Men’s NCAA basketball conference storylines to watch

Myron MedcalfOct 30, 2025, 09:00 AM ET
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We’re simply days away from the beginning of the 2025-26 males’s faculty basketball season. Most leagues have introduced their preseason picks and participant of the 12 months candidates, however the panorama is extra difficult than that. Probably the most intriguing storylines for every convention additionally matter.

There are groups chasing nationwide titles. There’s main harm information. There are packages hoping to finish NCAA event droughts, teaching adjustments and gamers in search of redemption all through the sphere.

Right here is our checklist of probably the most compelling storylines in every Division I convention this season.

America East Convention

Is that this the tip of Vermont‘s reign?

Final season, Vermont misplaced three video games to convention foes (together with within the convention event) by 15 or extra factors, and did not win the America East title for the primary time in practically a decade. In six earlier seasons, the Catamounts had suffered double-digit losses to league opponents solely 4 instances. With star TJ Hurley again and TJ Long wholesome, coach John Becker’s group can regain its perch — though that journey appears tougher than it has ever been.

American Convention

What occurs to Memphis now?

Final season, coach Penny Hardaway loved the most effective season of his tenure with a group that featured AP All-American P.J. Haggerty. His present group of expertise lacks that very same pizazz. It is led by an entire new solid, together with Dug McDaniel, who has had rocky stretches at each Kansas State and Michigan. The Tigers aren’t in a singular scenario: Most groups have been pressured to rebuild every offseason within the switch portal period. However a transition from second-weekend risk to having one of many least-imposing rosters of the Hardaway period, may result in one other turbulent season for the previous NBA All-Star.

Atlantic Coast Convention

Can the league bounce again from a disappointing 2024-25?

Final season, the ACC had its most lackluster Choice Sunday in 1 / 4 century. Not because the 1999-2000 season had the convention despatched solely three groups to the NCAA event. Although Duke appears geared up to stay a perennial contender, the autumn of North Carolina final season demonstrated the hurdles for each group on this new local weather of school basketball. However the convention may need hit the reset button this season. Caleb Wilson, a projected lottery choose, is the brand new chief for a stronger Tar Heels group which may save coach Hubert Davis’ job. Will Wade has introduced in Darrion Williams and different prime gamers at NC State. Louisville has second-weekend aspirations — and perhaps extra. The highest of the convention appears the a part of the everyday ACC that has been a perennial powerhouse. However the power of the convention will likely be decided by the success of that subsequent tier — Virginia, Syracuse and others — because it makes an attempt to erase the recollections of final season.

ASUN Convention

Can Bellarmine write a fairytale story with an NCAA event berth?

Final 12 months was Bellarmine’s first 12 months of eligibility for the NCAA event after its transition from Division II in 2020-21. A 2-16 convention file (5-26 total) sadly meant the Knights weren’t even eligible for the Atlantic Solar event. However this season, Jack Karasinski (15.4 PPG) has the potential to guide one of many nation’s greatest turnarounds — one that would finish with an historic second on Choice Sunday.

Atlantic 10 Convention

May this be a multibid season for the convention?

A 3-bid Choice Sunday is not a pipe dream for a convention that has six groups listed in KenPom’s top-100 preseason rankings. VCU coach Phil Martelli Jr. has recruited a number of high-major transfers in his first season at Richmond. Garrett Johnson (13.4 PPG in 2023-24) is again for George Washington after sitting out final season due to an ACL tear. Saint Louis star Robbie Avila is the highest returning scorer within the convention. George Mason coach Tony Skinn has led the Patriots to back-to-back 20-win seasons. Miles Rubin could possibly be a star at Loyola Chicago. And Dayton has a fleet of scorers who averaged double figures final season. Relying on what occurs in nonconference motion, the A-10 may take pleasure in one among its strongest seasons.

Huge East Convention

Is Rick Pitino vs. Dan Hurley the highest teaching battle within the nation?

Faculty basketball’s prime coaches have at all times been the faces of the game, and the rivalries between them have been a charming ingredient of each season. John Picket and Pete Newell had their battles on the West Coast. Bob Knight and Gene Keady had been pals however on-court foes at Indiana and Purdue, respectively. And Mike Krzyzewski had fiery interactions with each Dean Smith and Roy Williams at North Carolina. The most effective model of these teaching duels at this time could be Pitino vs. Hurley. UConn swept St. John’s in the course of the 2023-24 season, and Pitino promptly avenged these losses with a run to the Huge East title and event championship — and a 2-0 file in opposition to the Huskies — the following season. Each groups will enter 2025-26 with nationwide championship hopes as in addition they joust for supremacy within the convention. Faculty basketball is extra enjoyable with these two going through off in the identical convention.

Huge Sky Convention

Which group’s prolonged NCAA event drought will lastly finish?

The previous seven NCAA event berths from the Huge Sky have been claimed by Montana, Montana State and Eastern Washington. This season, the convention may need to make room for a trio of groups seeking to snap some lengthy NCAA event droughts: Portland State (final in 2009), Northern Colorado (2011) and Idaho (1990).

Huge South Convention

The departure of two prime coaches could possibly be a priority

Longwood‘s Griff Aldrich and High Point‘s Alan Huss each left this previous offseason to take assistant posts at Virginia and Creighton, respectively. Although they every had private causes for his or her strikes, it more and more has grow to be clear that it is tougher for mid-majors and low-majors to compete within the sport. If the realities of the switch portal, income share and NIL contributed to the departure of two prime, revered head coaches, it could possibly be an ominous signal for non-power conferences.

Huge 12 Convention

The race for Huge 12 Participant of the 12 months, the No. 1 NBA draft choose — or each?

Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson (the No. 2 recruit within the class of 2025) is a 6-foot-6 guard who not too long ago scored 24 factors within the first half of an exhibition in opposition to Louisville. AJ Dybantsa (the No. 1 recruit within the class of 2025) is a 6-9 wing who scored 30 factors in BYU‘s exhibition win over North Carolina. The duo are projected to go first and second, respectively, in ESPN’s latest mock draft. They’re additionally two of probably the most gifted gamers in current Huge 12 historical past. Although each will compete for Huge 12 Participant of the 12 months honors, 2024-25 All-Individuals JT Toppin (Texas Tech) and P.J. Haggerty (Kansas State) may need one thing to say about that. Finally, whichever freshman edges out the opposite may additionally do the identical in June, making this the nation’s most fascinating player-of-the-year race.

Huge Ten Convention

Is that this, lastly, Matt Painter’s 12 months?

Over the previous 20 years, Painter has made Purdue one among faculty basketball’s most constant packages, together with taking the Boilermakers all the best way to the nationwide title recreation in 2023 — and he has achieved so by recruiting elite expertise to West Lafayette. Take this season’s preseason No. 1 roster, starring Braden Smith, the extensively perceived Picket Award favourite who final season gave Painter his seventh AP All-American since 2016-17. Subsequent to Smith will likely be Trey Kaufman-Renn — an All-America contender this season — veteran Fletcher Loyer and South Dakota State switch Oscar Cluff (17.6 PPG, 12.3 RPG). Painter is 55 years outdated, so it could be an exaggeration to counsel this could be his final shot at a nationwide championship. However there are not any ensures he’ll have a group as stacked as this one sooner or later.

Huge West Convention

Had been Aidan Mahaney‘s first two seasons a fluke — or did he simply want a contemporary begin?

When Mahaney signed with UConn final 12 months, after two all-ACC first group seasons at Saint Mary’s, he mentioned Dan Hurley’s program would put him in a “completely different system that ought to permit my recreation to develop much more.” As a substitute, Mahaney (4.5 PPG) regressed. A stint within the Huge West with UC Santa Barbara may now assist him get again to taking part in the basketball that made him a prime portal goal a 12 months in the past.

Coastal Athletic Affiliation

How lengthy can UNC Wilmington hold coach Takayo Siddle?

After profitable 27 video games and incomes the Seahawks’ first NCAA event berth in practically a decade, Siddle signed a multiyear extension in March. He has gained 99 video games over the previous 4 years, all whereas main a group that has completed top-two in offensive effectivity in league play in three of these 4 years. UNCW managed to lock up Siddle, however which may not cease high-major packages from calling once more if he continues his success this season.

Convention USA

Will Liberty be probably the most potent 3-point taking pictures group within the nation?

Final season, Ritchie McKay’s program made 39% of its 3-point makes an attempt, a top-10 mark nationally — and practically half of the Flames’ subject aim makes an attempt had been from past the arc, additionally for one of many highest charges within the nation. With Kaden Metheny (38.3% on 3s) and Colin Porter (42.9% on 3s) each again, Liberty has the potential to be the highest 3-point taking pictures group within the nation this season.

Horizon League

Will one other Horizon group emerge as a harmful Cinderella within the NCAA event?

Final season, No. 15-seeded Robert Morris had a 65-64 lead over a No. 2 seed Alabama with 7:10 to play of their first-round matchup earlier than in the end shedding 90-81. Oakland upset Kentucky within the first spherical of the 2024 event and Wright State gained a First 4 recreation in 2023. Which Horizon group may carry that baton and make noise this March? Robert Morris, Youngstown State, Milwaukee (top-five offensive rebounding fee on KenPom final season) and Oakland (Tuburu Naivalurua is again after averaging 13.9 PPG and seven.1 RPG) stand out.

Ivy League

Can Cornell be part of Yale, Harvard and Princeton amongst Ivy League contenders?

Penn is the one Ivy League member apart from Yale, Harvard or Princeton that has gained a regular-season or convention event title since 2009-10, and that was in 2017-18. With Yale’s Nick Townsend (All-Ivy League), Princeton’s Landon Clark (four-star recruit) and Harvard’s three returning starters, there may not be room for an additional contender — however Cornell could be subsequent up. Cooper Noard and Jake Fiegen return for a Huge Crimson group that led the nation in efficient subject aim share final season.

Metro Atlantic Athletic Convention

Can Quinnipiac break its two-year streak of shedding the convention event after profitable the regular-season title?

Quinnipiac misplaced to Iona in final season’s convention event — the identical Gaels group the Bobcats had swept within the common season. They’ll have one other shot because the MAAC’s official preseason favourite, giving MAAC Preseason Participant of the 12 months Amarri Monroe the prospect to avenge these misses and lead the Bobcats to the NCAA event for the primary time.

Mid-American Convention

May this be John Groce’s final season at Akron?

Groce was simply 45 years outdated when he was fired by Illinois after an 8-10 Huge Ten end in 2016-17, however he has discovered sufficient success and adoration at Akron because of three NCAA event appearances in 4 tries to earn a one-year extension on a contract that now runs by way of 2034-35. He is aware of higher than most that the grass is not at all times greener on the main degree, but there are sources obtainable there that aren’t accessible at mid-majors. One other robust season may yield intriguing choices for Groce.

Mid-Jap Athletic Convention

How can the MEAC maintain its expertise pool within the switch portal period?

Each convention has been affected by the uncertainty of roster continuity created by the portal, however the MEAC has arguably incurred probably the most vital challenges within the nation: There are solely 5 returning starters within the convention. (No, that is not a typo.) Excessive-major conferences get probably the most consideration once they snatch prime mid-major gamers, however low-major packages are additionally struggling to protect their rotations. This season’s depth charts throughout the MEAC show as a lot.

Missouri Valley Convention

How will Indiana State navigate the season till head coach Matthew Graves returns?

The expansion of Illinois State star Chase Walker — who may grow to be the third consecutive MVC standout to switch and star for a high-major group subsequent season — could be the important thing storyline on this convention if not for the late-October announcement that Graves was on leave. Assistant Mark Slessinger will lead the group till the 50-year-old Graves’ anticipated (however unspecified) return.

Mountain West Convention

What is going to Grand Canyon‘s arrival imply for the Mountain West?

Bryce Drew’s group will attempt to duplicate its 26 WAC wins in a extra aggressive and gifted Mountain West. With out Tyon Grant-Foster‘s 14.8 PPG (transferred to Gonzaga) and the manufacturing of three different gamers who averaged double figures, the Lopes may have a rocky debut in a convention that earned 4 NCAA event bids final season. However as the one for-profit Division I college within the nation, Grand Canyon has sources to spend extra money than another Mountain West group within the income share period, which may affect the Mountain West’s hierarchy within the years forward. The Lopes even have among the finest home-court benefits within the nation with crowd help few packages can match.

Northeast Convention

What may Saint Francis‘ forthcoming transfer to Division III imply for the NEC?

Former Saint Francis participant turned head coach Rob Krimmel led the Crimson Flash to the NCAA event for the primary time in 34 years final season. However days after that feat, the college introduced it was moving to Division III in 2026 due to the “complexity” of the Division I panorama. Because the sources required to compete at this degree improve, extra colleges may comply with Saint Francis’ lead.

Ohio Valley Convention

How will Little Rock fare with out KK Robinson?

Robinson was the OVC Preseason Participant of the 12 months heading into 2023-24 earlier than a knee harm sustained in a preseason follow price him the season. With Robinson and Johnathan Lawson (15.8 PPG final 12 months) collectively, Little Rock — the OVC’s official preseason favourite to win the convention crown — appeared poised to guide the Trojans to the NCAA event for the primary time in a decade. However after struggling one other season-ending harm in a preseason follow, Robinson will sit out his second straight season. The heartbreaking growth places extra stress on Lawson.

Patriot League

Will Navy’s profitable 12 months in sports activities lengthen to the basketball courtroom, too?

As of writing, Navy soccer is 7-0 with a chance to contend for a historic Faculty Soccer Playoff berth. The boys’s basketball group may additionally take pleasure in a storybook season if it might win the convention event and seize this system’s first NCAA event berth since 1998. Patriot League Preseason Participant of the 12 months Austin Benigni is a standout guard who may make that dream come true.

Southeastern Convention

Can the SEC make historical past … once more?

The SEC set an all-time mark with 14 of its 16 groups incomes NCAA event bids — and the 2 packages that missed the sphere, LSU and South Carolina, nonetheless managed to beat 5 NCAA event groups over the course of the season. The 2024-25 model of the SEC was arguably the strongest convention in males’s faculty basketball historical past after topping the Huge East’s 11-bid tally in 2011. The 2025-26 model may not have a group with the identical expertise that Auburn (No. 1 for the majority of final season) and Florida (nationwide champion) boasted a season in the past, however the SEC can have one other probability to safe double-digit berths on Choice Sunday. A second straight nationwide title — Florida, Kentucky and Arkansas are every top-15 in the preseason AP poll — can also be inside attain.

Southern Convention

Can Chattanooga grow to be the following reigning NIT champion to win an NCAA event recreation?

In two of the previous 4 seasons, NIT champions gained NCAA event video games the next season. The switch portal decimated the rosters of the 2 earlier winners, North Texas and Seton Corridor, however 2025 champion Chattanooga will attempt to keep away from the identical destiny and safe the Southern Convention’s computerized bid. With out Honor Huff, although — the star who averaged 15.2 factors earlier than transferring to West Virginia — Dan Earl’s group must pursue that aim with none returning starters.

Southland Convention

Will McNeese lose its mojo with out Will Wade?

After his No. 12-seeded McNeese group upset 5-seed Clemson within the first spherical of final season’s NCAA event, Wade bumped into the stands to have fun with a few of the Cowboys’ supporters and boosters … then left for NC State. Wade’s 58 wins in two seasons at McNeese is a outstanding run for any program, however reigning Southland Participant of the 12 months Javohn Garcia ought to place first-year head coach Invoice Armstrong to take care of the momentum in 2025-26.

Summit League

Can St. Thomas evolve right into a perennial risk to its in-state Huge Ten neighbor Minnesota?

In early October, St. Thomas was picked to win the Summit League for the primary time. The Tommies are additionally eligible for the NCAA event following their transition from Division III to Division I. The non-public Catholic college may also open a brand new area this season. That actuality ought to fear Minnesota, the place Niko Medved will try to elevate a program that has not been capable of compete with its Huge Ten friends. On the West Coast, Gonzaga — a non-public Jesuit college — overtook Washington as the highest program in that state after an analogous funding in basketball. An NCAA event look for St. Thomas may put the Tommies — and the deep pockets that encompass this system — on an analogous trajectory.

Solar Belt Convention

Will Old Dominion‘s Robert Davis Jr. set an NCAA file for 3-pointers?

Davis completed final season with 348 3-point makes an attempt (he made 116 of them), good for thirtieth most in NCAA historical past. That mark was far wanting the 411 3-point makes an attempt Darius McGhee needed to set the file in 2022-23, nevertheless it’s not unimaginable that Davis — who averaged 10.2 3-point makes an attempt final season — may inch nearer to that single-season file.

Southwestern Athletic Convention

Is Jackson State‘s Mo Williams proof that former NBA gamers can discover success teaching in faculty?

It has been robust sledding for former NBA standouts with restricted head teaching expertise who’ve secured faculty jobs. Juwan Howard, Patrick Ewing, Danny Manning and others have all struggled to search out their footing in recent times. However Mo Williams — a former NBA All-Star who gained a title with LeBron James and the Cavaliers in 2016 — has quietly helped Jackson State grow to be a SWAC contender. A season after his group misplaced within the convention event finals, this season’s group may win the automated bid and finish an 18-year NCAA event drought for this system.

Western Athletic Convention

Will the United Athletic Convention work?

The WAC will not look the identical after this season. Following the departures of Cal Baptist, Utah Valley, Southern Utah and Utah Tech, the convention introduced it could mix with the Atlantic Solar to create the United Athletic Convention. The mixed league, which is able to start competitors subsequent July, shrinks the footprint for each the ASUN and WAC as realignment shifts the panorama. The alliance may create a blueprint for different mid-major conferences in quest of stability.

West Coast Convention

What does Tyon Grant-Foster‘s eligibility imply for Gonzaga in its closing WCC season?

On Monday, Mark Few and Grant-Foster — the 2023-24 MAC Participant of the 12 months — raced to Gonzaga’s area for an exhibition in opposition to Western Oregon after Grant-Foster had been granted an injunction to play this season. His basketball journey started in 2018 at a junior faculty, with a number of accidents and cardiac illnesses complicating his profession. However his profitable push for a further season of eligibility ought to improve Gonzaga’s probability to make a Ultimate 4 run in its closing season within the WCC earlier than a transfer to the Pac-12, with Graham Ike and Braden Huff anchoring its frontcourt. Contemplating the Bulldogs have been a beacon for the WCC for greater than 20 years, the convention must create a brand new id with out its prime anchor within the years forward.

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