Every preseason, the spotlight falls on the usual suspects. UConn, South Carolina, UCLA, Texas, and USC will dominate the early rankings, and rightfully so. However, not every potential contender is generating the same level of buzz.

Last season, Vanderbilt emerged from outside the national spotlight to become one of the country's biggest stories. TCU continued its rise under Mark Campbell, and Ole Miss established itself as a legitimate SEC contender. In the transfer portal era, teams can go from intriguing to elite in a single offseason.

As rosters continue to evolve, several programs have quietly assembled groups capable of making deep postseason runs. Here are five teams fans should keep an eye on entering the 2026-27 season.

Iowa State's Audi Crooks faces Oklahoma State before transferring to the Cowgirls. 

Oklahoma State

No team had a more impressive offseason than Oklahoma State.

Jacie Hoyt faced the challenge of replacing nearly her entire starting lineup, but instead of rebuilding, she reloaded. ESPN ranked the Cowgirls as the No. 1 transfer portal winner after they landed former Iowa State star Audi Crooks and Florida guard Liv McGill.

Crooks averaged 25.8 points per game last season, second in Division I, while McGill averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. Together, the duo gives Oklahoma State one of the nation's most explosive inside-out combinations.

The Cowgirls won 24 games and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season.

With two All-American caliber players now leading the way, expectations should be much higher. 

TCU

TCU head coach Mark Campbell during the 2025-26 season.

At this point, Mark Campbell is a transfer portal whisperer.

The Horned Frogs have reached consecutive Elite Eights and have become one of the nation's best portal programs. After losing key contributors from last season's roster, TCU once again reloaded through the transfer portal and earned another top-five transfer class ranking from ESPN. Former LSU guard Bella Hines headlines the group, joining Stanford forward Lara Somfai, North Carolina guard Lanie Grant and Oklahoma State guard Jadyn Wooten. While not every addition is expected to step into a starring role immediately, Campbell has consistently found ways to develop portal talent and build chemistry quickly.

Many expected TCU to take a step back after significant roster turnover last season. Instead, the Horned Frogs kept winning.

There's little reason to believe 2026-27 will be any different.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan celebrate during the 2025-26 season. 

No team shocked the country more than Vanderbilt in 2025-26.

The Commodores entered the season with limited expectations before becoming one of the SEC's biggest surprises. Behind star guard Mikayla Blakes, freshman standout Aubrey Galvan, and the leadership of Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt transformed from an overlooked program into one nobody wanted to face.

Yet, heading into 2026-27, much of the conversation remains centered on South Carolina, Texas, and LSU.

That feels familiar.

Not only does Vanderbilt return one of the nation's best players in Blakes, but Ralph also signed the highest-ranked recruiting class of her tenure. The class features five newcomers, including

ESPN's No. 15 transfer, Mia Woolfolk, from Georgia, and Southland Conference Player of the Year, Vernell Atamah, from Northwestern State. The Commodores also added a top-15 freshman class highlighted by five-star guard Olivia Jones and four-star forward Jhai Johnson.

Playing in the SEC provides a nightly challenge, but it also prepares teams for March. Last season wasn't a Cinderella run.

It was proof of what Ralph is building in Nashville.

Louisville

NC State's Zamareya Jones against Louisville before transferring to the Cardinals.

Jeff Walz has made a career out of reloading.

The Cardinals reached the Sweet 16 last season and followed it up with one of the strongest portal classes in the nation. ESPN ranked Louisville second among its transfer portal winners, highlighting the Cardinals' ability to quickly replenish talent.

The class is headlined by former NC State guard Zamareya Jones, who averaged 14.9 points while shooting 42% from the field last season, along with Virginia Tech forward Carys Baker, who contributed 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Louisville also added Tennessee guard Deniya Prawl, giving Walz another experienced backcourt option. Those additions complement a roster that already returns key contributors from last season's Sweet 16 run

Louisville may not generate the same attention as some ACC rivals, but that's often when the Cardinals are most dangerous. Experience, continuity, and elite coaching have become staples of the program.

By March, Louisville usually finds itself playing meaningful basketball.

Expect that trend to continue.

Ole Miss

Tennessee's Talaysia Cooper takes on Ole Miss before transferring to the Rebels.

No coach has embraced the transfer portal quite like Yolett McPhee-McCuin.

Once again, the Rebels stocked up with impact additions, including f ormer Tennessee star Talaysia Cooper and LSU guard Jada Richard. ESPN ranked Ole Miss among the top transfer classes in the country, continuing a trend that has transformed the Rebels into an annual NCAA Tournament team.

Defense remains the foundation, but Ole Miss has steadily added more offensive firepower. The Rebels earned a No. 4 seed last season.

Now, the goal is to reach the Final Four.

With Coach Yo leading the way, that doesn't feel unrealistic.

Don't Be Surprised

Every season brings unexpected contenders.

Oklahoma State added arguably the nation's best transfer class. TCU continues to reload. Vanderbilt proved last season it belongs. Louisville remains one of the sport's most consistent winners, and Ole Miss has quietly assembled another dangerous roster.

By the time March arrives, don't be surprised if one or more of these teams have gone from flying under the radar to playing on the sport's biggest stage.