CBS Sports has released its annual 'United States of College Basketball' map for the 2026-27 season, ranking the best Division I men's basketball team in each state. The project, which began in 2015, features 50 state logos — every state except Alaska, which still lacks a Division I program. This year's map includes nine changes from the 2025-26 edition, most notably the first-ever appearance of Louisville as Kentucky's top team, ending a decade-long run by the Kentucky Wildcats.
The rankings align with Matt Norlander's preseason Top 100 And 1 team rankings. Notable selections include the Alabama Crimson Tide leading the SEC-heavy state, Arizona Wildcats favored after a school-record 36-win season, and Arkansas Razorbacks under John Calipari with the nation's youngest but highly talented roster. In California, UCLA edges USC for a second straight year, while Colorado State narrowly beats Colorado in a frequent flip-flop. UConn remains unchallenged in Connecticut, and Florida Gators are the preseason No. 1 overall in the Sunshine State.
Other highlights: Georgia Bulldogs aim for a historic third consecutive NCAA Tournament; Hawaii Rainbow Warriors move to the Mountain West with unique travel logistics; Illinois Fighting Illini return four international players who accounted for over 50% of scoring; Indiana sees Purdue barely ahead of IU in a rebuilding year; Iowa State and Iowa renew rivalry on Dec. 10; Kansas Jayhawks maintain dominance despite Wichita State rising; Louisville Cardinals edge Kentucky Wildcats for the first time in the feature's history; LSU Tigers dominate Louisiana; Michigan State Spartans take the state with preseason Player of the Year Jeremy Fears Jr.; and Texas Longhorns overtake Houston for the first time in over five years.
The feature also notes close races in Missouri (Saint Louis over Missouri), Nebraska (Nebraska over Creighton), Nevada (Nevada over UNLV), New Jersey (Rutgers over Seton Hall), Ohio (Ohio State over Xavier, Cincinnati, Dayton), Oregon (uncertain after Dana Altman's retirement), Pennsylvania (Villanova over Pitt), Rhode Island (Providence over Rhode Island), Tennessee (Volunteers over Vanderbilt), Utah (BYU over Utah), Virginia (Virginia over Virginia Tech), Washington (Gonzaga far ahead of Washington), Washington D.C. (George Washington over Georgetown), West Virginia (Mountaineers over Marshall), Wisconsin (Marquette slightly over Wisconsin), and Wyoming (Cowboys trending up). The full map and accompanying preseason All-America teams and coach rankings are available on CBS Sports.
