Florida opens the season at No. 1 for the first time since 2006. Since 2000, preseason No. 1s have won just three of 25 national titles, and none have done it since North Carolina in 2009.

The last 10 national champions went a combined 57-2 in November, and eight never lost a game that month. Why the first month of the season matters more than it looks, and the tests waiting this year.

The NCAA Tournament grows to 76 teams this March. Our Bracket Buster Index ranks the 20 best teams outside the power leagues and which ones are built to crash the bracket.

College basketball’s biggest spenders own the Top 25 and the NCAA Tournament bracket. With the field growing to 76 teams, here’s what it costs everyone else to crash the party.