NCAA Basketball: Alabama, Duke, Marquette rise in latest top 25 power rankings

No college basketball season is ever won in November, but this month is a great barometer for future months. Many of the prominent teams in the nation will be significantly tested during conference play later on in January and February and beyond, but this first month features a lot of easy tune-ups. There are still high-profile and challenging games, but no season is toast or threatened in the first three weeks of the season.

This is the season of opportunity for every team in the country. It’s a chance for some teams to understand and adjust their lineups against weaker foes, while the mid-majors get a great measuring stick with some tough road games against power conference opponents. We’re also hitting the point in the season with the holiday tournaments, as Feast Week presents immense excitement in events across the country and beyond.

Even after three weeks we still don’t have a firm idea on who truly will be the best teams in the nation this season. Many of those near the top of the preseason rankings will likely remain among the elite teams, but anything can happen in this sport. We’ve seen chaos even in just a few weeks, with upsets, spectacular performances, and plenty to think about even among that top-tier of teams.

With all of those things in mind, we’re taking another crack at our Top 25 rankings, keeping in mind that this remains a fluid process. Preseason expectations certainly still play a role for many people when considering these teams, though we have to pay attention to the results on the court. Both sides of that coin will be considered as we run through these teams and detail what they’ve done and what lies ahead.