NCAA Basketball: UConn, Iowa State, Auburn rise in latest top 25 power rankings

1. Connecticut (31-3)

When Dan Hurley and his team cut down the nets last season, it was Connecticut’s fifth national title in the last 25 years, but something was different this time. It marked a return to form for a Huskies program in rough shape when Hurley took over six years ago. If this season has shown anything, they weren’t reverting to form after winning that title; they might be even better this year.

At the Big East Tournament, Connecticut did serious damage, first beating Xavier 87-60 in the quarterfinals. Six different Huskies were in double figures as they doomed a Musketeers team that was barely on the bubble. Friday’s semifinal was more exciting, but the Huskies held on for a 95-90 win over St. John’s. Tristen Newton had 25 points and 9 assists while Cam Spencer had 20 points and 9 assists himself. After a slow start in the finals, Connecticut secured another conference tournament title with a 73-57 win against Marquette, led by a 22-point, 16-rebound effort from Donovan Clingan.

There’s not much to say about the Huskies that hasn’t been said already. They lost just twice in a strong Big East and have looked dynamic on this current seven-game winning streak. Nobody has repeated as national championship since Florida back in 2007. Connecticut has a realistic shot with the talent they have on this team and the way they’ve played all season long. Watch out for this team in the coming weeks.

We’ve finished another deep dive into the Top 25 teams in the nation for this week. Do you agree with how we’ve selected and ranked the teams based on this week’s games? Which of these teams are going to make the biggest impact as the NCAA Tournament begins next week?