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)
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
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 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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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 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
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)
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
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 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
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)
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
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 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.
