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 train keeps rolling for the best team in the land. The Vols scored a big road win over Illinois this weekend to solidify their spot at the top.
2. 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 bounced back nicely last week by demolishing Richmond and Ohio State by a combined 82 points. Johni Broome is starting to run away as the favorite for the National POY.
3. 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)
Todd Golden has done a wonderful job assembling one of the most balanced rosters in the country. FAU transfer guard Alijah Martin has been the “X-Factor” and fit in nicely with Walter Clayton and Will Richard in the backcourt.
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)
Mark Pope notched his first win over Louisville which only adds to an impressive first year in Lexington. Guard Lamont Butler had a historic 33-point effort and has answered any questions about his ability to run the point.
5. 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 went into Ames last week a beat the Hawkeyes on the road for the first time since 2014. Coach Otzelberger has this team inside the Top 10 in both offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency.
6. 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)
Duke is starting to round into shape as we head toward ACC play. Cooper Flagg continues to dominate, and Maliq Brown has become a force off the bench.
7. 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)
The strength of schedule still hasn’t been great, but the Sooners keep winning. The improvement on offense, particularly from three, has been the catalyst for this big run to start the year.
8. 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)
Unfortunately, the Tide lost Latrell Wrightsell for the year, but depth is one of this program’s strengths. After knocking off UNC and Creighton, Bama is back on track as we head to the new year.
9. 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)
Tough back-to-back road losses to Creighton and Missouri raised some doubts about the ceiling of this team. Can they get more from prized transfers AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen?
10. 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 had a full week to regroup after taking their first loss and responded well by dominating SFA over the weekend. Forward Brandon Angel is playing really well, and if that continues, look out.
11. 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)
Rough trip to Dayton yielded the Golden Eagles second loss. The good news is that guard Chase Ross has stepped up and become a solid #2 option.
12. 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 continued an impressive collection of wins in the Non-Con. Purdue was the latest to fall victim, as the Aggie defense is the real deal.
13. UCLA Bruins
EUGENE, OREGON – DECEMBER 08: Tyler Bilodeau #34 of the UCLA Bruins reacts after a dunk during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Matthew Knight Arena on December 08, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
After a disastrous season last year, Coach Cronin went out and got all the necessary tools in the transfer portal to get the Bruins back on track. Forward Tyler Bilodeau is proving to be a major force around the paint.
14. 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)
Feels like Gonzaga has played all the top teams in the country, and they nearly have. Time to see how the Bulldogs respond after close losses to Kentucky and UConn.
15. Mississippi 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)
Since the last-second loss to Purdue, the Rebels have run off three straight. What’s been impressive is that Chris Beard’s team is led by their offense and you know they will get stops in February.
16. 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)
It’s been nearly a week since the Cougars took the court. Despite the three losses, nobody wants to play this program. A couple of tune-up games remain before they make a run at repeating as Regular Season Champions in the Big 12.
17. 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 outlasted their rival Xavier over the weekend and continue to look like one of the top defenses in the nation. Guard Dan Skillings returned, and they are getting healthy at the right time.
18. Michigan State Spartans
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – JANUARY 21: A view of the Michigan State Spartans logo on their uniform during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center on January 21, 2024 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
The Spartans got off to a fast start in Big Ten play by blasting Minnesota and Nebraska. Coach Izzo has a deep squad with a budding star in freshman guard Jase Richardson.
19. 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 have some question marks but also feature one of the best players in all the land with guard Braden Smith. A couple of losses recently sting, but they should challenge at the top of the Big Ten.
20. Connecticut Huskies
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 10: A view of the Connecticut Huskies logo on their uniform during the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Capital One Arena on February 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
After the disaster in Maui, the Huskies have reeled off wins over Baylor, Texas, and Gonzaga. This team is talented and still has everything they want to accomplish within reach.
21. 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)
Can Memphis avoid the midseason collapse that happened last year after an impressive start? Picking up a road win at Clemson this weekend is a great start.
22. 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)
Michigan couldn’t hang on in the Jimmy V Classic against Arkansas, but everyone can remove the question marks about whether this program is back. The twin towers, Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf, are going to be a nightmare for the Big Ten.
23. 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)
The Aztecs continue cruising after the big win over Houston a few weeks ago. Guard Miles Byrd has impressed throughout his sophomore campaign.
24. Clemson Tigers
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 05: The Clemson Tigers logo is seen on the shorts of Chase Hunter #1 of the Clemson Tigers against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum on March 05, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
The Tigers couldn’t hold off a tough Memphis backcourt this weekend. Regardless, this program has the frontcourt-led Ian Schieffelin capable of producing another big run in March.
25. 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 Illini just missed a statement win over Tennessee by a bucket. The international duo of Tomislav Ivisic and Kasparas Jakucionis has proven to be one of the best in the country.
