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Data scientist and website operator Evan Miyakawa said the rankings includes projected roster strength, performance in previous seasons and roster continuity. 

While the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ didn't have any individual players in , they do have a strong returning core with guard Jaden Bradley (ranked No. 34), center Tobe Awaka (57) and Anthony Dell'Orso (134) -- plus well-regarded freshmen Koa Peat (144) and Brayden Burries (159). UA also returns center Motiejus Krivas (255), who missed most of last season with a foot injury.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ also did not have anyone in Miyakawa's Top 10 projected 3-point shooters, playmakers or indispensable players, but former Wildcat guard KJ Lewis of Georgetown was rated the No. 10 most indispensable player (and No. 7 transfer last spring).

UA's overall team ranking was the second-highest of all Big 12 teams on , which put Houston No. 1 overall. BYU (8) was ranked right behind the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, with Iowa State (12), Kansas (17) and Texas Tech (23) all in its Top 25.

ASU (101) was the lowest-rated Big 12 team on the site.

The Associated Press preseason Top 25 won't be released until next month but  the just-published Blue Ribbon Yearbook put the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, the sixth-highest ranking among Big 12 teams.

Defending national champion Florida, which will face ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ in Las Vegas for the season opener on Nov. 3, was ranked No. 1 by Blue Ribbon. Houston was No. 3 while Texas Tech (14), BYU (16), Iowa State (17) and Kansas (18) all ranked higher than the ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥.

For its Big 12 predictions, Blue Ribbon projected Houston in first place, followed by Texas Tech, BYU, Iowa State, Kansas, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥, Baylor and Cincinnati. Blue Ribbon's predicted second half was West Virginia at No. 9, followed by Kansas State, TCU, Oklahoma State, Colorado, ASU, Utah and UCF.

(Note: While I wrote some 2025-26 Big 12, Big Ten and WCC previews for Blue Ribbon, I didn't have a say in its rankings).