It’s now the end of the out-of-conference (OOC) portion of the 2025–26 college basketball season, and we’re at a natural checkpoint for a Christmas check-in. Even at this stage, certain players are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. While much of the season remains ahead, there’s value in taking a snapshot of who has delivered the strongest statistical performances so far, especially when adjusting for strength of schedule.
Using objective metrics, we’ve ranked the top 300 players who have put up the best numbers against the most competitive schedules to date. This includes highlighting the top freshmen and true mid-majors who have already proven they can contribute at a high level.
Why This Matters (Even at This Early Stage):
Strength of Schedule Differences: Teams have faced very different competition in the OOC portion. Some have already played multiple top-tier opponents, while others haven’t yet faced elite competition. Early stats need this context to be meaningful.
Early Snapshot: Think of this as a “moment in time” ranking. A few standout games can sway early-season numbers, and with only a third of the season complete, rankings are still fluid—especially as SOS adjustments grow more pronounced once conference play ramps up.
Despite these caveats, these rankings provide a real look at which players are already producing at a high level. Fans, analysts, and anyone tracking college basketball closely can use this as a benchmark for who has delivered through the OOC schedule.
We’ll continue updating these rankings as the season progresses, giving context to which players are sustaining value and which are benefiting from early scheduling quirks.
Top Freshmen to Watch: Among this early group, a handful of freshmen have already started to make an impact. While it’s too early to project long-term outcomes, these young players have shown flashes of elite-level skill that could translate into significant roles as the season unfolds.
