Jeff Borzello

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Jeff Borzello

ESPN Staff Writer

Basketball recruiting insider.

Joined ESPN in 2014.

Graduate of University of Delaware.

and

Myron Medcalf

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Myron Medcalf

ESPN Staff Writer

Covers college basketball

Joined ESPN.com in 2011

Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

Oct 26, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

Preseason top 25 rankings are a fun exercise, a time-honored tradition that begins the day after the national championship game -- when they're considered way-too-early -- and changes all offseason. It sparks endless, months-long debates and disagreements.

And then, on the first day of the season, everything goes out the window.

That's not quite the same when it comes to tiers -- especially this season, when the range of outcomes for teams varies dramatically depending on how dozens of lawsuits around the country turn out .…