia Hills football coach Robert Evans said. “He and his family handled the process with much grace.”

While Ross’ recruitment gaining him plenty of attention was nothing abnormal, the type of attention was different than it would have been five or 10 years ago. Top football prospects formerly gained notoriety and hype for National Signing Day decisions. Now, it has more to do with monetary discussions surrounding name, image and likeness.

Elite prospects like Ross aren’t quite as affected by the new landscape of college athletics — one that has seen opportunities for high schoolers diminish over the years. But he is the exception to the new rule.

“We try to have honest discussions about the landscape of recruiting, including how difficult it is for walk-ons to make a roster now,” Evans said. “Players and parents alike both need to have an understanding of how the process has been affected by the portal and NIL, and what the realistic options are …

“From my perspective, recruiting has not changed for the really high-end prospect or the D3 prospect. Everyone in between has been pushed down a level or two. The kid signing with UAB 10 years ago is fortunate to have a D2 offer now.”

Evans knows the territory well. As a two-sport star himself at Vestavia, he received interest from schools like Auburn before landing a scholarship to Samford University, where he was a standout in both football and baseball. Today, his options might be limited.

“There are fewer scholarship spots,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “Schools used to divide

scholarships among high school prospects. Now, they save 12 to 14 for portal players. High school kids have fewer options, and many are being forced into choices they wouldn’t have made otherwise.”

SHIFTING SAND

Coaches are no longer building around potential. They’re buying certainty. Between the rise of the transfer portal, the explosion of name, image and likeness (NIL) dollars and the impending House v. NCAA court settlement — which could allow direct revenue-sharing paychecks from schools to athletes — the entire scholarship model has changed.

For high school seniors, that means fewer opportunities. Unless you’re elite, the message is clear: wait your turn — or get left behind.

In place of the old system is a new billion-dollar industry in which high school prospects are still commodities — just ones with less value than they held before the money started flowing.

Not all college programs play on the same field. The Power Four conferences — the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC — have TV deals, booster collectives and NIL opportunities.

Below them are Group of Five schools like UAB, Jacksonville State or Troy — with fewer scholarships, smaller budgets and less exposure. Then come FCS, D2 and junior colleges, where many now land by necessity.

THE PORTAL JAM

For decades, high school football was the bedrock of college recruiting. Talent rose, coaches scouted, scholarships followed and dreams materialized on National Signing Day.

That world is gone.

It started with COVID. In 2020, the NCAA granted all athletes an extra year of eligibility. That decision created a massive traffic jam. Fifth-year seniors stayed. Sixth-year players reclassified. Scholarships that would have gone to high school seniors disappeared.

Then came NIL. In July 2021, athletes could finally earn money off their name, image and likeness. But what was meant to reward marketability became a loosely disguised pay-for-play market.

“Monetary compensation is no longer based on results,” Luginbill said. “It’s not about ‘if I produce, schools will want me.’ Now, it’s ‘how much are you going to pay me to play here?’ There’s no accountability from the player’s side, and that’s not what NIL was intended for — certainly not in recruiting.”

At the same time, the transfer portal exploded. The NCAA removed the sit-out rule for first-time transfers, and a flood of player movement followed. A new reality emerged: Why recruit a high school senior you’ll have to develop when you can buy a 22-year-old with experience?

Evans said that is proving true at Vestavia. Despite being a tradition-rich program with a history of sending players to Division I, he said Ross is really the only player he’s had during the NIL era to get much recruiting attention.

“I would be using the portal too if I was coaching in college,” he said. “When you are the provider for your family, would you rather play with a 21-year-old man who has played well at a Group of Five school or a high school kid who still needs development? The answer is really easy.”

And that’s where it becomes a numbers game for high school prospects.

“The math doesn’t add up,” Luginbill said. “There just aren’t enough roster spots. Kids are being misled, believing they’re worth more than they are. This is happening to thousands of players.”

According to On3 Sports, more than 4,000 FBS football players entered the NCAA transfer portal during this cycle — and more than 1,600 are still looking for a home. In men’s basketball, 2,320 players entered the portal this spring, per Verbal Commits — a jump of more than 11 percent from last year and nearly 2.5 times more than five years ago.

This trend extends beyond just football and basketball. Since the NCAA eliminated its one-year sit-out rule in 2021, tens of thousands of athletes across all sports have entered the portal — many of them two, three or even four times. Each year of the NIL era has accelerated the cycle. In 2024, the NCAA opened the door to unlimited transfers.

Combined with the backlog of COVID-era players, the result is a recruiting funnel that narrows further every season. And it’s about to get even tighter, as schools prepare for revenue sharing and potential roster caps tied to the House settlement.

Coach Trent Dilfer came to UAB with a plan to build his program through high school recruiting — but that vision didn’t hold. He watched promising redshirt freshmen get poached, impact players leave mid-development and recruiting timelines shift beneath him. Now, he’s saving scholarships for older transfers. Like most coaches, he’s frustrated by the chaos and eager for structure.

“All I need is guardrails, all I need is boundaries, all I need is where it is,” Dilfer told Birmingham’s CBS 42. “I don’t care where the goal post is, just keep it stationary… Because right now this goal post is going around 360 degrees because there’s zero leadership, there’s zero boundaries, there’s zero guardrails.”

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about expectations — and the widening gap between what kids believe they’re walking into and what actually waits.

For years, high school athletes have been surrounded by talk of NIL money, brand building and recruiting leverage. Highlight reels and exposure camps have reinforced a simple message: play well, get noticed, get paid. But most never make it that far.

“High school kids now believe they’re entitled to compensation,” Luginbill said. “But the original intent was that if a college athlete… became a marketable commodity, they could earn income. What we’re seeing now is far removed from that.”

Even for players who eventually cash in, the road usually starts somewhere less glamorous — a Group of Five

school, a redshirt year, a position change, a climb.

“The transfer portal has made it harder for high schoolers to land spots at Power Four programs,” said Jim Cavale, CEO of Athletes.org. “Starting at a Group of Five school and working your way up may be the best path.”

BACK-END FALLOUT

While these dynamics affect every sport, the epicenter is football and men’s basketball — where the bulk of the money flows and the pressure to win immediately is highest.

According to research on signing day trends, once-powerhouse programs are producing fewer high-major signees and more D2, JUCO and NAIA placements. In other sports — baseball, wrestling, lacrosse, even track — the scholarship slots are already shrinking. If roster caps go into effect, they may vanish altogether.

Whatever happens next — roster limits, direct pay, new NIL rules — the path for high school athletes is narrowing fast. And for coaches like Evans, that means more than just navigating offers. It means trying to help his players stay in the game.

That’s why Vestavia Hills hosts two recruiting fairs each season.

“We try to drive interest, not only for our players, but for other high schools as well. There is a shared interest amongst high school coaches to give every opportunity to current players,” Evans said.

Eventually, many on both sides of the recruiting line hope there will be system sanity — or at least clarity. Until then?

“At some point, there will be a riveting documentary about the last 3 years of college football,” Evans said. “The only problem is there is too much content to choose from. I don’t even know where you start.”