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NCAA Basketball: Gonzaga, UCLA on top of latest top-25 power rankings

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 13, 2021; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates after a basket against the Texas Longhorns in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 86-74. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates after a basket against the Texas Longhorns in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 86-74. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Moore Jr. Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Moore Jr. Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. (T) Duke Blue Devils (3-0)

All eyes were on five-star freshman forward Paolo Banchero in the Champions Classic and he more than exceeded expectations, going for 22 points on 7/11 shooting. However, it was fellow freshman Trevor Keels that shined in the 79-71 win over Kentucky, going for 25 points.

Duke struggled a bit in the next two matchups against Army and Campbell, although Wendell Moore’s triple-double against the Knights was a big moment and a sign that the junior can have a big impact on the team. We’ll see if he and the team can keep it up against Gardner-Webb and  Lafayette.

5. (T) Purdue Boilermakers (2-0)

The dominant home wins over both Indiana State and Bellarmine weren’t surprising but that wasn’t the big story for the Boilermakers. Star forward Trevion Williams, who averaged nearly 20 and 10 last season, has been benched in favor of 7’4 sophomore Zach Edey. He’s done great with the extra playing time, averaging 19.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg in two games, tied with Jaden Ivey with best on the team.

How the rotations continue to look will be a big question going forward, with better opponents coming up in Wright State and North Carolina this week. Edey and Ivey have been great so far but how will they do against tougher competition?

4. Michigan Wolverines (2-0)

The Wolverines had a tough battle with Buffalo, a team projected to finish 1st in the MAC this season. They had their struggles with Jeenathan Williams on the opposing end but star sophomore center Hunter Dickinson kept them at arms’ length, going for 27 points on 11/17 shooting from the field. Terrance Williams II had a very impressive game off the bench, going for 15 points and a team-high seven boards in the 88-76 victory.

Michigan had a much easier time against Prairie View later in the week, coasting to a 28-point victory. Eli Brooks had a game-high 15 points, while Dickinson had a double-double on the night. Things will get harder this upcoming week, with matchups against Seton Hall and UNLV coming.

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