As many of his fellow luminaries in college basketball coaching have retired in recent years — from Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams to Jay Wright and Tony Bennett — Tom Izzo remains on the sideline, preparing to lead Michigan State for the 31st season.

That doesn’t mean he likes everything going on in the sport, though.

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the Spartans coach criticized the NCAA for its changing player eligibility guidelines after two former NBA G League players have committed to college programs.

His comments came one day after Louisville landed a commitment from guard London Johnson, a former four-star recruit who played the past three seasons in the NBA’s developmental league. Johnson isn’t alone, either, as last month, fellow G Leaguer Thierry Darlan announced his commitment to Santa Clara.

‘I am going to get myself in trouble, but I listen to people talk about how kids changed. Kids aren’t the problem, we’re the problem,’ Izzo said. ‘This was sprung on us again yesterday where a guy can be in the G League for two or three years and then all of a sudden, he’s eligible. Most of my people knew nothing about it. … I’m not real excited about the NCAA or whoever is making these decisions, without talking to us, just letting it go. They’re afraid they’re going to get sued.’

Previously, such moves would have been unthinkable in college basketball, which outlawed players who had competed professionally and earned money beyond ‘actual and necessary expenses’ from playing on an NCAA team.

In the years since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling in NCAA v. Alston — which opened the door to college athletes earning money off their name, image and likeness — players who would have once been barred from the sport by the NCAA’s amateurism rules have started populating college rosters.

Previously, that flood of former professionals had largely been players from overseas, primarily those who competed in European leagues. With Johnson and Darlan’s commitments, though, it’s extending to the American professional ranks.

The moves have come as NCAA player eligibility rules have been contested in court, often successfully. Last year, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, one of the Heisman Trophy front-runners this season, was granted an injunction by a federal judge in Tennessee that gave him an additional year of eligibility after he argued his years at the junior-college level shouldn’t count against his NCAA eligibility clock.

‘Someone is going to say, ‘Well, if they go pro and it doesn’t work out, they should be able to come back,’” said Izzo, who added that the NCAA needs to “regroup.’

‘Well, what about the freshmen you recruited there? That’s somebody’s son and he thinks he’s got himself a good place, and all of a sudden, shazam, they pull out of their hat and bring a 21- or 22-year-old in (from the G League). To me, it’s ridiculous. It’s embarrassing, and I love my job. I don’t respect my profession, and I don’t respect whoever is doing that. Whoever made those decisions because they’re afraid that a lawyer is going to sue them, sooner or later, you’ve got to fight the fight.”

The start of the college basketball season is right around the corner, and the voters in the USA TODAY Sports preseason coaches poll have weighed in on who they think will be the teams to beat this season.

We begin today with the release of the men’s poll, where Purdue will open the campaign at No. 1. The Boilermakers, who played for the championship two years ago but are still seeking the program’s first national title, received 18 of 31 first-place votes. It is the first ever preseason No. 1 ranking for Purdue.

Houston, last season’s NCAA tournament runner-up, begins this year where the last one ended at No. 2. The Cougars were picked first on 12 ballots and will start a position higher than the school that knocked them off in the most recent title game. That would be Florida, which will open its championship defense with a No. 3 preseason ranking, though the Gators did pick up one first-place nod. Perennial powers Connecticut and Duke round out the preseason top five.

OUTLOOKS: Previewing each team in the preseason Top 25 rankings

The rest of the top 10 also includes some names quite familiar to hoops followers. St. John’s opens at No. 6 followed by No. 7 Michigan, and Kentucky and Louisville hold down the 9 and 10 spots. Then there’s Brigham Young, checking in at No. 8 with its highest preseason ranking.

Several other usual contenders weren’t rated quite as high by the voting panel. Kansas opens at No. 19, its lowest starting point since 2008. Michigan State starts with a wait-and-see No. 21 ranking, and No. 25 North Carolina narrowly avoids missing the preseason poll for the first time since 2005.

The Power Five basketball conferences dominate the Top 25. The Big 12, Big Ten and SEC each have six ranked teams, with three each from the ACC and Big East.

No. 20 Gonzaga is the lone program from outside those leagues that will begin the year with a number.

Purdue men’s basketball is openly aiming for a national championship this season.
The Boilermakers are ranked No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll for the first time in program history.
Key roster additions were made to address weaknesses from last season’s late-season losses.

Many Purdue men’s basketball teams entered the season focused on yet another Big Ten championship.

For this season, you can put those 20 league games in the same pile as everything else. That’s not a reflection of a Big Ten banner meaning less to this team. This group fully recognizes the legacy within reach, and they want to win it all.

‘Obviously our goal is we’re locked in on a national championship,’ Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn said at Big Ten media day Oct. 11. ‘At the same time, every game that we play, we’re trying to win. As (assistant) coach (Brandon) Brantley says, you can never be too greedy with wins.’

Those championship expections don’t seem unrealistic. Purdue starts its campaign atop the USA TODAY Sports preseason men’s basketball coaches poll for the first time in program history. The Boilermakers are also a near-unanimous preseason Big Ten favorite, deemed so by our USA TODAY Network writers,

“It is pretty cool to be a part of Purdue being at the mountaintop of college basketball and in the Big Ten,” senior guard Fletcher Loyer said. “People are going to say whatever before the season. We’ve got to go out and do our job and win games.” 

Preseason predictions, though, only represent a theoretical mountaintop. Matt Painter’s team is chasing the tangible mountaintop — the one with a national championship trophy at its summit. Forgoing traditional decorum on such matters, they also speak freely and openly about that goal. 

OUTLOOKS: Previewing each team in the preseason Top 25 rankings

Where another team might be self-conscious about embracing those expectations, Boilermakers players speak them out loud matter-of-factly. Shooting for anything else would be selling themselves short. 

“It’s important to be able to say your goals and to write down your goals and see your goals every single day,” said point guard Braden Smith, their reigning Big Ten player of the year and the preseason pick to repeat. 

“I think it’s a big part of it — visualizing you cutting the nets down, being in the national championship again, being in Indy and winning it.”

Purdue used to favorite status, but knows disappointment of falling short

Purdue defied preseason expectations in its run to a Big Ten championship and No. 1 seed in the tournament in 2022-23. The unofficial preseason media poll predicted a fifth-place finish, with one first-place vote.

The Boilermakers have been the preseason favorite since.

The past two seasons, even with the expectations, the internal drive to disprove the doubters fueled Purdue. The 2024 team resolved itself not to be defined by the previous season’s first-round tournament history loss as No. 1 seed. Last season’s team endeavored to prove it could keep winning at the highest level without Zach Edey.

If worldwide consensus says this Purdue team already is better than everyone, from where does it find that edge?

Perhaps the pursuit of the Big Ten championship can perform that utility. After all, while last season’s team nearly surpassed outside expectations in the postseason, it underperformed its expectations in the league.

They started off on a trajectory to defend their championship, winning seven of their first eight games. After a second-half collapse in a home loss to Ohio State — the last in a six-games-in-16-days stretch — they beat Michigan and Indiana at home to open a four-game winning streak.

Then came a four-game stretch many predicted would define Purdue’s regular season. It did. Road losses at Michigan, Michigan State and Indiana — with Wisconsin shooting the lights out in a win at Mackey Arena in between — ended any real chance of Big Ten title contention.

Purdue finished tied for fourth, four games behind champion Michigan State. The season began with a group of third-year players planning to take their shot at the third leg of an unprecedented four Big Ten championships in four years. By mid-March, that dream had died.

Every roster decision made since then specifically helped offset deficiencies exposed down that stretch.

Need better rebounding to reward defensive stops at places like Michigan and Indiana? Enter Oscar Cluff. Need to protect the rim better when Michigan State’s long scorers start crashing downhill? Here’s a healthy Daniel Jacobsen. Need someone to help Smith reach March with a little more in the tank? May I introduce you to Omer Mayer?

Everyone already believed Purdue had the best returning player in Smith. Across all of those polls, the next-highest vote-getter for preseason player of the year was Kaufman-Renn. Loyer is a fourth-year starter and the top two backcourt reserves — both part-time starters last season — return in C.J. Cox and Gicarri Harris.

“This year, it feels a little bit more meaningful, because of how good and how talented we are and how cohesive the team is,” Kaufman-Renn said. “This year, speaking it out loud, saying it out loud, it hits a little bit different than some previous years.” 

The consensus of the college basketball world looks at that roster and sees no obvious glaring weakness. Who are the Boilermakers to disagree? They experienced that dynamic from the inside in a series of intense practices in recent weeks.

However, this group has been through enough to know no one looks back fondly on potential.

“We’ve experienced every up, every down,” Smith said, before catching himself.

“I mean, not every up. We haven’t won the whole thing yet.”

Purdue is used to this position — on the brink of a season with limitless possibility and the wind of their league’s respect at their backs. They want a new experience coming out the other side.

Nathan Baird covers Purdue athletics for the IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Last year’s national runner-up, Houston, is ranked No. 2, while defending champion Florida is at No. 3.
The top 25 rankings are heavily influenced by offseason moves in the transfer portal and new recruiting classes.
Connecticut and Duke round out the top five, with both teams reloading with strong recruiting classes and key transfers.

The USA TODAY Sports preseason men’s basketball poll is out with the start of the season less than three weeks away. The Top 25 is filled with teams across the Power Four conferences with traditional powerhouse programs and some unheralded teams occupying many of the places among the Top 25.

It’s Purdue that starts at No. 1 for the first time, but there’s plenty of contenders behind Matt Painter’s team. What is the outlook for the Boilermakers and all the other teams in the rankings? We break them all down in our previews that get you up to speed after another offseason impacted by the transfer portal and recruiting classes.

1. Purdue (24-12)

Points: 755 (18 first-place votes).  Previous ranking: 12.

The Boilermakers aren’t exactly shying away from the notion the goal for the season is to bring home the program’s first NCAA title. Rising seniors Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn made that pretty clear when announcing they would be back with sharpshooter Fletcher Loyer, all of whom were part of the group that came up just a win short two years ago. Sophomores C.J. Cox and Gicarri Harris provide backcourt depth. Big man Daniel Jacobsen returns from a leg injury, and he’ll be joined in the post by transfer Oscar Cluff (South Dakota State).

2. Houston (35-5)

Points: 749 (12 first-place votes).  Previous ranking: 2.

Last year’s national runner-up loses stalwarts L.J. Cryer and J’Wan Roberts but is poised to make another run to the Final Four behind one of the top recruiting classes in the country, led by five-star forward Chris Cenac Jr. and guard Isiah Harwell. They should blend well with returning contributors that include guards Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp and frontcourt defensive standout Joseph Tugler. Look for the Cougars to again be the class of the Big 12.

3. Florida (36-4)

Points: 704 (1 first-place votes).  Previous ranking: 1.

The defending national champion Gators will look a bit different this year. They’ll be more of a front-court oriented squad with Final Four MVP Walter Clayton Jr. and most of his fellow guards gone. Thomas Haugh (9.8 ppg) and Alex Condon (10.6 ppg) figure to handle even more of the scoring load with Rueben Chinyelu and Micah Handlogten back to man the post. Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton) transfer in and should start immediately in the backcourt.

4. Connecticut (24-11)

Points: 647.  Previous ranking: Not ranked.

Three in a row wasn’t in the cards, but a third title in four years isn’t out of the question for the Huskies. Liam McNeeley is gone after just one year in Storrs, but there are a lot of key pieces returning, and a strong recruiting class and several key transfers have the roster restocked. The key veterans are do-everything forward Alex Karaban (14.3 ppg) and sharp-shooting guard Solo Ball (14.4 ppg). Tarris Reed Jr. will move into a starting role in the middle, and Ball will be joined in the backcourt by either Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia) or Malachi Smith (Dayton). The high-rated freshman prospects include shooting guard Braylon Mullins and Australian wingman Jacob Furphy.

5. Duke (35-4)

Points: 623.  Previous ranking: 3.

As usual, several talented Blue Devils are off to the next level, and as usual there’s a top-rated recruiting class coming in. But this year’s Duke squad might actually be deeper than some recent versions thanks to several key contributors who are still with the program. Naturally, the focal point will be freshman phenom Cameron Boozer, whose twin brother Cayden is also among the newcomers. The returning guard tandem of Caleb Foster (4.9 ppg) and Isaiah Evans (6.8 ppg) will be joined by another touted freshman, Dame Sarr, and banger Patrick Ngongba II is back to help on the interior.

6. St. John’s (31-5)

Points: 609.  Previous ranking: 10.

Now that Rick Pitino has instilled the work ethic needed to bring the Red Storm back to prominence, he hopes the shooters he’s brought in via the portal will improve the team’s accuracy. Bryce Hopkins (Providence) should provide an immediate boost in that regard if he can stay healthy, with Joson Sanon (Arizona State), Oziyah Sellers (Stanford) and Ian Jackson (North Carolina) adding back-court depth. Zuby Ejiofor (14.7 ppg) returns and should again be among the Big East’s most dominant big men.

7. Michigan (27-10)

Points: 569.  Previous ranking: 11.

Despite losing his top three players, things could get even better in year two for coach Dusty May in Ann Arbor thanks to a huge haul in the transfer portal. Yaxel Lendeborg (Alabama-Birmingham) elected to forego the NBA for another year in college and should thrive in the May’s system. The newcomers also include point guard Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), forward Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois) and center Aday Mara (UCLA). Michigan also brings in an impact freshman in combo guard Trey McKenney, and returnees Nimari Burnett (9.4 ppg) and Roddy Gayle Jr. (9.8 ppg) could step into bigger roles on the wings.

8. Brigham Young (26-10)

Points: 532.  Previous ranking: 15.

This is rare heights for the Cougars, who have their highest ranking in the preseason poll with the arrival of heralded freshman AJ Dybantsa and holdover talent that includes guard Richie Sanders (16.5 ppg) and forward Keba Keita (7.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg). Also added to the mix are transfer guards Robert Wright III (Baylor) and Kennard Davis (Southern Illinois). Dybantsa will draw the headlines but the supporting cast is what should make BYU a challenger in the Big 12.

9. Kentucky (24-12)

Points: 529.  Previous ranking: 14.

Mark Pope didn’t have quite as many holes to fill entering his second season at the helm in Lexington, but there will still be quite a few new faces. Thankfully, one of the pieces already in place is high-scoring guard Otega Oweh (16.2 pgg), the preseason pick for SEC player of the year. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by touted freshman Jasper Johnson, with Denzel Aberdeen transferring in from Florida’s national championship squad to provide another perimeter shooter. Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh) also arrives via the portal and will likely start at the point. Either Brandon Garrison, who backed up Amari Williams last season, or freshman Malachi Moreno will man the middle.

10. Louisville (27-8)

Points: 456.  Previous ranking: 21.

After taking a huge step forward behind a senior-heavy roster in coach Pat Kelsey’s first year, Louisville looks to compete for an ACC title behind newcomers to the backcourt, including freshman Mikel Brown Jr., Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell and Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely. A wild card is 7-foot center Aly Khalifa, who transferred from Brigham Young last season but missed the year due to injury.

11. Texas Tech (28-9)

Points: 455.  Previous ranking: 8.

Only two main pieces return from a team that pushed Florida to the brink in the Elite Eight. But the two returnees are huge: junior forward JT Toppin (18.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg) is a player of the year candidate and sophomore guard Christian Anderson (10.6 ppg) is ready to take on more of the scoring load. Two transfers — guard Donovan Atwell (UNC Greensboro) and forward LeJuan Watts (Washington State) — will help determine where the Red Raiders land in the Big 12.

12. UCLA (23-11)

Points: 421.  Previous ranking: Not ranked.

Former New Mexico guard Donovan Dent may end up being the nation’s most impactful transfer. His all-around game should blend in seamlessly. The Bruins also added a promising but unproven newcomer in former Michigan State forward Xavier Booker. The biggest key for Mick Cronin’s team may be developing holdovers Eric Dailey Jr. (11.4 ppg) and Tyler Bilodeau (13.5 ppg) while finding minutes for transfer guard Jamar Brown (Missouri-Kansas City).

13. Arizona (24-13)

Points: 398.  Previous ranking: 13.

After losing Big 12 player of the year Caleb Love, Arizona will trot out a blended roster of freshmen and seniors that could coalesce into a legitimate national title contender. Dwayne Aristode, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries are set for starting roles or key minutes off the bench as part of one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. One veteran who needs to take another step forward is senior guard Jaden Bradley (12.1 pgg).

14. Illinois (22-13)

Points: 349.  Previous ranking: Not ranked.

Illinois is heavy on international imports after striking gold with one-and-done guard Kasparas Jakucionis last season. The Illini have a great building block in junior center Tomislav Ivisic (13.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg), a candidate to break out nationally after a strong 2024-25 season. Arriving to assist him in the frontcourt is is brother Zvonimir Ivisic from Arkansas and Andrej Stojakovic from California. The backcourt of senior Kylan Boswell (12.3 ppg) and freshman Mihailo Petrovic could develop into one of the best in the Big Ten.

15. Arkansas (22-14)

Points: 329.  Previous ranking: Not ranked.

After a really nice debut for John Calipari, Arkansas has the talent to make noise in the SEC. In addition to returning guard D.J. Wagner (11.2 ppg) and breakout candidate Karter Knox (8.3 ppg) at forward, the Razorbacks added in transfer forward Nick Pringle (South Carolina) and immediate-impact freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas. It took some time for Calipari to find the right mix last year before a run to the Sweet 16. That same recipe could be in the cards this season.

16. Alabama (28-9)

Points: 322.  Previous ranking: 6.

Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide are dealing with a heavy amount of attrition and will need inexperienced contributors to play beyond their years to make another run at the Final Four. Sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. (10.4 ppg) will take on a much bigger role with the loss of Mark Sears and others. Philon and Aden Holloway (11.4 ppg) are two-thirds of a good-looking backcourt that will be even better once Miami transfer Jalil Bethea returns from a toe injury. Taylor Bol Bowen (Florida State) and Noah Williamson (Bucknell) arrive as part of a revamped frontcourt. Houston Mallette’s return from injury should also be a major plus.

17. Tennessee (30-8)

Points: 292.  Previous ranking: 5.

Tennessee is a minor rebuilding mode after losing Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler and others from last year’s Elite Eight squad. Adding all-conference guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie from Maryland is a big first step. Veteran center Felix Okpara (7.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) can man the middle and help five-star freshman Nate Ament transition to the SEC. J.P Estrella is another projected contributor up front after missing almost all of last season.

18. Iowa State (25-10)

Points: 289.  Previous ranking: 17.

The Cyclones were ranked near the top of the poll last season before injuries derailed hopes of a deep tournament run. Tamin Lipsey (10.6 ppg) was one of the key players hampered, and his status for the start of the season is uncertain after a knee injury. Milan Momcilovic (11.5 ppg) and Joshua Jefferson (13.0 ppg, 7.4 ppg) are returning veterans that will get a boost from the arrivals of WAC player of the year Dominick Nelson (Utah Valley) and Blake Buchanan (Virginia). Incoming freshmen Jamarion Batemon and Killyan Toure are expected to be key contributors.

19. Kansas (21-13)

Points: 235.  Previous ranking: Not ranked.

Since winning the tournament in 2022, the Jayhawks haven’t advanced past the second round in the past three seasons. Perhaps a lower starting position will help after being No. 1 in the past two preseason rankings. Bill Self has overhauled the roster with transfers and freshman Darryn Peterson. It may take some time for the talent to mesh, but there’s a chance this group could peak in March if sophomore Flory Bidunga reaches his potential.

20. Gonzaga (26-9)

Points: 185.  Previous ranking: 20.

If size matters, then the Bulldogs are in good shape to start a new streak of Sweet 16 appearances after their run of nine in a row ended last season. Graham Ike (17.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Braden Huff (11.0 ppg) will be formidable threats inside. It’s the perimeter group that is a work in progress with Braeden Smith expected to contribute more than one year removed from arriving from Colgate and the addition of sharpshooter Adam Miller from Arizona State. An added bonus would be the inclusion of Tyon Grant-Foster, who is hoping for an injunction to play after being denied eligibility by the NCAA.

21. Michigan State (30-7)

Points: 144.  Previous ranking: 7.

Tom Izzo fell just short of another Final Four last season and returns several key pieces from that squad. This group will again be physical and defense-oriented. Among those that will shoulder more of the load are Coen Carr, Jaxon Kohler and Jeremy Fears Jr. Arriving is Trey Fort (Samford) — a rare transfer of the Izzo tenure. He’s expected to have a valuable outside threat the Spartans were lacking last season.

22. Auburn (32-6)

Points: 114.  Previous ranking: 4.

The Bruce Pearl era is over after taking the Tigers to their second Final Four last season. The program is now in the hands of his son Steven, who has never been a head coach, making the transition uncertain. On the court, sophomore Tahaad Pettiford (11.6 ppg) should be one of the top guards in the SEC and push for All-America honors. Two Big 12 transfers — Kevin Overton (Texas Tech) and Keyshawn Hall (Central Florida) — will help with the scoring load. Another arrival to monitor is Elyjah Freeman, who comes from Division II with high hopes.

23. Creighton (25-11)

Points: 103.  Previous ranking: 24.

Greg McDermott has made the Bluejays one of the best programs in the country over the last five years. His team will have a new look without Ryan Kalkbrenner in the middle and Steven Ashworth as the primary ball handler. Jackson McAndrew (7.8 ppg) is expected to take a huge step forward as a sophomore. Two transfers from Iowa — Josh Dix and Owen Freeman — will be major contributors as will former Charlotte guard Nik Graves. There’s a nice combination of youth and experience that should again have Creighton again near the top of the Big East.

24. Wisconsin (27-10)

Points: 62.  Previous ranking: 16.

Like most editions of the Badgers, this team is long on depth and size that will serve them well for the fight in the Big Ten. John Blackwell (15.8 ppg) will contend for all-conference honors and is joined in the backcourt by San Diego State transfer Nick Boyd. Nolan Winter (9.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg) returns in the frontcourt and will get support from Portland transfer Austin Rapp, who was West Coast Conference freshman of the year.

25. North Carolina (23-14)

Points: 37.  Previous ranking: Not ranked.

The Tar Heels start in unfamiliar territory. This is their lowest ranking in the preseason poll since being unranked in 2005. The optimism for this season starts with freshman Caleb Wilson, who will be an anchor up front. Alongside him will be Arizona transfer Henri Veesaar. Holdover senior Seth Trimble (11.6 ppg) leads the backcourt with help from additions Jonathan Powell (West Virginia) and Kyan Evans (Colorado State). Another important add is Jarin Stevenson from Alabama, a contributor to recent tournament runs by the Crimson Tide.

Dropped Out: No. 9 Maryland (27-9);No. 18Mississippi (24-12); No. 19 Texas A&M (23-11); No. 22 Saint Mary’s (29-6); No. 23 Clemson (27-7).Others receiving votes: North Carolina State (12-19) 33; Oregon (25-10) 26; Ohio State (17-15) 15; San Diego State (21-10) 15; Baylor (20-15) 13; Virginia (15-17) 11; Vanderbilt (20-13) 10; Southern California (17-18) 7; Texas (19-16) 6; Missouri (22-12) 5; Villanova (21-15) 5; Mississippi (24-12) 4; Cincinnati (19-16) 3; Iowa (17-16) 3; Saint Mary’s (29-6) 3; Washington (13-18) 3; Virginia Commonwealth (28-7) 2; Boise State (26-11) 1; Kansas State (16-17) 1; Oklahoma State (17-18) 1.

The USA TODAY Sports Board of Coaches is made up of 31 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The board for the 2025-26 season: Adrian Autry, Syracuse; John Becker, Vermont; Randy Bennett, Saint Mary’s; Jeff Boals, Ohio; Alvin Brooks, Lamar; Pat Chambers, Florida Gulf Coast; Scott Drew, Baylor; Dan Earl, Chattanooga; Jonas Hayes, Georgia State; Donte’ Jackson, Alabama A&M; Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa; James Jones, Yale; Greg Kampe, Oakland; Brad Korn, Southeast Missouri State; Anthony Latina, Sacred Heart; Jim Les, UC Davis; Greg McDermott, Creighton; Nick McDevitt, Middle Tennessee; Mike McGarvey, Lafayette; Dan Monson, Eastern Washington; Chris Mooney, Richmond; Mike Morrell, UNC Asheville; Nate Oats, Alabama; Eric Olen, New Mexico; Matt Painter, Purdue; Paul Sather, North Dakota; Michael Schwartz, East Carolina; Patrick Sellers, Central Connecticut State; Zach Spiker, Drexel; Brett Tanner, Abilene Christian; Stan Waterman, Delaware State.

With the 2025 World Series just days away, bettors across the country are trying to answer the age-old question: ‘Who is going to win?’

Will it be the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers? They’re a team loaded to the brim with talent, having coasted their way through the playoffs thus far. Or will it be the Toronto Blue Jays? The American League’s No. 1 seed, boasting home field advantage for this series and fresh off a dramatic come-from-behind win in Game 7 of the ALCS.

Here are the odds for each team as we approach Game 1.

2025 World Series odds:

All odds via BetMGM

Who will win?

Per BetMGM, the Dodgers are the favorites to win the 2025 World Series.

Dodgers (-220)
Blue Jays (+180)

The most likely outcome of the series, per betting odds, is a tie between Dodgers in 5 and Dodgers in 6. Both series results have odds of (+350). The most unlikely result, per odds, is a Blue Jays sweep, sitting at (+1800).

World Series MVP odds

Here are the players with the top-15 odds to win World Series MVP:

Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP, LAD (+165)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, TOR (+600)
George Springer, DH/OF, TOR (+1000)
Freddie Freeman, 1B, LAD (+1300)
Teoscar Hernandez, OF, LAD (+1600)
Mookie Betts, SS, LAD (+1800)
Bo Bichette, SS, TOR (+2000)
Blake Snell, SP, LAD (+2000)
Daulton Varsho, OF, TOR (+2500)
Alejandro Kirk, C, TOR (+3000)
Max Muncy, 3B, LAD (+3000)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, SP, LAD (+3000)
Will Smith, C, LAD (+3500)
Tommy Edman, 2B, LAD (+3500)
Addison Barger, 3B, TOR (+4000)

Game 1 odds, lines

Spread: Dodgers (-1.5)
Moneyline: Dodgers (-150); Blue Jays (+125)
Over/Under: 7.5

2025 World Series Schedule

* — if necessary

Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, Blue Jays at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
*Game 5: Wednesday, Blue Jays at Dodgers, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
*Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
*Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1, Dodgers at Blue Jays, 8 p.m. ET on FOX

The Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union (Eastern Conference) and San Diego FC (Western Conference) are the top seeds in their respective conferences.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will look to win their first MLS Cup. Inter Miami enters the playoffs as the betting favorite to hoist the championship trophy.
All MLS playoff games will be available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with select games airing on FOX Sports.

The 2025 edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs opens with its wild-card matches on Wednesday, Oct. 22 and will conclude on Saturday, Dec. 6 with MLS Cup.

Wednesday night’s wild-card matchups include the Chicago Fire — making their first playoff appearance since 2017 — hosting Orlando City SC at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois (8:30 p.m. ET), and the Portland Timbers hosting Real Salt Lake at Providence Park (10:30 p.m. ET).

Following the wild-card matches, the road to the 30th MLS Cup includes best-of-three series in Round 1, and then single-elimination conference semifinals and finals.

Round 1 kicks off Friday, Oct. 24 and features some intriguing matchups.

In the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew renew their ‘Hell is Real’ rivalry. The two teams met in a dramatic 2023 Eastern Conference final, which the Crew won en route to winning MLS Cup. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play Nashville SC, a team the Herons defeated 5-2 on Decision Day as Messi had a hat trick to win the league’s Golden Boot. Inter Miami also defeated Nashville in the 2023 Leagues Cup final.

Out West, Minnesota United and the Seattle Sounders square off; the two teams met in the 2020 Western Conference final, in which the Sounders rallied for a 3-2 win. Los Angeles FC will take on Austin FC, which LAFC defeated 3-0 in the 2022 conference final en route to winning MLS Cup. Expansion side San Diego FC is the conference’s top seed and will look to become the first expansion team to reach MLS Cup since the Chicago Fire won the 1998 league title.

Here’s a look at the 2025 MLS playoff teams, seeds, schedule, matchups and how to watch information:

MLS playoff seeds

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Union
FC Cincinnati
Inter Miami
FC Charlotte
New York City FC
Nashville SC
Columbus Crew
Chicago Fire
Orlando City SC

Western Conference

San Diego FC
Vancouver Whitecaps
Los Angeles FC
Minnesota United
Seattle Sounders
Austin FC
FC Dallas
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake

MLS Cup Playoffs 2025: Wild card and Round 1 matchups

(All games available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Select games also will air on FOX Sports.)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Wild-card match:

Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City SC, Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Round 1 (best-of-three series):

Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire-Orlando City winner

Game 1 (at Philadelphia): Sunday, Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 2 (at Chicago Fire-Orlando City winner): Saturday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 (at Philadelphia): Saturday, Nov. 8 (if necessary)

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew

Game 1 (at Cincinnati): Monday, Oct. 27 at 6:45 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 2 (at Columbus): Sunday, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 (at Cincinnati): Saturday, Nov. 8 (if necessary)

Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC

Game 1 (at Miami): Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 2 (at Nashville): Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 (at Miami): Saturday, Nov. 8 (if necessary)

Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC

Game 1 (at Charlotte): Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6:45 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 2 (at New York): Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 (at Charlotte): Friday, Nov. 7 (if necessary)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Wild-card match:

Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake, Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET

Round 1 (best-of-three series):

San Diego FC vs. Portland Timbers-Real Salt Lake winner

Game 1 (at San Diego): Sunday, Oct. 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 (at Portland Timbers-Real Salt Lake winner): Saturday, Nov. 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 (at San Diego): Sunday, Nov. 9 (if necessary)

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. FC Dallas

Game 1 (at Vancouver): Sunday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 (at Dallas): Saturday, Nov. 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 3 (at Vancouver): Friday, Nov. 7 (if necessary)

Los Angeles FC vs. Austin FC

Game 1 (at Los Angeles): Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Game 2 (at Austin): Sunday, Nov. 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 3 (at Los Angeles): Saturday, Nov. 8 (if necessary)

Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders

Game 1 (at Minnesota): Monday, Oct. 27 at 9 p.m. ET
Game 2 (at Seattle): Monday, Nov. 3 at 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Game 3 (at Minnesota): Saturday, Nov. 8 (if necessary)

2025 MLS playoff schedule

Oct. 22: Wild-card matches (single-elimination matches)
Oct. 24-Nov. 9: Round 1 (best-of-three series)
Nov. 22-23: Conference semifinals (single-elimination matches)
Nov. 29-30: Conference finals (single-elimination matches)
Dec. 6: MLS Cup (single winner-take-all match)

Watch the MLS playoffs on Apple TV

MLS betting odds: Who is favorite to win 2025 championship?

According to the latest BetMGM odds, Inter Miami (+450) is the current favorite to win the 2025 league championship.

Here are the championship odds for all of the 18 playoff teams:

Inter Miami (+450)
Vancouver Whitecaps (+600)
San Diego FC (+650)
Los Angeles FC (+700)
Philadelphia Union (+700)
FC Cincinnati (+800)
Minnesota United (+1600)
Seattle Sounders (+1800)
Charlotte FC (+2000)
New York City FC (+2200)
Columbus Crew (+2500)
Nashville SC (+2800)
Austin FC (+4000)
Chicago Fire (+4000)
Orlando City (+5000)
FC Dallas (+6600)
Portland Timbers (+6600)
Real Salt Lake (+10000)

MLS Cup: Results of every championship game since 1996

2024: Los Angeles Galaxy over New York Red Bulls (Dignity Health Sports Park), 2-1.
2023: Columbus Crew over Los Angeles FC (Lower.com Field), 2-1
2022: Los Angeles FC over Philadelphia Union (Banc of California Stadium), 3-3 (LAFC won penalty shootout, 3-0)
2021: New York City FC over Portland Timbers (Providence Park), 1-1 (NYCFC won penalty shootout, 4-2)
2020: Columbus Crew over Seattle Sounders FC (Mapfre Stadium), 3-0
2019: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (CenturyLink Field), 3-1
2018: Atlanta United over Portland Timbers (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 2-0
2017: Toronto FC over Seattle Sounders FC (BMO Field), 2-0
2016: Seattle Sounders FC over Toronto FC (BMO Field), 0-0 (Sounders won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2015: Portland Timbers over Columbus Crew (Mapfre Stadium), 2-1
2014: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (StubHub Center), 2-1 (extra time)
2013: Sporting Kansas City over Real Salt Lake (Sporting Park), 1-1 (SKC won penalty shootout, 7-6)
2012: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2011: Los Angeles Galaxy over Houston Dynamo (Home Depot Center), 1-0
2010: Colorado Rapids over FC Dallas (BMO Field), 2-1 (extra time)
2009: Real Salt Lake over Los Angeles Galaxy (Qwest Field), 1-1 (RSL won penalty shootout, 5-4)
2008: Columbus Crew over New York Red Bulls (Home Depot Center), 3-1
2007: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (RFK Stadium), 2-1
2006: Houston Dynamo over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-1 (Dynamo won penalty shootout, 4-3)
2005: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Pizza Hut Park), 1-0 (extra time)
2004: D.C. United over Kansas City Wizards (Home Depot Center), 3-2
2003: San Jose Earthquakes over Chicago Fire (Home Depot Center), 4-2
2002: Los Angeles Galaxy over New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), 1-0 (extra time)
2001: San Jose Earthquakes over Los Angeles Galaxy (Crew Stadium), 2-1 (extra time)
2000: Kansas City Wizards over Chicago Fire (RFK Stadium), 1-0
1999: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 2-0
1998: Chicago Fire over D.C. United (Rose Bowl), 2-0
1997: D.C. United over Colorado Rapids (RFK Stadium), 2-1
1996: D.C. United over Los Angeles Galaxy (Foxboro Stadium), 3-2 (extra time)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

The Cooper Flagg era in Dallas begins Wednesday night. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick has a lot of hype behind him, and his first game could be a taste of what is to come.

However, standing in his way is another highly-touted former No. 1 overall pick in San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama. After missing a good chunk of last season suffering from deep vein thrombosis, Wembanyama is back to terrorize interiors across the league.

The future of the NBA will be on display in this intrastate matchup. Here’s everything to know for fans looking to watch the action.

How to watch Spurs at Mavericks

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 22
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. CT
Where: American Airlines Center in Dallas
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo

Stream Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut with Fubo

Spurs at Mavericks odds

*All odds via BetMGM

Spread: Mavericks (-2.5)
Moneyline: Mavericks (-145); Spurs (+118)
Over/Under: 226.5