Happy New Year! Here are this weeks College Basketball Power Rankings!
1. 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 Vols continue to roll as the non-conference schedule comes to an end. Defensively, they have only allowed one team to reach 70 points, and guard Chaz Lanier continues to pile up the points on offense.
2. 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 huge win over North Carolina in mid-December proved to the nation that the Gators are real. Sophomore forward Alex Condon has taken his game to another level.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
NORMAN, OK – DECEMBER 05: The Oklahoma Sooners logo on the basket before a college basketball game against the Providence Friars at Lloyd Noble Center on December 5, 2023 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The analytics don’t love the Sooners, but they just keep winning. Forward Jalon Moore needs to play at an elite level as they enter Big 12 play.
4. Auburn Tigers
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)
The Tigers survived a Johni Broome injury scare last week and look the part of a future #1 seed. Freshman point guard Tahaad Pettiford is the real deal.
5. 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)
Big win at Colorado last night, where they didn’t play particularly well. The Cyclones can win in a bunch of different ways, which once again makes them dangerous.
6. 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 are the class of the ACC as their freshman continue to grow up. Forward Maliq Brown has become a weapon on both ends of the bench.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
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 buried a couple of mid-majors as they prepare for SEC play. Coach Oats arguably has the deepest team in the country, but senior guard Mark Sears needs to have a big second half if they want to accomplish big things.
8. 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)
Zeke Mayo has gotten into a nice rhythm as the key third piece the Jayhawks need down the stretch. This is the most experienced team in the country with one of the best coaches in the game.
9. Oregon Ducks
MAUI, HAWAII – NOVEMBER 22: The Oregon Ducks logo on shorts during the Maui Invitation college basketball tournament against the Tennessee Volunteers at Lahaina Civic on November 22, 2016 in Maui, Hawaii. The Ducks won 69-95. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The only blemish so far has been the loss to UCLA. Senior guard Keeshawn Barthelemy has been a spark off the bench as the Ducks look to make noise in the new-look Big Ten.
10. 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)
Kam Jones continues to dominate the Big East and is on the shortlist for National Player of the Year. The question with Coach Smart is if he can get it done in March.
11. Gonzaga Bulldogs
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 Zags still have one of the highest ceilings in the country despite four losses during a tough non-conference schedule. The WCC will come down to the Bulldogs and their rival St. Mary’s
12. 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 storyline coming into the year for the Aggies was the return of Wade Taylor. While Taylor has been great, the Aggie defense continues to be the key.
13. 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)
Brutal 20-point loss to Ohio State on a neutral floor hurts the optics of the Cats. Defensively, they have the individual talent to be much better than what they have shown recently.
14. Ole Miss Rebels
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 18: The Mississippi Rebels logo on a pair of shorts during the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic college basketball game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at TD Arena on November 18, 2021 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Surprise, surprise! Chris Beard, in year two, has already built Ole Miss into an SEC contender behind a plethora of talented guards. The question will be whether they can get enough in the frontcourt to challenge for the crown.
15. Connecticut Huskies
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)
Don’t look now, but the Huskies have won six straight. Freshman wing Liam McKneeley is proving to be a tough cover. The Huskies are the class of the Big East until someone knocks them off.
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 23: The logo of the Mississippi State Bulldogs on the uniform shorts worn during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the Gotham Classic at Prudential Center on December 23, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. Mississippi State defeated Rutgers 70-60. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The Bulldogs continue to play faster this year and have transitioned from a defensive-minded program to one that can get buckets. Junior forward KeShawn Murphy has been one of the better breakout stories in the country.
17. Houston Cougars
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)
The Cougars keep on racking up wins in a quiet manner. Guard LJ Cryer has started to heat up, and they still have the #1 defense in the country.
18. UCLA Bruins
EUGENE, OREGON – DECEMBER 08: Tyler Bilodeau #34 of the UCLA Bruins reacts after a dunk during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at Matthew Knight Arena on December 08, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
It’s time to start taking the Bruins seriously. They are one of the best defensive teams in the country and are getting enough offensively as a group to make some noise.
19. 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)
This is what you expect from a Tom Izzo team. Tough defense and timely buckets. Sparty is currently one of the hottest teams in the country.
20. Baylor Bears
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: The Baylor Bears logo on pair of shorts before a college basketball game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Bears picked up a quality win over Utah today behind Norchad Omier monster double-double. After some early struggles against tough competition, Baylor looks ready to challenge for the Big 12 title.
21. Cincinnati Bearcats
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 22: The Cincinnati Bearcats logo on a pair of shorts during a second round game of the Maui Jim Invitational college basketball Tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lahaina Civic Arena on November 22, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Even though they dropped one the other night to Kansas State, the Bearcats have all the tools to be a tough out in March. Senior forward Dillon Mitchell is playing some of the best ball of his career.
22. Arkansas Razorbacks
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 22: The Arkansas Razorbacks logo on a par of shorts during a second round game of the Maui Jim Invitational college basketball Tournament against the Creighton Bluejays at Lahaina Civic Arena on November 22, 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The Razorbacks finish the non-conference schedule off strong, having won six straight. Coach Cal knows a thing or two about the SEC and should have his guys ready to roll.
23. 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)
Freshman phenom Derik Queen is one of the most versatile players in the sport. The guard play has been excellent for Coach Willard.
24. 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 have a lot of individual talent and are starting to put it together. Guard Simeon Wilcher is starting to put it together in his second year.
25. Clemson Tigers
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 05: The Clemson Tigers logo is seen on the shorts of Chase Hunter #1 of the Clemson Tigers against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum on March 05, 2024 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Coach Brownell has done a fabulous job re-tooling the Tigers after the Elite Eight run last March. They shoot the three and defend it well while controlling the glass.
