Conference Tournament Preview: Northeast Conference

History:

The Northeast Conference and #16 seeds go hand-in-hand. That isn’t always bad, as Fairleigh Dickinson pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history when they knocked off #1 Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. My favorite fun fact from that season is that FDU didn’t even win the conference tournament. That honor went to Merrimack, who was ineligible for the NCAA Tournament.

In 2010, Robert Morris took Villanova to overtime in a 15-vs-2 matchup. The Colonials have the most league titles (9) but are no longer members.

Returning Champion:

Wagner pulled off the upset as a #6 seed, knocking off the #3, #2, and #1 seeds to take it home. They defeated Howard in a battle of #16 seeds but couldn’t replicate what FDU pulled off. They lost to North Carolina, 90-62.

Format:

Eight of the nine league members make the field. Mercyhurst (9-7) is ineligible for the conference tournament as they transition from Division II. However, Le Moyne (9-22, 4-12) and Stonehill (15-16, 7-9) are eligible despite not being eligible for the NCAA Tournament. The reason? The NEC has a new rule where you must be in your third year of transitioning to make the field. Le Moyne and Stonehill were “grandfathered” in under the old rules.

Teams are re-seeded after the first round.

Contenders:

Central Connecticut dominated regular-season play, going 14-2. In the non-conference, they pulled off a Quad 2 win over Saint Joseph’s and lost to Providence by four. Providence isn’t great, but a NEC team getting that close to a Big East squad is noteworthy. The Blue Devils are a Top 100 defense in the NET and enter this tournament on a 12-game winning streak, the top current streak in the nation. Additionally, they are the only squad in the conference with a winning record against Division I opponents (Long Island is 16-15, but two of those wins are outside Division I).

Speaking of Long Island, they enter the tournament on a 6-game winning streak  Like Central Connecticut, they play decent defense. However, their offense is one of the worst in the country. The Sharks are one of the two teams that beat Central Connecticut in conference play (Wagner was the other).

Sleeper:

Can Wagner rise from the #6 seed to win the tournament again? In the NEC, anything can (and does) happen. I don’t see lightning striking again, but the win over Central Connecticut should give them confidence.

How it should play out:

Let’s be realistic: Only one team is in the NET 200 (Central Connecticut is 157th). Only one other team is in the NET 300 (Long Island is 276th). Everyone else is battling it out with the worst teams in the country. It’s hard to see any team avoiding a #16 seed, but maybe Central Connecticut can avoid a “First Four” contest.

Winner:

Central Connecticut deserves it.

 

Conference Tournament Preview: Ohio Valley

History:

The days of Murray State (18 titles) battling it out with Belmont (3) are long gone. The only current squad with more than two championships is Morehead State, a 6-time winner with an NCAA Tournament upset over Louisville in 2011.

While this conference has produced plenty of good teams, this year’s edition doesn’t have a dominant team that would avoid a #16 seed.

Returning Champion:

Morehead State, as a #3 seed in a bunched-up conference, won their second title in three years. As a 14-seed, they played fairly well in a 85-69 loss to Illinois.

Format:

Eight of the 11 teams make the field. Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, and Southern Indiana missed the cut. This is a stepladder tournament, where the #1 and #2 seeds automatically advance to the semi-finals.

Two teams haven’t completed their probationary period and are ineligible for the NCAA Tournament. One is Southern Indiana (missed the field). The other is Lindenwood, who will enter the tournament as the #6 seed.

Contenders:

The top two seeds have a huge advantage in this format, so Southeast Missouri State (20-11, 15-5) and SIU Edwardsville (20-11, 13-7) are heavy favorites. Southeast Missouri State was on a 10-game winning streak before losing their season finale to one of the worst teams in Division 1 (Eastern Illinois). Edwardsville, which has never made the NCAA Tournament field, has risen slowly since it transitioned from Division II.  This is their first 20+ win season, and they lost 21 games in 2021-2022.

Southeast Missouri State is a defensive squad that prevents 3-pointers (28.5%; 6th in the nation). Edwardsville also leans defense, though they have a premiere scorer (Ray’Sean Taylor averages 19.2 PPG, best in the conference).  Defensively, they are good at defending 2-point shots (44.9%; 8th in the nation).

It’s hard to find another contender, though Tennessee State took Colorado State to overtime in the non-conference (Quadrant 1). However, they were swept by Edwardsville (their potential semi-final opponent).

Sleeper:

Nothing indicates Morehead State can win this title, but they have won two of the last three and should be taken seriously.

How it should play out:

I would be surprised if it isn’t a #1 vs. #2 game for the title. While the NET hates the conference and paints a picture of parity, Southeast Missouri State and Edwardsville stand out. Little Rock (18-13, 12-8) and Tennessee State (16-15, 12-8; 7-3 in their last ten) can be disruptive.

Winner:

Why not give SIU-Edwardsville their first taste of the NCAA Tournament?

 

Conference Tournament Preview: Big South

History:

Winthrop has won 33% of the Big South’s conference championships (13 of 39). The Eagles are also the last team to win an NCAA Tournament game (2007, when they defeated Notre Dame in an 11-vs-6 game). Traditionally, this isn’t a conference you look to for an NCAA Tournament upset, though their 2025 NET conference ranking (18th) isn’t so bad.

Returning Champion:

Longwood won its second title in three years. Despite finishing 6-10 in conference play, the #5 seed knocked off top-seeded High Point in the semi-finals before destroying #2 seed UNC-Asheville in the championship.

Format:

All nine teams make the field. The first round is an 8-vs-9 game. After that, the tournament plays out normally.

Contenders:

One team can avoid a bad NCAA Tournament seed, and that squad is High Point. Ranked in the Top 100 in the NET, the Panthers have won 11 straight. Furthermore, while they didn’t play a Quad 1 game, they own a decent Quad 2 victory over North Texas. They went 2-0 against the AAC, also knocking off UAB. It is an offense you don’t want to mess with, as they are ranked 26th in offensive efficiency and 20th in PPG (82.4). If they have a lead late, they are amongst the best free-throw shooting squads (76.7%). The issue? Their defense. While it doesn’t look so bad on the surface (68.8 PPG), the KenPom ranks them 225th.

One of the teams High Point lost to in conference play is UNC-Asheville, who will enter this tournament as the #2 seed. Like High Point, the Bulldogs like to score (82.5 PPG) with bad defense. Not to be outdone, Winthrop is one of the nation’s highest-scoring squads (85.0). Their top four scorers are seniors, and they ended the season with a 103-90 triumph over UNC-Asheville.

Sleeper:

Presbyterian enters the tournament on a three-game winning streak, including road wins over Radford (19-12, 9-7) and UNC-Asheville.

How it should play out:

High Point entered the 2024 tournament as the favorite and lost. They have yet to make it to the NCAA Tournament. While it shouldn’t be a cakewalk (it never is), their team is far better than the rest of the league.

Winner:

Expect High Point to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance, where they will likely receive a “chance to win” seed.

 

Conference Tournament Preview: Sun Belt

History:

The storied Sun Belt had at-large credentials in the past but hasn’t sent multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament since 2013. The conference has many transformations over the years and six current squads have won the tournament.

Last season, James Madison became the first squad since Little Rock in 2016 to win an NCAA Tournament game.

Returning Champion:

James Madison was special last season, compiling a 32-4 record and being ranked in the AP poll eight times. Interestingly, despite their big year, the Dukes were the #2 seed in the conference tournament behind Appalachian State, a squad that handed them two of their four losses. In the NCAA Tournament, they upset Wisconsin in a 12-vs-5 upset before losing to Duke. 

Format:

All 14 squads make this unique “step ladder” tournament, where the top two seeds automatically advance to the semi-finals. That is important this season, as I will outline below.

Contenders:

Wow. Four teams went 13-5 while a fifth (Marshall) went 12-6. Various tiebreakers were needed to create the bracket, with South Alabama and James Madison earning the coveted #1 and #2 seeds. The tiebreaker losers (Troy and Arkansas State) will automatically advance to the quarterfinals.

Arkansas State is in the NET Top 100. The Red Wolves own a massive win at Memphis and played Alabama within nine on the road. Additionally, they defeated Mid-American champion Akron and AAC 3rd place squad UAB. They are a slow-tempo squad with a solid team defense.

Despite those credentials, they are the #4 seed, as they went 1-4 against South Alabama/James Madison/Troy.

Like Arkansas State, South Alabama plays a slow style (352nd in tempo!) and strong defense (99th). They allow only 64.3 points per game.

James Madison isn’t the same team this year. They couldn’t win a Quad 1 or Quad 2 game (0-4) and their lone matchup against South Alabama was a disaster (77-49 loss). However, we must respect them as they only need two wins to cut down the nets.

Fitting the theme, Troy is also slow-paced and defensive. They held Houston to 62 points (but scored only 42) and Arkansas to 65 (only scored 49). They went 5-1 in February, including an impressive win at Arkansas State.

Sleeper:

Texas State plays a different style, averaging 76.7 points. Late in the season, they played three overtime games against South Alabama (split) and James Madison (win).

How it should play out:

This is a fun tournament with the format I prefer. Allowing your best teams to go straight to the semifinals won’t tire them out heading into a potential NCAA Tournament game, and it rewards great regular-season play.

Arkansas State stands out, though it isn’t a slam dunk. If there aren’t any upsets, they will play Marshall in a tough quarterfinal matchup. Marshall won their only meeting this season.

Winner:

This is a bunched-up league that could avoid a dreaded #16 seed. Picking a name out of a hat, I will take Troy. James Madison isn’t a scary #2 seed, and they are on Troy’s side of the bracket.

 

Conference Tournament Preview: Patriot League

History:

Colgate has romped through this conference, winning the last four titles by 66 points. Additionally, the Raiders have reached the title game for seven straight seasons. Unfortunately, their conference dominance hasn’t resulted in an NCAA Tournament win. The last Patriot League team to win a main bracket game was Lehigh in 2012, where they knocked off Duke in a 15-vs-2 contest.

Army and Loyola Maryland have never won the conference tournament. While Loyola has reached the NCAA Tournament twice (while playing for a different league), Army has zero NCAA Tournament appearances.

Returning Champion:

Colgate reached the NCAA Tournament as a #15 seed, succumbing to Baylor by 25.

Format:

All ten squads make the field, with the top six squads receiving a first-round bye.

Contenders:

Bucknell and American compiled the best seasons, with Bucknell making a late surge (6 straight wins) to take the #1 seed. Four teams (Boston University, Army, Colgate, Navy) went 10-8 in conference play, giving this tournament the most wide-open look in many years.

The widest average margin of victory is 1.0 (Bucknell) while the widest average margin of defeat is 2.3 (Holy Cross).

Sleeper:

Navy defeated American on the road late in the season, perhaps boosting their confidence heading into the conference tournament.

How it should play out:

The Patriot League was one of the easiest leagues to handicap in recent seasons, but that isn’t the case in 2025. Would it shock me if Colgate continued dominating, despite a down season? Nope. Matt Langel has coached them to four straight conference championships and it is hard to ignore that pedigree.

However, I won’t go in that direction. Army is the sentimental favorite, but they fell apart late.

Winner:

This one is tough. I will pick Navy, as they boast the league’s best scorer (Austin Benigni) and rebounder (Aidan Kehoe). 

 

Conference Tournament Preview: Horizon

History:

The Horizon League has a rich NCAA Tournament history, highlighted by Butler’s back-to-back appearances in the title game in 2010 and 2011. The 2011 squad was the last team to win an NCAA Tournament game until 2024, when Oakland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the NCAA Tournament, defeating Kentucky by four in a 13-vs-4 game. They followed that up by taking the eventual Final Four squad of North Carolina State to overtime in the second round.

Returning Champion:

As I just mentioned, Oakland won the tournament as the #1 seed, avoiding a 1-vs-7 upset against Cleveland State by three.

Format:

All 11 teams make it, with seeds 1-5 receiving first-round byes. One unique feature is that the Horizon reseeds after every round. For example, for as long as Robert Morris is in the tournament, they will play the lowest remaining seed.

Contenders:

Robert Morris is the top seed after a 23-8 (15-5) regular season. According to the NET, the best squad is #3 seed Milwaukee (21-10, 14-6). Milwaukee owns a non-conference Quadrant 2 win over Akron. Also at the top are Cleveland State (20-11, 14-6) and Youngstown State (19-12, 13-7) to go along with high-scoring Purdue Fort Wayne (19-12, 12-8). It should come as no surprise that this is a wide-open conference.

The Horizon is the 19th-ranked conference and should be able to avoid a #16 seed unless there is a major upset winner.

Sleeper:

Oakland (14-17) challenged themselves in the non-conference, playing five Quadrant 1 games. In the Diamond Head Classic, they defeated Loyola-Chicago before losing to Oregon State in overtime in the title game. The Golden Grizzles swept Milwaukee but were swept by Robert Morris in close contests.

How it should play out:

Firstly, I won’t completely ignore the 4-27 campaign for broadcaster-turned-head coach Doug Gottlieb at Green Bay. The Phoenix aren’t traditional powers (they have 20+ losses in three of their last four campaigns), but they were coming off an 18-14 season.

I like Purdue Fort Wayne, though to pick them means I am confident they can beat Youngstown State on the road in the quarterfinals (the quarterfinals are played at campus sites). Hence, I have to scratch them.

I like Milwaukee’s path the best, but this is a crapshoot.

Winner:

Milwaukee.

 

College Basketball 3/3: Top 25

1. Auburn (27-2) (1) – Any team that wins ten Quadrant 1 games should be taken seriously. The Tigers have 16.
2. Duke (26-3) (2) – Since their loss to Clemson, Duke has won 6 straight by an average of 31.7.
3. Houston (25-4) (4) – Meanwhile, Houston has won eight in a row. Three of their four losses occurred in overtime.
4. Tennessee (24-5) (5) – Their conquest of Alabama was their 10th Quadrant 1 win. Their offensive rating does scare me, however.
5. Florida (25-4) (3) – In a conference filled with Quad 1 opportunities, the Gators are only 6-4. Some of that is tied into their non-conference slate. The Gators are one of three teams in the top ten offensively and defensively (Duke, Houston).
6. Alabama (23-6) (6) – Have they fallen off the pace for a #1 seed? Perhaps, but they finish with Florida and Auburn.
7. Michigan State (24-5) (8) – The surge continues, as the Spartans are 10-3 in Quadrant 1 and are nearly guaranteed the #1 seed in the Big Ten. I hate to say that a Tom Izzo team is a “sneaky” Final Four contender, but given the hype of the SEC and Duke, it fits.
8. St. John’s (26-4) (7) – The Final Four isn’t an impossible dream, but the offense will need to steal a game at some point.
9. Texas Tech (22-7) (9) – A slow-tempo team with a strong offensive efficiency will drive opponents crazy. Houston and Duke are the same, but their defenses are better.
10. Wisconsin (22-7) (10) – The Badgers have a solid upper-tier resume. They should have Elite Eight dreams.
11. Missouri (21-8) (15) – Like Alabama, their offense will carry them. Comfortably in the second tier within the SEC, the Tigers are 6-8 in Quad 1.
12. Clemson (24-5) (16) – The 3-OT loss at home to Georgia Tech keeps them from the top seed in the ACC. This senior-laden squad made a surprise run to the Elite Eight in 2024. The relative weakness of the ACC doesn’t mean you should ignore them.
13. Maryland (22-7) (11) – 6 Quad 1 wins, no bad losses, and a soul-crushing loss to Michigan State. Their non-conference schedule is the biggest knock.
14. Iowa State (22-7) (12) – The Cyclones had #1 seed dreams at one point. A big win over Arizona stopped a 4-5 slide.
15. Saint Mary’s (27-4) (17) – Some squads with slow tempos aren’t as good defensively as you think. The Gaels are different, as they are methodical offensively and tough defensively. They cruised to the WCC title and will be the #1 seed.
16. Marquette (22-7) (19) – It is easy to forget that the Golden Eagles went 4-0 against the Big Ten/SEC (Maryland, Purdue, Wisconsin, Georgia). They get a second crack at UConn and St. John’s to close the season.
17. Louisville (23-6) (20) – Like Clemson, the Cardinals are kicking themselves for losing to Georgia Tech. It’s their only loss after losing to Kentucky on 12/14.
18. Michigan (22-7) (13) – The Wolverines were smoked at home by Illinois, likely ending their Big Ten title dreams. Positives? 8-4 in Quad 1 and only two Quad 4 games.
19. Kentucky (19-10) (18) – The Wildcats are 9-9 in Quadrant 1. The unbalanced league schedule meant two games against Tennessee (sweep) and Alabama (swept). Like Missouri, a top offense and not-so-great defense.
20. Oregon (21-8) (22) – Four straight wins after a 1-6 stretch destroyed their Big Ten dreams.
21. BYU (21-8) (24) – Incredible how a team that was going nowhere (15-8 without any big wins) has three Quad 1 wins in their last four games. Can they keep it going against Iowa State?
22. Purdue (20-9) (NR) – The Boilermakers stopped a 4-game losing streak by knocking off UCLA. They have eight Quad 1 wins (16 Quad 1 games)
23. Arizona (19-10) (21) – A weird season for the Wildcats. The computers love them (top 20 offense and defense; 7 Quad 1 wins; zero bad losses), but they are 2-4 in their last six games. It’s no wonder they are considered one of the unluckiest teams in the nation.
24. Texas A&M (20-9) (14) – The Aggies struggle against the top of the SEC and have four straight losses. Their defense remains strong, however, and they proved they can beat good teams in the non-conference.
25. Memphis (23-5) (NR) – I’ll finally give in and rank them, but I am still skeptical. Nice road win over UAB.

Dropped Out:

Mississippi State (20-9) (23) – I said it before conference play began: Once the SEC schedule begins, we will see separation. Being 20-9 and 8-8 within the conference isn’t anything to be ashamed of, but the top of the conference has exposed some weaknesses.
Mississippi (20-9) (25) – Nice bounceback over bubble squad Oklahoma, but Auburn torched them. The Rebels are over .500 within the conference (9-7) and own zero losses outside Quadrant 1. They finish with Tennessee and Florida.

Just Missed:

UC San Diego (26-4) – The Tritons are suddenly 34th in the NET and are legitimate at-large contenders if they were to lose in the conference championship game (I don’t think they make it with a loss before that). The Quad 4 home loss to Seattle is a dagger, though it borders on Quad 3.
VCU (24-5) – The Rams are cruising and looking strong for an at-large. Tip: Don’t lose at Duquesne this week.
Illinois (19-11) – Their spot in the NCAA Tournament was never in doubt, but they needed that road destruction of Michigan.
Vanderbilt (20-9) – Michigan, Louisville, and Missouri get a lot of press for their turnaround seasons. Vanderbilt was 9-23 last season and hasn’t sniffed the NCAA Tournament since 2017. First-year coach Mark Byington (32-4 for James Madison last season) has authored the resurgence.

Conference Tournament Preview: ASUN

History:

Most of the dominant schools are no longer members of this conference. 5-time tournament winner Belmont is now in the Missouri Valley, while Liberty (who won three straight titles between 2019 and 2021) is now in Conference USA.

The Atlantic Sun is not to be taken lightly in the NCAA Tournament. In 2023, Kennesaw State played Xavier within five in a 14-vs-3 matchup, while Liberty pulled off a 12-vs-5 upset in 2019. No team is more famous than the 2013 Florida Gulf Coast squad. The Eagles won a pair of games in the NCAA Tournament, becoming the first #15 seed to make it to the Sweet 16 despite finishing second in conference play.

Returning Champion:

Stetson earned their first NCAA Tournament bid, losing to eventual champion UConn by 39 in the first round.

Format:

10 of the 12 teams (sorry, West Georgia and Bellarmine) make the field. The top six teams earn a bye into the Quarterfinals. In the first round, the #7 seed plays the #8 seed while the #9 seed plays the #10 seed. Interesting.

Two teams (Queens, and West Georgia) are ineligible for the NCAA Tournament due to their transition to Division 1. If Queens wins the conference tournament, the bid goes to the runner-up.

Contenders:

This well-balanced league was won by Lipscomb, who edged out North Alabama on tiebreakers. Both teams went 22-9 (14-4) and split the regular-season series. Lipscomb is the lone squad in the NET Top 100 (87th). All other teams are likely looking at a #16 seed, depending on how other small conference tournaments play out.

None of the teams are on a big winning streak. Florida Gulf Coast (18-13, 13-5) is on a 4-game winning streak.

Eastern Kentucky (18-13, 12-6) played Lousiville within two and Clemson within 13.

Sleeper:

North Florida (15-16, 8-10) has a win over an SEC team. Sure, that team is South Carolina, but that still impresses. The Ospreys went 2-1 in Quadrant 2 games (defeated Georgia Tech on the road). They play a high-scoring style (83.3 PPG, though they also give up 84.6).

How it should play out:

Lipscomb is comfortably the best team in the league. Using KenPom Efficiency, they are in the top 100 in offense and defense. They boast the league’s top scorer (Jacob Ognacevic). Ognacevic averages 20.3 PPG (12th in the country) and his career 65.8% rate on 2-point shots is fifth in conference history. This is the type of player big schools don’t want to see on their side of the bracket. If Lipscomb earns a 12-14 seed, they won’t be an easy out.

However, they aren’t unbeatable. They were swept by Eastern Kentucky, who could be their opponent in the semi-finals. Six teams won 18-22 games, making this a competitive conference.

Winner:

I am sticking with Lipscomb. They would be a team that many will pick for a first-round upset, and they may pull it off. As stated above, this conference should never be taken lightly.

 

College Basketball 2/24: Top 25

1. Auburn (25-2) (1) – Given the depth of the SEC, it is shocking how well Auburn is playing. They finish the season with four Quad 1 opponents, with Kentucky and Texas A&M on the road. If they win all those games…
2. Duke (24-3) (2) – When I watch a college basketball game, I know that almost every team has a “run” in them. Guess what? Illinois had zero answers for Duke for the entire 40 minutes. Destruction.
3. Florida (24-3) (3) – Since an embarrassing 64-44 loss to Tennessee, the Gators are 6-0. Only one of those games was within single digits, a 9-point conquest at Auburn. Watch out.
4. Houston (23-4) (4) – It’s too bad Iowa State wasn’t at full strength, but no guarantee they beat Houston even if they were. The Cougars put their perfect road record on the line against Texas Tech tonight.
5. Tennessee (22-5) (6) – 9 Quad 1 wins. 5-4 record on the road. Their only concern is that their offense can go into slumps. The Volunteers are #1 in adjusted defense (KenPom).
6. Alabama (22-5) (5) – Bounced back from back-to-back losses with a win over Kentucky, completing the sweep. The run-and-gun Crimson Tide will go as far as their offense takes them.
7. St. John’s (24-4) (10) – While I rank the Red Storm high, they are not a threat for a #1 seed. The computers aren’t in love (thanks, Big East) but the conference is 99.9% clinched. What if they win the Big East Tournament and end the season 30-4? Can they rise to a #2?
8. Michigan State (22-5) (16) – The Spartans surged into the #1 slot in the Big Ten with huge wins over Purdue and Michigan. How often does a Tom Izzo squad feel underappreciated? They may not be “sexy” but they are good.
9. Texas Tech (21-6) (9) – The Red Raiders suffered a tough loss at TCU but bounced back against West Virginia. Can they complete the sweep of Houston?
10. Wisconsin (21-6) (8) – It looked like the Badgers would remain a game behind Michigan State, but Oregon put together one of the most impressive comebacks this season. They travel to Michigan State this weekend.
11. Maryland (21-6) (13) – Their weak non-conference schedule (best win: Villanova) forced them to prove themselves within the Big Ten. The Terrapins have six Quadrant 1 wins and zero bad losses. Additionally, they are a top-20 offense and defense (KenPom). They are tricky to evaluate, but we can’t underestimate their strength.
12. Iowa State (21-6) (11) – How much can you punish the Cyclones? They played Houston within nine despite being shorthanded, as their defense kept them in the game.
13. Michigan (20-6) (12) – Although still tied for the conference lead in the loss column, they blew a golden opportunity to take control with their home loss to Michigan State. They feel like a matchup problem once the tournament begins, but the guards need to be on top of their game.
14. Texas A&M (20-7) (7) – Their issues on offense are problematic. While they have been up and down within the SEC, I will point out that they defeated Purdue, Texas Tech, Creighton, and Ohio State in non-conference play.
15. Missouri (20-7) (18) – Reminder that the Tigers 8-24 (0-18) in the SEC last season. While the new transfer rules make it easier to turn things around, they had to turn things around while playing within the nation’s top conference. It doesn’t matter how the story ends because there is no ruining what they have accomplished.
16. Clemson (22-5) (17) – If the Tigers can sweep their final four games (they should be favored in all of them), they can steal the conference title from Duke (tougher schedule). That would be amazing, even if it doesn’t reflect the strength of the teams.
17. Saint Mary’s (25-4) (23) – I won’t dig into the formulas, but there is zero doubt in my mind that the Gaels are better than Gonzaga, regardless of what computers spit out. They have clinched the #1 seed in the WCC tournament and are an NCAA Tournament threat.
18. Kentucky (18-9) (19) – The Wildcats are 8-8 in Quad 1. Inconsistency is an issue (4-6 in their last ten) but they can beat anyone.
19. Marquette (20-7) (14) – The Golden Eagles haven’t been themselves since an 8-0 start and have fallen out of the Big East race. Their tough non-conference schedule should help them come tournament time.
20. Louisville (21-6) (25) – The Cardinals are 15-1 in their last 16 games with a realistic shot to finish on a 19-1 run.
21. Arizona (18-9) (20) – Like Kentucky, Arizona is 8-8 in Quad 1 contests. They have taken a step back (1-3 in their last four games) but every game was winnable.
22. Oregon (20-8) (NR) – Are the Ducks back on track? Four straight wins and nine Quad 1 conquests, more than any team outside the SEC.
23. Mississippi State (19-8) (21) – The Bulldogs are 7-7 in conference and Quad 1 play. It’s not an insane profile, but it is solid.
24. BYU (19-8) (NR) – The Cougars have won four in a row, including a big road conquest (even if it was controversial) over Arizona. Their bad non-conference slate resonates, but I think they deserve recognition this week.
25. Ole Miss (19-8) (22) – The Rebels have zero losses outside of Quad 1. They barely hang on to their Top 25 spot after back-to-back losses to Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

Dropped Out:

Purdue (19-9) (15) – The Boilermakers are fading down the stretch, losing four straight games. Their chance to win the Big Ten is likely gone. They will use their final three games to get back on track for the Big Ten Tournament.
Kansas (18-9) (24) – A needed blowout win over Oklahoma State on Saturday. It doesn’t hide that the Jayhawks are struggling to find their groove.

Just Missed:

Memphis (22-5) – I appreciate their willingness to play a top non-conference slate. They are in my Top 25 mix every week, though I haven’t been able to squeeze them in.
VCU (22-5) – The Rams mauled George Mason to take over first place in the Atlantic 10. Their issue? Zero Quad 1 wins (only one Quad 1 game) and a Quad 4 loss (11-1).
UCLA (20-8) – The Bruins would be in my Top 25, but that home loss to Minnesota last week was disqualifying.
UC San Diego (24-4) – The Tritons have nine straight wins and a non-conference victory over Utah State. Can they make it as an at-large if they win their remaining regular season games, only to lose in the conference tournament final? They would at least need to be discussed.

College Basketball 2/17: Top 25

A look at the resumes of some of the intriguing mid-major schools. I am not including VCU, St. Mary’s or any of the Mountain West schools. Rather, I am looking at deep sleepers.

UC-San Diego (Big West; 22-4, NET: 43) – The term “dangerous team” is overused on Selection Sunday, but nobody wants to see the Tritons as their first-round matchup. They split road games against two strong Mountain West teams (Utah State, San Diego State) and are in the Top 50 range in the KenPom offense and defense ratings. What else is fun? This is their first year of NCAA Tournament eligibility.
UC Irvine (Big West; 22-4, NET: 63) – If the Tritons don’t win the conference tournament, the Anteaters can fill the void as a dangerous tournament team. Their overall profile isn’t as strong (their toughest non-conference game is at Oregon State, which they lost by 12). 54-year-old coach Russ Turner deserves a “step up” job.
Drake (MVC; 23-3, NET: 56) – The Bulldogs won the Charleston Classic, knocking off Vanderbilt by 11 in the title game. Even with that and a potentially gaudy record, an at-large bid is not likely in the cards, given their three conference losses. If they make the tournament, their ability to control tempo (very slow) could cause a headache for their first-round opponent.
Yale (Ivy; 16-6, NET: 66) – The Bulldogs have emerged as the Ivy League favorites, and they are fresh off of a first-round shocker in 2024 (defeated Auburn in a 13-vs-4 game). While they don’t own Quadrant 1 wins, they played Purdue within eight on the road early in the season.
McNeese (Southland; 20-6, NET: 70) – Never afraid to challenge themselves, the Cowboys lost to Alabama by eight and Mississippi State by three in the non-conference. Owners of one of the best non-conference schedules in the country have predictably dominated within their conference. They were 30-3 heading into the NCAA Tournament last year but drew Gonzaga. I would love to see if they can get over the hump this year. Head coach Will Wade had a controversial tenure at LSU but will that be forgiven with the new NIL/transfer rules?
Liberty (Conference USA; 21-5, NET: 68) – I love it when strong mid-major schools face off. That happened earlier this year when Liberty knocked off McNeese in the Paradise Jam championship (after knocking off Kansas State in the semi-finals). Unlike McNeese, Liberty’s non-conference slate wasn’t impressive, but their ability to knock down a high percentage of three-pointers makes them a dangerous opponent.

Top 25:

1. Auburn (23-2) (1) – As strong as the SEC is, no other team is in the neighborhood of Auburn’s 14 Quadrant 1 wins. Defeating Alabama on the road further cements their greatness.
2. Duke (22-3) (3) – The Blue Devils need to be careful with Clemson only one game back. The relatively weak ACC makes it hard for them to improve their #1 seed resume, so beating Illinois this weekend would be big towards that effort.
3. Florida (22-3) (4) – The Gators, a top-ten offense and defense, have a stronger overall schedule than Duke – however, Duke played a tougher non-conference slate. The race for the #1 seeds will be fascinating.
4. Houston (21-4) (5) – The Cougars continue to be the nation’s lone unbeaten road squad, adding Arizona to their list of victims.
5. Alabama (21-4) (2) – It’s tough to find that spot where you want to “drop” a team sometimes. This ranking is appropriate, though you can argue them ahead of Houston. It’s razor-thin.
6. Tennessee (21-5) (6) – Avenged their earlier loss to Vanderbilt. This followed their road loss to Kentucky, who swept the Volunteers. “Holding serve” with their ranking is appropriate.
7. Texas A&M (20-5) (8) – Winners of five in a row, four of their next five games are against Mississippi State (road), Tennessee, Florida (road), and Auburn. That schedule keeps them in the #1 seed conversation.
8. Wisconsin (20-5) (10) – On December 10th, the Badgers lost their third straight game, causing some nervousness in Madison. They are 11-2 since, including their road conquest of Purdue. Please don’t sleep on their resume.
9. Texas Tech (20-5) (12) – Their 111-106 double-overtime win over Arizona State was entertaining. When margins are slim, losing to St. Joseph’s (neutral) and UCF (home) will impact your seed.
10. St. John’s (22-4) (9) – Their loss to Villanova was rough, but the follow-up (win over Creighton) was more important. The Red Storm will need to collapse to lose the regular-season title.
11. Iowa State (20-5) (14) – The conference title is out of reach, but if they can beat Houston on the road this weekend…
12. Michigan (20-5) (15) – Even with the hiring of Dusty May, nobody’s bingo card included a 20-5, Big Ten-leading Michigan squad. They are off until Friday when they welcome Michigan State to Ann Arbor.
13. Maryland (20-6) (17) – I have picked on their non-conference schedule all year, but the Terrapins have six Quadrant 1 wins, no bad losses, and are a top 20 offensive and defensive squad.
14. Marquette (19-6) (16) – Not much to say about the Golden Eagles this week.
15. Purdue (19-7) (7) – The computers still like Purdue, and for good reason: 21 of their 26 games are in Quadrant 1/2. They are 14-7. The Boilermakers are in a little slump, which isn’t unexpected.
16. Michigan State (20-5) (13) – Congrats to Tom Izzo on breaking Bobby Knight’s Big Ten record. The Spartans are in the Big Ten race, with two huge games this week (Purdue, and Michigan).
17. Clemson (21-5) (20) – It’s hard to get a read on the Tigers, but they followed up their win over Duke with a 20-point win over North Carolina and a 26-point road win over Florida State. They are in the Top 25 in the KenPom.
18. Missouri (19-6) (22) – The Tigers survived their gauntlet before having things ease up a bit last week (blowout wins over Oklahoma and Georgia (road)). For an SEC squad, the rest of their schedule is manageable – though a big game against Alabama awaits this week.
19. Kentucky (17-8) (23) – The Wildcats have wins over Tennessee (2), Florida, Texas A&M, and Duke. Their defense escapes them at times, but they have established that they can beat anyone.
20. Arizona (17-8) (11) – The Wildcats lost a pair last week, but there is no denying their overall strength. With expectations lower, will they “surprise” during the Big Dance?
21. Mississippi State (18-7) (19) – The Bulldogs are 6-6 within the SEC, struggling somewhat against the upper tier. That said, they completed a sweep of Ole Miss last week.
22. Ole Miss (19-7) (18)—Despite being swept by Mississippi State, the computers like the Rebels more. This can be tough to understand, but don’t overanalyze things.
23. Saint Mary’s (23-4) (25) – The Gaels are 9-4 in Quadrant 1/2. The NCAA Tournament hasn’t been nice to them, but it only takes one run…
24. Kansas (17-8) (21) – Road games are an issue for the Jayhawks. Their only in-conference road wins are against Central Florida, Cincinnati (solid), and TCU. It’s tough to dismiss a team with their talent level, but where are the results?
25. Louisville (20-6) (NR) – Their early-season loss to Duke hurts their shot at winning the regular-season title, though they did defeat Clemson, which could impact a 3-way tie for the title.

Dropped Out:

Creighton (18-8) (24) – The Blue Jays are good, but they blew their shot at taking over the conference lead by losing two games last week.

Just Missed:

Memphis (21-5) – The AAC is so mediocre that it’s hard for me to justify their struggles. Sure, they are 11-2 within the conference, but too many wins are close, and losing to Wichita State is bad.
New Mexico (22-4) – The Lobos have won eight in a row, including two wins over Utah State and a conquest of Boise State. The clear leaders of the Mountain West pack, a solid non-conference slate will help their at-large cause if it comes to that.
UCLA (19-7) – The Bruins kept it close against Illinois on the road, following it up with a win over Indiana.