College basketball rankings: Duke slides into top 10 with addition of Cedric Coward from Washington State

Duke coach Jon Scheyer prioritized length at all positions last offseason — and it paid off. No, the Blue Devils didn’t win the national championship they were projected to win, having stumbled down the stretch in a loss to Houston in the national semifinals. But they still went 35-4 and finished as the sport’s only team to rank in the top five in adjusted offensive efficiency and adjusted defensive efficiency, according to BartTorvik.com.

The unusual length was among the reasons.

So, to the surprise of no one, Scheyer is approaching his latest roster rebuild similarly. On Monday, he secured a commitment from Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, a 6-foot-6 guard who shot 55.7% from the field and 40.0% from 3-point range this past season before a torn labrum ended his fourth year of college basketball just six games in. Coward has made himself eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft but is expected to eventually withdraw and enroll at Duke, which will represent the California native’s fourth school. Before playing at Washington State, Coward spent one year at Willamette University, a Division III institution, and two seasons at Eastern Washington.

“I think Blue is my color,” Coward posted Monday on Instagram. “I’m excited to be joining the Duke family.”

Coward’s addition to Duke’s roster has the Blue Devils up to No. 8 in Version 10 of the 2025-26 CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 preseason college basketball rankings, where Houston remains No. 1.

Why Houston at No. 1?

It’s because the Cougars are projected to return three starters — specifically Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a team that finished 35-5 after falling to Florida in the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr., and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings, each of whom should play a role in helping Kelvin Sampson try to take the Cougars to the Final Four for the third time in a six-year span.

Top 25 And 1 rankings

Biggest Movers

5

Illinois

1	Houston	This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan and Joseph Tugler — from a team that finished 35-5 and advanced to the championship game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Creighton transfer Pop Isaacs, Sam Houston transfer Kalifa Sakho, five-star freshman Chris Cenac Jr. and four-star freshmen Isiah Harwell and Kingston Flemings.	—	35-5
2	St. John’s	This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning one of the top two scorers — specifically Zuby Ejiofor — from a team that finished 31-5 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by North Carolina transfer Ian Jackson, Providence transfer Bryce Hopkins, Arizona State transfer Joson Sanon, Cincinnati transfer Dillon Mitchell, Stanford transfer Oziyah Sellers, Idaho State transfer Dylan Darling and international prospect Imran Suljanovic.	—	31-5
3	Purdue	This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top six scorers – specifically Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Daniel Jacobsen and C.J. Cox – from a team that finished 24-12 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff, North Florida transfer Liam Murphy and international prospect Omer Mayer.	—	24-12
4	UConn	This ranking is based on the Huskies returning four of the top seven scorers — specifically Solo Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed and Jaylin Stewart — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr., Dayton transfer Malachi Smith, five-star freshman Braylon Mullins and four-star freshman Eric Reibe.	—	24-11
5	BYU	This ranking is based on the Cougars returning four of the top 10 scorers — specifically Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker, Keba Keita and Mihailo Boskovic — from a team that finished 26-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Baylor transfer Robert Wright, Southern Illinois transfer Kennard Davis, five-star freshman AJ Dybantsa and four-star freshmen Xavion Staton and Chamberlain Burgess.	—	26-10
6	Texas Tech	This ranking is based on the Red Raiders returning two of the top four scorers — specifically JT Toppin and Christian Anderson — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by Washington State transfer LeJuan Watts, UNC Greensboro transfer Donovan Atwell, Villanova transfer Josiah Moseley, VCU transfer Luke Bamgboye and redshirt freshmen Marial Akuentok.	—	28-9
7	Michigan	This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning three of the top eight scorers — specifically Roddy Gayle Jr., Nimari Burnett and L.J. Cason — from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg, Illinois transfer Morez Johnson Jr., North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau, UCLA transfer Aday Mara and four-star freshmen Trey McKenney and Winters Grady.	—	27-10
8	Duke	This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning three of the top nine scorers — specifically Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba — from a team that finished 35-4 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, five-star freshman Cameron Boozer, and four-star freshmen Nikolas Khamenia and Cayden Boozer.	5	35-4
9	UCLA	This ranking is based on the Bruins returning three of the top four scorers – specifically Tyler Bilodeau, Eric Dailey Jr. and Skyy Clark – from a team that finished 23-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class featuring New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent, Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker, Kansas City transfer Jamar Brown and San Diego transfer Steven Jamerson.	1	23-11
10	Arizona	This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning four of the top eight scorers — specifically Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, Motiejus Krivas and Anthony Dell’Orso — from a team that finished 24-13 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Harvard transfer Evan Nelson, five-star freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, and four-star freshman Dwayne Aristode.	1	24-13
11	Kentucky	This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top seven scorers — specifically Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison – from a team that finished 24-12 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance, Alabama transfer Mouhamed Dioubate, Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe, Tulane transfer Kam Williams, Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen and four-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.	1	24-12
12	Iowa St.	This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Joshua Jefferson, Milan Momcilovic and Tamin Lipsey — from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan, Purdue Fort Wayne transfer Eric Mulder, Eastern Washington transfer Mason Williams, Utah Valley transfer Dominick Nelson and four-star freshman Jamarion Batemon.	1	25-10
13	Louisville	This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning two of the top six scorers – specifically J’Vonne Hadley and James Scott – from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely, Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell, Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley, five-star freshman Mikel Brown and four-star freshman Sananda Fru.	1	27-8
14	Michigan St.	This ranking is based on the Spartans returning four of the top eight scorers — specifically Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears and Carson Cooper — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Samford transfer Trey Fort, FAU transfer Kaleb Glenn and four-star freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott.	—	30-7
15	Florida	This ranking is based on the Gators returning five of the top 10 scorers – specifically Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, Urban Klavzar and Micah Handlogten – from a team that finished 36-4 and won the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee and four-star freshmen CJ Ingram and Alex Lloyd.	—	36-4
16	Oregon	This ranking is based on the Ducks returning four of the top 10 scorers – specifically Nate Bittle, Jackson Shelstad, Kwame Evans Jr. and Jamari Phillips – from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Elon transfer TK Simpkins and three-star freshman JJ Frakes.	—	25-10
17	Kansas	This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers – specifically Flory Bidunga – from a team that finished 21-13 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Illinois transfer Tre White, Loyola Chicago transfer Jayden Dawson, St. Bonaventure transfer Melvin Council, five-star freshman Darryn Peterson and four-star freshman Samis Calderon – plus Elmarko Jackson, a former five-star prospect who missed this past season with a knee injury.	—	21-13
18	Auburn	This ranking is based on the Tigers returning one of the top three scorers — specifically Tahaad Pettiford — from a team that finished 32-6 and advanced to the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall, Mississippi State transfer KeShawn Murphy, Texas Tech transfer Kevin Overton, Lincoln Memorial transfer Elyjah Freeman, JUCO transfer Abdul Bashir and four-star freshmen Sebastian Williams-Adams and Kaden Magwood.	—	32-6
19	Arkansas	This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning four of the top nine scorers – specifically DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond III – from a team that finished 22-14 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Florida State transfer Malique Ewin, South Carolina transfer Nick Pringle, five-star freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas.	—	22-14
20	Texas	This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning three of the top six scorers — specifically Jordan Pope, Tramon Mark and Chendall Weaver — from a team that finished 19-16 and advanced to the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Xavier transfer Lassina Traore, FAU transfer Matas Vokietaitis, Purdue transfer Camden Heide, St. John’s transfer Simeon Wilcher, Xavier transfer Dailyn Swain and four-star freshman John Clark.	—	19-16
21	Tennessee	This ranking is based on the Vols returning three of the top eight scorers — specifically Felix Okpara, J.P. Estrella and Cade Phillips — from a team that finished 30-8 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey, Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie, five-star freshman Nate Ament and four-star freshmen Amari Evans and DeWayne Brown.	—	30-8
22	Illinois	This ranking is based on the Illini returning two of the top four scorers – specifically Tomislav Ivisic and Kylan Boswell – from a team that finished 22-13 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic, Arkansas transfer Zvonimir Ivisic, international prospects David Morkovic and Mihailo Petrovic, and four-star prospects Brandon Lee and Keaton Wagler – plus the return of Ty Rodgers, who missed this past season with an injury.	NR	22-13
23	Alabama	This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning two of the top four scorers – specifically Latrell Wrightsell Jr. and Aden Hollowayl – from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Miami transferJalil Bethea, Florida State transfer Tayor Bol Bowen, Bucknell transfer Noah Williamson and four-star freshmen London Jemison, Davion Hannah and Amari Allen.	1	28-9
24	Gonzaga	This ranking is based on the Zags returning four of the top 10 scorers — specifically Graham Ike, Braden Huff, Ismaila Diagne and Emmanuel Innocenti — from a team that finished 26-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia transfer Jalen Warley, Colgate transfer Braeden Smith and four-star freshman Davis Fogle — plus the return of Steele Venters, who has missed the past two seasons with injuries.	1	26-9
25	Wisconsin	This ranking is based on the Badgers returning three of the top nine scorers – specifically John Blackwell, Nolan Winter and Jack Janicki – from a team that finished 27-10 and advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by San Diego State transfer Nick Boyd, Virginia transfer Andrew Rohde, Portland transfer Austin Rapp, Tulsa transfer Braeden Carrington and four-star freshman Zach Kinziger.	1	27-10
26	Ohio St.	This ranking is based on the Buckeyes returning three of the top four scorers — specifically Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. — from a team that finished 17-15 and missed the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by Wright State transfer Brandon Noel, Santa Clara transfer Christoph Tilly, Indiana transfer Gabe Cupps and four-star freshmen A’mare Bynum and Dorian Jones.	1	17-15