QUINIX Sport News: College basketball rankings: St. John’s climbs into top five, Duke slides after Cooper Flagg’s NBA declaration

Rick Pitino insisted during the regular season that he would restock his St. John’s roster via the transfer portal as opposed to with high school prospects. True to his word, just two weeks after the season concluded, the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame coach has added four high-level transfers who should, on paper, give the Red Storm a chance to win back-to-back Big East championships.

Will UConn have something to say about that?

Yes, I think so.

But Pitino is undeniably delivering on his promise to build a roster capable of keeping St. John’s at the top of the Big East with the latest addition coming Monday afternoon, when Ian Jackson, a 2024 McDonald’s All-American who just finished his freshman year at North Carolina, publicly committed to the re-energized program. It’s a move that will allow Jackson to play home games inside Madison Square Garden, just seven miles from where he was born in Harlem.

“We had big shoes to fill at the point,” Pitino posted Monday on X, previously known as Twitter. “Kadary [Richmond} and Deivon [Smith] were awesome [this past season]. The ball is now in the hands of our next great point. Let’s go Ian!”

The addition of Jackson — which followed the additions of Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon, Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins and Stanford transfer Oziyah Sellers — means St. John’s could theoretically start this way on Opening Night:

G: Ian Jackson
G: Oziyah Sellers
G: Joson Sanon
F: Bryce Hopkins
C: Zuby Ejiofor

That lineup would feature three seniors (Hopkins, Ejiofor, Sellers) and two sophomores who were top-25 national prospects in the Class of 2024 (Jackson, Sanon). Each of those five players has already averaged double-figures out the power-conference level, point being Pitino has built a team that’s both talented and experienced, which is among the reasons I’ve moved the Red Storm to No. 4 in Version 8 of the 2025-26 CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings.

Houston remains No. 1.

Why Houston?

It’s because the Cougars are projected to return three starters — specifically Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a team that finished 35-5 after falling to Florida in the national championship of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr., and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings, each of whom should play a role in helping Kelvin Sampson try to take the Cougars to the Final Four for the third time in a six-year span.

7

St. John’s

7

Duke

1	Houston	This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a team that finished 35-5 and advanced to the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, Sam Houston transfer Kalifa Sakho, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr. and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings.	—	35-5
2	Purdue	This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top six scorers – specifically Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Daniel Jacobsen and C.J. Cox – from a team that finished 24-12 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff, North Florida transfer Liam Murphy and international prospect Omer Mayer.	—	24-12
3	UConn	This ranking is based on the Huskies returning four of the top seven scorers — specifically Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed and Jaylin Stewart — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr., Dayton transfer Malachi Smith, five-star freshman Braylon Mullins and four-star freshman Eric Reibe.	—	24-11
4	St. John’s	This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning two of the top six scorers — specifically Zuby Ejiofor and Vince Iwuchukwu — from a team that finished 31-5 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins, Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon, North Carolina transfer Ian Jackson and Stanford transfer Oziyah Sellers.	7	31-5
5	BYU	This ranking is based on the Cougars returning four of the top 10 scorers – specifically Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker, Keba Keita and Mihailo Boskovic – from a team that finished 26-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Baylor transfer Robert Wright, five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa and four-star freshmen Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess.	1	26-10
6	Texas Tech	This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning two of the top four scorers — specifically JT Toppin and Christian Anderson — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by Washington State transfer LeJuan Watts, UNC Greensboro transfer Donovan Atwell, Villanova transfer Josiah Moseley and redshirt freshmen Marial Akuentok.	1	28-9
7	Michigan	This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning three of the top eight scorers — specifically Roddy Gayle Jr., Nimari Burnett and L.J. Cason — from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois transfer Morez Johnson Jr., North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau, UCLA transfer Aday Mara and four-star freshmen Trey McKenney and Winters Grady.	2	27-10
8	UCLA	This ranking is based on the Bruins returning three of the top four scorers – specifically Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr. and Skyy Clark – from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class featuring New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent, Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker, Kansas City transfer Jamar Brown and San Diego transfer Steven Jamerson.	1	23-11
9	Arizona	This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning four of the top eight scorers — specifically Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Motiejus Krivas and Anthony Dell’Orso — from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Harvard transfer Evan Nelson, five-star freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, and four-star freshman Dwayne Aristode.	1	24-13
10	Kentucky	Jayden Quaintance	3	24-12
11	Louisville	This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning two of the top six scorers – specifically J’Vonne Hadley and James Scott – from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely, Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell, Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley, five-star freshman Mikel Brown and four-star freshman Sananda Fru.	1	27-8
12	Iowa St.	This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top five scorers – specifically Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey – from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan, Purdue Fort Wayne transfer Eric Mulder, Eastern Washington transfer Mason Williams and four-star freshman Jamarion Batemon.	2	25-10
13	Duke	This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top nine scorers — specifically Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba — from a team that finished 35-4 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star freshman Cameron Boozer, and four-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia and Cayden Boozer.	7	35-4
14	Michigan St.	This ranking is based on the Spartans returning four of the top eight scorers — specifically Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears and Carson Cooper — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Samford transfer Trey Fort, FAU transfer Kaleb Glenn and four-star freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott.	1	30-7
15	Florida	This ranking is based on the Gators returning five of the top 10 scorers – specifically Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Urban Klavzar and Micah Handlogten – from a team that finished 36-4 and won the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee and four-star freshmen CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd.	1	36-4
16	Oregon	This ranking is based on the Ducks returning four of the top 10 scorers – specifically Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, Kwame Evans Jr. and Jamari Phillips – from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Elon transfer TK Simpkins and three-star freshman JJ Frakes.	—	25-10
17	Kansas	This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers – specifically Flory Bidunga – from a team that finished 21-13 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Illinois transfer Tre White, Loyola Chicago transfer Jayden Dawson, St. Bonaventure transfer Melvin Council, five-star freshman Darryn Peterson and four-star freshman Samis Calderon – plus Elmarko Jackson, a former five-star prospect who missed this past season with a knee injury.	—	21-13
18	Auburn	This ranking is based on the Tigers returning one of the top three scorers — specifically Tahaad Pettiford — from a team that finished 32-6 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall, Mississippi State transfer KeShawn Murphy, Texas Tech transfer Kevin Overton, Lincoln Memorial transfer Elyjah Freeman, JUCO transfer Abdul Bashir and four-star freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Kaden Magwood.	—	32-6
19	Arkansas	This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning four of the top nine scorers – specifically DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III – from a team that finished 22-14 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Florida State transfer Malique Ewin, South Carolina transfer Nick Pringle, five-star freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas.	—	22-14
20	Tennessee	This ranking is based on the Vols returning three of the top eight scorers — specifically Felix Okpara, J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips — from a team that finished 30-8 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey, Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie, five-star freshman Nate Ament and four-star freshmen Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown.	3	30-8
21	Texas	This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning three of the top six scorers – specifically Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Chendall Weaver – from a team that finished 19-16 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Xavier transfer Lassina Traore, FAU transfer Matas Vokietaitis, Purdue transfer Camden Heide, Xavier transfer Dailyn Swain and four-star freshman John Clark.	1	19-16
22	Alabama	This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning two of the top four scorers – specifically Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Aden Hollowayl – from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Miami transferJalil Bethea, Florida State transfer Tayor Bol Bowen, Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson and four-star freshmen London Jemison, Davion Hannah and Amari Allen.	1	28-9
23	Ohio St.	This ranking is based on the Buckeyes returning four of the top six scorers – specifically Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal, John Mobley Jr. and Sean Stewart – from a team that finished 17-15 and missed the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by Wright State transfer Brandon Noel, Santa Clara transfer Christoph Tilly, Indiana transfer Gabe Cupps and four-star freshmen A’mare Bynum and Dorian Jones.	1	17-15
24	Wisconsin	This ranking is based on the Badgers returning three of the top nine scorers – specifically John Blackwell, Nolan Winter and Jack Janicki – from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by San Diego State transfer Nick Boyd, Virginia transfer Andrew Rohde, Portland transfer Austin Rapp and four-star freshman Zach Kinziger.	1	27-10
25	Gonzaga	This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top 10 scorers – specifically Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne and Emmanuel Innocenti – from a team that finished 26-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Jalen Warley, Colgate transfer Braeden Smith and four-star freshman Davis Fogle – plus the return of Steele Venters, who has missed the past two seasons with injuries.	1	26-9
26	N. Carolina	This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning two of the top six scorers — specifically Seth Trimble and Drake Powell — from a team that finished 23-14 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar, Alabama transfer Jarin Stevenson, West Virginia transfer Jonathan Powell, Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans, five-star freshman Caleb Wilson and four-star freshmen Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon.	2	23-14