The Bilas Index (Feb. 17, 2026): A Recap of Jay Bilas’ Latest Top 25 — and What It Means for the 2025–26 Title Race

Based on Jay Bilas’ February 17, 2026 “The Bilas Index: The best 68 men’s basketball teams in 2025–26” on ESPN.

Jay Bilas’ updated Bilas Index snapshot (dropped in mid-February, with about a month to go until Selection Sunday) does two things at once: it lays out a clear top tier with real championship profiles, and it shows just how big the “good enough to ruin your bracket” middle class has become. Below is a full recap of Bilas’ Top 25 from his 68-team Index—plus what it means for the 2025–26 title race.

Bilas’ Top 25 (and the “why” behind each spot)

1) Michigan

Bilas’ No. 1 looks like a title blueprint: depth, size, shooting, and an intimidating interior defense rated best in the nation. Michigan has also bludgeoned more good teams than anyone, and the efficiency profile is as clean as it gets—sitting as the only team in the country ranked in the top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. No one is a sure thing, but Bilas makes it clear Michigan is pretty close.

2) Arizona

Arizona is pretty close, too. Their identity is paint dominance: outstanding defense, real rim protection, control of the offensive glass, and constant pressure at the foul line. They’re not a prolific 3-point shooting team, but they don’t need to be when they’re winning the paint and the possession battle. Bilas highlights freshman guard Brayden Burries as a key performer because he can really shoot it from deep—an important counterpunch for a team that prefers to live inside.

3) Duke

Duke’s two losses came to quality teams in games where the Blue Devils held double-digit leads—more “finish the job” than “not good enough.” Bilas points to late-game execution as the obvious growth area, but the foundation is championship-level: Cameron Boozer is the national player of the year front-runner, and Duke has excellent defensive players around him. If the endgame tightens up, Duke’s ceiling stays Final Four-high.

4) Houston

Bilas sees a high ceiling here, and the twist is that this Houston team needs to get better defensively to match the program’s usual reputation. Right now, the Cougars are actually better offensively, and Bilas calls freshman Kingston Flemings their best player—highlighted by that magnificent 42-point outburst at Texas Tech. If the defense rises to the standard people assume, Houston looks like a true title threat.

5) Iowa State

With Michigan and Arizona taking up so much oxygen in the “best team” debate, Bilas thinks Iowa State isn’t discussed enough. The Cyclones are complete and balanced—top-10 on both ends—with only two losses (at Kansas, at Cincinnati). Joshua Jefferson is one of the most versatile frontcourt players in the country, Milan Momcilovic might be the nation’s best shooter, and the fact that Tamin Lipsey isn’t the first name mentioned tells you how many “dudes” Iowa State has.

6) Illinois

If you can watch only one offense, Bilas says it’s a tough choice between Illinois and Saint Louis. Illinois spreads the floor with skilled shooters, takes more than half its shots from deep, and still pounds the offensive glass. With Kylan Boswell out, freshman Keaton Wagler has looked like an elite, lottery-pick guard (including a 46-point game at Purdue). Bilas’ Tyrese Haliburton comparison is straight from the source—and it’s even more remarkable given Wagler wasn’t a top-200 high school recruit.

7) Florida

Florida’s early-season schedule was brutal, and the early issues were guard play—turnovers and perimeter shooting—while replacing one of the best backcourts in SEC history. Bilas’ takeaway now: this is a legit contender. He puts Florida’s frontcourt in the same “best in the nation” conversation as Michigan and Arizona, with Thomas Haugh as the engine behind that group.

8) UConn

In UConn’s back-to-back title seasons, the offense was elite early and the defense caught up later. This year, Bilas says the defense is excellent, but the offense isn’t quite as devastating: the schemes are still innovative, but the shooting hasn’t been as proficient and ball security has been an issue relative to the title teams. Can they win it all? Bilas leaves the door open—if the Huskies stay on the improvement train.

9) Kansas

Bilas gets the Allen Fieldhouse point out of the way: if the tournament were played there, Kansas would win it. The bigger story is how Kansas grows with or without Darryn Peterson—magnificent when he plays, and a thinner margin when he doesn’t. Bilas highlights Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, Bryson Tiller, and especially Flory Bidunga, who is establishing himself as arguably the nation’s most impactful defender. Kansas has growth ahead, but not much room for error without Peterson.

10) Nebraska

Bilas flat-out enjoys watching Nebraska: they play hard, together, spread the court, and defend. He was especially impressed by a close loss to Michigan when Nebraska was short-handed. With only two losses (at Michigan, home vs. Illinois), Bilas sees a legitimate second-weekend team—maybe more. His only concern is confidence after finally seeing “their own blood” for the first time.

11) Purdue

Purdue hasn’t always looked like a No. 1-caliber team, but Bilas warns against writing them off. They can still score efficiently with anyone; the questions are defense and athleticism. The season has had jarring moments (including a three-game slide), but with Braden Smith (Bilas calls him the nation’s best point guard) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (best big-man footwork in America), Purdue remains a worthy challenger.

12) Michigan State

Bilas frames this as classic Izzo winning without great shooting: Michigan State rebounds, defends, and fights. Turnovers have been a challenge, and the ball doesn’t go through the net as expected, but the Spartans are competitive with anyone. Jeremy Fears Jr. has faced scrutiny, yet Bilas points out the elite reality: Fears leads the nation in assist rate—imagine the numbers if MSU shot it better.

13) Gonzaga

The question is health. Losing Braden Huff removes one of the best big men in the country and puts more pressure on Graham Ike to do everything. Bilas notes the Portland loss was unusual, but it doesn’t change his view that Gonzaga is another second-weekend team. The real concerns: Gonzaga doesn’t get to the foul line as often as expected, and doesn’t convert at a high rate when it does.

14) Vanderbilt

Bilas flags health issues (Duke Miles out after “clean up” surgery; Frankie Collins cleared but not yet on the court) as the swing factor. What’s certain: Tyler Tanner is having a fabulous season at point guard, and Tyler Nickel is one of the nation’s most dangerous perimeter shooters. Vanderbilt’s ceiling will be determined by how well it can defend the paint.

15) North Carolina

UNC’s key move: freshman Derek Dixon as the starting point guard, which sparked five straight wins, including an all-time thriller over Duke. Bilas loves Dixon’s fearlessness and shot-making under pressure, and he highlights the gutsy pass to Seth Trimble for the winner. Before his injury, Caleb Wilson was as explosive as anyone, and Henri Veesaar has been a double-double machine. The key now is sustaining that level for longer stretches.

16) Tennessee

Bilas’ read is basically: they’re close. Turnovers and late-game execution have cost Tennessee games (Kentucky is the loud example, but not the only one). Ja’Kobi Gillespie has been outstanding more often than not, and Nate Ament continues to blossom. Bilas notes Ament hasn’t had the headline 40-point game, but his all-around value could be even bigger long-term.

17) Alabama

This is Bilas’ one non-basketball aside in the Top 25: the Charles Bediako eligibility situation and what it means for the selection committee. Bilas’ answer is simple—do nothing special. Seed teams based on the games played, and if the NCAA wants to sanction Alabama, handle it later through due process. The committee, in his view, shouldn’t try to play judge and jury.

18) Texas Tech

Bilas calls Texas Tech tough as nails. With JT Toppin and Christian Anderson, the Red Raiders have one of the most potent scoring duos in the country, but depth is limited. Bilas spotlights lefty shooter Donovan Atwell as one of the best catch-and-shoot marksmen; Atwell and Anderson both shoot 44% from three and have combined for 165+ made 3s.

19) St. John’s

Bilas is pushing hard for Zuby Ejiofor to get proper national recognition—he’s producing like an awards-level big and making a real case for Big East Player of the Year. Ejiofor is scoring (16+ PPG on 54%), rebounding, blocking shots, and generating steals. With Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins, St. John’s has a formidable frontcourt—and they’ve won 10 straight, including a win over UConn and Rick Pitino’s 900th.

20) Arkansas

Bilas frames this as Calipari writing a new Fayetteville chapter, with the talent to make another run. The engine is the backcourt: Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas power one of the country’s top offenses. Bilas notes Acuff’s high-usage star role from the outset (21.2 PPG, 50.3% shooting, 6.3 APG) with Thomas adding 15.0 PPG.

21) Virginia

Bilas describes Ryan Odom’s arrival as the start of a new era—and so far, the returns are promising. Virginia has restored consistency and sits just below Duke in the ACC, comfortably headed back to the tournament. Freshman Thijs De Ridder (Belgium) has impressed as the scoring leader (15.7 PPG) while shooting 51.5% and grabbing 6.6 boards.

22) BYU

Expectations were high with AJ Dybantsa leading a Sweet 16-caliber roster, and Bilas raves about Dybantsa’s spectacular midrange game and NBA-caliber shot-making. The season-ending ACL injury to Richie Saunders makes the depth question even bigger now, meaning BYU will need even more from Dybantsa and Robert Wright III (who already answered with a 39-point career high after Saunders exited early).

23) Louisville

Bilas says Louisville is simply different with Mikel Brown Jr. on the floor. The record split with him out vs. in is stark, and the production is louder: 17.9 PPG, 5.1 APG, plus a 45-point game vs. NC State that broke the ACC freshman single-game scoring record previously held by Cooper Flagg (42). Louisville looks like a different bracket problem when Brown is healthy.

24) Villanova

Bilas has Villanova on track to make the tournament for the first time since Jay Wright retired. The Wildcats are strong on both ends (near top-30 in offensive and defensive efficiency), and four of their five losses are to teams currently in the AP Top 25. Senior Grand Canyon transfer Duke Brennan is having the best season of his career (12.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG).

25) Saint Louis

Bilas leans into a simple truth: winning matters—and Saint Louis has won 18 straight. The Billikens have the fourth-best scoring offense (90.8 PPG) and the second-best 3-point shooting offense (40.9%) nationally, and they’re deep (five double-figure scorers). Bilas highlights Robbie “Cream Abdul-Jabbar” Avila as the headliner, and he frames Saint Louis as a legitimate March threat, not just a fun mid-major story.

What it means for the 2025–26 title race

1) Michigan is the “most complete” team — but the gap isn’t huge

Bilas’ language makes Michigan the closest thing to a full-package favorite, but he also stresses the obvious March truth: no one is a sure thing. That combination—clear No. 1 profile, plus real uncertainty—sets up a fascinating stretch run.

2) The paint is back as a defining theme

A lot of Bilas’ top tier is built around rim protection, rebounding, and paint scoring: Michigan, Arizona, Florida, Kansas (Bidunga), even St. John’s. When the tournament tightens and jumpers come and go, teams that can win the paint and survive cold stretches tend to last.

3) Freshmen aren’t just contributors — they’re centerpieces

Boozer, Flemings, Wagler, Dixon, Dybantsa, Brown, Burries—Bilas’ Top 25 reads like a freshman-driven season. That raises ceilings, but it also introduces volatility: young stars can win you a title, or have one rough weekend and send you home.

4) The “second tier” is big enough to create bracket chaos

From Nebraska and Purdue to Tennessee, Texas Tech, St. John’s, Arkansas, BYU, Louisville, Villanova, and Saint Louis—and others—there are a lot of teams in the 10–25 range that are absolutely capable of beating anyone for 40 minutes. That’s how you get a tournament where the Final Four doesn’t match the preseason posters.

5) The contenders with one clear, fixable flaw are the scariest

Bilas points to specific swing factors that can change a season fast:

• Duke: late-game execution

• Houston: defense catching up to offense

• UConn: shooting/ball security

• Purdue: defense/athleticism consistency

• Tennessee: turnovers and endgame decisions

• BYU: depth after injury

  
  

  If even a couple of these teams clean up their “one thing,” the title race gets even more crowded.

The bottom line

Bilas’ Top 25 (within his 68-team Index) paints Michigan as the closest thing to a complete national title favorite, with Arizona and Duke right behind—and a deep pack of teams with real March upside if they sharpen one or two edges. High-end quality up top + real parity in the middle = recipe for one of the wildest tournaments in years.

Source: Jay Bilas, ESPN (Feb. 17, 2026) — “The Bilas Index: The best 68 men’s basketball teams in 2025–26”