1. Auburn Tigers
The Tigers proved to the country that they are the team to beat with a convincing road win in Tuscaloosa over the weekend. Johni Broome should be the NPOY.
2. Duke Blue Devils
Cooper Flagg continues to put up eye-popping numbers, and the Blue Devils continue racking up wins. It may be a down year in the ACC, but this Duke team is special.
3. Florida Gators
The Gators have reeled off four straight since the debacle at Tennessee, including a win over Auburn. Thomas Haugh has been spectacular in the absence of Alex Condon.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
It was a tough loss to Auburn, but the Crimson Tide are still in contention for a one-seed. Mark Sears has to be better if the Tide wants a return trip to the Final Four.
5. Houston Cougars
The Cougars flexed their muscle at Arizona over the weekend. They have a clear path to the regular season Big 12 crown and potential one-seed.
6. Tennessee Volunteers
Huge comeback over Vanderbilt over the weekend. Igor Milicic is one of the best transfers that no one is talking about.
7. Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones are looking much more like themselves with Momcilovic back in the fold. We always talk about the backcourt with this team, but Josh Jefferson has been fantastic.
8. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies struggle to get buckets, but their opponents struggle even more. If Wade Taylor catches fire down the stretch, this program will be a problem in the tournament.
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The polls are starting to catch up to the analytics of how good this team is. JT Toppin continues to be a man amongst boys.
10. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers picked up a nice win over Purdue this weekend behind John Tonje’s spectacular performance. Wisconsin might not jump off the screen, but they play as a team.
11. St. John’s Red Storm
Like the Aggies, the Johnnie’s are crushing team on defense and on the glass. Deivon Smith’s health could limit the upside for the Red Storm in March.
12. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines are surging in Coach May’s first year. We are watching one of the best turnaround stories in the country.
13. Michigan State Spartans
Key bounce back win at Illinois this weekend will hopefully for Coach Izzo get this train back on track. Jaxson Kohler is starting to assert himself in all phases of the game.
14. Purdue Boilermakers
Brutal stretch for the Boilermakers and it doesn’t get much easier down the stretch. Braden Smith is capable of carrying this team, but he needs some help come tourney time.
15. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers have all the tools to make a deep run in March. Dillon Hunter, Chase’s brother, is really coming into his own and has earned a starting role.
16. Missouri Tigers
Mizzou looks to carry some momentum into a showdown with Alabama this week. Anthony Robinson is coming off a dominant performance over Georgia, and they need more of that.
17. Marquette Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles stopped the bleeding last week, and the schedule will soften up over the next week. Their frontcourt play has to be better if they want to go far in the tournament.
18. Maryland Terrapins
The Twin Towers of Queen and Reese have really grown as complimentary pieces over the year. Nobody wants to see Maryland in their bracket next month.
19. Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats are wounded and battling hard. They need Lamont Butler on the floor to have any chance of finishing the year strong.
20. Arizona Wildcats
Big time road win over Baylor was big after a missed opportunity against Houston. Henri Veesaar is slowly becoming one of the better bigs in the sport.
21. Kansas Jayhawks
The analytics love them more than the eye test. It’s now or never for Hunter Dickinson and company.
22. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Going to your rivals home floor and grabbing a victory had to feel good for the Bulldogs. Showdowns against the Aggies and Crimson Tide loom large for a team trying to move up.
23. Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals are taking care of business down the stretch. The key for Coach Kelsey is now to put up victories during bracket season to complete the restoration.
24. Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Zags still have elite offensive talent and those types of teams are dangerous in a tournament settings. Graham Ike needs to stay on the floor for them to have success.
25. Memphis Tigers
Tough road loss to Wichita State knock the Tigers down. We have been waiting on the Jekyll and Hyde tendencies this year, so it will be interesting to see them bounce back.
