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)
Auburn Tigers: 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 Davi
