1. Auburn Tigers (15-1)
Auburn jumps to the top of the Power Rankings following Tennessee’s first loss of the season. The Tigers lone blemish remains a six-point loss to Duke at Cameron Indoor. Bruce Pearl’s group is one of three undefeated teams in SEC play — with its last two victories coming on the road against Texas and South Carolina, respectively. However, the Tigers are about to face their biggest test of the season. Star forward Johni Broome injured his ankle against South Carolina and is out indefinitely.
2. Duke Blue Devils (14-2)
An argument could be made for the Blue Devils to be atop this list. However, we have them at No. 2 despite their win over Auburn. Duke has won 10 in a row since its loss to Kansas and freshman phenom Cooper Flagg is more than living up to the hype. Flagg set an ACC freshman record with 42 points in Duke’s victory over Notre Dame last weekend. The potential No. 1 pick is averaging 19.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 3.9 APG.
3. Iowa State Cyclones (14-1)
After earning a 2-seed last season en route to a close loss in the Sweet 16, Iowa State is an even better squad as we approach this year’s March Madness. The Cyclones remained perfect in Big 12 play with an impressive victory in overtime over Texas Tech in Lubbock. Iowa State’s dynamic backcourt — Curtis Jones, Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey are averaging over 40.0 PPG combined — and smothering defense make it a serious threat to win it all.
4. Florida Gators (15-1)
With conference play in full swing, the Florida Gators remain one of the most surprising teams in the country. Florida started the year 13-0 before falling to Kentucky, 106-100, in one of the year’s most exciting games. However, the Gators immediately regained momentum with a resounding, 30-point win over then-No. 1 Tennessee. Florida avoided a letdown in its next game by topping Arkansas on the road by eight points. Whether Florida is able to win the SEC or not, it is fully capable of winning it all in a few months.
5. Tennessee Volunteers (15-1)
Well, that was one of the ugliest losses by a No. 1 team that we can remember. Days after a 24-point win over a then-ranked Arkansas squad, the Vols laid an egg against Florida. Tennessee lost by 30 and it could have been worse. The Vols shot 21.4% from the field (12-of-56), had an equal amount of turnovers as baskets, and found the bottom of the net fewer times than they were whistled for fouls (13). Tennessee faces a brutal stretch to end the month and to start February — vs. Mississippi State, @ Auburn, vs. Kentucky, vs. Florida — so we will learn a lot about its resolve soon.
6. Marquette Golden Eagles (14-2)
For now, Marquette is the team to beat in the Big East. The Golden Eagles have been better than expected this season after losing star guard Tyler Kolek. Kam Jones has taken his game to another level in Kolek’s absence and is averaging 19.7 PPG. Additionally, the Golden Eagles have two other guards averaging more than 10.0 PPG. Marquette has opened Big East play with five wins in a row and it shouldn’t be tested until February when it plays UConn and St. John’s back-to-back.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (14-2)
Alabama’s football team may have endured a disappointing season, but the school’s basketball team figures to contend for the National Championship in a few months. After struggling to begin the year, star guard Mark Sears has scored 20 or more points in Alabama’s first three games in conference play — two of which were wins over No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 10 Texas A&M. The Tide’s next two games come against ranked opponents (Ole Miss and Kentucky). With two wins, Alabama can make a push for the Top-3.
8. Kansas Jayhawks (12-3)
Dating back to Kansas’ back-to-back road losses to Creighton and Missouri, respectively, it has gone 5-1. The Jayhawks lone loss during that stretch was a 62-61 defeat to West Virginia in their first Big 12 game. KU has responded with three dominant wins including a 51-point drubbing of UCF. Kansas has an opportunity to make a statement when it travels to Ames on Wednesday to take on Iowa State.
9. Kentucky Wildcats (13-3)
Kentucky is searching for consistency. The Wildcats are 3-2 over their last five games and both losses have been blowouts. First, Kentucky lost 85-65 to Ohio State. Its most recent loss came last week to Georgia — an 82-69 defeat in which Kentucky’s biggest lead was four points. However, the Wildcats have shown up against top competition. Mark Pope’s group handed Florida its first loss of the season behind an explosive offensive showing, and dropped a ranked Mississippi State team on its homecourt following the loss to Georgia. Kentucky also owns impressive victories over Duke and Gonzaga. UK’s offense is elite, but its defense must improve before March.
10. Michigan Wolverines (13-3)
Tied atop the Big Ten are Michigan and Michigan State. Our No. 10 spot came down to the two rivals, but we are giving the Wolverines a slight edge this week. Michigan has lost three games this season by a combined five points. The Wolverines have opened Big Ten play with three double-digit victories over USC, UCLA, and Washington, respectively, and are averaging 85.1 PPG this year. Five players are averaging over 10.0 PPG led by center Vladislav Goldin (15.4). Against UCLA, Goldin went off for 36 points on 13-of-18 from the field.
