We’re about a month from the start of the 2026-27 college basketball season, and many head coaches still don’t know if any of their players will be eligible.
The Games’ opposition to the challenge of the organization’s players, who completed their fourth period of eligibility this spring and are now seeking a fifth year, stems from the approval of the new games. age-based eligibility model.
March 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer dunks the ball during a practice session ahead of the 2026 Men’s East Regional Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGE Images via Reuters Connect
Guide to basketball is not a program eligibility limit with some of his players, but there are more of his non-conference and ACC opponents, and some of those moving scenes will put the ceiling on some of the Blue Devils’ teams this season.
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Here are three guides non-conference opponents to monitor among the eligibility chaos.

Texas Tech’s Donovan Atwell (12) and Darrion Williams at basketball practice on Tuesday, Sept. 22. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Texas Tech
Texas Tech We have as much riding on these fifth-year arrangements as some college basketball teams. The Red Raiders are trying to Darrion WilliamsDonovan Atwell and Jamichael Stillwell this season. If all three are eventually eligible, Texas Tech is probably a top 10 team seeking a laugher for the year. If there aren’t any, the fringe is probably the top 25 of the team.
Williams transferred to NC State last offseason after spending two years in Lubbock from 2023-25. In the 2024-25 campaign, the 6’6″ current averaged 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 assists a game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Williams was a First Team All-Big 12 selection and helped lead the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight.

Texas’ Darrion Williams continues drills in basketball practice on Tuesday, Sept. 22. 2026 at United Supermarkets Arena. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Atwell was one of the best shooters in the country last season. He averaged 13.5 points per game on 45.8% shooting from the perimeter on 8.4 attempts per game. Atwell is second in the Big 12 in three-point percentage and three-pointers made (130).
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Stillwell is a transfer from UCF who averaged 11.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 steals a game last season on 50.4% shooting from the floor.

Texas’ Donovan Atwell runs through basketball practice on Tuesday, Sept. 22. 2026 at United Supermarkets Arena. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Williams recently received a temporary ban in Texas along with other fifth-year prospects. A Lubbock County judge granted Atwell a TRO, but set a restraining order hearing for Oct. Nov. 15 he is still ineligible to remain in Georgia after the previous ban.
It’s almost useless to note whether players are currently eligible, as literally anything can change at any time. Still, TTU has a lot riding on these fifth-year standards.

March 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Denzel Aberdeen (1) saves a shot as Iowa State Cyclones forward Milan Momcilovic (22) defends during the second half of the second round game of the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament at the Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | IMAGE Images via Reuters Connect
Florida
Florida has only one key player in the midst of this fifth-year chaos, but he’s the one who could turn the Gators from arguably the best team in the country into a year of unbeaten success.
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a veteran guard Denzel Aberdeen He was recently granted a temporary suspension at Florida, making him eligible for the 2026-27 season. If this event holds, it would be a huge pickup for Todd Golden.

7 Feb 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden reacts at halftime against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | IMAGE Images via Reuters Connect
Aberdeen spent the first three years of his collegiate career with the Gators before transferring to Kentucky last season. He was a key part of the Gators’ 2025 National Championship run, averaging 7.7 points and 1.4 assists per game.
Aberdeen previously sought to play as a rebounder this season, scoring at UF as a freshman, when he averaged 3.4 minutes per game in 12 appearances. Aberdeen is now eligible (now) to suit up for the Gators.

March 18, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few answers questions during a press conference before a practice session before the first round of the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGE Images via Reuters Connect
Gonzaga
Like Texas Tech, Gonzaga’s camera could change completely if its guys can finally play for a fifth year in 2026-27.
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Arguably the greatest is Gonzaga the fifth year also it was former Dayton guard Javon Bennett. Bennett averaged 15.8 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals last night on 39.5% shooting from the field.

Mar 14, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dayton Flyers guard Javon Bennett (0) handles the ball against St. Louis Billikens guard Dion Brown (13) during an Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament semifinal game at PPG Paintball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGE Images via Reuters Connect
Bennett is a huge addition in the desert after Zags sophomore Mario Saint-Superi, who was viewed as one of the major candidates in college basketball’s breakout season, suddenly left the program to sign. many years a lot with Valencia in the Euroleague in Spain.
He also landed a few services from Chauncey Wiggins (Florida) and Naivian Lee (Florida). Wiggins was one of the best three-point shooters in the ACC last season, averaging 13.3 points per game on 38.7% shooting from three in 5.8 attempts.
Lee was the other first to strengthen the Bulldogs’ back line. The Princeton transfer played last season with Florida, averaging 11.6 points and 4.2 assists a game.
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Two days ago, the First District Court of Appeals reversed a ruling in Ohio, making Maro still ineligible this time. Wiggins also had an accident at Georgia, so he is now ineligible as well. Lee is currently eligible under a TRO in California, but a second hearing in that case is set for Oct. 20.
The Zags could be a top 15 team in the country if Maro, Lee and Wiggins could all be selected. But it is still uncertain whether all this chaos will be settled from the beginning of time.
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This article was originally published at www.si.com/college/duke as 3 Duke Non-Con Opponents Monitor Between Eligibility Limbo.
