Nearly 60 seniors are still angling for another year on a high-major roster right now, which has created all sorts of uncertainty with college basketball's return looming in just 40 days. The range of potential outcomes is wide for numerous teams who are still trying to figure out who is on the roster and then who is actually able to play. Monday marked the first day of official practice throughout the Division I ranks.
The road to Detroit and the Final Four starts now. Let's dive into projected starting lineups and the biggest preseason battles for each high-major club entering 2026-27. Top reserves: F Zak Smrekar, F Andrija Bukumirović, G Ernest Shelton, C Aly Tounkara, F Colby Duggan, G JB Frankel Biggest preseason battle: Merrimack transfer Ernest Shelton (35% from 3-point range on 8.4 attempts) profiles as the movement shooter who thrives in a Luke Murray-coached offense.
Can he defend and make good enough decisions to crack this BC starting lineup? Top reserves: G Nojus Indrusaitis, C Nicolas Mitrovic, G Jovani Ruff, G Dionycius Bakare, F Amier Ali, Sammie Yeanay Biggest preseason battle: Does Mark Madsen want to play Semetri (TT) Carr and Jordan Ross together? Both point guards have not been plus 3-point shooters throughout their careers, which could open the door for sharpshooting Pitt transfer Nojus Indrusaitis to become a starter.
Top reserves: G Zac Foster (when healthy), F Chase Thompson, G Harris Reynolds, C Will Stevens, F Amare James, F Carter Welling (when healthy) Biggest preseason battle: Two starting-caliber players are on the mend for Clemson. The Tigers' floor-ceiling combination completely changes when Carter Welling and Zac Foster are back to 100%. The timing is the million-dollar question right now.
Foster tore his ACL last December; Welling's torn ACL occurred in March. If Clemson can get to full strength by February, it's a completely different club. Top reserves: G Cayden Boozer, F Drew Scharnowski, F Cam Williams, G Deron Rippey Jr., G Bryson Howard Biggest preseason battle: Uh, everything.
No role is truly safe for a loaded Duke roster. The most pivotal battles center at point guard and power forward. Only one of Caleb Foster or Cayden Boozer can start, and you can make a strong case on both sides of the aisle.
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