National Runners-Up The Cougars came within one made shot (and one avoided late-game collapse) of winning the program’s first national title last season. Despite that disappointment, they aren’t going anywhere in 2025-26.

Rick Pitino will eventually stop adding quality pieces from the transfer portal, I think. But the Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer has been going full speed since St. John's season ended with the latest development coming Wednesday when Dillon Mitchell publicly committed to the Red Storm.

It’s been just over a week since the 2024-25 college basketball season concluded. However, CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish is already back with a way-too-early Top 25 and 1 Rankings for next season.