NCAA Basketball: BYU, Seton Hall rise, Michigan falls in latest top-25 power rankings

6. Duke (5-0)

This week was easy sailing for the unbeaten Blue Devils, who have now won their first 5 games in Coach K’s final season at the helm. This past week was much easier than that duel with Kentucky in the Champions Classic, with the Blue Devils winning two very easy games at home. They demolished Gardner-Webb by 40 points on Tuesday and then took care of business against Lafayette three days later, beating the Leopard by 33 points.

This Duke team is talented and deep, getting 23 points from Wendell Moore Jr. and 18 from A. J. Griffin off the bench in Friday’s win over Lafayette. Paolo Banchero has looked like a stud from the beginning and we’re not even getting into the talent in the backcourt. The Blue Devils haven’t allowed more than 56 points in any of their last four games, though a neutral-site date with Gonzaga this week will certainly challenge that streak.

5. Villanova (3-1)

Last week, Villanova may have suffered their first loss of the season but proved they belong among the top teams in the nation by taking UCLA to overtime on the road in an exciting matchup. This week, they really proved it by demolishing Tennessee 71-53 and getting by far their biggest win of the early season. Jermaine Samuels had 14 points and 11 rebounds while three other starters tabbed at least 13 points in a balanced scoring attack.

The Wildcats have played fantastic offense to this point, even if their 71 points on Saturday was a season-low. They’ve been shooting well from long-range and have the depth to stay in these close battles down the stretch. Their upcoming schedule sees them playing a slew of winnable games against their fellow Philadelphia teams, though a few more road games certainly helped prepare for them for Big East play, which looks like an onslaught this season.

4. Purdue (4-0)

Through four games, this Purdue team is handling everything thrown their way and certainly looks like a legitimate contender this season, and not just at the Big Ten level. Led by impressive sophomores Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey, the Boilermakers won a 44-point laugher over a decent Wright State team before their marquee win of the season this Saturday, toppling #18 North Carolina by 9 points at the Mohegan Sun. Sharpshooter Sasha Stefanovic led the way with 23 points in the win.

Purdue’s offense now ranks only behind Gonzaga in efficiency rankings and the Boilermakers have scored no less than 92 points in each of their first four games. This program has really come together since last season and looks like the team to beat in the Big Ten after two weeks. Clearly, their Sunday tilt with Villanova will go a long way of determining that mettle, but this Boilermakers team sure looks like the real deal, especially with that dynamic offense.