Does anyone want to be in the top-25? It’s getting harder and harder to do these days, as more than half of those NCAA Basketball teams keep losing at least one game. And it doesn’t help that most of the teams that are “next up”, keep losing as well.
But with a new shake, comes new (and old) entrants into the top-25. Here’s the latest batch of national power rankings, along with a few honorable mentions.
*Rankings were compiled before Sunday’s results
Honorable Mention: Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils still have a shot at a double-bye in the ACC Tournament, now with a four-game win streak. The most recent wins came by 15+ points over Louisville and Virginia Tech. They’re right on the cusp of getting ranked again but need some better competition to do so and they’ll have that this week, taking on NC State and North Carolina up next.
HM: Creighton Bluejays
Creighton now has lost 3 of 4 games, including a close home loss to Marquette, followed by a 12-point setback at Villanova. In years past, losing to the Wildcats wouldn’t be an issue but they aren’t a tournament team. The good news is that they take on the two worst teams in the Big East in DePaul and Georgetown and should get back on their winning ways.
HM: Kentucky Wildcats
Wins over Florida and Auburn have not only gotten Kentucky out of the bubble and safely into the field but they’re just about in the top-25 range. They’re now on a four-game win streak and Oscar Tshiebwe is making another All-American case. The Wildcats are still without Sahvir Wheeler but are hoping to get him back before the SEC Tournament.
HM: Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
The Eagles have finished the regular season going unbeaten in Summit League play, thanks top-5 NCAA Basketball scorer, Max Abmas (22.3 ppg). Their conference tournament starts up this week and they’ll be the heavy favorite to be one of the first teams to get an auto-bid into the NCAA Tournament.