NCAA Basketball: Power ranking of all 357 teams for 2020-21 season
By Bryan Mauro
10. Creighton Bluejays
The state of Nebraska is going to have a top 10 team in basketball. Those are words many of you never thought would ever be put in print, but the fact is Creighton had their best season ever and they were primed to make a deep second weekend run in the NCAA tournament had it been held.
This season the Bluejays are not likely going to skip a beat in their quest for the first Sweet 16 in the program’s history. Creighton is unbelievable on the offensive end and they run and make a ton of threes. Creighton is never out of a game with the offense they play, and they finally played some defense last year to make them a real threat to make their first Elite 8 and more this year.
Marcus Zegarowski makes Creighton go. The offense is going to potent again they should have no trouble finishing in the top two in the Big East.
9. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers enter the year as one of the teams to beat in the Big Ten. They have a ton of experience and they play that pesky low scoring defensive slugfest type of games that Wisconsin is known for. The Badgers also have some good shooters and everyone on the floor can shoot and score.
Like so many other Wisconsin teams this team has so many clutch players but doesn’t have one “star,” sure they have many players who can hurt you, but this team is so balanced that at times they become impossible to defend. They run the motion offense to perfection and with Brad Davison finally a senior the Badgers are in good hands and this team has Final Four potential.
8. Duke Blue Devils
Just like every season, the Blue Devils experienced a ton of roster turnover. Such is the life of a team that recruits 90% one and done type players. It won’t make much difference though because Duke is still going to be loaded and they are still a top-ten team.
Duke is going to be in the mix for a title, they are going to be in the mix for a one seed, they are going to be one of the best teams in the country again. Just like every single year. It’s hard to say if they will have a repeat performance on offense and average about 83 points per game like they did last year but even if they don’t score like that, they will still have a great defense which will still lead to a ton of wins.
Jordan Goldwire isn’t your typical Duke player as he is not a great offensive player but he brings a different level on the defensive end and is likely going to start this year for Coach K and the Blue Devils. Duke is going to be just as good as always and probably better than their preseason ranking. Duke finishes top two in the ACC and has a chance at a one seed.