Purdue, Houston, and the Top College Basketball Contenders to Watch in 2022-23
The new college basketball season has tipped off, and there’s already a sense of anticipation about the top teams poised to make a statement. Right now, all eyes are on Purdue, who occupy the coveted number one spot in both the AP and Coaches Polls. They’ll begin their campaign on Tuesday against Evansville, and expectations are sky-high after a strong preseason showing. Houston is right behind Purdue, set to face Lehigh on Monday, and Florida is in third, given an early test on the road at Arizona. UConn and St. John’s round out the top five, with St. John’s in particular getting attention from Sports Illustrated for their impressive lineup this year.With opening day arriving, fans are watching not just for individual game outcomes, but storylines across the conferences. According to NCAA.com, the 2025-26 season is loaded with intrigue: new faces, veteran stars, and coaches eager to deliver signature wins. The return of the State Farm Champions Classic to Madison Square Garden on November 18 stands out as an early marquee event, bringing together Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan State for some seriously high-level basketball. Anytime these four programs meet, it’s must-see action, and this year’s matchups promise to set the tone for the rest of the season.Looking at the conferences, Andy Katz from NCAA.com is calling Saint Louis a sleeper in the Atlantic 10, driven by standout performances from Robbie Avila and Quentin Jones. Meanwhile, teams like BYU and Michigan are emerging as potential disruptors—they’re both ranked in the top ten and loaded with talent, aiming to prove themselves against more established powers.Another developing storyline is the race for 30-win seasons. ESPN has highlighted seventeen programs with the talent, depth, and scheduling to potentially cross that threshold. Purdue and Houston top this list, but you can’t ignore Florida or UConn, both of whom have a strong mix of returners and new recruits lighting up preseason scrimmages.Recruiting buzz remains strong, as powerhouse programs keep restocking with blue-chip talent according to 247Sports, but it’s the veteran combinations—particularly experienced guards and versatile bigs—that analysts believe may tip the scales in tight games this year.With so much happening already, including surprise predictions and emerging stars, a new year of college basketball feels like it’s ready to deliver all the drama fans crave. Don’t forget to subscribe for continuing coverage and season updates. Thanks for tuning in—this has been a Quiet Please production; for more, check out quiet please dot ai.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI