Top 25:
1. Purdue (10-1) (2) – Non-conference wins: Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama, and Arizona. I don’t care what the NET rankings say – how can this squad not be the best in the country?
2. Kansas (10-1) (3) – Their non-conference conquests include Kentucky, Tennessee, and UConn with a solid win over Indiana. Before the 2023 calendar runs out, an in-state rivalry game with Wichita State will need to be conquered.
3. Houston (11-0) (4) – At first glance, you may not love Houston’s schedule (204th non-conference strength of schedule). However, they do own four Quadrant 1 wins (only Purdue has more) and their defense is the most suffocating in the nation. The should get through 2023 unbeaten, as their final two games are against Texas State and Penn.
4. UConn (10-1) (5) – Their non-conference slate ends with a win over Gonzaga, adding the Bulldogs to their conquests of Texas and North Carolina. Every win has been by double digits.
5. Arizona (8-1) (1) – Technically, they lost a neutral-court game against Purdue – but it was played in Indianapolis. Their schedule has been light (only three games since November 23rd) but that now change as they have four games before the calendar changes to 2024, including matchups with Alabama and Florida Altantic. By the way, the Wildcats are the only team in the country that is in the top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
6. Marquette (9-2) (6) – The Golden Eagles had a major scare against a hot shooting St. Thomas (MN) squad last week. In a season filled with fun early-season upsets, that one would have ranked near the top. Anyway, they survived it and will hope for less drama in their conference game at Providence on Tuesday.
7. Tennessee (8-3) (11) – They have turned things around after a 3-game losing streak, as they are the owners of a 4-mgae winning streak (including a win over Illinois). I am giving them extra credit for their tough schedule, though they will need to improve on their 2-3 mark aganinst Quadrant 1 competition.
8. Florida Atlantic (9-2) (10) – The Owls needed to grind one out against St. Bonaventure – but they did end up winning by double-digits. They are 5-1 against Quad 1/Quad 2 competition, though they get dinged for their Quadrant 4 loss to Bryant. They got a shot at Arizona next before ending their 2023 slate with a game at Florida Gulf-Coast.
9. BYU (10-1) (14) – Am I turned off by their 8-0 mark in Quad 3/Quad 4 games? Yes. Their schedule is weak and 2023 doesn’t end with a bang (Bellarmine and Wyoming).
10. Baylor (9-1) (8) – Every team is going to lose at some point. Every team is going to get destroyed at some point. Baylor’s first loss certainly met that criteria, as Michigan State finally woke up to beat them by 24 (and it didn’t even feel that close). The Bears have yet to play a true road game, and that won’t change against Duke (Madison Square Garden).
11. Creighton (9-2) (7) – UNLV (a 4-5 squad that is the only Mountain West team under .500) somehow beat the Blue Jays by 15. They bounced back to knock off Alabama, which just shows you how crazy of a game college basketball is.
12. Illinois (8-2) (13) – Sometimes, the best way to improve your ranking is by having a quiet week (a win over Colgate).
13. Kentucky (8-2) (17) – The Wildcats are loving their games against the ACC in the non-conference, beating Miami and North Carolina. They can add a third win by beating Louisville this week.
14. Colorado State (10-1) (16) – Predictable demolition of Colorado – St. Pueblo. The Rams have another non-Division I game coming up (Adams State). The beginning of 2024, however, promises to be much tougher: Back-to-back conference games against one-loss New Mexico and Utah State.
15. North Carolina (7-3) (9) – Back-to-back losses against UConn and Kentucky heading into a game against unbeaten Oklahoma. One can’t deny their relatively tough schedule, but you still want to see better than 1-3 record in Quad 1.
16. Oklahoma (10-0) (20) – On one hand, it isn’t their fault that USC and Arkansas have faltered (neither win is a Quad 1 win). On the other hand, they are 0-0 in Quad 1 games and have yet to play a true road game. Let’s see what the Sooners do against North Carolina on Wednesday.
17. Clemson (9-1) (15) – The Tigers played only one game this week, a 2-point loss at Memphis. It dropped their Quad 1 record to a still impressive 3-1.
18. Virginia (9-1) (18) – Northeastern (a 4-7 Colonial school) played Virginia to the wire on Saturday before succumbing by two. The Cavaliers have no offense to speak of but remain one of the strongest defensive schools in the country.
19. Texas (8-2) (19) – Computer rankings can be wacky early in the season, but it should be noted that the Longhorns are 57th in the NET. Why is that? They are 0-2 in Quad 1 games and 7-0 in Quad 4 games. They have a game coming up against UNC-Greensboro, the squad that knocked off Arkansas earlier this season.
20. Memphis (8-2) (25) – After losses to Villanova (neutral) and Ole Miss (road), Memphis has won three in a row, including wins over Texas A&M and Clemson. Their non-conference strength of schedule ranks 10th, and they have enough solid wins over big-time schools to justify this ranking. They aren’t done yet, as they play Virginia next.
21. Duke (7-3) (22) – It’s been a strange season for the Blue Devils. Typically the owner of one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Duke has only two Quadrant 1 games (a loss to Arizona and a win over Michigan State). It would serve them well to beat Baylor on Wednesday.
22. Colorado (8-2) (21) – For now, their neutral court demolition of Miami is “only” a Quadrant 2 conquest while their loss to Florida State is a Quadrant 3 loss. That leaves a resume that is light but solid. The new year brings three straight conference road games, including one against Arizona.
23. Gonzaga (8-3) (12) – Where’s the big resume-boosting win this year? They are 0-3 in Quadrant 1 games and their 2-0 record in Quadrant 2 is not great (USC and Syracuse). They get a crack at San Diego State as their last big non-conference game.
24. James Madison (10-0) (23) – Beating Michigan State looks better after the Spartans crushed Baylor. It’s hard for the Dukes to earn big wins the rest of the way, though Appalachian State is helping boost the Sun Belt.
25. Wisconsin (8-3) (24) – Chicago State, who just defeated Northwestern (the only team to beat Purdue) is up next for the Badgers, a team that has its share of big wins (Virginia, Marquette, Michigan State) and forgivable losses (Arizona (though it was a blowout), Tennessee).
Dropped Out:
None.
Just Missed:
Ole Miss (10-0) – Their win over Memphis remains their best conquest, though it was a home game (which puts it just below the Quad 1 line). As one of the remaining unbeaten teams in the country, they still deserve respect.
Princeton (10-1) – It seems crazy that their Quadrant 1 win is their road win over Duquesne instead of their neutral court win over Rutgers (Quad 2). Like with many similar schools, they will need a gaudy record to have a shot at an at-large if they were to lose in the Ivy League tournament.
New Mexico (10-1) – It is nearly time for the Mountain West to start sorting itself out. As of now, four teams are in the NET Top 30 (Colorado State, San Diego State, New Mexico, Utah State) with one other team in the Top 50 (Nevada). It will be a fun ride and many of these teams will receive NCAA Tournament bids.