Fansided

College basketball rankings 2022-23: UNC, Gonzaga headline FanSided preseason Top 25

By Mike Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Chase Center on March 24, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Chase Center on March 24, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 20: RJ Melendez #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini goes up for a dunk during the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The basket was waved off as Melendez was called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 20: RJ Melendez #15 of the Illinois Fighting Illini goes up for a dunk during the game against the Houston Cougars during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 20, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The basket was waved off as Melendez was called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

The college basketball season is set to begin on Monday. North Carolina and Gonzaga lead the FanSided Preseason Top 25 rankings.

After a wait of nearly seven months, college basketball is back. The 2022-23 campaign kicks off on Monday as Kansas looks to defend its national championship while North Carolina, Gonzaga and Houston have loaded teams looking to cut down the nets next April.

The first polls of the season are out so it’s time for the FanSided Preseason Top 25 to be released. Let’s break down the Top 25 teams in the country entering the campaign from the bottom up.

College Basketball Rankings: FanSided Preseason Top 25

25. UConn Huskies

Head coach Dan Hurley has imported two intriguing transfers at guard as Tristen Newton and Nahiem Alleyne look to add some serious firepower to the backcourt. UConn will also look to get a big leap forward from forward Jordan Hawkins, who was a spark plug off the bench last season and will now have an expanded role as a sophomore.

The most recognizable name for Huskies fans is big man Adama Sanogo, who is a front-runner for the Big East Player of the Year honors. Sanogo is the biggest low-post threat for UConn and his health will be a key to their chances to make a deep March run.

24. Illinois Fighting Illini

Kofi Cockburn and Andre Curbelo may be gone but head coach Brad Underwood used the transfer portal very effectively to bolster his lineup. Seniors Terrence Shannon and Matthew Mayer bring a ton of experience from their time in the Big 12, allowing them to serve as leaders on a younger team.

The Fighting Illini also have an exciting point guard in freshman Skyy Clark, who was originally committed to Kentucky before switching to Illinois late in the process. The top returner is sophomore R.J. Melendez, who can become one of the best shooters in the Big Ten.

23. Dayton Flyers

Arguably the most egregious snub from the 2022 NCAA Tournament, Dayton is on a mission to prove they belong in the field of 68 this season. Anthony Grant returns his top seven scorers from a year ago, giving the Flyers tremendous experience in a college basketball world that rewards it in spades.

Dayton’s starting five is headlined by sophomore guard Malachi Smith, who is a star in the making, and sophomore forward Daron Holmes II. The A-10 will be a gauntlet this season but the Flyers should be the favorites thanks to its combination of talent and experience.

22. Oregon Ducks

It was an uncharacteristic down year for the Ducks, who floundered after a solid start to the non-conference season and missed the NCAA Tournament. Head coach Dana Altman still managed to win 20 games and hit up the transfer portal for some veteran ballast, adding Jermaine Couisnard and Quincy Guerrier to bolster his starting lineup.

The Ducks will also have senior star Will Richardson back for another run at NCAA Tournament glory. A true sharpshooter, Richardson will be the floor general for an experienced Oregon team that should start four seniors.

21. Virginia Cavaliers

Much like Oregon, Virginia struggled through the season and ended up missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013 (excluding the canceled tournament from 2020). There is reason for optimism with the Cavaliers this season, beginning with the return of junior Kihei Clark, who was a member of Virginia’s national championship team as a freshman.

Clark is the leader of a Virginia team laden with experience as all five projected starters were on the roster last season. Fellow junior Reece Beekman is poised to step into a bigger role on offense and head coach Tony Bennett’s patented Pack Line defense is ready to give the rest of the ACC fits.