These are the top 10 teams in College Basketball right now:
1. Auburn Tigers
Back to back losses to finish the regular season against two top ranked teams isn’t enough to knock the Tigers off our top spot. Bruce Pearl’s squad played the 2nd toughest Strength of Schedule and won the SEC outright.
2. Duke Blue Devils
Historic regular season for the Blue Devils who ran through the ACC with ease. Sion James impact cannot be underestimated and the experienced depth that was added to a generational recruiting class has Duke staring at a title or bust situation.
3. Houston Cougars
It feels like the Cougars haven’t gotten any love nationally with Auburn/SEC and Duke stealing all the headlines. This might be Coach Sampson’s best team which is saying something. They are shooting nearly 40% from three on the year to go with a Top 3 defense.
4. Florida Gators
The Gators have been tremendous all year and will be a popular pick to make it to San Antonio. They have a dynamic backcourt led by Walter Clayton and a loaded frontcourt that includes Alex Condon who has taken his game to another level late in the year.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide play at the highest tempo in the country and feature one of the best guards in the country in Mark Sears. They are one of the most experienced teams in the country and have tremendous depth. The big question is can they get enough stops?
6. St. John’s Red Storm
The Red Storm are one of the best stories in college hoops. Does there sub 30% three-point shooting a red flag? Sure, but they play tough defense, own the glass, have supreme individual talent, and a coach in Rick Pitino who knows how to push the right buttons.
7. Tennessee Volunteers
Is anyone surprised that the Vols finished the regular season as the #1 defense in the country? Probably not, but what we didn’t know was good transfers Chaz Lanier and Igor Milicic would be coming in from the Mid-Major ranks to go with star guard Zakai Zeigler.
8. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans finished strong winning seven in a row to claim the outright Big Ten regular season championship. Coach Izzo has arguably done some of his best work with a roster that most believe lacked top end upside. The Spartans play tough defense and have great chemistry.
9. Texas Tech Red Raiders
It took awhile earlier in the year for the polls to catch up with the metrics to just how good the Red Raiders squad is. JT Toppin put together one of the best years in program history. Coach McCasland’s program will be a popular pick to go far.
10. Maryland Terrapins
The “Crab Five” have completely transformed this program into a fun, up-tempo, three-point shooting shooting team anchored by a dynamic “Twin Tower” frontcourt. The Terps don’t turn it over and make you earn everything on the defensive end.