After the Maui Invitational, the top spot in the power rankings this week shouldn’t surprise anyone. We saw movement throughout the rankings this week, though, so check out who is up and who is down.
1. Auburn Tigers
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 22: Johni Broome #4 of the Auburn Tigers reacts after drawing a foul during the second half against the Yale Bulldogs in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 22, 2024 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Tigers own the top spot in our Power Rankings after a complete domination of the Maui Invitational. Wins over Houston, Iowa State, North Carolina, and Memphis are too hard to ignore this early in the year. Johni Broome continues to lead the early race for National Player of the Year.
2. Kansas Jayhawks
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 20: A view of the Kansas Jayhawks logo on their uniform during the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum on January 20, 2024 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Bill Self and company picked up a major win over Duke last week, even with their star, Hunter Dickinson, getting ejected. The Jayhawks are Top 10 in the country in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency.
3. Tennessee Volunteers
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 29: A detailed view of the “T” logo of the Tennessee Volunteers as they line up for the National Anthem before playing the North Carolina Tar Heels on November 29, 2023 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 100-92. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
The Vols blew the doors off Tennessee-Martin in their only contest. The backcourt of Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier continues to dazzle. We know this team is going to play defense, when it gets scary is when they have the offense to match.
4. Kentucky Wildcats
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 17: The Kentucky Wildcats logo on a pair of short during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game against the Providence Friars at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Wildcats continue to take care of business with wins over Western Kentucky and Georgia State. Everyone underrated this defense, and I’m not sure why. Amari Williams has been fantastic as the Hub-5 for Coach Pope’s system.
5. Marquette Golden Eagles
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 15: The Marquette Golden Eagles logo shown on a pair of shorts during the Big East Basketball Tournament Semifinals against the Providence Friars at Madison Square Garden on March 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Shaka Smart continues to dominate the first half of every year. With so many Big East teams taking their lumps over the last few weeks, the Golden Eagles look like the cream of the crop.
6. Iowa State Cyclones
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 17: The Iowa State Cyclones logo on. Pair of shorts during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Cyclones finished out Maui strong after a last-second loss to Auburn with victories over Dayton and Colorado. Keshon Gilbert has been fantastic on both ends of the floor. A big matchup with Marquette is coming up this Wednesday.
7. Oregon Ducks
MAUI, HAWAII – NOVEMBER 22: The Oregon Ducks logo on shorts during the Maui Invitation college basketball tournament against the Tennessee Volunteers at Lahaina Civic on November 22, 2016 in Maui, Hawaii. The Ducks won 69-95. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Ducks blast into our Top 25 with one of the best resumes in the sport. Oregon was able to win the inaugural Players Era Tournament in Vegas with wins over Texas A&M, San Diego State, and Alabama. It’s nice to see oft-injured big man Nate Bittle playing at an elite level.
8. Wisconsin Badgers
MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 14: A picture of the logo worn on new uniform shorts of a Wisconsin Badgers player during the game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Kohl Center on December 14, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
While Oregon takes over the honors as the biggest surprise to begin the year from the Badgers, all Coach Gard’s team does is keep winning. John Tonje continues to play out of his mind, and this team takes care of the ball.
9. Florida Gators
CHARLESTON, SC – NOVEMBER 22: The Florida Gators logo on a pair of shorts during a second round Charleston Classic basketball game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at the TD Arena on November 22, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
There is no question that this Gators team is for real. They are coming off blowouts over Wake Forest and Wichita State. Walter Clayton is the tip of the spear, but this team is deep.
10. Gonzaga Bulldogs
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 21: A general view of the Gonzaga logo on the court prior to the start between the Northwestern State Demons and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at McCarthey Athletic Center on December 21, 2020 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeats Northwestern State 95-57. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
A surprising first-round loss in the Bahamas knocks the Bulldogs down a few pegs. They did recover nicely with wins over Indiana and Davidson as they get ready for a heavyweight showdown this week against Kentucky.
11. Duke Blue Devils
DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 18: A detail view of Nike basketballs prior to the game between the Elon Phoenix and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
The Blue Devils dropped one on the road to Kansas with a turnover in the final seconds, rearing its ugly head again. Still, Duke has one of the best rosters in the country and will look completely different when its freshmen grow up over the next couple of months.
12. Cincinnati Bearcats
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 22: The Cincinnati Bearcats logo on a pair of shorts during a second round game of the Maui Jim Invitational college basketball Tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lahaina Civic Arena on November 22, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Bearcats continue to roll through a pretty weak non-conference schedule, notching their latest win over Alabama State. That’s not to sell this team short against future competition, as they were one of the most undervalued rosters coming into the year.
13. Purdue Boilermakers
COLLEGE PARK, MD – JANUARY 10: The Purdue Boilermakers logo on their uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 10, 2021 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
The Boilermakers picked up quality wins over NC State and Ole Miss last week. Guard Braden Smith continues to play at an All-American level, but they may have found a budding star in Myles Colvin, who had a big game in the two-point victory over the Rebels.
14. Alabama Crimson Tide
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – APRIL 06: The Alabama Crimson Tide logo shown on a chair of shorts during the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game against the Connecticut Huskies at State Farm Stadium on April 06, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Tide will eventually make their way back into the Top 10, but we’ve reached the point in the season where some teams ahead of them have accomplished a bit more. It was nice to see Mark Sears find his game again last week after the goose egg against Illinois.
15. Memphis Tigers
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 13: Tyrese Hunter of The University of Memphis poses for a photo during the American Athletic Conference Basketball Media day at The Westin Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas on October 13, 2024 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Well, hello, Penny as the Tigers are off to another fantastic start. They picked up big wins over UConn and Michigan State before falling to Auburn in the Maui Championship game. Tyrese Hunter and PJ Haggerty are one of the top backcourt duos in the country.
16. Pittsburgh Panthers
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 14: A view of the Pittsburgh Panthers logo on their uniform during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Quarterfinals of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
A game winning shot at Ohio State this past weekend continues a masterful start by Coach Capel and company. They are playing solid on both ends of the floor and look like a problem in the ACC. Guards Jaland Lowe and Ish Leggett have been awesome.
17. Oklahoma Sooners
NORMAN, OK – DECEMBER 05: The Oklahoma Sooners logo on the basket before a college basketball game against the Providence Friars at Lloyd Noble Center on December 5, 2023 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
If anyone had the Sooners winning the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, they are probably rich now. Coach Moser has this team rolling with wins over Providence, Arizona, and Louisville last week. Jeremy Fears has been one of the best freshmen in the country.
18. Illinois Fighting Illini
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – FEBRUARY 21: The Illinois Fighting Illini logo on a pair of shorts during a college basketball game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Rec Hall on February 21, 2024 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The influx of international talent has the Illini back in the mix nationally. Guard Kasparas Jakucionis is proving to be a lottery pick, and center Tomislav Ivisic has been outstanding. They picked up a big win over Arkansas this weekend and look like a player in the Big Ten.
19. Houston Cougars
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 09: Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars looks on during the first half against the Auburn Tigers of the Mattress Firm Battleground 2k24 at Toyota Center on November 09, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Weird seeing the Coogs with three losses this early, but two of those were in overtime to Alabama and San Diego State, while the other one was a five-point loss to Auburn. Kelvin Sampson knows how to get the most out of his guys, and their metrics support another strong season.
20. San Diego State Aztecs
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs speaks to the ref after a call against the Houston Cougars in the second half of their game during the Players Era Festival basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aztecs defeated the Cougars 73-70 in overtime. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
There were question marks for the Aztecs and how good they would be after key roster turnover this offseason. Miles Byrd and BJ Davis have elevated their game after playing sparingly last year. Coach Dutcher has another dangerous squad in the Mountain West.
21. Ole Miss Rebels
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 18: The Mississippi Rebels logo on a pair of shorts during the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at TD Arena on November 18, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Tough loss on a putback to Purdue otherwise the Rebels would be 7-0. Transfer guard Sean Pedulla has been spectacular. Tough test against Louisville this week, but the Rebels should head into conference play with no more than two losses.
22. Baylor Bears
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: The Baylor Bears logo on pair of shorts before a college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Feels like we haven’t seen much of Scott Drew’s team lately. That all changes with a matchup against UConn this week, which will only strengthen a non-conference schedule that already ranks inside the Top 20.
23. Texas A&M Aggies
CONWAY, SC – NOVEMBER 18: The Texas A&M Aggies logo on a pair of shorts during a second round game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational college basketball game against the Colorado Buffaloes at HTC Center on November 18, 2022 in Conway, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Aggies seem to be following a similar path to last year, which is strong defense/guard play. The problem is their three-point shooting has not improved this year which limits their ceiling. Still, they have a Top 20 roster in the country and will be a challenge for anyone in the SEC.
24. Michigan Wolverines
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 29: The Michigan Wolverines logo on the uniform shorts worn during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena on February 29, 2024 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Michigan 82-52. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Coach May already has this team rolling heading into conference play this week. The Wolverines picked up good wins over Xavier and Virginia Tech last week. Transfers Danny Wolf, Roddy Gayle, and Tre Donaldson have given this program a shot in the arm offensively.
25. North Carolina Tar Heels
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 21: RJ Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles against the Wagner Seahawks during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 21, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Tough losses to Auburn and Michigan State (overtime) in Maui drop the Heels in our Power Rankings to the final spot. Still, this team has RJ Davis and have played a Top 10 non-conference schedule. It only gets tougher with Alabama coming to town on Wednesday.
