1. Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols continue their run at the top, thanks to an impressive blowout of a talented Arkansas team. This team just doesn’t have many weaknesses.
2. Auburn Tigers
The Tigers have reeled off 6 straight, and these games haven’t been close. Chad Baker-Mazara is Top 20 in the country in offensive rating.
3. Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones crushed a really talented Baylor squad by nearly 20 over the weekend. What’s crazy about their year is that guard Tamin Lipsey hasn’t gotten going yet.
4. Duke Blue Devils
Cooper Flagg is starting to assert himself into the conversation for National Player of the Year with his play. Duke is Top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
Depth and pace. Nobody in the country has a better blend. Key question down the stretch is whether the defense can continue to get better.
6. Kentucky Wildcats
Massive win over Florida this weekend behind six players in double figures. Guard Koby Brea is the most lethal weapon off the bench in the country.
7. Florida Gators
Regardless of the loss to Kentucky, Todd Golden’s squad keeps proving to us that they are legit. Transfer guard Alijah Martin has is the X-Factor for this team.
8. Marquette Golden Eagles
Marquette is big, physical, and takes care of the ball at a high level. Guard Stevie Mitchell is the ultimate glue guy.
9. Houston Cougars
Lookout, here come the Cougars. 3-0 to start Big 12 play, and guard Emanuel Sharp is shooting lights out.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Blown out by Alabama over the weekend, the Sooners will look to bounce back. Forward Jalon Moore continues to produce at a high level.
11. Texas A&M Aggies
Big win over the rival Longhorns has the fan base buzzing. They may not be the most efficient team, but Wade Taylor is good enough to carry them deep into March.
12. Kansas Jayhawks
Hunter Dickinson absolutely clobbered UCF to get this program back on track. Bill Self has to figure out how to get this team to the free throw line, as they are bottom five in the country.
13. UConn Huskies
Don’t look now, but the Huskies profile as one of the best offenses in the country analytically. Solo Ball is starting to heat up, and Aidan Mahaney is giving a spark off the bench.
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Guard Josh Hubbard is one of the toughest guards in the country. This is the year the Bulldogs have enough offense to go with a tenacious defense.
15. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans continue to wear down Big Ten opponents with strong defense and large rotations. The one glaring weakness is they are only shooting 28% from three.
16. Illinois Fighting Illini
Kasparas Jakucionis is a nightmare for opposing pick-and-roll defenses. He looks every bit of a Top 10 pick and the Illini continue to improve nightly.
17. Oregon Ducks
One of the pleasant surprises in the Big Ten thanks to another spectacular coaching job by Dana Altman. Guard Jackson Shelstad had a huge night in their win over Maryland.
18. Gonzaga Bulldogs
This is still the scariest arsenal of offensive weapons in the country. The Zags can play a bunch of different styles with their depth.
19. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers shocked the college basketball world on New Year’s Eve with a big-time road win over Kansas. WVU is hoping star wing Tucker DeVries returns soon from injury.
20. Memphis Tigers
This was the point in the season last year where the Tigers collapsed. Wins over FAU and North Texas are big for AAC momentum.
21. Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels recovered nicely from a loss at Memphis by opening SEC play win over Georgia. Moving guard Jaylen Murray to the bench for a spark unlocks some upside.
22. Purdue Boilermakers
An impressive win over Northwestern this weekend has Purdue in early position to make a run in the Big Ten. Superstar Braden Smith continues to dominate.
23. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins took a couple of tough-luck losses on the road to North Carolina and Nebraska. This team will be in every game, thanks to their defensive prowess.
24. Utah State Aggies
The Aggies look like the cream of the crop in the Mountain West after a 4-0 start. Guard Mason Falslev is playing at an elite level.
25. Pittsburgh Panthers
It hasn’t been the toughest schedule recently for Pitt but they continue to take care of business. In a down year in the ACC, Pitt is in prime position to challenge Duke at the top.
