We aren’t getting a clear picture yet of the “middle tier” of college basketball squads this year. That is why my Top 25 is ever-evolving.
Undefeated watch:
Even though we are relatively early in the season, we only have eight undefeated teams left:
Rhode Island (9-0)
Loyola-Chicago (8-0)
UC-Irvine (9-0)
Drake (8-0)
Utah State (9-0)
Florida (9-0)
Oklahoma (9-0)
Tennessee (8-0)
Let’s cross off the SEC squads (Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee). There is zero chance those teams will remain unbeaten for long in that crazy league. While the Mountain West may be down this year, it is still competitive so cross Utah State off the list.
No team is going unbeaten, so I am trying to figure out who has the best chance to be the last unbeaten squad. UC-Irvine‘s schedule isn’t tough, but they must travel to Oregon State this week. Kansas State doesn’t stand out this year, but figures to be tough competition for Drake.
The most fascinating options may be Rhode Island and Loyola-Chicago, neither of which has a rough road heading toward their 1/15 showdown. I don’t expect them both to be unbeaten, but it could be fun if one is.
Given the slates, I am predicting Loyola-Chicago to be the nation’s last undefeated team. Which means they won’t be.
Top 25:
1. Tennessee (8-0) (3) – One of only two teams in the top ten offensively and defensively, according to KenPom. While the schedule hasn’t been great, they are winning games by an average of 27 points.
2. Auburn (8-1) (1) – One of the top schedules amongst power schools, with the only blemish a 6-point road loss to Duke.
3. Florida (9-0) (4) – Those who want to see them play someone decent get their wish – the next two are against Arizona State and North Carolina.
4. Iowa State (7-1) (10) – The Cyclones are the other team with a top-ten offensive and defensive profile.
5. Kentucky (8-1) (5) – Being one of the few SEC teams to lose in the ACC – SEC Battle, they made up for it by beating Gonzaga.
6. Marquette (9-1) (6) – Like Kentucky, a 1-1 week against two good teams.
7. Duke (7-2) (15) – The top-ranked defensive squad owns a Top 20 schedule.
8. Alabama (7-2) (11) – They deserve a break in their schedule and will get one after their 12/14 game against Creighton.
9. Kansas (7-2) (2) – Securing road wins is hard. Kansas failed twice in this endeavor last week.
10. Oregon (9-1) (8) – Failed in their attempt to be the first to 10 wins.
11. Gonzaga (7-2) (7) – Brutal loss to Kentucky (blew an 18-point lead). Can they rebound against UConn?
12. Michigan (8-1) (18)—Coaching matters, as does having modern-day twin towers that can shoot from anywhere.
13. Purdue (8-2) (12) – Avoided a disastrous week with their comeback over Maryland. A solid schedule & offense. Defense needs work.
14. Texas A&M (8-2) (22) – The Aggies are stacking impressive early-season wins. The Central Florida loss is in the rearview mirror.
15. UCLA (8-1) (NR) – Last week, I said I wanted to see them against good competition. Beating Oregon qualifies.
16. Oklahoma (9-0) (19) – It’s too bad their ACC opponent was Georgia Tech, as it didn’t allow us to get more insight into how good they are. Their upcoming game with Michigan is fascinating.
17. UConn (7-3) (NR) – Nice wins over Baylor and Texas earn them a return to my Top 25. Gonzaga awaits. Elite offense, but the defense is barely in the Top 100.
18. Wisconsin (8-2) (9) – The Arizona and Pitt conquests have lost some luster.
19. Dayton (8-2) (23) – Fascinating squad. They knocked off one Big East power (UConn). Can they follow it up with a win over Marquette?
20. Houston (5-3) (20) – Their three losses (all to good competition) are by a combined 13 points.
21. San Diego State (6-2) (NR) – One of those three losses was to San Diego State, who also owns a win over Creighton.
22. Clemson (9-1) (NR) – Who knew that the Tigers were going to be one of the teams to save the ACC from complete embarrassment in the ACC-SEC battle?
23. Cincinnati (7-1) (17) – The schedule is atrocious, but will improve.
24. Michigan State (8-2) (NR) – Began their Big Ten journey by beating Minnesota and Nebraska by a combined 55 points.
25. Mississippi State (8-1) (NR) – They didn’t just defeat Pittsburgh. They manhandled them.
Dropped Out:
Memphis (7-2) (13) – Impossible to ignore a home loss to Arkansas State.
Pittsburgh (8-2) (14) – That loss to Mississippi State was ugly. Perhaps I am being too harsh though…
Baylor (5-3) (16) – Their three losses are to good teams and they counteract that with some good wins. A lot of nitpicking in these rankings.
North Carolina (5-4) (21) – I am a firm believer in strong schedules. But you have to win some of those games.
Illinois (6-2) (24) – Like many of the others, I had to nitpick resumes near the bottom of the Top 25.
Drake (8-0) (25) – As I said last week, they were bound to fall out at some point as bigger schools started to rise.
Just Missed:
Creighton (7-3) – Outstanding win over Kansas places them back in the Top 25 discussion.
Arizona State (8-1) – A good week for the football squad. An unexpected hot start for the basketball squad.
Maryland (8-2) – The Terrapins were close to a massive road win over Purdue.