RADIO
Welcome back, hoop fans! As another electrifying week of college basketball wraps up, it's time to shake up the power rankings. A handful of top-ranked teams fell this week, but some underrated teams also came away with huge victories, which has rattled these power rankings. My power rankings are updated and listed here at RotoBaller and updated weekly!
Unlike traditional polls, these rankings will also show similarities and differences between teams, breaking down not only team wins but crucial losses as well. This past week included wild finishes, upsets, and strong victories.
Let's break it down, team by team, and see who's falling and rising in this week's power rankings.
(25) South Florida (19-5)*
Last week: W 69-50 vs. Tulsa and W 90-86 vs. FAU
South Florida is a new face on the rankings this week after capturing two more conference victories over Tulsa and conference leader FAU this past week. The Bulls have improved to 12-1 in conference play and sit on top of the American conference. Chris Youngblood is the team leader in points, as he is averaging 15 points per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field. South Florida has wins over Florida State, Memphis, FAU, and North Texas this season.
(24) Michigan State (17-9)*
Last week: W 80-72 at Penn State and W 73-63 at Michigan
Michigan State finds itself as a new face in this week's rankings, as the Spartans are coming off two wins this past week against Penn State and Michigan. Michigan State has one of the more underrated Big10 teams this season, but find both their defense and offense in the top half when it comes to efficiency. Looking at their remaining schedule, this team could quickly end the year going 4-1 and see themselves continuing to rise. Michigan State is led by star guard Tyson Walker who is averaging 18.4 points per game this season.
(23) Florida (18-7) ⇑2
Last week: W 82-80 vs. LSU and W 88-82 at Georiga
Florida moves up two spots this week after going 2-0 against LSU and on the road against Georiga in a consistently hostile environment. The Gators are now 18-7 on the season and are just two games behind first place in the SEC conference, where they sit at 8-4. Florida is led by junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. who is averaging 16.4 points per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field.
(22) San Diego State (20-6)*
Last week: W 71-55 vs. Colorado State and W 81-70 vs. New Mexico
A new but familiar team to the rankings this week is San Diego State after winning both of their home games against two teams in Colorado State and New Mexico that beat them on the road earlier this season. It’s safe to say that San Diego State got its revenge this week as they now are tied for first with Utah State in the Mountain West Conference at 9-4. This team is led by Jaedon LeDee, who is averaging 20.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game this season.
(21) Wisconsin (17-9) ⇓3
Last week: W 62-54 vs. Ohio State and L 88-86 at Iowa
Wisconsin has lost five of their last six games and now has become on the verge of being unranked after finding themselves in the top ten just a couple of weeks ago. The losses are starting to tally together as this team was overhyped back in January. The Badgers will have two games this week against weaker competition which should put this team back on track. Wisconsin drops three spots after going 1-1 this week.
(20) Virginia (20-6) ⇓1
Last week: L 74-63 vs. Pittsburgh and W 49-47 vs. Wake Forest
Virginia dropped one spot this week after an 11-point loss to Pittsburgh but won on Saturday in a close game against Wake Forest. Despite going 1-1, this team can be viewed as the nation's best defensively and is led by Reece Beckman, who is averaging 14.2 points and 6 assists per game this season. Virginia drops just one spot this week after going 1-1.
(19) Dayton (21-4)*
Last week: W 75-59 vs. Duquesne and W 78-70 vs. Fordham
Back into the rankings this week is Dayton after going 2-0 this week against both Duquesne and Fordham. The Flyers have improved to 21-4 on the season and lead the A-10 conference at 11-2. This team is led by DeRon Holmes II, who is averaging 20 points and 8.0 rebounds per game this season for Dayton. There is a strong possibility this team can end undefeated as they see only non-ranked groups for the remainder of the season.
(18) Saint Mary’s (21-6) ⇑5
Last week: W 103-59 vs. Pepperdine
After joining the rankings last week, Saint Mary’s jumped five spots this week after winning their only game this week against a weaker Pepperdine team. Their winning streak stretches to 13 straight wins, placing them 21-6 on the season and leading the West Coast Conference at 12-0. Due to the win this week and other teams losing, Saint Mary’s moves up five spots in this week's rankings.
(17) South Carolina (21-5) ⇓6
Last week: L 101-61 at Auburn and L 64-63 vs. LSU
The Gamecocks were due for a rough couple of games, and it seemed to have happened this week as the red-hot Gamecocks lost both of their contests, including a gruesome loss to Auburn followed by a home loss to LSU in a game where South Carolina led the majority of. This team should still be viewed as one of the top SEC teams. However, it was clear that this team had a little too much hype after being ranked 11th last week. Expect a bounce-back performance as the team goes on the road to face Ole Miss and Texas A&M this week.
(16) Alabama (18-7) ⇑1
Last week: W 100-75 vs. Texas A&M
Alabama won their only game this week as they defeated Texas A&M by 25 points in a not-so-close contest. After the slow start to the season, the Crimson Tide has lost just two of their last 14 games played, including wins over Auburn, South Carolina, and Mississippi State. Guard Mark Sears has been one of the nation’s best and has become much-watched television. Sears is averaging 20.6 points per game this season. Alabama moves one spot after their dominating performance this week.
(15) Creighton (19-7) ⇑1
Last week: W 94-72 vs. Georgetown and W 79-57 vs. Butler
The Bluejays went 2-0 this week, which resulted in them moving up one spot after wins against Georgetown and Butler. There isn’t too much to take away from this week as both teams Creighton defeated have had struggling seasons this year. However, Creighton has proved to be one of the more fluent offenses in the country. Baylor Scheierman leads the team with 18.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season.
(14) Illinois (19-6) ⇔
Last week: W 97-68 vs. Michigan and W 85-80 at Maryland
The Fighting Illini was moveless this week despite capturing two conference wins over Michigan and Maryland, now placing them second in the conference standings. Illinois has won five of the last six games and continues to show improvement each week. The team is led by star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. who is averaging 21.4 points per game this season.
(13) Kentucky (18-7) ⇑2
Last week: W 75-63 vs. Ole Miss and W 70-59 at Auburn
Kentucky had an excellent week of basketball as they went 2-0 against two tougher conference opponents. Up until this week, the Wildcats were 1-3 in their last four games so having these two wins under their belt was a relieving moment. Capturing the road win against Auburn should remind everyone that Ketncuky should still be viewed as one of the better teams in the country. Kentucky moves up two spots after going 2-0 this week.
(12) Baylor (19-6) ⇔
Last week: W 79-62 vs. Oklahoma and W 94-81 at West Virginia
Baylor went 2-0 this week, including wins against ranked Oklahoma and a road victory against West Virginia. The Bears have won five of their last six games, with their one loss being against Kansas on the road. Ja’Kobe Walker continues to impress viewers as he is averaging 14.5 points per game this season.
(11) Auburn (20-6) ⇓1
Last week: W 101-61 vs. South Carolina and L 70-59 vs. Kentucky
It was an extraordinary week for Auburn, as they lost by double-digits at home to Kentucky right after Auburn beat red-hot South Carolina by 40 points earlier in the week. The loss against Kentucky shouldn’t leave too much of a scare on this team, as that contest was more of a must-win for a Kentucky team that is much better than how they’ve played these last couple of weeks. Expect Auburn to bounce back this week, as they still should be viewed as one of the nation’s strongest.
(10) Marquette (19-6) ⇓1
Last week: W 78-72 vs. Butler and L 81-53 at UConn
Marquette went 1-1 this week, which included a blow-out loss to UConn, who has quickly become the best team in the nation. Marquette was ranked too high nationally this past week, and the result of Saturday’s game against UConn should tell you everything you need to know. Marquette is a well-put-together team, but their ranking has just been too high. The Golden Eagles drop one spot this week but remain in the top ten.
(9) Iowa State (20-5) ⇑4
Last week: W 68-59 at Cincinnati and W 82-74 vs. Texas Tech
The Cyclones won both conference games this week after losing their previous outing against Baylor. ISU is tied for first in the conference and seven of their previous eight games, including wins over TCU, Kansas, and Texas Tech. The team depends on Keshon Gilbert, averaging 14.2 points per game this season.
(8) Duke (20-5) ⇔
Last week: W 77-69 vs. Wake Forest and W 76-67 at Florida State
The Blue Devils remain at the same slot this week after defeating both conference games, including wins over Wake Forest and Florida State. Duke has won four straight games but will have their work cut out for them as they go on the road against a struggling Miami team and then on the road again versus Wake Forest. Kyle Filipowski leads the team with 17 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season.
(7) North Carolina (20-6) ⇓2
Last week: L 86-79 at Syracuse and 96-81 vs. Virginia Tech
North Carolina fell two spots this week due to the home loss to Syracuse in a game where North Carolina struggled severely on defense. This team has lost three of their last six games and has been the key factor to why the Tar Heels keep dropping despite being ranked top three for most of the season. North Carolina still stands on top of the ACC but will be on the road against a tough Virginia team later this week.
(6) Tennessee (19-6) ⇔
Last week: W 92-63 at Arkansas and W 88-53 vs. Vanderbilt
Tennessee won both of their home games this week against weaker conference opponents but now sits second in the conference at a 9-3 record. The Vols have won four of their last five games after losing to South Carolina earlier this season. The team has been led by star forward Dalton Knecht, averaging 20.1 points per game this season.
(5) Kansas (20-6) ⇓1
Last week: L 79-50 at Texas Tech and W 67-57 at Oklahoma
Kansas went 1-1 this week, which included one of the worst losses in the Bill Self era as they lost to Texas Tech by 29 points on the road earlier this week. In that loss, head coach Bill Self was ejected in the second half for the first time in his Kansas career. The Jayhawks, however, did turn it around on Saturday as they defeated ranked Oklahoma on the road, which makes Kansas 2-5 when on the road in conference play this season. The biggest news was Kansas getting star forward Kevin McCullar back after missing a few games due to a knee injury. With a fully healthy roster, expect Kansas to get back to their old selves and make a push for conference champions.
(4) Arizona (20-5) ⇑3
Last week: W 105-60 vs. Arizona State
Arizona played just one game this week where they dominated Arizona State by 45 points. This Arizona team has started figuring out some of their defensive issues but finds themselves moving up three spots on my rankings after losses suffered to Kansas and North Carolina. The Wildcats are currently first in the Pac-12 and are led by Caleb Love, averaging 18.8 points per game this season.
(3) Purdue (23-2) ⇓1
Last week: W 84-76 vs. Minnesota and L 73-69 at Ohio State
Purdue had some trouble this week as they survived a near-upset loss at home to Minnesota but then unfortunately lost to unranked Ohio State on Sunday. This was the Buckeye's first game after firing their head coach. Purdue has lost all three games this year to non-ranked opponents. The Boilermakers drop one spot after losing on Sunday.
(2) Houston (22-3) ⇑1
Last week: W 82-61 vs. Texas
Houston played just one game this week, where they beat the Longhorns by 21 points at home earlier this week. Due to Purdue losing this week, Houston gets bumped up one spot in the rankings. The Cougars sit on top of the Big 12 standings and have won eight of their last nine games.
(1) UConn (24-2) ⇔
Last week: W 101-65 at DePaul and W 81-53 vs. Marquette
UConn remains at the top of my list this week as this team continues to win and show dominance at home and on the road against tough, non-ranked opponents. The Huskies this week dominated their competition as they beat DePaul by 36 points and then beat No. 4 ranked Marquette by 28. UConn is by far the best team in the country, and they will continue to show that throughout the season.
Others Receiving Votes
- Ole Miss
- New Mexico
- Texas Tech
- Utah State
- Indiana State
Stay tuned for the college basketball rankings here at RotoBaller throughout the entire season!
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