Duke and Auburn were the last two powerhouses standing tall amid the wild world of college basketball, but Saturday threw a wrench in that narrative as both teams suffered their first losses in months, almost in sync. Although they managed to keep their places in our rankings, this recent vulnerability lends an exciting twist to an already thrilling college basketball season. Here’s how our rankings have shifted as we approach the final stretch of the regular season.
Let’s start with Duke (record: 20-3), who got a bit of a break when Auburn slipped up at home to Florida. Despite Duke’s stumble against Clemson—marking their first conference loss— their previous triumph over Clemson and an unbeaten streak stretching back to late November keeps them at the pinnacle.
As for Auburn (record: 21-2), their fans were buzzing and camping out at Neville Arena after Tuesday’s game against Oklahoma, but they were left disheartened when Florida handed them their first loss since December 4th. Staying undefeated in the SEC, even until now, is no small feat. Still, with looming away games against Vanderbilt and Alabama, the journey doesn’t get any easier.
Alabama (record: 20-3) seems to be riding a red-hot wave, winning six straight and 14 of their last 15 games. They’re gearing up to host what promises to be an electrifying game against a top-notch opponent this Saturday. I’m predicting a banger, and my bets are firmly with the Tide.
Flip over to Houston (record: 19-4), and you’ll see a team that rebounded strongly from their season’s first conference loss, smartly handling Oklahoma State and Colorado. Yet, a tough battle awaits in Tucson against one of the Big 12 heavyweights with an 11-1 conference record.
Tennessee (record: 20-4) has been on the mend, chalking up Quad 1 victories over Missouri and Oklahoma. They’re gearing up for a rematch with Kentucky at Rupp Arena, seeking revenge and a top seeding with a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament at stake.
Florida (record: 20-3), meanwhile, is basking in the glow of a monumental win. Despite their earlier resounding win over Tennessee being canceled out by a rematch loss, they’ve topped it all off by beating Auburn. Under coach Todd Golden, they’ve soared to the level of serious national championship contenders.
St. John’s (record: 21-3) are the week’s biggest winners, with spectacular victories over ranked opponents Marquette and on the road against UConn. Rick Pitino proves yet again he’s still got the magic touch, potentially positioning himself for coach of the year accolades.
It’s relief over in Iowa State (record: 18-5), where a three-game losing streak ended, though it hurt their Big 12 title chase. The team faces a slew of games against lower-tier opponents, setting the stage to regain momentum before a brutal run to finish February.
In the case of Texas A&M (record: 18-5), they’ve quietly been climbing the ranks, now snugly sitting in the top 10 after dramatic wins over South Carolina and Missouri. They’re tied for third in the SEC and gunning for significant seeding in the tournament.
Purdue (record: 19-5) barely stumbled with a surprise home loss to Ohio State, but they’ve been dominant since New Year. The Boilermakers lead the Big Ten with enticing home games against Michigan and Michigan State approaching.
Memphis (record: 20-4) just keeps inching up as other teams falter. Even without consistent performances, their non-conference successes and a potential American Conference title could place them in a strong NCAA Tournament position.
Creighton (record: 18-6) seems to have crashed the party spectacularly, chalking up nine consecutive victories and sliding into the 2nd spot in the Big East. Their next hurdle will be challenging, with games lined up against UConn and St. John’s.
While Marquette (record: 18-6) may just hang in by a thread after falling to Creighton, they’ve got some room to breathe before heading into March, hoping to steady their course in our rankings.
Michigan State (record: 19-4) emerged from a challenging west coast stint, initially faltering but ultimately tying a conference record against Oregon as they righted their ship.
Ole Miss (record: 18-6) put on a show against Kentucky and LSU, rolling to an 18-6 record as they push into our rankings. Coach Chris Beard’s reputation continues to grow as he orchestrates a notable turnaround.
Rounding off with Michigan (record: 18-5), they’ve scrapped to four narrow victories, holding tight within the Big Ten race. Dusty May has been pivotal in reviving the program, attracting attention for several high-profile job opportunities.
On standby for big moves are Arizona, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, and Texas Tech.
As for the Players of the Week:
Dylan Harper from Rutgers made a statement in his comeback with a dazzling 28 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a spotlight victory over Illinois.
Will Riley from Illinois shelled out a standout performance leading his team with 27 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in a win against Minnesota.
Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner continues his dominant showings, racking up an impressive 35 points and 12 rebounds to help vanquish Providence.
Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, shined with 29 points, stirring up a comeback over Oregon.
Lastly, Zvonimir Ivisic from Arkansas took center stage with some jaw-dropping moments against Alabama, displaying shooting prowess that definitely caught the eyes of NBA scouts.
In terms of highlight plays, Kansas orchestrated an electrifying sequence that got the Allen Fieldhouse roaring, showcasing team synergy in their top-ten victory over Iowa State.
Now, that’s how you bring the drama and excitement of this college basketball season to life.
