It’s early in the season, but there are teams that are already asserting themselves as elite. Did your team crack the top 10? Do you agree with these top 10?
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (4-0)
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)
The early eye test will tell you that the Zags are the best team in the country. Mark Few’s squad has the #1 offense in the country and is coming off a big win on the road against a tough San Diego State program last night.
2. Auburn Tigers (4-0)
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)
Bruce Pearl’s Tigers continue to roll after last week’s big win over Houston. Johni Broome looks like the early frontrunner for the National Player of the Year. Auburn is KenPom’s #1 team in the country.
3. UConn Huskies (3-0)
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)
Shouldn’t the back-to-back National Champs be the #1 team in the country until proven otherwise? Probably, but they will have a chance to prove it in early December with some marquee non-conference matchups.
4. Kansas Jayhawks (4-0)
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)
Bill Self did a great job re-tooling this program after depth and shooting woes hampered them last year. Hunter Dickinson will be on the shortlist for plenty of hardware as he continues to dominate opposing frontcourts.
5. Iowa State Cyclones (3-0)
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 have dominated inferior competition to start the season, and their defense is once again suffocating. The backcourt of Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert is one of the best in the country.
6. Purdue Boilermakers (4-0)
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)
So far, so good for Purdue in the post-Zach Edey era. Star point guard Braden Smith and company showed they belong with a big win over Alabama this past weekend.
7. Houston Cougars (2-1)
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)
An early season blemish to Auburn won’t stop the Cougars from any of their goals. Coach Kelvin Sampson has one of his best all-around rosters and they will be in the mix for a number one seed at season’s end.
8. Tennessee Volunteers (4-0)
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 Vols have always been strong defensively under Rick Barnes, but last year, we saw a strong complement of offense. That looks to be the case again this year with All-American guard Zakai Zeigler running the show.
9. Kentucky Wildcats (3-0)
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)
Well, it didn’t take long for Mark Pope to make a statement in year one. The Wildcats earned a big win over Duke, who boast one of the best rosters in the country. The Cats are underrated defensively and have premier outside shooting.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-1)
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)
The Tide fell on the road at Purdue after a strong start that included wins over some of the top mid-major programs in the country (Arkansas State and McNeese). The schedule doesn’t get any easier with five straight dates with AP Top 25 matchups.
