October 8, 2026
College
Summer Competition Could Expand
Division I men's and women's basketball committees introduced proposals allowing up to three summer competition dates, including domestic games against other four-year colleges. A December vote and subsequent review are still required; this is not yet a rule. If approved, the change could give more programs competitive development opportunities without arranging overseas tours.
Michigan State & Illinois Nearly Tied atop Big Ten Forecast
In a USA TODAY Network writers' preseason poll, Michigan State edged Illinois 280 - 279. Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. was the unanimous first-team selection and the writers' preseason player-of-the-year choice. This is a media projection, not a result or an official conference poll.
Scholastic
Indiana Lands Five-Star Center Darius Wabbington
The Sunnyslope High School senior, No. 9 in ESPN's 2027 rankings, chose Indiana over Arizona and Illinois. He is the highest-ranked recruit of coach Darian DeVries's career and gives the Hoosiers a major future frontcourt addition.
Utah State Secures a Program-Record Recruit
Four-star forward King Rachal, ranked No. 47 in the 2027 class by 247Sports, chose Utah State over Oregon, San Diego State, and USC. Local reporting identifies him as the highest-ranked prep commitment in Aggies history.
Jessie Moses Chooses Washington
The 2027 guard selected Washington over a group that included Rutgers, Central Florida, TCU and Michigan State. Her commitment is a significant recruiting win for the Huskies' women's program in a highly contested national prospect market.
Sources:
Borzello,J., & Biancardi, P. (2026, October 6). Five-star center Wabbington picks Indiana over Arizona, Illinois. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/50119964/five-star-center-wabbington-picks-indiana-arizona-illinois
Frost, C. (2026, October 6). USU men's hoops land 2027 four-star forward King Rachal. The Herald Journal. https://www.hjnews.com/sports/usu/usu-men's-hoops-land-2027-four-star-forward-king-rachal/article_745bd7d8-1913-430c-aafe-d924e28dcbbf.html
Glenesk, M. (2026, October 6). Michigan State or Illinois? Big Ten basketball preseason poll reveals razor-thin favorite. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/bigten/2026/10/06/big-ten-basketball-rankings-preseason-all-big-10-team-poll-2026-27-michigan-state-illinois/92019640007/
Goodman, T. (2026, October 6). Top 2027 recruit Jessie Moses commits to Washington. Rivals. https://www.on3.com/her/news/top-2027-recruit-jessie-moses-commits-to-washington/
Johnson, G. (2026, October 6). DI men's and women's basketball out-of-season activities proposals introduced. NCAA. https://www.ncaa.org/news/di-mens-and-womens-basketball-out-of-season-activities-proposals-introduced/