What happened: ESPN posted Jeff Borzello's "Way-Too-Early" Top 25 rankings for the upcoming NCAA men's basketball season. The preseason projection ranks the teams expected to contend before any games are played. ESPN shared the list through its main account with a link to the full rankings.

Why it matters: Way-too-early rankings set the early narrative for the offseason, shaping recruiting buzz, transfer-portal interest and fan expectations months ahead of tip-off. They serve as a baseline that shifts as rosters finalize over the summer.

What to watch: Watch for roster moves through the transfer portal and NBA Draft decisions, which will reshape these projections before the season opens.