1. Auburn Tigers
We no longer have an undefeated in the sport, but the best one-loss team in the country is the Tigers. Johni Broome’s injury isn’t ideal, but Auburn has enough firepower to get through the next couple of games without him.
2. Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils might not lose another game in the regular season. They are head and shoulders better than everyone else in the ACC. Cooper Flagg continues to live up to the hype.
3. Iowa State Cyclones
Since a 2-point loss to Auburn at the Maui Invitational, the Cyclones have reeled off 11 straight wins. 6th man Curtis Jones is a dynamic weapon off the bench, and this team continues to be dangerous on both ends.
4. Florida Gators
What Todd Golden has done in year three is truly remarkable. They grinded out a tough win at Arkansas this weekend and crushed the final unbeaten in Tennessee by 30. The Gators have multiple weapons and a star in Walter Clayton.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
It was only a matter of time for Rick Barnes program to take an L. The SEC is by far the toughest league in the country. The Vols bounced back nicely with a road win at Texas over the weekend.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide continue to roll on after a couple of nice wins on the road in SEC play. All-American guard Mark Sears has found his stroke. Alabama looks to be improving on the defensive end.
7. Marquette Golden Eagles
Shaka and his program continue to churn out regular season wins and sit atop the Big East. Guard Chase Ross has been fantastic, and guard Kam Jones is on the shortlist for National Player of the Year.
8. Houston Cougars
The Cougars are back to the #1 spot in Defensive Efficiency. They have reeled off 8 straight and are coming off an absolute dismantling of Kansas State. The one line doesn’t seem impossible the way they are playing.
9. Kentucky Wildcats
The analytics aren’t in love with them, but they are doing the thing that matters the most: winning. Guard Jaxson Robinson exploded for 27 at Mississippi State, and if he continues to get hot, look out.
10. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans just come after you, wave after wave. Coach Izzo’s squad goes a legit 10-deep and are playing well on both ends. The Big Ten is wide open, but Sparty is staking its claim early.
11. Kansas Jayhawks
It’s hard to make out what exactly this Kansas team is. They are capable of winning it all, but you could also see them getting bounced in an upset in the first round. Guard Zeke Mayo is the X-Factor.
12. Texas A&M Aggies
Tough loss at home to Alabama, but the Aggies were without their star Wade Taylor. They are playing tough defense and control the glass. The three-ball efficiency will ultimately determine the ceiling.
13. Oregon Ducks
Like Kentucky, the analytics aren’t in love, but Coach Altman is a proven winner. Guard Jackson Shelstad is the straw that stirs the drink. A big road win at Penn State keeps the train rolling.
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs dropped a tough one to Kentucky over the weekend but have all the tools to be a serious threat in the SEC. Forward Cam Matthews is having a tremendous final year.
15. Michigan Wolverines
Are the Wolverines back? I think it’s a safe bet to say yes. The twin towers of Wolf and Goldin create a unique frontcourt and one that opposing teams are struggling to figure out on both ends
16. Connecticut Huskies
The Huskies 8-game win streak was snapped on the road at Villanova, but they were able to recover nicely on the road with a win at Georgetown. They still have major question marks defensively.
17. Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Bulldogs played a very difficult non-conference schedule, which helped them prepare for another run in the WCC. They are undefeated in conference play and sport a dangerous offense.
18. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers sit inside the Top 10 in Offensive Efficiency thanks to the pick-and-roll duo of Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Matt Painter’s program refuses to take a step back after the Zach Edey era.
19. Illinois Fighting Illini
Who saw this Illinois roster on paper and thought this would be one of the top defenses in the country? Probably not many, but they are and have a stud in guard, Kasparas Jakucionis to carry them offensively.
20. Memphis Tigers
The Tigers continue to roll through AAC play after a strong non-conference resume. Guard PJ Haggerty has been nothing short of amazing, and veteran guard Tyrese Hunter’s leadership is evident.
21. Utah State Aggies
The Mountain West Conference as a whole may have taken a step back from last year, but the Aggies continue to dominate. Their depth and options offensively make them very hard to slow down.
22. Georgia Bulldogs
Every year, there are a few teams that burst onto the national scene, and that’s what the Bulldogs have done this year. Georgia knocked off Kentucky and Oklahoma last week and are legit.
23. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers have bounced back nicely after a three-game skid in early December to reel off five straight. Forward Nolan Winter is one of the most improved players in the Big Ten.
24. Ole Miss Rebels
Chris Beard is doing Chris Beard things in year two with the Rebels. They’ve handled their business nicely in SEC play, but the road is about to become much more difficult.
25. St. John’s Red Storm
Coach Pitino has the Red Storm in position to make the tournament in mid-January. They have a bunch of weapons on both ends of the floor, including big man Zuby Ejiofor, who is having a big year.
