Another week, more upsets and shifting in these power rankings. While the top of these rankings have not changed much, the lower few spots, say 7-10 (mainly 9 and 10) or so has changed week by week. Some teams are rising fast, while others are taking losses. These rankings do not include games being played on tuesday, January 28.
1: Duke (This week: 2-0 @Wake Forest, vs NC State, Overall: 17-2)
I think these two wins were on the more impressive side for Duke. They had to deal with adversity against a solid Wake Forest team. They were down by 6 in the middle of the second half and found a way to respond. Against NC State they weathered a storm being down 13 early. One thing both these games have in common is Cooper Flagg lead the way both games. He has proven he can impact the game in ways other than scoring. He had 6 assists vs Wake and can impact the game defensively. Next up for the blue devils is UNC at home and @Syracuse.
2: Auburn (This week: 1-0 vs Tennessee, Overall: 18-1)
College Gamday was in town for the top 6 tilt between Auburn and Tennessee. This was a low scoring affair that went back and forth the entire way. No team lead by more than 6. Both shot poorly from 3 and were pretty even team stat wise. Johni Broome made his return, played a hefty 33 minutes and dropped 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Arguably the clutch play of the game came with 30 seconds remaining when Broome kicked it out to Miles Kelly who hit a corner 3 and gave the tigers a 1 point lead. Tennessee had a chance with 10 seconds remaining to tie or take the lead down 2. Zeigler had a corner missed 3, Auburn rebouded, and that was the game. Up next Auburn plays a couple of Q1 games @LSU and @Ole Miss.
3: Alabama (This week: 2-0 vs Vanderbilt, vs LSU, Overall: 17-3)
Alabama continues to take care of business even though this weeks games were on the less challenging end especially compared to their upcoming scedule the remainder of league play. Mark Sears continues to lead the way for the Crimson Tide with 21 points and 7 assists against Vanderbilt. Although he had a dud and was benched in the second half against LSU I am still confident in his scoring ability via the 3 pointer and driving for layups. Aden Holloway has stepped up coming off the bench with 19 against LSU, and 22 against Vandy. Bama travels to Starkville to take on Miss State.
4: Iowa State (This week: 2-1 vs UCF W, @Arizona State W, @Arizona L, Overall: 17-3)
Iowa state is a lucky 1% half court buzzer beater by Caleb Love to send the game into overtime away from a quad 1 road win and having only 2 losses on the year. Iowa State proved their toughness by handling multiple runs by Arizona and showing resilience with a roudy Tucson crowd. Im not penalizing Iowa State for this tough loss hence why im keeping them at 4. I Think this team is final 4 good. They have a balance of guards and bigs. Keshon Gilbert, Curtis Jones, and Tamin Lipsey lead the guards, Dishon Jackson has excellent size, and their team defense is exellent. They have a light Q3 game against Kansas state followed a second tilt with Kansas in Lawrence.
5: Houston (This week: 2-0 Utah, @Kansas, Overall: 16-3)
I believe the sole reason that Houston is this high is due to their marque double overtime win @Kansas. Houston has good computer numbers, they blow teams out with the number 1 scoring margin in the nation. The reason I am not a fan of Houston is they are a mere 2-3 in Quad 1 games which is the lowest on these rankings. On the posititive side of things, Houston has no bad losses. This team is polarizing and we will see how they fair in the heat on Big 12 play. Their next 2 games will be Quad 1 tests @West Virginia, and vs Texas Tech.
6: Michigan State (This week: 1-0 @Rutgers, Overall: 17-2)
Playing just 1 game this week, The spartans went to Rutgers and came away with a 81-74 win. Cohen Carr is an athletic freak who can catch lobs and defend at a high level. They have multiple guards that can flat out make plays. Next they draw Minnesota and USC. As the only undefeated team in conference play at 8-0 and on a 12 game win streak, they earned their place in this weeks power rankings.
7: Tennessee (This week: 1-1 vs Illinois W, @Auburn L, Overall: 17-3)
If there was a game to lose for Tennessee it would be @Auburn. Thats why Im keeping them at 7. They have steadily remained in the top 10 all year dispite being 3-3 in their last 6. Thats just the reality of the SEC. Sharp shooter Chaz Lanier is fun to watch while and Zakai Zeigler is able to dictate the tempo like a real point guard. Their bench production could improve. Tennessee seems poised to make damage in march although its to early to make that a guarrentee. The Vols play Florida and Kentucy. If they win these 2 they will firmly plant themselves with the likes of Duke and Auburn, assuming those teams dont slip up. SEC teams can afford more losses then say Duke in the ACC. High quality losses are the reality of SEC basketball.
8: Florida (This week: 2-0 @South Carolina, vs Georgia, Overall: 18-2)
Florida has played a rare 3 consecutive Quad 2 opponents. The rest of the way they play 8 Q1 games out of 11 games. I give Tennessee the edge over florida because they got a Q1 win over Mississippi State. Florida impressively blew out a formidable Georgia team 89-59. With the tests that will come floridas way, execution both offensively and defensively game in game out will be vital. Ironically Tennessee and Florida play each other on saturday in Knoxville. Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richards, and Alijah Martin continue to lead Florida sitting at 18-2.
9: Maryland (This week: 2-0 @Illinois, @Indiana, Overall: 16-5)
Maryland had arguably the best week out of any program in the country even the teams ranked ahead of the Terrapins. Going on the road in the big 10 and winning both Q1 games in my eyes grants attention on the national level. Their Q1 record does not scream top 10, but two out of three of their Q1 wins have come in the last 2 games. Maryland has the chance to prove their worth even more in their next two games, both being quad 1 games vs Wisconsin and @Ohio State.
10: Louisville (This week: 1-0 @SMU, Overall: 15-5)
Its time to give love to an ACC team other than Duke. Louisville has steadily improved over the last couple months. They blewout SMU by 25 and sit right behind duke in the conference at 8-1. They are a solid 5-5 in Q1 with no losses outside of Q1. They are led by a balanced attack with 5 players averaging at least 12ppg. Up next they play Wake Forest and travel to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech.
Honorable Mentions: Purdue, Texas A&M, St. Johns, Texas Tech