Episode Details

Jon Rothstein dishes out 10 non-power-conference college basketball teams to watch out for during the 2026-27 season.

(0:00) Intro + Let’s talk non-power conference teams to watch

(2:00) Gonzaga is starting a new era

(6:10) Utah State in year one under Ben Jacobson

(8:56) San Diego State is trying to right the ship in the NIL era

(13:12) Santa Clara has the resources to be the standard of new WCC

(16:40) Saint Mary’s has a guy following the guy on the sideline

(18:56) VCU is coming off a win over UNC in the NCAA Tournament

(21:30) Saint Louis has retention uncommon for a non-power-conference program

(23:35) Penn has former high-major talent headlining its roster

(25:50) New Mexico has a great backcourt

(27:45) UC Irvine has a very good coach leading the way

🎥 WATCH

• Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB

• Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live

• Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider

🎧 LISTEN

• Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18

• Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867

📱FOLLOW

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en

▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein

📖 READ

• More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW

We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.