Every college basketball season has its stars, its surprises, and its teams that spend January stacking quality wins.
Busting Brackets Bottom 10 Rankings
Then there is the other side of the sport. The teams living in rebuild mode, searching for answers, and trying to turn competitive stretches into full games.
The Busting Brackets Bottom 10 is not about long-term projections or future potential. It is a snapshot of where things stand right now. Results matter. Consistency matters. And for this group, finding either has been a challenge. Injuries, youth, and difficult schedules are part of the story, but at some point the resume becomes hard to escape.
This is where programs are still looking for traction, where small improvements are noticed, and where every close loss feels like progress. The Bottom 10 is not permanent, but it is earned, and this week’s rankings reflect where these teams currently sit.
356. Kansas City Roos (4-14)
Kansas City returns to the Bottom 10 after another tough week. The Roos still have just one Division I win, which came earlier in the season at Omaha. Since then, defensive issues have continued to surface, and the offense has not been able to compensate. Allowing nearly 83 points per game has put constant pressure on a roster still searching for consistency. Road games at South Dakota and South Dakota State are next.
357. Alcorn State Braves (2-12)
Alcorn State moves up slightly after picking up a recent win, though two victories on the season keep the Braves in this range. The win over Indiana State remains a bright spot on the resume. Shane Lancaster leads the team at 11.4 points per game, while the Braves are averaging 65.3 points per contest. A road game at Alabama State is up next before a brief homestand.
358. Jackson State Tigers (3-12)
Jackson State continues to show signs of life. The Tigers have won back-to-back games, both in conference play, and are starting to find a rhythm. Daeshun Ruffin has been the catalyst, averaging 17.6 points per game. A road trip to Alabama A&M comes next, followed by home games against Prairie View and Texas Southern.
359. Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (3-13)
Southern Indiana remains stuck in a difficult stretch, having lost eight straight games. The Screaming Eagles scored just 56 points in their most recent loss at home to UT Martin. Along with Western Illinois, Southern Indiana is still searching for its first conference win. Upcoming road games at Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State precede a key matchup later this month.
360. Chicago State Cougars (2-15)
Chicago State continues to be competitive but unable to close. An overtime loss to Stonehill and a narrow defeat against Fairleigh Dickinson highlighted another frustrating week. The Cougars’ lone Division I win remains a road victory at Loyola. Games against Le Moyne and New Haven are next, providing opportunities to change the narrative.
361. South Carolina State Bulldogs (2-15)
South Carolina State slips a few spots this week. The Bulldogs did pick up a home win over Howard recently but followed it with a five-point loss at Morgan State. Scoring 64.8 points per game while allowing 85 has kept margins thin. A road game at Coppin State opens a stretch with multiple home games on the schedule.
362. Coppin State Eagles (3-16)
Coppin State drops two spots after a loss to North Carolina Central in which the defense again struggled. A recent road win at Delaware State snapped an eight-game losing streak, but consistency remains elusive. The Eagles host South Carolina State on Monday night before heading to Maryland Eastern Shore.
363. Rider Broncs (1-13)
Rider continues to slide, now on a 14-game losing streak. The Broncs scored just 49 points in their most recent loss to Marist. On the season, Rider is averaging 60.8 points per game and fewer than 10 assists, a reflection of ongoing offensive struggles. Iona visits next, followed by a road trip to Saint Peter’s.
364. Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (2-16)
Gardner-Webb remains near the bottom after dropping four straight games. The Runnin’ Bulldogs allowed 104 points in their latest loss to High Point and have given up at least 83 points in eight consecutive games. Spence Sims leads the team at 11.1 points per game. Home games against Radford and Presbyterian are coming up.
365. Mississippi Valley Delta Devils (1-16)
Mississippi Valley stays at the bottom of the Busting Brackets rankings. The Delta Devils have struggled on both ends of the floor and remain winless in conference play. In their most recent loss, they scored 51 points and allowed 71. A road game at Texas Southern offers a chance to halt a 14-game losing streak before hosting Bethune.
Hurts to Be This Bad
No team plans on ending up here, but the Bottom 10 is part of the college basketball landscape. Every season has rebuilding programs, transitional rosters, and teams still searching for an identity. These rankings are not permanent, and history shows how quickly things can change.
For now, this is where these teams sit. The results support it, and the path forward is clear, even if it is steep. A few wins can shift momentum quickly, and that possibility is what keeps these teams pushing forward.
It is not glamorous, but it is part of the sport, and the Bottom 10 will look different before the season is over.
Dropped From the Rankings
- The Citadel Bulldogs (4-13)
Others in Consideration
- Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-13)
- UL Monroe Warhawks (3-15)
- North Florida Ospreys (2-15)
- Delaware State Hornets (5-12)
- Texas Southern Tigers (2-12)
- Morgan State Bears (4-12)
- Niagara Purple Eagles (4-12)
- Binghamton Bearcats (4-14)
- Saint Francis Red Flash (4-13)