2025-26 Roster

[sedz]

Here is how Torvik's preseason rankings compared to the AP last season for all teams in either the AP's preseason or final rankings. Torvik was closer on 21, the AP was closer on 12.

Team	AP Pre	Torvik Pre	AP Final
Kansas	1	4	37
Alabama	2	9	6
UConn	3	13	29
Houston	4	1	2
Iowa St	5	3	17
Gonzaga	6	8	23
Duke	7	2	3
Baylor	8	15	--
UNC	9	5	--
Arizona	10	10	15
Auburn	11	7	4
Tennessee	12	6	5
TX A&M	13	12	19
Purdue	14	17	14
Creighton	15	14	30
Arkansas	16	35	20
Indiana	17	30	--
Marquette	18	25	38
Texas	19	11	--
Cincinnati	20	27	--
Florida	21	36	1
UCLA	22	24	32
Kentucky	23	23	12
Ole Miss	24	38	18
Rutgers	25	19	--

Team	AP Pre	Torvik Pre	AP Final
St Johns	27	16	11
Texas Tech	29	20	8
Michigan St	32	18	7
Michigan	34	34	10
BYU	35	28	13
Clemson	41	44	22
Wisconsin	45	40	16
St Marys	46	39	24
Louisville	47	62	21
Maryland	55	48	9
Memphis	--	32	25

[GoBearcats31]

@GoBearcatsMBB tweeted "It all starts with 1 and 2" with pics of Jizzle and Day Day. Day Day obviously never hit the portal but this is further confirmation he is back.

I guess Day Day posted on IG similar to Jizzle where he announced he's back but it's buried at the end of a video

[DesertFog]

I have a few things to add to the statistics/analytics comments, but I wonder if it might make more sense to put the discussion, which is presently scattered throughout the Roster and Transfer Portal sections, in the Analytics section. Admins?

[leeraymond]

The truth of the matter is, even with all of the fancy analytics, the statistical tools of Torvik and Kenpom, and predictions of college basketball thought gurus, no one knows how next season is going to play out. UC was ranked as high as 14th in the country this season and finished its season 13th in the BIG XII. What a let-down.

Let's see how next year's team looks once it hits the floor and play its first one or two challenging games against a decent opponent. Although next year's team may not enter the season ranked as high as this year's team, next year's team may fit together and have better chemistry than this year's team. UC now has the roster configuration to play big or small. Teams with the two big body bigs may not give next year's team as many problems as this year's team. UC now has a 4 big man rotation (Thiam McKinley, Haynes, and Dzellat). Who knows, UC still has more roster spots to fill, it may bring in another big man. I doubt it, but you never know.

Finally, Thiam and Haynes did not come to UC to sit on the bench. I project that UC may start the season with both of those guys in the starting lineup. Thiam, I do not know about Haynes, is being paid good money to be on the floor. I cannot see either one of those guys not starting. However, Let us not sell McKinley or Dzellat short. McKinley can really play and knows how to play. He is 6'9" and 240. He has had a chance to observe big time college basketball up close for a year. He has been watching film in real time. I expect that he is going to be able to strike a blow in practice. Remember, McKinley played high school basketball at the highest level in the country. He knows what it is like to play high level basketball. Look out for McKinley.

I do not know if anyone paid any attention to Dzellat when he was on the floor during the Crown Tournament. From what I could see, there is nothing wrong with his defense. Also, he took shots when he was around the rim. He appears to like playing offense. He was looking for his shot. I like that. Next year's team may be alright. It has some interesting parts and pieces.

Miller is still he wild card. As we all know, it takes Miiler forever to decide on a starting 5. If next year's team can develop a strong chemistry, toughness, and intelligence, who knows what could happen. It may be able to save Miller's job.

[DesertFog]

Re compring AP and Torvik Pre, it might be interesting to consider Torvik final as well.