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Brian Dunleavy's top 10 NCAA college basketball (CBB) rankings, from a fantasy basketball perspective, as of 02/28/18. His fantasy CBB rankings are updated weekly.
As we head into March, we know one thing is certain in college basketball: That nothing is certain in college basketball.
With the cloud of the ongoing FBI investigation hanging over the sport, even the winners could be losers. Might our No. 1 team--or Nos. 2 through 10, for that matter--come under the law enforcement microscope? Will the NCAA champs still be champs when the dust settles?
Well, for us, it doesn't really matter. It's all about the players, whether they've already been paid or not. Here are the RotoBaller college hoops rankings as of February 28, 2018 (won-loss records in parentheses).
NCAA College Basketball (CBB) Rankings
1. Virginia, (26-2)
To date, UVA hasn't been one of the programs mentioned in connection with the FBI matter, and perhaps it's no coincidence that the Cavs keep winning. Ty Jerome (10.1 PPG/3.0 RPG/3.2 APG) is emerging as the team's best all-around player.
2. Michigan State, (28-3)
The Spartans, too, have seemingly escaped FBI scrutiny, but Larry Nassar continues to cast a dark shadow over the program. Cassius Winston (12.5 PPG/3.4 RPG/6.9 APG) seems to be keeping the Spartans heading in the right direction--on the court at least.
3. Gonzaga, (27-4)
We always give the so-called mid-majors the benefit of the doubt, but the 'Zags seem to be peaking at the right time. They have another one of our favorite guards in Josh Perkins (13.0 PPG/3.2 RPG/5.2 APG).
4. Villanova, (25-4)
The conventional wisdom has Xavier ahead of their Big East rivals in the polls, but the thing about conventional wisdom is... it's not very wise. The Wildcats have beaten the Musketeers twice already this season--convincingly. Plus, they have better players--most notably Jalen Brunson (19.1 PPG/3.1 RPG/4.9 APG).
5. Xavier, (25-4)
Okay, we'll give in to conventional wisdom a bit. The X Men are clearly the Big East's second best, and we like them as a team--even guard J.P. Macura (12.7 PPG/4.4 RPG/3.0 APG/1.4 SPG).
6. Purdue, (26-5)
Purdue seems to have avoided running afoul of the FBI... for now. And they don't get to the foul line all that much either. The Boilermakers as a team rank 80th in the nation in free throw attempts. So, not too many easy points here.
7. Cincinnati, (25-4)
Who knew Cincy was the Mecca of college basketball? Well, people in Cincy. The Bearcats beat you with a balanced attack with four players averaging in double figures in scoring. They are shooting 45.7% as a team, including 37% from 3-point land.
8. Kansas, (24-6)
The Jayhawks are back in the national picture thanks in no small part to big man Udoka Azubuike (13.9 PPG/7.1 RPG/1.8 BPG), who is a seven-footer weighing in at 280 pounds. Sorry folks, size does matter.
9. Duke, (24-6)
Say it ain't so, Duke. Yes, even the legendary Coach K has been mentioned in the same breath as the FBI of late, and as long time observers of college hoops, we're not surprised, actually. Does the distraction explain the Blue Devils' loss at Virginia Tech this week? Probably not, but it will be interesting to see what happens to this program in the off-season. We're thinking guys like Gary Trent, Jr. (14.3 PPG/4.1 RPG) may bolt if the heat put down the hammer.
10. Wichita State, (23-5)
The Shockers have won six in a row to get back into our rankings. Landry Shamet (14.6 PPG/3.0 RPG/5.1 APG) remains one of the best point guards in the country.
