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 are the top 20 college basketball teams right now:
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 proved to the country that they are the team to beat with a convincing road win in Tuscaloosa over the weekend. Johni Broome should be the NPOY.
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)
Cooper Flagg continues to put up eye-popping numbers, and the Blue Devils continue racking up wins. It may be a down year in the ACC, but this Duke team is special.
3. 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 have reeled off four straight since the debacle at Tennessee, including a win over Auburn. Thomas Haugh has been spectacular in the absence of Alex Condon.
4. 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)
It was a tough loss to Auburn, but the Crimson Tide are still in contention for a one-seed. Mark Sears has to be better if the Tide wants a return trip to the Final Four.
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)
The Cougars flexed their muscle at Arizona over the weekend. They have a clear path to the regular season Big 12 crown and potential one-seed.
6. 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)
Huge comeback over Vanderbilt over the weekend. Igor Milicic is one of the best transfers that no one is talking about.
7. 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)
The Cyclones are looking much more like themselves with Momcilovic back in the fold. We always talk about the backcourt with this team, but Josh Jefferson has been fantastic.
8. 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 Aggies struggle to get buckets, but their opponents struggle even more. If Wade Taylor catches fire down the stretch, this program will be a problem in the tournament.
9. 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 polls are starting to catch up to the analytics of how good this team is. JT Toppin continues to be a man amongst boys.
10. 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)
The Badgers picked up a nice win over Purdue this weekend behind John Tonje’s spectacular performance. Wisconsin might not jump off the screen, but they play as a team.
11. 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)
Like the Aggies, the Johnnie’s are crushing team on defense and on the glass. Deivon Smith’s health could limit the upside for the Red Storm in March.
12. Michigan Wolverines
PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 29: The Michigan Wolverines logo on the uniform shorts worn during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike’s Arena on February 29, 2024 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Michigan 82-52. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The Wolverines are surging in Coach May’s first year. We are watching one of the best turnaround stories in the country.
13. 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)
Key bounce back win at Illinois this weekend will hopefully for Coach Izzo get this train back on track. Jaxson Kohler is starting to assert himself in all phases of the game.
14. 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)
Brutal stretch for the Boilermakers and it doesn’t get much easier down the stretch. Braden Smith is capable of carrying this team, but he needs some help come tourney time.
15. 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)
The Tigers have all the tools to make a deep run in March. Dillon Hunter, Chase’s brother, is really coming into his own and has earned a starting role.
16. 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)
Mizzou looks to carry some momentum into a showdown with Alabama this week. Anthony Robinson is coming off a dominant performance over Georgia, and they need more of that.
17. 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 stopped the bleeding last week, and the schedule will soften up over the next week. Their frontcourt play has to be better if they want to go far in the tournament.
18. 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 Twin Towers of Queen and Reese have really grown as complimentary pieces over the year. Nobody wants to see Maryland in their bracket next month.
19. 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 wounded and battling hard. They need Lamont Butler on the floor to have any chance of finishing the year strong.
20. Arizona Wildcats
MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 15: A picture of the Arizona Wildcats logo on shorts during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on November 15, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Big time road win over Baylor was big after a missed opportunity against Houston. Henri Veesaar is slowly becoming one of the better bigs in the sport.
