Happy New Year! Here are the top 10 College Basketball teams right now!
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.
