BYU has secured the No. 3 spot in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 preseason college basketball rankings for the upcoming 2025-26 season, thanks to significant roster enhancements through the transfer portal.

The Cougars' bench will be further strengthened by transfers Dominique Diomande, Kennard Davis, Tyler Mrus, and Nate Pickens, enhancing their competitiveness in the Big 12.

The Cougars' strong recruiting class includes Baylor transfer Robert Wright and five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa, alongside several other impactful transfers.

Overall, BYU's roster is marked by experience, legitimate NBA talent, and depth, which are crucial for competing at a high level.

In the rankings, Houston holds the top position, returning three starters from a team that finished 35-5 and advanced to the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

The projected starting lineup features Robert Wright, Dawson Baker, Richie Saunders, AJ Dybantsa, and Keba Keita, with four returning players from last season's 26-10 team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Richie Saunders and Keba Keita were instrumental last season, each starting 35 games and helping the team finish strong, ranking seventh nationally in the final eight weeks.

Nate Pickens, a 6-foot-3 guard from UC Riverside, joins the team after averaging 9.8 points and shooting 39.2% from three-point range, adding to their depth.