The initial KenPom rankings are out, which means the college basketball season is knocking at our doors. Ken Pomeroy’s data-driven metrics are calculated based on a team’s points scored or allowed per 100 possessions against an average Division I team, allowing adjustments for opponent’s quality, home-court advantage, and other factors.
KenPom rankings often stirs debate, and this year has been no different. As the list made inevitable circles around social media, fans argued that it had failed to capture some of the more intangible factors like coaching changes, team chemistry, and offseason improvements.
2025-26 KenPom Rankings Face Major Fan Backlash
Ken Pomeroy put Kelvin Sampson’s Houston at the top of his rankings, followed by Todd Golden’s Florida, Matt Painter’s Purdue, Mark Pope’s Kentucky, and Dan Hurley’s UConn at No. 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The positions of certain teams on the list have left fans enraged, especially Arkansas being left out of the Top 25 and St. John’s not cracking the Top 10. According to KenPom rankings, Arkansas is at No. 29 and St. John’s clocks in at No. 16.
Arkansas not being in the top 25 is a damn joke
— Casey Hook (@CaseyHook86) October 12, 2025
“Somebody from Arkansas must have stole his girlfriend, or his dog back in the day! Dude consistently downplays Arkansas every year! Loser,” one fan joked. “Not sure how Arkansas doesn’t crack the top 25 here said another.
Lmao. No Arkansas with a top 5 recruiting class, most returning minutes in the SEC from a Sweet 16 team and 2 potential 1st round draft picks. Talk about a shit list.
— HogBallBlog (@HogBallBlog1) October 12, 2025
How the hell is Arkansas not in there
— Matt (@GameOnLock96) October 12, 2025
Moreover, Louisville getting placed at No. 14 also did not sit well with some fans.
“Louisville at 14? What a joke,” one wrote. “Will have the best offense in the nation and absolutely no quit. Team upgraded at every position and has a tremendous amount of experience. KenPom missed this one.”
To put things into perspective, ESPN had Rick Pitino’s Red Storm at No. 5 on their rankings, John Calipari’s Razorbacks at No. 12, and Pat Kelsey’s Cardinals at No. 6.
St. John’s has been one of the most talked-about teams entering the new season following key transfer additions like Ian Jackson (from UNC), Dylan Darling (from Idaho State), and others.
St. John’s # 16? Should be top 5
— Cappi (@cappi105) October 12, 2025
“St John’s 16. Beginning to think this Mr. Pom guy’s old age is getting to him,” said another fan.
The Red Storm failing to crack the top 10 in Ken Pomeroy’s efficiency ratings came as a surprise to fans who believed their balance on both ends of the floor warranted higher placement. After leading St. John’s to their first Big East championship in 25 years, Pitino turned around and accomplished one of the most elite transfer classes, led by Ian Jackson from UNC and Bryce Hopkins from Providence.
Meanwhile, Arkansas’ talent level, bolstered by two high-profile recruits and two transfer additions, led many to expect a comfortable ranking within the upper tier. Their absence only intensifies debate about how KenPom’s advanced metrics weigh team composition, past results, and projected efficiency.
The KenPom model, long respected for its statistical rigor, often diverges from traditional polls and preseason expectations. Still, fan reactions reflect how much weight these analytics hold in shaping early narratives around college basketball’s power structure.
