1. Purdue (7-0)
Being this is first power rankings of the year this is bound to change, but after Duke faltered at Ohio State, the Boilermakers became the obvious choice. As long as the Boilermakers do not falter at home against Iowa they will be ranked number one in the AP Poll for the first time in school history.
All the talk is about 7-4 sophomore Zach Edey and Trevion Williams being the best front court duo in the nation. While this is true, Jaden Ivey is projected to be a top 5 pick in next year’s NBA Draft. This team is loaded and a real threat to take home a National Title.
2. Gonzaga (7-1)
Yes, I know this team lost to Duke on a neutral court. If that game is played 100 times I think the Bulldogs win 65 of those times. The Bulldogs are ranked second in offensive efficiency behind Purdue and 11th on defense.
This team is still the betting favorite to win the National Championship. Drew Timme is still the best player in college basketball according to most metrics. You combine him with Chet Holmgren and Andrew Nembhard and you have a trio that will be a tough out come March.
3. Duke (7-1)
The Blue Devils were one half away from being my number one team. They deserve a spot in the power rankings list. The second half against Ohio State showed some holes for this Duke team. With that being said, this team could absolutely send Mike Krzyzewski out with a Championship in his last season.
The harsh reality of this year’s ACC is that Duke may not face another team inside the top 25. While they won’t exactly play cupcakes the rest of the way, will this team be battle tested enough to make a deep run? Paolo Banchero is the real deal and I think he may give Chet Holmgren a run for his money in being the top draft pick.
4. Baylor (7-0)
Before this season started I thought Baylor would take a step back after losing their three players in terms of minutes and scoring. Man was I wrong. This team does not seem to have missed a beat and they may be even deeper than last year’s squad.
Arizona transfer James Akinjo has struggled with his shot but has stepped up his game as a facilitator. Akinjo is averaging 6.6 assists per game. LJ Cryer may have made the biggest jump in the nation from his freshman to sophomore year. He is knocking down 48.7% of his three-point attempts and leads the team in scoring at 14.7 per game.
5. Kansas (5-1)
While the loss against Dayton was a bad one, I think this Jayhawks team has a great mix of experience and talent. The three seniors, David McCormack, Ochai Agabji, and Remy Martin have done the heavy lifting so far. When Jalen Wilson gets up to full speed this team will be tough to stop.
6. Villanova (4-2)
While the Wildcats have two losses, they are against top 10 teams in Purdue and UCLA. Both games came down to the wire, and the UCLA game went into overtime.
The trio of Justin Moore, Collin Gillespie, and Jermaine Samuels will give everyone in the Big East fits. This should be one of the best three-point shooting teams in the nation all season long. Their December 12th matchup with Baylor should be another great measuring stick.
7. UCLA (6-1)
I have UCLA a bit lower than most, but this team should be competing for a one seed all season long. The Bruins lost in a blowout to Gonzaga, but they were under the weather, and the Bulldogs are just that good.
Neither Johnny Juzang or Jaime Jacquez have found their stride quite yet on offense. Once they get going Mick Cronin’s crew should be ready for another run late into the tournament.
8. Houston (6-1)
I think everyone is sleeping on the Cougars. This team is the best defense in college basketball against, and they will figure it out on offense.
Marcus Sasser has taken his game to another level and is shooting the ball at a high clip from three. When he and Texas Tech transfer Kyler Edwards get used to playing with each other this team should be the most frustrating team to play against in the nation.
9. Arizona (6-0)
First year coach Tommy Lloyd has his group playing well early. They easily defeated Michigan, who was a preseason top 5 team, 80-62. Lloyd has his group playing extremely well defensively.
Freshman Azuolas Tubelis has exceeded everyone’s expectations. I cannot wait for the matchup between Tubelis and Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn on December 11th.
10. Kentucky (6-1)
This was a tough call between the Wildcats and Texas. I just like Kentucky’s roster a bit more. That is why they land in my power rankings list. West Virginia transfer Oscar Tschwiebwe has been a monster on the boards. Tshwiebwe is averaging 14.1 points and 16 rebounds per game.
MORE FROM BASKETBALL ARTICLES: Don’t Sleep on the Atlantic 10
NCAA Men’s Basketball Power Rankings #11-25
11. Texas
12. Arkansas
13. Florida
14. UConn
15. Alabama
16. USC
17. Tennessee
18. LSU
19. Loyola-Chicago
20. Memphis
21. St. Bonaventure
22. Michigan
23. Ohio State
24. Michigan State
25. Texas Tech
NCAA Men’s Basketball Bracketology
Keep in mind where the power rankings are more about how good I think teams actually are, bracketology is putting them where I think the committee would have them if the season ended today.
- 1 Seeds
Purdue, Gonzaga, Duke, Baylor
- 2 Seeds
Houston, Villanova, UCLA, Kansas
- 3 Seeds
Arizona, Kentucky, Arkansas, BYU
- 4 Seeds
Florida, UConn, Alabama, Texas
- 5 Seeds
LSU, Wisconsin, Michigan State, USC
- 6 Seeds
Ohio State, Tennessee, Memphis, Michigan
- 7 Seeds
Xavier, Iowa State, Auburn, Seton Hall
- 8 Seeds
Iowa, St. Bonaventure, Loyola-Chicago, San Francisco
- 9 Seeds
Providence, Louisville, Oklahoma, Texas Tech
- 10 Seeds
Illinois, Virginia Tech, St. Mary’s, Indiana
- 11 Seeds
Colorado State, St. Louis, Florida State, Mississippi State/Marquette
- 12 Seeds
Utah/Utah State Buffalo, Furman, UAB
- 13 Seeds
New Mexico State, Iona, UC Irvine, South Dakota State
- 14 Seeds
Hofstra, Weber State, Yale, Georgia State
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