In the broader landscape of college basketball, Houston remains the top-ranked team, returning three starters from a squad that finished 35-5 and reached the 2025 NCAA Championship game.

St. John's basketball team has surged to No. 4 in the CBS Sports Top 25 rankings, thanks to significant roster enhancements through the transfer portal.

Head coach Rick Pitino has bolstered the team's championship aspirations by adding four high-level transfers, including 2024 McDonald's All-American Ian Jackson from North Carolina.

The projected starting lineup for the Red Storm features experienced players who have averaged double figures at the power-conference level, which adds both talent and depth to the team.

Conversely, Duke has seen a decline in the rankings, influenced by early NBA Draft declarations from key players like Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel.

Jackson's commitment is particularly notable as it allows him to play close to his hometown of Harlem, just seven miles from Madison Square Garden, the team's home arena.