Ranking Top College Basketball Conferences in 2026

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Ranking College Basketball Conferences and the Rising Stars

The Big 12 is currently the top college basketball conference, according to the segment, with formidable teams such as Arizona, Houston, Kansas, Texas Tech, Iowa State, BYU, and UCF. Notably, six of these teams are in the top 20. The Big Ten and SEC are closely ranked, with the Big Ten slightly edging out due to powerhouse teams like Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska. Conversely, the SEC is noted for its balance rather than having standout leaders. The ACC has shown significant improvement from the previous year, where it was described as underwhelming.

The discussion also touched on Kelvin Sampson's current roster at Houston, suggesting that this might be the best backcourt he has had, particularly highlighting the talents of Kingston Fleming, Uzon, and Emmanuel Sharp. In the broader context of the Big 12, Arizona and Houston are pegged as favorites for the conference title, but teams like Kansas and Iowa State are also considered strong contenders, especially with the tournament being held in Kansas City, which could give them a home advantage similar to UConn at the Garden.

Focusing on Iowa State, the program’s potential to reach the Final Four was spotlighted, contingent on navigating the right matchups. Key players like Lipsy, Momchalovich, and Jefferson have shown consistency and strong defensive skills throughout the season. Their capability was underscored by an impressive win at Mackey Arena by 30 points, proving they can secure victories away from their home court at Hilton.