Kentucky is in the top 5 of On3’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for the 2025-26 season following the additions of Mo Dioubate, Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance.
Houston is No. 1 in the rankings followed by Duke and Alabama.
Kentucky is No 4 and Louisville, with an impressive portal class, is No. 5.
Here are excerpts about the Cats and Cards:
4. Kentucky
Key returns: Brandon Garrison, Otega Oweh
Key additions: Mo Dioubate*, Jasper Johnson, Acaden Lewis, Jaland Lowe*, Malachi Moreno, Jayden Quaintance*, Kam Williams*
Key departures: Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson, Amari Williams
Kentucky will get back a couple key pieces from the roster, which promise to complement a huge recruiting class and plenty talented transfers. Mark Pope overachieved in Year One and could enter the season as a top contender with the level of talent set to join the roster.
5. Louisville
Key returns: Aly Khalifa, Kobe Rodgers, James Scott
Key additions: Mikel Brown, Ryan Conwell*, Isaac McKneely*, Adrian Wooley*
Key departures: Terrence Edwards, J’Vonne Hadley, Chucky Hepburn, Reyne Smith, Noah Waterman
Louisville gets a bigger boost than any team in the country based on early transfer portal returns, locking up three coveted guard to complement a huge recruiting win. Pat Kelsey overachieved in Year One, and now might just build a roster that can leap them further up the pecking order.
