1. Gonzaga (12-0)
Last Week: 1(–)
Results: W vs BYU, @ Portland
The Bulldogs continue their reign at number one. They dismantled the second best team in their conference and beat up on Portland on the road. They have their second toughest game remaining this week with a road game against St.Mary’s.
2. Baylor (11-0)
Last Week: 2 (–)
Results: W vs Oklahoma, @ TCU
The Bears picked up two wins over mid-tier Big 12 wins in dominant fashion winning by a combined 33 points. They have two very tough games coming up with a home matchup with a WVU team that needs a big win and a road game against Texas Tech. If Baylor can get out of this week unscathed it will further show their dominance.
3. Villanova (8-1)
Last Week: 3 (–)
Results:
Villanova didn’t play this week and won’t play again until Friday but they have a big matchup on the road against a (potentially) ranked Huskies squad. Circle the one on your calendar.
4. Iowa (11-2)
Last Week: 4 (–)
Results: W @ Maryland, W vs Minnesota
The Hawkeyes offense keeps on chugging, pouring on 89 and 86 points against Maryland and Minnesota respectively in double digit wins. Iowa has won four straight games and plans to keep it going with matchups against Struggling Northwestern and Michigan State coming up.
5. Texas (10-1)
Last Week: 5(–)
Results: W vs Iowa St. W @ West Virginia
Texas has looked legit thus far. While the game against Iowa St was closer than it should have been they made up for it by pulling an impressive win in Morgantown. Andrew Jones is the best story in the country right now. They have a home stand against Texas Tech and Kansas St next.
6. Kansas (10-1)
Last Week: 6 (–)
Results: W @ TCU, W vs Oklahoma
There were questions regarding how Kanas would respond to the loss to Texas. They answered those questions going into Fort Worth and pummeling the Horned Frogs. While their later game against Oklahoma was close they managed to pull out a good win against a tournament team. A fairly easy week with games against Oklahoma St and Iowa St next.
7. Wisconsin (10-2)
Last Week: 7 (–)
Results: W vs Indiana
The Badgers had a bit of a scare against Indiana, needing double overtimes to beat the Hooisers. Their defense remains resilient and they are getting contributions on offense from many players. The upcoming matchup in Ann Arbor will be a great game as the two top teams face off, and afterwards they have another test with a road game against Rutgers.
8. Michigan (10-0)
Last Week: 12 (Up 4)
Result: W vs Minnesota
Michigan keeps skyrocketing up the charts, this time after crushing Minnesota. The Wolverines schedule starts to ramp up this week (have only one quad one win at the moment). A home game against fellow top ten Michigan and a road matchup against Minnesota who is substantially stronger at home.
9. Houston (10-1)
Last Week: 9(–)
Results: W vs Wichita St, vs Tulane
Houston picked up two mediocre wins against the Shockers and Tulane to hold put at 9. The Cougars are favored by over 70% in every game remaining. A road game against South Florida before a home rematch with UCF is up next.
10. Creighton (10-2)
Last Week: 10(–)
Results: W vs Seton Hall, W vs Saint Johns
The Blue Jays had an excellent week and are starting to look like the team we suspected them to be. They obliterated Seton Hall and Saint Johns. The offense is starting to click on all cylinders, hitting 29 threes between the two games. Just one game this week as they visit a free falling Butler.
11. Tennessee (9-1)
Last Week: 11 (–)
Results: W vs Arkansas, W @ Texas A&M
Tennessee nearly fell to Arkansas in a thriller but they managed to survive the upset bid. Before they took care of business in College Station shooting amazing from three, if the Volunteers can keep shooting the ball well they’ll be hard to beat. They have a home and home with rival Vanderbilt this week.
12. Illinois (9-4)
Last Week: 8 (Down 4)
Results: W @ Northwestern, L vs Maryland
It looked like Illinois was going to lose at Northwestern during half-time, but they came out of the break with the best second half performance of all-time, outsourcing the Wildcats by 40 points, absolutely dominating them on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately they couldn’t keep up the momentum falling at home to a very confusing Maryland. They have a relatively easy week next with a game against Nebraska as well as a home game against Ohio St.
13. West Virginia (9-4)
Last Week: 13 (–)
Results: L vs Texas
West Virginia nearly got a big win against Texas on saturday. They had Texas on the ropes before Andrew Jones hit a clutch three. The Mountaineers have now lost three of their last five, albeit all in quality games. The schedule doesn’t get any easier this week as they have to go to Waco to face Baylor. They also have a matchup with a struggling TCU team as well.
14. Clemson (9-1)
Last Week: 17 (Up 3)
Results: W vs Nc St
Clemson has been the most surprising team thus far. While the win over the Wolfpack was not awe-inspiring. It is still a solid win and the entire back half of this list lost. The Tigers are up to 18th in Kenpom which is a good indication that they’re here to stick around and have a legit chance to win the ACC. A big test against Virginia is coming up this week.
15. Louisville (8-1)
Last Week: 24 (Up 9)
Results: W vs Virginia Tech
Louisville bolts up this list for two reasons. One they picked up an impressive win over Virginia Tech. Also everyone else lost. The Cardinals have won four straight, they have a road trip against Wake Forest and Miami this week.
16. Minnesota (10-4)
Last Week: 14 (Down 2)
Results: L @ Iowa, @ Michigan
Minnesota got killed in both games this week, but it’s hard to fault them for losing to two top eight teams on the road. They have a rematch with Michigan next as Minnesota looks for another statement win.
17. UCLA (9-2)
Last Week: 23 (Up 6)
Results: W @ Arizona St, @Arizona
UCLA swept the road trip to the desert even if they didn’t look dominant. The Bruins have now played six straight games against top 75 opponents, and have won five of them.
18. Missouri (7-2)
Last Week: 16 (Down 2)
Results: L @ Miss St
Interesting stat about Missorui, in their two losses they have shot just an average of 6.5 threes. In their wins they shoot an average of 25. Of course they don’t make a majority of those 25 and their shooting will have to improve if they win in March. Two relatively easy matchups with A&M and South Carolina this week.
19. Saint Louis (7-1)
Last Week: 19 (–)
Results:
The Bilikens didn’t play this week, and won’t next week as well. You have to think they’ll be rusty when they do eventually play.
20. Oregon (9-2)
Last Week:18 (Down 2)
Results: L @ Colorado, W @ Utah
Oregon can just never win at Boulder falling yet again to Colorado. They rebounded nicely with a win over Utah. Oregon is favored in all but 3 remaining games. They have two home games against the Arizona schools this week which they should win.
21. Virginia Tech (9-2)
Last Week: 21(–)
Results: L @ Louisville, W vs Notre Dame
The only three ranked ACC schools Louisville, Virginia Tech, and Clemson, who would have thought. The Hokies nearly clawed back against Louisville but fell just short. This week’s game against Duke should be a great measurement, for both schools.
22. Texas Tech (10-3)
Last Week:22 (–)
Results: W vs Kansas St, W @ Iowa St
It wasn’t pretty but the Red Raiders took care of Kansas St before destroying Iowa St in Ames. TTU has a strong kenpom ranking but is currently missing some quality wins. Luckily they’ll have their chance this week with matchups against top 5 Baylor and Texas.
23. UConn (6-1)
Last Week: UR
Results: W @ Marquette, W @ Butler
For the first time in what seems like forever I have UConn ranked. Despite having played few games the Huskies only loss is in overtime against Creighton. That win over USC looks great as does a 3-1 Big East record. A top 25 ranking in kenpom as well is enough for them to earn this spot.
24. Rutgers (7-4)
Last Week: 15 (Down 9)
Results: L vs Michigan St, @ Ohio State
Perhaps the Rutgers hype train went a bit too far. They got killed by a struggling MSU team and also lost to Ohio St. They need better free throw shooting if they want to be a real player in the Big Ten. They struggle to get to the line in losses and are below average in wins. When they do get to the line they are shooting a putrid 58%. Things don’t get any easier this week as they have a game against Wisconsin and a road game against Indiana, don’t be shocked if the losing streak is stretched to five.
25. USC (8-2)
Last Week: UR
Results: W @ ASU, W @ Arizona
Has Andy Enfield figured things out at USC? Probably not but the Trojans still look good. They currently sit at 17th in kenpom and only losses come on the road against Colorado and against UConn. They have a ridiculously easy week with UC Riverside and the two Washington schools all at home to pad their win total.
Featured Image: By SS2027 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86072913
On The Hardwood 