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 is the CBB Top 25 for this week:
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 remain at the top after narrow victories over Georgia and Tennessee. Even with Johni Broome limited, this team is scary.
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 are in cruise control during ACC play. Cooper Flagg is the headliner, but Kon Knueppel is the X-Factor.
3. 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 are clicking offensively behind the play of Mark Sears and the #1 tempo in the country.
4. 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)
An absolutely brutal loss at Arizona, but this team is loaded. Curtis Jones has been one of the best players in the country.
5. 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)
What a win over Kansas on the road, and all of a sudden, the Cougars are back on track. J’Wan Roberts improved offensive game has been key.
6. 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)
Sparty is quietly going about its business while sitting atop the Big Ten. This might be the deepest team in the country.
7. 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)
The Gators aren’t higher on this list due to what others have done around them, but they have a chance in the next few weeks to put up some big wins.
8. 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 have stumbled a bit in January. There are growing concerns offensively, but you know their defense will keep them in every game.
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 have displayed consistency throughout the year as Kam Jones is the frontrunner for Big East POY.
10. 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 Boilermakers bounced back from the Ohio State loss by blasting Michigan. They have the best pure point guard in the country in Braden Smith.
11. 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 Wildcats are banged up and will need to test their depth over the next few weeks. The key story down the stretch is their defense.
12. 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)
An unfortunate collapse at home to Houston is the difference between the Top 10 and sitting just outside. They have some ground to make up in the Big 12.
13. 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 Red Storm are proving night in and night out that they are a serious threat to win the Big East. Their “Big 4” is up there with any in the country.
14. 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)
Collapses across the country last weekend did not spare the Aggies. This team is tough, but their offensive efficiency is a major concern into March.
15. 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)
A brutal SEC stretch the past few weeks, and the Bulldogs are still standing. If Josh Hubbard gets going, look out.
16. Wisconsin Badgers
MADISON, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 14: A picture of the logo worn on new uniform shorts of a Wisconsin Badgers player during the game against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Kohl Center on December 14, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Greg Gard hasn’t gotten enough credit for the job he’s done this season. John Tonje and John Blackwell make up a highly underrated backcourt.
17. 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 are for real and manhandled one of the better rosters in the AAC in UAB. PJ Haggerty might end up being the best transfer pickup of the offseason.
18. Missouri Tigers
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)
Another tremendous turnaround by Dennis Gates after going 0-18 in SEC play last year. Mark Mitchell has been awesome coming over from Duke.
19. Texas Tech Red Raiders
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 analytics love Tech and they have the talent on the roster to do big things. JT Toppin is a nightmare matchup down low.
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)
Injuries and illness have tamed the Illini recently. The development of Tre White into a key cog will pay dividends late in the year.
21. 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)
The Terps feature a dynamic frontline of Derik Queen and Julian Reese. Kevin Willard understood the assignment by getting floor spacing around his bigs.
22. Louisville Cardinals
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: A view of the Louisville Cardinals logo on their uniform during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the First Round of the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
It’s safe to say the Pat Kelsey hire was the right move this offseason. This is a fun team with a lot of firepower.
23. 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)
A couple of tough losses over the past few weeks have put the Bulldogs behind in the WCC race. Still this team is too talented to be held down for long.
24. Vanderbilt Commodores
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 21: A detailed shot of the Vanderbilt Commodores logo during the second half of the game against the Austin Peay Governors at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium on December 21, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Epic win over Kentucky at home has the Commodores in the thick of the SEC. The backcourt of AJ Hoggard and Jason Edwards has given this team a legit ceiling.
25. 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 Ducks have taken a couple of hits and the loss at Minnesota isn’t pretty. Still, they have exceeded expectations and have a lot to play for moving forward.
