1. Tennessee Volunteers
The train keeps rolling for the best team in the land. The Vols scored a big road win over Illinois this weekend to solidify their spot at the top.
2. Auburn Tigers
The Tigers bounced back nicely last week by demolishing Richmond and Ohio State by a combined 82 points. Johni Broome is starting to run away as the favorite for the National POY.
3. Florida Gators
Todd Golden has done a wonderful job assembling one of the most balanced rosters in the country. FAU transfer guard Alijah Martin has been the “X-Factor” and fit in nicely with Walter Clayton and Will Richard in the backcourt.
4. Kentucky Wildcats
Mark Pope notched his first win over Louisville which only adds to an impressive first year in Lexington. Guard Lamont Butler had a historic 33-point effort and has answered any questions about his ability to run the point.
5. Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones went into Ames last week a beat the Hawkeyes on the road for the first time since 2014. Coach Otzelberger has this team inside the Top 10 in both offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency.
6. Duke Blue Devils
Duke is starting to round into shape as we head toward ACC play. Cooper Flagg continues to dominate, and Maliq Brown has become a force off the bench.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
The strength of schedule still hasn’t been great, but the Sooners keep winning. The improvement on offense, particularly from three, has been the catalyst for this big run to start the year.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Unfortunately, the Tide lost Latrell Wrightsell for the year, but depth is one of this program’s strengths. After knocking off UNC and Creighton, Bama is back on track as we head to the new year.
9. Kansas Jayhawks
Tough back-to-back road losses to Creighton and Missouri raised some doubts about the ceiling of this team. Can they get more from prized transfers AJ Storr and Rylan Griffen?
10. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks had a full week to regroup after taking their first loss and responded well by dominating SFA over the weekend. Forward Brandon Angel is playing really well, and if that continues, look out.
11. Marquette Golden Eagles
Rough trip to Dayton yielded the Golden Eagles second loss. The good news is that guard Chase Ross has stepped up and become a solid #2 option.
12. Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies continued an impressive collection of wins in the Non-Con. Purdue was the latest to fall victim, as the Aggie defense is the real deal.
13. UCLA Bruins
After a disastrous season last year, Coach Cronin went out and got all the necessary tools in the transfer portal to get the Bruins back on track. Forward Tyler Bilodeau is proving to be a major force around the paint.
14. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Feels like Gonzaga has played all the top teams in the country, and they nearly have. Time to see how the Bulldogs respond after close losses to Kentucky and UConn.
15. Mississippi Rebels
Since the last-second loss to Purdue, the Rebels have run off three straight. What’s been impressive is that Chris Beard’s team is led by their offense and you know they will get stops in February.
16. Houston Cougars
It’s been nearly a week since the Cougars took the court. Despite the three losses, nobody wants to play this program. A couple of tune-up games remain before they make a run at repeating as Regular Season Champions in the Big 12.
17. Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats outlasted their rival Xavier over the weekend and continue to look like one of the top defenses in the nation. Guard Dan Skillings returned, and they are getting healthy at the right time.
18. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans got off to a fast start in Big Ten play by blasting Minnesota and Nebraska. Coach Izzo has a deep squad with a budding star in freshman guard Jase Richardson.
19. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers have some question marks but also feature one of the best players in all the land with guard Braden Smith. A couple of losses recently sting, but they should challenge at the top of the Big Ten.
20. Connecticut Huskies
After the disaster in Maui, the Huskies have reeled off wins over Baylor, Texas, and Gonzaga. This team is talented and still has everything they want to accomplish within reach.
21. Memphis Tigers
Can Memphis avoid the midseason collapse that happened last year after an impressive start? Picking up a road win at Clemson this weekend is a great start.
22. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan couldn’t hang on in the Jimmy V Classic against Arkansas, but everyone can remove the question marks about whether this program is back. The twin towers, Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf, are going to be a nightmare for the Big Ten.
23. San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs continue cruising after the big win over Houston a few weeks ago. Guard Miles Byrd has impressed throughout his sophomore campaign.
24. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers couldn’t hold off a tough Memphis backcourt this weekend. Regardless, this program has the frontcourt-led Ian Schieffelin capable of producing another big run in March.
25. Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illini just missed a statement win over Tennessee by a bucket. The international duo of Tomislav Ivisic and Kasparas Jakucionis has proven to be one of the best in the country.
