One of the really enjoyable things to look forward to when basketball season starts is to see how little a professional analyst knows about what’s new. The INSIDE THE NBA gang has tortured Charles Barkley on or around Night One for more than two decades, with Ernie Johnson, Junior challening his best possible Bob Barker impersonation–complete with the stick microphone–and quizzing him on where some familiar (and, to be fair, not-so-familiar) names now call home with the start of the new season. This year’s ESPN debut was particularly hilarious, as Chuckster failed to correctly place a single player with his actual team. Even I knew a couple, and I’m not paid a nickel. And I know plenty of you readers bettered us both.
But fortunately none of us deal with college basketball, because I sure as hell had no idea who I was watching or why when ESPN, FS1 and TNT each aired significant matchups of showcase teams simultaneously on Monday night. In hindsight, that should have been no surprise, because in a sport where 365 schools are jockeying for 156 post-season berths, the amount of change between April and November is downright dizzying. Had I bothered to read ESPN’s Jeff Borzello early last month, I might have known a few more:
The men’s college basketball landscape has shifted significantly this offseason. Nearly 2,700 players entered the transfer portal prior to the deadline in April, more than 100 players entered their names into the NBA draft and dozens of high school seniors have flipped commitments following roster additions or coaching changes.
Borzello then provided a herculean compilation of what he deemed the 90-ish most compelling teams, which I strongly encourage even the most ardent fans to give a read to. It certainly allowed me to understand why Peacock chose to open its season with two teams I usually follow much more intensely, and it allowed me to discover first-hand someone who came out of the box roaring, per CBS SPORTS’ Cameron Salerno:
Arizona forward Koa Peat stole the show and produced one of the most impressive performances by a first-year player in recent memory. Peat finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block in Arizona’s 93-87 upset win over reigning national champion Florida. He physically imposed his will against one of the most talented frontcourts in the nation and used his 6-foot-8, 235-pound frame to score at will.
And over on TNT, newly infused with a larger package of games to help pick up some of the slack in losing Barkley and the NBA to competitors, they showcased another new name that I’m sure I’ll be hearing a lot more of, again per Salerno:
BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting cycle by 247Sports…finished with 21 points in a win over Villanova. Dybansta made his debut…in the most highly anticipated debut in the history of BYU’s basketball program… There has never been more hype around the BYU program than right now. If Dybansta plays to his potential, that hype will grow tenfold. Dybansta scored 12 of those 21 points in the second half during his team’s 69-64 win.
Meanwhile, a name I did know got a personality I’ve known a lot longer–Dick Vitale– to stand up and cheer at his eponymous kick-off game which served as ESPN proper’s lidlifter:
(F)orward Cameron Boozer made his college debut on Tuesday against Texas. Boozer finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds in his team’s 75-60 win over the Longhorns…Boozer started slow on the offensive end of the floor against Texas. He missed his first seven shot attempts from the floor and scored zero points through the first 20 minutes of play. However, in the second half, Boozer showed flashes of why he’s such a highly regarded prospect with his versatility and strength on both ends. Boozer scored all 15 of his points in the second half and finished with a double-double despite a slow start.
Well, at least I now have a foundation. Still, as Salerno’s colleague Matt Norlander reminded last week, as I ultimately make my way into the balance of ESPN networks and other smaller platforms I’ve got a LOT more learnin’ ahead. 
I defy you to name the five folks that make up this image without clicking on the most recent link. I knew one–Gonzaga’s Graham Ike, and that’s primarily because the way the schedule plays out they’re usually on one of the games I eventually fall asleep to. 
Good luck with the rest.
Furthermore, as Hilbert Mayer of Tony Picks’ reminded way back in September, there’s been significant change onf the sidelines to boot:
Fifty-eight Division I programs made head coaching changes for 2025-26. That list includes major names like Miami, Florida State, Indiana, Utah, and Texas. At Iowa, Fran McCaffery’s 15-year run ended. The Hawkeyes turned to Ben McCollum, who had just built momentum at Drake. Indiana went for Darian DeVries, known for his offensive creativity, after a short stop at West Virginia and a strong track record at Drake. VCU picked Phil Martelli Jr. to lead the Rams after he put Bryant on the map. NC State rolled the dice on Will Wade, betting his recruiting skills and tactical mind can reignite the program. Texas brought in Sean Miller, who returns to the high-major stage after building strong resumes in past roles.
And if you can handle THAT…well, brace yourself for the spin-off that I’m certain Chuckster–and I know moi–would blank out in completely. Who SHE Play For? That is to laugh. Well, with one exception, courtesy of yet another CBS SPORTSer, Erica Ayala, and my rabid group of alumni supporters who had educated me even before Ayala did:
USC will find a way to be much more competitive than most expect. Yes, the JuJu Watkins injury is significant. However, in my conversation with head coach Lindsay Gottlieb at Big Ten Media Day, I am a believer. Freshman Jazzy Davidson will be her only true freshman and is expected to play a significant role in a more “positionless” system, according to Gottlieb. The Trojans impressed me last season with their defensive execution, especially against UCLA and Lauren Betts. If USC can up their defensive effort while playing a fluid offensive game, I like their chances to surprise teams come tournament time.
I know we paid very close attention to those crosstown rivalry games last season, and all indications are they will be worth our time this year as well. By February, I’ll probably be able to chat a bit more intelligently with my more obsessed buds about it. For now, it’s progress, not perfection. Now go follow my lead, Chuckster.
Courage…