6 men’s college basketball teams who got better this offseason, and 2 who got worse

Key Points:

• College basketball is increasingly a year-to-year sport due to NIL deals and the transfer portal, with teams focusing on retaining a core group and filling out rosters via transfers rather than long-term player development.
• Teams expected to improve significantly in the 2026-27 season include Miami, Texas, USC, Missouri, Marquette, and DePaul, each bolstered by key returning players, impactful transfers, and strong incoming freshmen.
• Miami and Texas stand out with high-impact players and deep rosters, positioning them as contenders in the ACC and nationally, while USC and Missouri have strong transfer additions and promising freshmen to enhance their competitiveness.
• Marquette and DePaul are poised for rebounds after down seasons, with Marquette benefiting from returning talent and new additions, and DePaul showing progress under coach Chris Holtmann with a talented transfer class.
• Michigan and Iowa are projected to decline slightly due to key departures and coaching changes, though both teams are expected to remain competitive and likely secure NCAA tournament bids despite stepping back from previous peak performances.