Are you looking ahead to March Madness 2027? Here are the best college basketball teams in 2027; a few programs stand out. Florida opens the season as the No. 1 team in the AP preseason poll, with Duke at No. 2. Michigan won the 2026 national championship, beating UConn 69-63, so every team on this list is chasing a new champion. Keep an eye on these powerhouse programs as they battle for the championship!
The Best College Basketball Teams 2027
We ranked these teams using the AP preseason Top 25 first, then used program value and history for the four schools outside the Top 25.
1. Duke University
The Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team represents Duke University in NCAA Division I and competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Duke opens the 2026-27 season ranked No. 2 in the AP preseason poll behind Florida and received 10 of 59 first-place votes. The Blue Devils face Florida on December 1 in the ACC/SEC Challenge, which could be the biggest early-season game on the schedule. Duke’s 2026 NCAA Tournament run ended against UConn. Duke is also one of the sport’s most valuable programs. A Wall Street Journal study of college basketball finances valued Duke at $370 million, second only to North Carolina, and ranked it first in revenue at $47.6 million.
2. University of Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball team represents the University of Arizona. The Wildcats now compete in the Big 12 Conference after leaving the Pac-12. Arizona starts the 2026-27 season ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason poll after reaching the 2026 Final Four and losing to eventual champion Michigan.
3. University of Louisville
The Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team represents the University of Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I. The Cardinals open the 2026-27 season at No. 11 in the AP preseason poll. Louisville is one of the sport’s most valuable programs. The Wall Street Journal study of college basketball finances placed the Cardinals fifth, with an enterprise value of $260 million.
4. University of Kansas
The Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball program is the University of Kansas men’s basketball program. The team competes in the Big 12 Conference at the NCAA Division I level. Kansas starts the 2026-27 season at No. 17 in the AP preseason poll.
5. University of Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team represents the University of Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference. Kentucky is one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division I history. The Wildcats open the 2026-27 season at No. 23 in the AP preseason poll.
6. Vanderbilt University
The Vanderbilt Commodores men’s basketball team represents Vanderbilt University in the SEC Conference. The Commodores are ranked No. 24 in the 2026-27 AP preseason poll, showing how far the program has risen in the deep SEC. Vanderbilt has competed in 15 NCAA Tournaments, reaching the Elite Eight once and the Sweet Sixteen six times, according to the team’s history.
7. University of North Carolina
The North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball program is the University of North Carolina’s college basketball team and plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference. North Carolina has won six NCAA Tournament championships. The Tar Heels are outside the 2026-27 AP preseason Top 25, but the program is the most valuable in college basketball. The Wall Street Journal study valued UNC at $378 million, the highest in the country, with cash flow of $23.2 million, also the highest.
8. Villanova University
The Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball program represents Villanova University in college basketball. It competes in the Big East Conference of NCAA Division I. The Wildcats are not in the 2026-27 AP preseason Top 25, but the program remains one of the Big East Conference’s best-known names.
9. Southern Methodist University
The SMU Mustangs men’s basketball team represents Southern Methodist University. The Mustangs now compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference after leaving the American Conference. SMU is not in the 2026-27 AP preseason Top 25, but the move to the ACC gives the program a bigger stage and tougher schedule.
10. Northwestern University
The Northwestern Wildcats men’s basketball team is an NCAA Division I team representing Northwestern University in the Big Ten Conference. The Wildcats are not in the 2026-27 AP preseason Top 25, but they compete in the Big Ten Conference.
Other Teams to Watch in 2027
Several programs outside this list sit high in the 2026-27 AP preseason poll. Florida is No. 1 (47 of 59 first-place votes), Illinois is No. 3 with two first-place votes, UConn, the 2026 national runner-up, is No. 4, and Michigan State is No. 6. Michigan, the reigning champion, starts at No. 16. See our full guide to the best colleges for men’s basketball, and if you dream of playing, read how to get recruited for sports.
March Madness 2027 Key Dates
Selection Sunday is March 14, 2027. The tournament starts with the Opening Round on March 16 and 17, followed by the first round on March 18 and 19. The Sweet 16 is March 25 and 26 and the Elite Eight is March 27 and 28. The Final Four is Saturday, April 3, and the national championship game is Monday, April 5, both at Ford Field in Detroit. Confirm game times on the official NCAA schedule.
The Best College Basketball Teams 2027
- Duke University
- University of Arizona
- University of Louisville
- University of Kansas
- University of Kentucky
- Vanderbilt University
- University of North Carolina
- Villanova University
- Southern Methodist University
- Northwestern University
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