With the calendar turned to November, the sounds of bouncing balls, squeaking sneakers and referees’ whistles are echoing in campus gyms throughout the land. Yes, college basketball is back, and it’s time to look at who might play a starring role in the coming months on the way to March Madness.
Two weeks ago, we unveiled the preseason USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll with Purdue at No. 1. Last week it was 10 players on our preseason All-America team. But there are a lot more guys who could have a major impact once teams and conference races start to take shape. In no particular order, here’s a look at a number of other players to watch in 2025-26.
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Trey Kaufman-Renn, F, Purdue
Braden Smith is Purdue’s engine, of course, but Kaufman-Renn is often the finisher. He averaged 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds last season, and he might be even more productive in his final season with a couple of true centers allowing him to return to his natural power-forward position.
Milos Uzan, G, Houston
The Cougars will again be greater than the sum of their parts, but Uzan is the glue that holds it all together. He can score himself (11.4 ppg) and shot 42.8% from the three-point arc, but he’s even more valuable as a distributor (4.3 apg). With some key pieces departing and talented newcomers arriving, Uzan’s leadership will be more critical this season.
Houston guard Milos Uzan (7) dribbles the ball Duke guard Tyrese Proctor (5) during the national semifinals of the 2025 NCAA men’s tournament at the Alamodome.
Nate Bittle, C, Oregon
The seven-footer with three-point range averaged 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Ducks. He’s expected to add more to those total this season. With high-scoring guard Jackson Shelstad also back in Eugene, Oregon could be a dark horse in the loaded Big Ten with Bittle manning the middle.
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Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
One of the nation’s top recruits and a standout on the U.S. under-19 team this past summer, Brown will step in immediately to run the point for the Cardinals as a freshman. Brown has the ability to shoot from deep and penetrate to the basket that should fit well in Pat Kelsey’s system.
Tamin Lipsey, G, Iowa State
Though an injury limited his work in the preseason, the experienced floor leader shouldn’t miss a beat when he retakes the court for the Cyclones. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals as a junior last year and should again be among the Big 12’s most efficient ball handlers.
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Graham Ike, C, Gonzaga
Ike will give away an inch or two to opposing post players at times, but he makes up for it with footwork and positioning. He’ll likely be asked to add to his 17.3-point, 7.3-rebound averages for a rebuilt squad with new pieces in the backcourt as the Bulldogs hope to restart their streak of Sweet 16 appearances that ended last season.
Donovan Dent, G, UCLA
Dent arrives in Westwood after putting up 20.4 points and 6.4 assists a game at New Mexico last year. He’s a high-speed, high-motor guy at both ends of the floor, which should make him a quick study in Mick Cronin’s system. If he its the ground running, the Bruins should be in the thick of the Big Ten race.
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Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
The reigning Missouri Valley Conference player of the year followed coach Ben McCollum to Iowa City from Drake. Stiritz rarely left the floor last season, averaging 39.4 minutes per game. During that time, he put up 19.2 points and 5.7 assists for the Bulldogs, so it will be interesting to see if his skills translate to the rigors of the Big Ten.
Richie Saunders, G, Brigham Young
Much of the attention given to the Cougars will center on prized recruit AJ Dybantsa, but it might by the play of Saunders that is most critical to helping the team reach the Final Four. The senior sharpshooter averaged a team-high 16.5 points per game and made 43.2% of this 3-point shots last season. His ability to play a foil to Dybantsa and hit open shots when the defense is draw away from the freshman could be a lethal combination.
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Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois
Kasparas Jakucionis was the freshman that was had the biggest impact for the Illini last season, but quietly Ivisic had a standout first campaign, leading the team with 7.7 rebounds and finishing second with 13.0 points per game. Jakucionis is now in the NBA which opens the door for Ivisic to be one of the breakout players this season. He has size at 7-1 to be an interior force, while bringing a deceptive shooting touch that can stretch defenses and pull big defenders away from basket.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball players to watch as NCAA tournament race begins
