Best of the rest preview: How many at-larges will small schools get in 76-team NCAAT? Top mid-majors, best players to know in ’26-27

We've done it. We made it to the college basketball season. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander sit down for one last season preview. Everything is on the docket. All-Americans, individual awards, Final Four picks and some of the biggest prediction questions heading in to 2026-27. Plus, the first installment of the Final Four And 1!(0:00) Intro + Notre Dame vs Rome to start the season is sick(4:15) CBS Sports Preseason All-America Teams(8:55) Final Four and Title Predictions!(14:00) Individual Awards - NPOY, FOY, TOY(20:30) Predictions! 1st year hires, tournament turnover, last undefeated and more(40:15) Rapid-fire questions for the biggest brands in the sport + a quirky prediction(53:45) Our first Final Four & 1 of the season! Let’s start with RomeTheme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

READ: Norlander's Top 100 And 1 teamsWith major-conference previews complete, Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander take a tour around the mid-major ranks ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season. From the Pac 12's return to new realities in a 76-team field, the guys get you set for the mid-major hoops season.(0:00) Intro + mid-majors in the top 50 now and by season’s end(6:00) Spending disparity between mid-major and high-major as never been greater(10:00) The Pac 12 is back - three-bid league?(13:15) The Mountain West will never be the same again(16:45) Who is in the running for the best true mid-major?(26:00) More mid-majors to circle heading into 2026-27(39:00) Heavy favorites in mid-major leagues + when will the last mid-major lose its first game?(43:30) How many at-larges will mid-major programs get in a 76-team field?Theme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander preview the Big 12 ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season. Storylines, 1-16 rankings, predictions and more.(0:00) Intro + Let’s talk Big 12!(1:00) GP’s conversation with Tommy Lloyd at Big 12 Media Days(19:00) 5 Storylines from the Big 12 starting with Arizona at the top of the league(22:00) Will this be Bill Self’s last season?(30:00) Over/under 1.5 coaching changes after this season in the Big 12?(32:20) It’s the Monster Energy Big 12(34:30) 1-16 predictions(52:45) Player of the Year & NCAA Tournament teamsTheme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠ for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠ and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠ for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

How much does it really cost to build a winning college basketball team in 2026-27? With roster values ranging from $5 million to more than $25 million, college basketball's NIL arms race is changing the sport. The Eye on College Basketball crew breaks down the financial landscape of college hoops, examining NIL spending tiers, the growing gap between programs, and what it takes to assemble a roster capable of competing for a national championship. Which programs have the resources to compete with the biggest spenders? Can teams with smaller budgets still make a deep NCAA Tournament run? And how much does money really matter when it comes to winning in March? From multimillion-dollar rosters to the changing economics of recruiting and the transfer portal, we're breaking down the cost of competing in college basketball in 2026-27.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark joins Gary Parrish at Big 12 Media Days for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of college athletics. Yormark discusses the challenges of leading the conference through a rapidly changing landscape, the professionalization of college sports, and the potential impact of the Protect College Sports Act. Plus, he shares how he balances the perspectives of coaches across the league, his vision for the Big 12's biggest events, and his experience working with Jay-Z at Roc Nation.

Gary Parrish catches up with Houston's Kelvin Sampson and Joseph "JoJo" Tugler at Big 12 Media Days. Sampson discusses how he rebuilt Houston into one of college basketball's premier programs, while Tugler reflects on his growth, defensive identity, and entering his fourth season with the Cougars.

Gary Parrish sits down with Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd at Big 12 Media Days to discuss his impressive first five years leading the Wildcats, what it was like being courted by North Carolina, and how he secured the resources needed to keep Arizona competing at the highest level. Lloyd opens up about the realities of fundraising in college basketball, his philosophy of “hold me accountable, but don’t hold me back,” and the future of the program. Plus, a look at Arizona's talented roster featuring five-star freshmen Caleb Holt and Cameron Holmes, the importance of marquee non-conference matchups, the Maui Invitational, and the current state of college basketball.

Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz joins Gary Parrish at Big 12 Media Days to discuss his coaching journey, the expectations surrounding the Cowboys, and what it takes to compete in one of college basketball's toughest conferences. Lutz reflects on becoming a Division I head coach at 46, the financial investment required to build an NCAA Tournament-caliber roster, and Oklahoma State's commitment to developing young talent. Plus, he breaks down the Cowboys' freshman class, his up-tempo playing style, and whether Oklahoma State has what it takes to reach the NCAA Tournament this season.

Kansas State head coach Casey Alexander joins Gary Parrish at Big 12 Media Days to discuss his move from Belmont to Manhattan and the challenge of rebuilding the Wildcats in his first season. Alexander reflects on his decision to leave Belmont, the realities of constructing a roster from scratch in today's college basketball landscape, and how NIL resources impact his ability to compete in the Big 12. Plus, he breaks down Kansas State's roster, the challenges of re-establishing the program, and what success would look like in year one.

Gary Parrish sits down with West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge at Big 12 Media Days to discuss his first season leading the Mountaineers, the program's postseason outlook, and his journey through the coaching ranks. Hodge shares his perspective on West Virginia's NCAA Tournament snub last season, the value of postseason experience, and how his time coaching junior college basketball shaped his career. Plus, does he have an NCAA Tournament-caliber team in Morgantown? And what makes Miles Sadler, the highest-rated recruit in program history, such an exciting addition?