As we sit on the doorstep of Christmas, the holiday season envelops everyone with tidings of comfort and joy. However, even though this great sport of college basketball takes a brief pause next week, there’s no place for complacency for any of the teams around the nation. Some learn that lesson the hard way with lackluster performances, but rough showings in late December can absolutely tank a season or upend a resume.
We’re still more than two months away from Selection Sunday and most leagues haven’t even begun conference play. Clearly, we’re far away from any team tanking their season, but our point remains the same. These games matter just as much as the ones do in a few months, especially to those teams that end up right on the bubble. Again, we’re far away from those types of conversations but that doesn’t mean it’s not important to remember.
Instead we’re taking notice from what these teams have shown us through nonconference play. Some programs really stood out with notable wins or fierce performances against strong schedules. Others may have stayed at home and beaten up on weaker teams while flailing in their real challenges. Regardless of how nonconference play went, everyone faces the same challenge in the weeks ahead and we’ll truly get a taste of which teams are the best this season.
Based on what we’ve already seen, we’re taking another crack at who exactly is the best with this week’s update to our Top 25 NCAA Basketball rankings. Obviously, more than these 25 teams are having solid starts to their season, but we only have time to dive into and recognize the very best three weeks into December. These rankings will drastically change in the weeks ahead, especially as leagues like the Big 12 and SEC begin their battles, but for now, enjoy our update on the best of the best.