A New Season, Familiar Giants

The 2025–26 NJCAA men’s basketball season tips off with familiar heavyweights sitting atop the national landscape. Trinity Valley earns the No. 1 spot in the NJCAA Division I Preseason Poll, followed closely by perennial contenders South Plains, Daytona State, Vincennes, and Connors State rounding out the top five.

Each of these programs brings a blend of returning experience, incoming firepower, and a championship standard that has defined the JUCO level for decades. Coaches across the country know — to win big, you’ll have to go through one of these powerhouses.

The Top Contenders

Behind the frontrunners, programs like Jones, Northwest Florida State, Coffeyville, Odessa, and Snow complete the Top ten. These are teams built with size, pace, and defensive identity. Every possession will matter when these squads meet in the November and December showcase games.

Further down the list, teams like Triton, Cowley, Indian Hills, and Gulf Coast State — all top 15 mainstays — highlight the depth of talent at this level. Each roster features players capable of producing at the Division I level next year, with scouts and recruiters circling early-season tournaments to see who breaks out first.

Rising Programs to Watch

Programs such as Eastern Arizona (15), Angelina (16), and Barton (18) have built momentum through strong recruiting classes and player development. John A. Logan (20), Chipola (21), and Moberly (22) remain national brands that consistently reload. Don’t be surprised if one of these mid-ranked teams climbs into the top 10 by midseason.

A Deep and Dangerous Field

From Walters State and Panola to Kilgore, every program in this Top 25 can beat anyone on a given night. The balance of power at the JUCO level has never been deeper. For players, that means opportunity; for coaches, that means preparation is everything.

Written by Paul Garwood | Photo Credit: Elite Hoops Spotlight