COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 04: A view of the NCAA logo on a basketball before the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Xfinity Center on December 04, 2024 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Here are the top 20 College Basketball teams right now:
1. Auburn Tigers
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 25: The Auburn Tigers logo show on a pair of shorts during a Maui Invitational college basketball game against the Iowa State Cyclones at The Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Tigers hold onto the top spot after a tough road win at Ole Miss. They are the class of a loaded SEC.
2. 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)
The Blue Devils took their rival UNC to the woodshed over the weekend. Tyrese Proctor is playing some of the best ball of his career.
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)
Like Auburn, the Crimson Tide continue to roll through SEC play. Grant Nelson is shooting 35% from three, which is scary for the rest of the country.
4. Houston Cougars
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 18: A detailed view of the “Jumpman” logo on a Houston Cougars jersey against the UAB Blazers during the first half in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
The Cougars have officially climbed back into position for a number-one seed. The overtime loss to Tech was one of the better losses of all the upsets this weekend.
5. 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 shorthanded Vols put it on Florida with a classic Ricky Barnes defensive performance. They are still holding onto the #1 spot it Defensive Efficiency.
6. 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)
A lackluster performance on the road against Tennessee raised some eyebrows. Still, the overall body of work is very impressive.
7. 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 had their 13-game win streak snapped on the road at USC. Expect Coach Izzo and his program to bounce back.
8. 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 continue to impress on the defensive end and on the glass. With Wade Taylor back, the offense is starting to become more efficient.
9. 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)
The Golden Eagles continue their quiet quest to the Big East regular season crown. The offense has been a bit shaky, but Shaka always has this team locked in defensively.
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 18: Detailed view of the Texas Tech logo seen on a players uniform during a game against the LSU Tigers at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on November 18, 2014 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU won the game in overtime 69-64. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The metrics continue to love the Red Raiders, and the optics have to love a big win over Houston. Elijah Hawkins has been one of the best transfers no one is talking about.
11. 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 continue to slide down from the one-line with multiple losses over the last two weeks. This team is too good not to get it turned around.
12. St. John’s Red Storm
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 7: The St. John’s Red Storm uniform logo at Carnesecca Arena on November 7, 2022 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images)
The Johnnie’s continue to impress and have run off eight straight. What’s more impressive is their ranking inside the Top 5 of Defensive Efficiency.
13. 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 duo of Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn has transformed into one of the best in the country. Can they get enough from the other pieces in March?
14. 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)
Huge win over Iowa State to get the Jayhawks back on track. The former preseason #1 still has the goods to go a long way in March.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: A view of the Missouri Tigers logo prior to a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Tigers continue their amazing turnaround behind the stellar play of Caleb Grill. Dennis Gates is getting the most out of a roster that many overlooked this offseason.
16. 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)
Where is the defense? The Wildcats have battled injuries, but their resume is littered with impressive wins.
17. Maryland Terrapins
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – MARCH 03: A view of the Maryland Terrapins logo on their uniform during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Xfinity Center on March 03, 2024 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
This is a scary team with multiple weapons on both ends of the floor. Ja’Kobie Gillespie has been the perfect fit at point guard.
18. Memphis Tigers
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 25: The Memphis Tigers logo shown on a pic of shorts during a Maui Invitational college basketball game against the Connecticut Huskies at The Lahaina Civic Center on November 25, 2024 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Tigers continue to surge in the AAC on the back of Dain Dainja. The metrics aren’t in love but they lead the nation in three-point shooting.
19. Arizona Wildcats
MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 15: A picture of the Arizona Wildcats logo on shorts during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on November 15, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Don’t look now, but Tommy Lloyd’s program has all of a sudden caught fire. Caleb Love is doing Caleb Love things and will see how far he can carry them.
20. 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 are finally fully healthy, and their young guys are starting to grow up. Morez Johnson is a budding star.
