College Basketball Power Rankings
1. Syracuse 23-0
The Orange keep on rolling with impressive wins this past week against Notre Dame and Clemson, and improving to 23-0. The depth on this team is amazing, so many guys are stepping up. Like when Trevor Cooney had a career day against Irish.
2. Florida 22-2
No team in the nation has as stingy as a defense as the Gators who are allowing an average of 57.9 points per game. Along with an offense that has seen big improvements from seniors Casey Prather and Scottie Wilbekin, Florida should continue their dominance of the SEC.
3. Arizona 23-1
Sean Miller's club dropped their first game of the season in a close loss to Cal, who followed that up by losing to Stanford. Junior guard Nick Johnson has turned into a true inside-outside scoring threat but the 'Cats are still lacking a consistent number two option. They need freshman Aaron Gordon to step up in big ways.
4. Wichita State 26-0
The Orange keep on rolling with impressive wins this past week against Notre Dame and Clemson, and improving to 23-0. The depth on this team is amazing, so many guys are stepping up. Like when Trevor Cooney had a career day against Irish.
No team in the nation has as stingy as a defense as the Gators who are allowing an average of 57.9 points per game. Along with an offense that has seen big improvements from seniors Casey Prather and Scottie Wilbekin, Florida should continue their dominance of the SEC.
3. Arizona 23-1
Sean Miller's club dropped their first game of the season in a close loss to Cal, who followed that up by losing to Stanford. Junior guard Nick Johnson has turned into a true inside-outside scoring threat but the 'Cats are still lacking a consistent number two option. They need freshman Aaron Gordon to step up in big ways.
4. Wichita State 26-0
The Shockers are the first team since the Memphis team of 2007-2008 to start off the year 26-0. They have dominated the weak Missouri Valley thanks in large part to big man Cleanthony Early and sharpshooting guard Ron Baker.
5. Villanova 21-2
The Wildcats are rolling on all cylinders lately and have improved to 10-1 inside the Big East. Junior forward JayVaughn Pinkston has turned into one of the conference's premier scoring threats and sophomore Ryan Arcidiacono is running the point at a tremendous level.
6. Duke 19-5
After some struggles to begin the season, the Blue Devils are starting to find their rhythm. Freshman Jabari Parker has been playing great on both sides of the ball, averaging 19.2 points per game, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
7. San Diego State 21-2
20 straight is something to be proud of but the Aztecs suffered a rough loss, dropping their first conference game of the year and first overall game since November 14 against Wyoming. The play of Xavier Thames and Winston Shepard continues to lead the Aztecs to wins.
8. Michigan State 20-4
Injuries have put a damper on what could be a magical year for the Spartans but a healthy Adreian Payne means great things for Michigan State. With Payne, the Spartans have their best rebounder and scorer and a guy that can occupy the rest of the defense and open up space for their shooters.
9. Cincinnati 22-3
The Bearcats' 15-game win streak came to a stunning end when Cincy was upset by the upstart SMU Mustangs. Senior guard Sean Kilpatrick continues to play at an extremely high level, averaging nearly 20 points a game. A tough stretch comes at the end of February, when the Bearcats get UConn, Memphis and Louisville.
10. Kansas 18-6
Despite a very young roster and one of the toughest schedules in all of college hoops, the Jayhawks are still very much in contention in the Big 12 even after a tough loss to Kansas State. Andrew Wiggins has been more aggressive offensively and is getting to the rim, bad news for the rest of the Big 12.
11. St. Louis 22-2
Even after rising up to No. 12 in the latest polls, few people know anything about the Billikens. Their suffocating defense has been huge to their success along with the play explosive senior guard Jordair Jett. A tough test against VCU should give St. Louis their toughest test in months.
12. Louisville 19-4
Could this year's Louisville team be very similar to last years? Last years national title team started off 17-4 as well before getting hot and gaining the No. 1 overall seed in March. The Cardinals are getting excellent production from sophomore forward Montrezl Harrell and get a favorable stretch of games as they see Temple, Rutgers and South Florida next.
13. Michigan 18-6
The Wolverines got a huge rivalry win yesterday when they rode freshman point guard Derrick Walton's great game to a win over Ohio State. Walton is not the scorer that Trey Burke was but has run the offense efficiently and does a good job of getting the ball to Michigan's other playmakers like Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson.
14. Iowa State 18-5
The Cyclones got a rude awakening when West Virginia showed them up on the road, beating them 102-77, after the Cyclones had gotten three straight quality Big 12 wins. Senior forward Melvin Ejim has been absolutely dominant making highlight-reel dunks and beating teams up from mid range.
15. Kentucky 18-5
Kentucky has started playing better lately, winning six of seven as they head towards a meeting with Auburn. Julius Randle continues to be the Wildcats' stud in the paint but Kentucky continues to make mistakes which should be expected with a team full of freshman.
16. Iowa 18-6
The Big Ten's best continue to beat up on each other but Iowa has managed to survive inside the brutal conference. Senior Roy Devyn Marble has destroyed teams from deep all year and the depth on this team is very impressive.
17. Creighton 19-4
It is definitely looking inevitable that senior forward Doug McDermott will win the Wooden Award and the Bluejays continue to have a great year, sitting at 19-4 and in good position to win the Big East. Along with sharpshooter Ethan Wragge, Creighton looks to drown Villanova once again on the 16th.
18. Virginia 20-5
There are few teams in the nation playing as well as the 20-5 Cavaliers who are 11-1 since the start of ACC play and there one loss was a close one on the road against Duke. Senior Joe Harris is knocking down treys at an incredible rate and Virginia presents a stifling defense.
19. Texas 19-5
Rick Barnes should be in serious consideration for what he has done this year at Texas, keeping Texas in Big 12 title talks even with a roster that isn't much different from last year's disappointment. Their great backcourt of freshman Isaiah Taylor and Javan Felix can absolutely destroy defenses.
20. Wisconsin 19-5
After a freezing cold stretch in which they lost 5 of 6, the Badgers are starting to show some life again coming off a victory over Michigan State on Sunday. Sophomore Sam Dekker and seven-foot junior Frank Kamisky have had big years and continue to be their offensive focal points.
21. Memphis 18-5
The Tigers are also starting to find their rhythm again with a strong start inside the American thanks to a high-scoring backcourt with Joe Jackson and Missouri transfer Michael Dixon. Though, one stat is very worrying: in the Tigers' three conference losses to the best three teams inside the conference (SMU, UConn and Louisville) were all by double digits.
22. SMU 19-5
For the first time in decades, the Mustangs are ranked after two big wins over Cincinnati and Memphis. Sophomore guard Nic Moore has been a dangerous scorer all year for the Mustangs and Larry Brown has this team playing harder than they have in years.
23. Pittsburgh 20-4
One of the three newest members to the ACC, Pitt has been great and will look to knock off No. 1 Syracuse tonight at home. The play of do-it-all Lamar Patterson and senior big man Talib Zanna (12.5 points per game, 7.6 rebounds) has been huge for the Panthers.
24. Ohio State 19-6
The Buckeyes suffered a rough loss to Michigan but they are starting to find their offense again after a long stretch of one of the worst offenses in the Big Ten. LaQuinton Ross is playing well and guard Lenzelle Smith is starting to find his shot again.
25. UConn 18-5
Much of the success this year for UConn has been because of senior point guard Shabazz Napier who is leading the team in points, rebounds and assists. He needs another big game to give the Huskies a quality victory over Memphis.
After some struggles to begin the season, the Blue Devils are starting to find their rhythm. Freshman Jabari Parker has been playing great on both sides of the ball, averaging 19.2 points per game, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
7. San Diego State 21-2
20 straight is something to be proud of but the Aztecs suffered a rough loss, dropping their first conference game of the year and first overall game since November 14 against Wyoming. The play of Xavier Thames and Winston Shepard continues to lead the Aztecs to wins.
8. Michigan State 20-4
Injuries have put a damper on what could be a magical year for the Spartans but a healthy Adreian Payne means great things for Michigan State. With Payne, the Spartans have their best rebounder and scorer and a guy that can occupy the rest of the defense and open up space for their shooters.
9. Cincinnati 22-3
The Bearcats' 15-game win streak came to a stunning end when Cincy was upset by the upstart SMU Mustangs. Senior guard Sean Kilpatrick continues to play at an extremely high level, averaging nearly 20 points a game. A tough stretch comes at the end of February, when the Bearcats get UConn, Memphis and Louisville.
10. Kansas 18-6
Despite a very young roster and one of the toughest schedules in all of college hoops, the Jayhawks are still very much in contention in the Big 12 even after a tough loss to Kansas State. Andrew Wiggins has been more aggressive offensively and is getting to the rim, bad news for the rest of the Big 12.
11. St. Louis 22-2
Even after rising up to No. 12 in the latest polls, few people know anything about the Billikens. Their suffocating defense has been huge to their success along with the play explosive senior guard Jordair Jett. A tough test against VCU should give St. Louis their toughest test in months.
12. Louisville 19-4
Could this year's Louisville team be very similar to last years? Last years national title team started off 17-4 as well before getting hot and gaining the No. 1 overall seed in March. The Cardinals are getting excellent production from sophomore forward Montrezl Harrell and get a favorable stretch of games as they see Temple, Rutgers and South Florida next.
13. Michigan 18-6
The Wolverines got a huge rivalry win yesterday when they rode freshman point guard Derrick Walton's great game to a win over Ohio State. Walton is not the scorer that Trey Burke was but has run the offense efficiently and does a good job of getting the ball to Michigan's other playmakers like Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson.
14. Iowa State 18-5
The Cyclones got a rude awakening when West Virginia showed them up on the road, beating them 102-77, after the Cyclones had gotten three straight quality Big 12 wins. Senior forward Melvin Ejim has been absolutely dominant making highlight-reel dunks and beating teams up from mid range.
15. Kentucky 18-5
Kentucky has started playing better lately, winning six of seven as they head towards a meeting with Auburn. Julius Randle continues to be the Wildcats' stud in the paint but Kentucky continues to make mistakes which should be expected with a team full of freshman.
16. Iowa 18-6
The Big Ten's best continue to beat up on each other but Iowa has managed to survive inside the brutal conference. Senior Roy Devyn Marble has destroyed teams from deep all year and the depth on this team is very impressive.
17. Creighton 19-4
It is definitely looking inevitable that senior forward Doug McDermott will win the Wooden Award and the Bluejays continue to have a great year, sitting at 19-4 and in good position to win the Big East. Along with sharpshooter Ethan Wragge, Creighton looks to drown Villanova once again on the 16th.
18. Virginia 20-5
There are few teams in the nation playing as well as the 20-5 Cavaliers who are 11-1 since the start of ACC play and there one loss was a close one on the road against Duke. Senior Joe Harris is knocking down treys at an incredible rate and Virginia presents a stifling defense.
19. Texas 19-5
Rick Barnes should be in serious consideration for what he has done this year at Texas, keeping Texas in Big 12 title talks even with a roster that isn't much different from last year's disappointment. Their great backcourt of freshman Isaiah Taylor and Javan Felix can absolutely destroy defenses.
20. Wisconsin 19-5
After a freezing cold stretch in which they lost 5 of 6, the Badgers are starting to show some life again coming off a victory over Michigan State on Sunday. Sophomore Sam Dekker and seven-foot junior Frank Kamisky have had big years and continue to be their offensive focal points.
21. Memphis 18-5
The Tigers are also starting to find their rhythm again with a strong start inside the American thanks to a high-scoring backcourt with Joe Jackson and Missouri transfer Michael Dixon. Though, one stat is very worrying: in the Tigers' three conference losses to the best three teams inside the conference (SMU, UConn and Louisville) were all by double digits.
22. SMU 19-5
For the first time in decades, the Mustangs are ranked after two big wins over Cincinnati and Memphis. Sophomore guard Nic Moore has been a dangerous scorer all year for the Mustangs and Larry Brown has this team playing harder than they have in years.
23. Pittsburgh 20-4
One of the three newest members to the ACC, Pitt has been great and will look to knock off No. 1 Syracuse tonight at home. The play of do-it-all Lamar Patterson and senior big man Talib Zanna (12.5 points per game, 7.6 rebounds) has been huge for the Panthers.
24. Ohio State 19-6
The Buckeyes suffered a rough loss to Michigan but they are starting to find their offense again after a long stretch of one of the worst offenses in the Big Ten. LaQuinton Ross is playing well and guard Lenzelle Smith is starting to find his shot again.
25. UConn 18-5
Much of the success this year for UConn has been because of senior point guard Shabazz Napier who is leading the team in points, rebounds and assists. He needs another big game to give the Huskies a quality victory over Memphis.
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