This is the most interesting men’s college basketball season I can remember in the past 15 years.
This freshmen class is incredible. NIL means that talent is staying put and the quality of play I’m watching is fantastic.
What’s more, the race for the top-4 seed lines of the NCAA tournament has never been more compelling.
Here’s the latest edition of my men’s college basketball rankings, as of Feb. 1.
*Note: Miami (Ohio) is 22-0, but its strength of schedule is 332nd in the country. The RedHawks are a great story, but I’m not sure that I’ll rank them at all this year. Being undefeated is cool and all, but you have to put it into context.
(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillian is pushing all the right buttons with this team. The Aggies sit atop the SEC with a 7-1 record and are averaging 91.0 points in their past three games. Still, there are big challenges ahead.
Arkansas lost an emotional affair with Kentucky on Saturday. The Razorbacks have six losses, but none of them are bad losses. They can’t find a rhythm, though, as their longest win streak of the season is just four games.
St. John’s has won seven games in a row and beat Butler by 22 points on Wednesday. Guard Ian Jackson had 18 points and is starting to figure out his scoring role.
Kentucky is turning its season around. The Wildcats beat Arkansas, led by their former coach John Calipari, on Saturday in an emotional game. Guard Otega Oweh has scored 20 or more points in seven of his past nine games.
Clemson boasts one of the 15 best defenses in the country, and the Tigers used it to suffocate Pitt on Saturday; the Panthers could only muster 52 points. Clemson is now 8-1 in the ACC with its only loss in overtime to NC State.
(Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Tennessee is on a three-game win streak, beating Alabama, Georgia and Auburn. The Vols have a top-15 defense (again).
St. Louis is now 21-1 after crushing Dayton by 31 points on Saturday, with its only loss coming on a miracle shot against Stanford back in November.
North Carolina picked up another road win at Georgia Tech on Saturday. I enjoy watching the frontcourt duo of forward Caleb Wilson and center Henri Veesaar. The pair combined for 42 points and 18 rebounds.
Virginia has the 17th best offense in the land and got two road wins this week, despite going 14-for-52 from behind the arc combined. That’s a good sign that this team is legit and can find ways to win.
Three losses in a row for Purdue seemed unfathomable when it started the preseason as the top-ranked team. This team can score against anyone, but the Boilermakers struggle to guard elite, athletic teams like Iowa State and Illinois.
Understandably, BYU went 0-2 this week against Arizona and Kansas. Cougars star forward AJ Dybantsa was only outscored by one point (17 to 18) by Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson, but it felt like more than that. Guard Richie Saunders had 33 points and greatly improved his NBA Draft stock in front of the throng of scouts that were in attendance.
I was a bit surprised that Texas Tech lost at UCF after shooting above 50% as a team, but the Red Raiders couldn’t get stops in an 88-80 shootout. Texas Tech star forward JT Toppin continued his stellar season with 27 points on Saturday. I still think the Red Raiders can beat any team — anywhere.
Vanderbilt smashed a good Kentucky team earlier this week and is back to its winning ways — three straight wins, in fact. Sophomore guard Tyler Tanner is only 6-foot, but his game is massive.
(Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
I was so jacked up for the matchup between Dybantsa and Peterson — until the ball was tipped, and Peterson completely took over with 18 points in 17 minutes in the first half. Of course, he only played three minutes in the second half (cramping?), but his Kansas teammates kept it going, shooting 57% overall. Kansas is hitting its stride.
Florida made a statement with its thrashing of Alabama at home. Alex Condon had his best game of the season with 25 points and six assists at the center position. Florida ranks sixth in KenPom and is 7-2 in the SEC.
[Men’s College Hoops Spotlight: Villanova Eyes NCAA Tournament Berth]
Estado de Michigan gritó una victoria en tiempo extra en Rutgers A principios de semana y los Spartans no pudieron recuperarse lo suficientemente rápido para su enfrentamiento entre los 10 primeros con los Michigan en FOX el viernes por la noche, perdiendo 83-71 (no estuvo tan igualado como lo fue el juego) punto final). estrella esparta Jeremy miedos jr. hizo su parte con 31 puntos, pero en realidad nadie más apareció.
Graham Ike regresó de una lesión esta semana y anotó 30 puntos en gonzagaya gané Santa María el sábado por la noche. La única derrota de la temporada de los Zags fue una derrota por 40 puntos a manos de Michigan en noviembre.
Considérame uno de los más impresionantes. Nebraska Perdí (en Michigan) más que cualquier otro partido que haya visto jugar a los Huskers. La derrota del domingo ante un equipo en ascenso de Illinois no cambia su potencial, pero los trae (y a su base de fanáticos) de regreso a la Tierra un poco.
Illinois Poseer la ofensiva número uno en el deporte y usarla para vengar la derrota ante Nebraska. Fuera de Arizona en este momento, ¿hay alguien mejor en este deporte? Illinois ha ganado 11 juegos consecutivos.
Además de las derrotas consecutivas ocurridas hace unas semanas en Kansas y Cincinnati, Estado de Iowa Parece un puesto número 2 o 3 en el torneo de la NCAA.
[NCAA Bracket Projections: Michigan Reclaims No. 1 seed, ACC Rising]
houston guardia de primer año Kingston Flemings Sólo anotó siete puntos el sábado contra Cincinnati, pero sus compañeros de primer año Chris Cenac Jr. Hay 13 y guardias superiores. Milos Uzán empataron las cosas a los 16. Los Bearcats no tuvieron ninguna posibilidad en ese juego.
En sábado, Duque estrellas adelante Cameron Boozer registró 24 puntos, 8 rebotes y 5 asistencias en la victoria como visitante en Tecnología de Virginia. Fue el mejor día de su carrera para la mayoría de los jugadores, pero también fue simplemente otro día en la oficina para el mejor jugador de este deporte.
Después de escapar por poco de la mayoría de ellos. Dai Dong competidor, Universidad de Connecticut destruido creighton en el camino equivalente a 27 puntos. Los Huskies salieron de su mala racha y acertaron 16 de sus 31 triples.
Michigan Siguió una victoria remontada sobre Nebraska controlando la mayor parte del juego en Michigan State. El delantero estrella de los Wolverines Yaxel Lendeborg Finalmente tuvo un gran partido en la conferencia con 28 puntos y 12 rebotes.
(Foto de Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Arizona Fue el equipo más físico del país y continuó impresionando, ganando en BYU y Estado de Arizona. Parecía que los Wildcats iban a ganar grande 12 con muchos juegos.
