NCAA Basketball Top 25 for 1/26
FYI: All ratings, including SOS, Offensive Efficiency, and Defensive Efficiency, are courtesy of the KenPom.
Top 25:
1. Arizona (20-0) (1) – One of two teams with a top-five offense and defense, the Wildcats squeaked past Michigan into the top spot in the KenPom.
2. Michigan (18-1) (2) – The wins haven’t been as impressive lately, but they are consistently winning by double digits.
3. Duke (18-1) (4) – The Blue Devils are the other team ranked in the top five offensively and defensively.
4. UConn (19-1) (5) – The Huskies are either “battle tested” or “lucky,” depending on whether you like them or not.
5. Gonzaga (21-1) (6) – Speaking of lucky, the Bulldogs barely extended their winning streak to 34 straight over San Francisco. The crazy thing about that number is that the Dons are typically a decent (or better) WCC squad.
6. Nebraska (20-0) (8) – They have impressive wins. Now comes their biggest challenge: Michigan in Ann Arbor on Tuesday. Whatever happens, their run is amazing to witness.
7. Illinois (17-3) (10) – They have taken over as the nation’s most efficient offense.
8. Houston (17-2) (7) – Beat Texas Tech by four at home. Lost to Texas Tech by four on the road. Their turnover differential is third in the nation, trailing only mid-majors High Point and McNeese.
9. Iowa State (18-2) (9) – The Cyclones took out their frustration on UCF and Oklahoma State.
10. Purdue (17-3) (3) – Back-to-back losses push them down some pegs. Defensive efficiency has been an issue.
11. Michigan State (18-2) (11) – How often does Michigan – Nebraska overshadow Michigan – Michigan State? The in-state rivals collide on Sunday.
12. BYU (17-2) (13) – It’s time for the Main Event: A Monday showdown with Arizona. What can AJ Dybansta do for an encore after scoring 43 against Utah?
13. Texas Tech (16-4) (14) – The Red Raiders have wins over Duke, Houston, and BYU. Only the Purdue loss wasn’t competitive.
14. Vanderbilt (17-3) (12) – When you have a three-game losing streak, one team you wish to see is Mississippi State. Vanderbilt won by 32.
15. Kansas (15-5) (20) – The Jayhawks are heating up. However, can they keep the momentum going against BYU and Texas Tech?
16. Louisville (14-5) (19) – I have remained (relatively) bullish on the Cardinals, and now they have Mikel Brown Jr. back for Duke on Monday.
17. Florida (14-6) (15) – Auburn needed the win more than the Gators will suffer from the loss. However, they continue to come up just short in enough games to make you wonder if it is only dumb bad luck.
18. Saint Louis (19-1) (22) – The Billikens appear to be the cream of the Atlantic 10 crop by a comfortable margin. That said, they barely slipped past Duquesne. That could have been a tough Quadrant 3 loss, but they survived and moved on.
19. Virginia (16-3) (17) – It’s only one loss after a pair of solid road wins (Louisville, SMU). Texas defeating Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia has elevated that win for the Cavaliers, especially since it was a road conquest.
20. North Carolina (16-4) (NR) – Will the hard-fought win at Virginia be the jolt the Tar Heels needed?
21. Arkansas (15-5) (23) – Mauled Vanderbilt. Naturally, they followed that up with a close victory over LSU.
22. St. John’s (15-5) (24) – How good is this team? I have no idea. Both games against UConn remain.
23. Clemson (17-4) (18) – They can play defense, but the offense is lacking. Despite a “meh” profile, they remain a threat to take the ACC regular-season title.
24. Miami (OH) (20-0) (25) – The Redhawks lead the NCAA in scoring (94.6) and have recorded three straight 100-point efforts. Is an at-large possible if their only loss is in the MAC Championship?
25. Alabama (13-6) (16) – The free-falling Crimson Tide may need to put in a call to Chris Webber next.
Dropped Out:
Georgia (16-4) (21) – Their chaotic style can be entertaining, but losses to Ole Miss and Texas knock them out.
Just Missed:
Iowa (14-5) – They remain at the top of my “Just Missed” list. It’s a good idea to pile up wins now, as a gauntlet awaits at the end of the season.
Kentucky (14-6) – The Wildcats are playing better and find themselves only a game back in a crowded SEC race.
Utah State (16-3) – New Mexico and San Diego State are legitimate contenders, but the Aggies are the best overall team in the Mountain West.