The University of Michigan men’s basketball team secured a spot at No. 16 in ESPN’s “way-too-early” top 25 rankings for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Coach Kim Barnes Arico has built her roster around three talented freshmen, Olivia Olson, Syla Swords, and Mila Holloway, who contributed to 23 wins last season. With two senior starters graduating, Michigan will rely on its young core to carry the team forward.
The Wolverines’ No. 16 ranking is third among Big Ten teams behind UCLA and USC. ESPN expects Michigan to return several players from its current roster, including potential reinforcements Brooke Quarles-Daniels, Te’Yala Delfosse, and Macy Brown. A post player via the portal could further bolster the team.
Notable top-four rankings include UCLA, South Carolina, Connecticut, and Texas, with USC at No. 12 pending JuJu Watkins’ injury status. The first official AP poll won’t be released until mid-October, offering a few weeks of anticipation before the start of the season.
Source: https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2025/04/michigan-basketball-cracks-espns-early-top-25-for-next-season.html