BYU basketball is firmly in this preseason top 25, even without a starting center

BYU basketball's offseason has been defined by one word: uncertainty.

After Rob Wright exited via the transfer portal (if only briefly), Kevin Young's roster was left with zero returning starters. Very little returning bench production, save for Khadim Mboup and Dawson Baker, would be back again in the wake of an AJ Dybantsa-led year for the Cougars, and though the team has a fascinating batch of freshmen joining the program, freshman-led programs simply don't win in March like they used to.

Since the initial uncertainty, though, the Cougars have managed to find something of a stasis. No, the program still hasn't come up with a starting-caliber center through the transfer portal, nor through traditional recruiting means, but retaining Wright at point guard was critical. Adding Collin Chandler in the backcourt was excellent. Bruce Branch III will join the fray as a 5-star, projected lottery pick, and Team USA member. Add to the mix Jake Wahlin and Tyler Betsey at power forward, and the team is finally beginning to take shape under Young's watch.

Please don't leave to Chicago, KY. That would ruin everything.

But the void in the 5-spot is worrying for BYU hoops, and if they can't come away with Italian big Luigi Suigo or Chinese tower Xu Xin, the team's prospects become harrowingly shallow.

But that's a problem for another day, apparently, because Fox College Hoops on X has posted preseason rankings after the madness of the transfer portal and BYU basketball manages to remain in the top 25.

I suppose LSU's NBA roster isn't quite official at the moment, but there are plenty of details to glean from this list that could provide a guide map for the incoming season.

First of all, BYU sitting at 22 feels about as good as one could reasonably hope. This number could climb or sit at the introduction of a center for all I care -- 22 is a fantastic opening position for a program that disappointed in 2026, despite unleashing the potential number-one NBA Draft pick.

I'm seeing a shift of power in the Big 12 Conference, as well, as it appears Arizona has officially snatched the gauntlet of power from Kelvin Sampson and Houston. Speaking of Houston, they're all the way down to 18th, which is a major drop-off from their familiar comforts in the top-10 range. Iowa State projects to be just as great as ever, even with Milan Momcilovic transferring to Kentucky.

And then there's Kentucky, thank me for mentioning them. They've finally found their footing after a nightmare start to the offseason, but fell all the way down to 25. It'll be fascinating to see just where the Wildcats stand after a tragic season under Mark Pope.

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