1. Auburn Tigers (5-0)
A huge win in the Maui Invitational yesterday over Iowa State moves the Tigers to our #1 spot. Johni Broome is the best player in the game and has been an absolute force on both ends of the floor. The schedule doesn’t get any easier coming up.
2. Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-0)
The Zags continue to take care of business with the #1 offense in the country. Point guard Ryan Nembhard is playing at an All-American level. The questions about their defense so far have been answered.
3. Kansas Jayhawks (5-0)
The Jayhawks continue to look like one of the most balanced teams in the country. Of course, Hunter Dickinson has been great, but the pieces around him continue to be the difference.
4. Houston Cougars (3-1)
The Cougars defense has been locked in since the Auburn loss, holding Louisiana and Hofstra to 99 points combined. The schedule gets much tougher over the next two weeks, but the expectation for this program is to take care of business.
5. Tennessee Volunteers (6-0)
The Vols had their first true test of the year when they knocked off Baylor last weekend by a wide margin. Chaz Lanier has been a scoring machine, and of course, Rick Barnes has this team playing ferocious defense.
6. Kentucky Wildcats (5-0)
Big Blue continues its fantastic start under Mark Pope. They are playing really fast, and their defense has been the backbone. It also helps when you are in the top ten in the country in point percentage.
7. Marquette Golden Eagles (6-0)
No one knew exactly how Marquette would handle the loss of all-world point guard Tyler Kolek to the pros. Turns out it was as simple as sliding Kam Jones over to the position where he’s flourished.
8. Iowa State Cyclones (3-1)
Tough loss last night in a thriller against Auburn where they surprisingly couldn’t get stops in the second half. This team will be fine and their backcourt duo of Lipsey and Gilbert is one of the best in the country.
9. Connecticut Huskies (4-1)
The Huskies have their work cut out for them this year, and some of their challenges presented themselves in yesterday’s loss against UConn. The on-ball pressure and lack of interior defense are things to watch as the season rolls on for the two-time defending champs.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-1)
The Tide picked up a nice neutral court win over Illinois and showed how dangerous this offense can be, even with very little contribution from Mark Sears. On the defensive end, this team isn’t forcing many turnovers, which is something to watch moving forward.
11. Wisconsin Badgers (7-0)
The biggest surprise of the season so far has to be the Badgers. After beating Arizona, Wisconsin racked up quality wins over UCF and Pitt over the last week. John Tonje has been incredible and scoring at will.
12. Duke Blue Devils (4-1)
Jon Scheyer and his program picked up a quality win on the road over Arizona and look the part of a Final Four contender. Cooper Flagg has been a game-wrecker on both ends. This freshman class is only going to get better.
13. Indiana Hoosiers (4-0)
The Hoosiers have quietly gone out and taken care of business. Point guard Myles Rice is playing some of the best ball of his career. The question with Indiana, is if it has enough outside shooting when the schedule gets tougher.
14. Cincinnati Bearcats (5-0)
Cincinnati’s defense has been one of the best in the country and held a solid Georgia Tech offense to 58 points last game. On offense, they have a number of options across the floor and just got guard Day Day Thomas back in the mix.
15. North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1)
The Heels escaped the first game in Maui with a two-point victory over Dayton. The offense has looked unstoppable, but defensively, they are struggling to contain the three-ball. They continue their tough non-con schedule over the next week.
16. Florida Gators (6-0)
Todd Golden’s squad is tough to guard in the backcourt. Walter Clayton, Will Richard, and Alijah Martin can all pick you apart in different ways. They have depth in the frontcourt, and this program is showing little signs of slowing down.
17. Purdue Boilermakers (5-1)
The Boilermakers got back on track after a road blowout to Marquette early last week. Trey Kaufman-Renn has done a great job elevating his game with the departure of Zach Edey. There are no breaks in their schedule coming up.
18. Arkansas Razorbacks (5-1)
The Razorbacks beat up on poor Maryland Eastern Shore yesterday to the tune of a 74-point win. Forward Adou Thiero has been one of the most improved players in the country.
19. Xavier Musketeers (6-0)
The Musketeers haven’t played the most challenging schedule, but look much improved. A lot of that has to do with the return of forwards Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter. Matchups against Michigan and TCU coming up will tell us more.
20. Texas A&M Aggies (4-1)
That opening-day loss to UCF seems like an eternity ago for the Ags. Guard Zhuric Phelps is back from injury and has been playing at a high level next to All-American Wade Taylor. The Aggies just need to find some outside shooting to make some noise.
21. Ole Miss Rebels (5-0)
It hasn’t always looked pretty for Chris Beard’s squad, but they are undefeated. They are one of the best in the country at taking care of the ball and forcing turnovers. The schedule gets much tougher with BYU and Louisville on deck.
22. Baylor Bears (4-2)
Two losses to two of the top five teams in the country isn’t the worst thing. The problem is they were by a combined 53 points. Still, Scott Drew is one of the best coaches in the country and this tough non-conference schedule will have them well prepared for Big 12 play.
23. Memphis Tigers (5-0)
Huge program win over UConn in Maui yesterday. The backcourt of Tyrese Hunter and PJ Haggerty is electric. Down low, they have a nice 1-2 punch with Dain Dainja and Moussa Cisse. The Tigers could be on the verge of a huge season.
24. Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-0)
Chris Jans and his Bulldog program secured nice wins over Utah and SMU over the last few weeks to put them in the national conversation. We know Josh Hubbard is a stud in the backcourt, but Florida transfer Riley Kugel could be the X-Factor in Starkville.
25. Arizona Wildcats (2-2)
The Wildcats out west are hanging on in our Top 25 after losses to Wisconsin and Duke. The lack of three-point shooting has been the biggest storyline but we know the talent is there. Caleb Love needs to find his game after a slow start.