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 25 teams in College Basketball 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)
Knocking off Kentucky was impressive, but the fact they did it with little production from Broome is scary. Auburn is a machine.
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)
Tyrese Proctor is back, and the Blue Devils train continues to roll. Can they get over the hump in March?
3. 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)
This is a team that nobody wants to see. The Cougars are top five in both defensive efficiency and three-point shooting.
4. 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 their flaws, but they are also tough as nails. They will fight it out with other SEC teams for a second one-seed for the conference.
5. 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 an impressive season for Todd Golden and the Gators. Walter Clayton is an All-American and they have all the tools to make a Final Four.
6. 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)
It only took two season for Pitino to turn this thing around. The Red Storm are a juggernaut on defense, but they need more consistency offensively in the tournament.
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 have taken some tough losses to big time competition over the last couple of weeks. If they can knock off Florida, that 1-seed is within reach.
8. 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)
Tech is back to full health and continue to display metrics that are indicative of a Final Four ceiling. Darrion Williams can be “that guy” for them.
9. 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 can play with anyone. Coach Izzo is starting to unleash Jase Richardson who is one of the most efficient players in the country.
10. 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)
Another case of a team starting to get healthy again. The Cyclones desperately need Curtis Jones to find the magic from earlier in the year.
11. 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 continue to roll along without much expectation. Dillon Hunter’s improvement has given them another weapon in the backcourt.
12. 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 “Crab Five” are for real. This team is equipped to win in any style which is very valuable in the tournament. Selton Miguel has been lighting it up.
13. 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 have shown some inconsistency recently. Steven Crowl has to be at his best if they want to go far this postseason.
14. 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)
While the Tigers have had a remarkable year compared to expectations, they have some question marks defensively.
15. 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)
Cardinals fans did not expect to be sitting in position to make a 3 or 4-seed. Luckily most of the transfers they brought in have tourney experience.
16. 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)
No collapse this year as Penny is officially off any type of “heated seat”. PJ Haggerty is in position to become a household name this Spring.
17. St. Mary’s Gaels
Hard not to like the Gaels makeup on both ends of the floor. Jordan Ross and Mikey Lewis need to be consistent as we get into March.
18. 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 finally ended a four-game skid this weekend. If teams are consistently able to disrupt Braden Smith, someone else has to step up.
19. 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)
Not the prettiest loss to Illinois but the Wolverines are still dangerous. Vlad Goldin has become one of the top bigs nationally.
20. 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)
Marquette is kind of just hanging around after a recent slump. Kam Jones getting back to super-human form will certainly help their prospects.
21. BYU Cougars
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 29: Egor Demin #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars dribbles the ball during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Rady Children’s Invitational at LionTree Arena on November 29, 2024 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
Is there a hotter team in the country? The Cougars are very impressive on the offensive end and have experience.
22. 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)
Yikes, Jaxson Robinson is out for the year and Lamont Butler is banged up. Still they have the talent to win some games in the tourney but it has to start defensively.
23. 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)
They are the one of the hardest teams to figure out with a wide range between floor and ceiling this postseason. Of course, it all comes down to Caleb Love.
24. 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 are stumbling down the stretch and are in desperate need of some momentum. Offensively they will struggle but the defense is good enough to make some noise.
25. Mississippi 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)
Another incredible turnaround by Chris Beard and his staff. They have a collection of guards that can get it done but can they find consistent production in the frontcourt?
