College Basketball Power Rankings: UConn Tops

We are in a really fun zone for the season. The team found out more about themselves after his five weeks into the campaign. Marquee non-conference games still highlight the slate, and conference games are about to hit full steam across the country.

Here are the latest top 15 polls and some other college basketball tips.

1. U Conn (11-0)

The Huskies are one of seven teams to remain undefeated in the country, and the only undefeated team to win every game by double digits. Connecticut has no holes, no embarrassment of wealth, and a big man duo of Adama Sanogo and Donovan Cringan in the frontcourt. Andre Jackson’s athleticism and versatility are exceptional, and his contributions are beyond the stats on his sheet. His sophomore year at Jordan Hawkins has led a group that has vastly improved his shooting perimeter, and Dan Hurley now has the best basketball-playing group in the country. UConn visits Butler on Saturday at 7pm for his FS1.

2. Purdue (10-0)

The Boilermakers weathered difficult conditions on Saturday, defeating an improved Nebraska team 65-62 in Lincoln, Nebraska. In the past three games, freshman guard Fletcher Royer has combined for 52 points, 13 assists and just one turnover. There is no doubt that Zach Eady will be National Player of the Year at this point.

3. Arizona (8-1)

The Wildcats lead Saturday night’s showdown with Indiana in Las Vegas, leading the Hoosiers 89-75. Tommy Lloyd arguably has the best frontcourt duo in the country with Azuoras Tuberis and Oumar Baro, and on Saturday Pele Larsson showed how far he can raise the ceiling for this team with 16 points. rice field.

Four. Alabama (8-1)

The Crimson Tide knocked out Houston on Saturday’s road 71-65 for one of their best wins of the season. What made it even more impressive? Alabama trailed by 15 with over 17 minutes remaining. Freshman Noah Clowney was sensational, posting 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Five. Virginia (8-0)

The Cavaliers beat James Maddison 55-50 last Tuesday as Kihei Clarke showed interest in Tony Bennett’s side, scoring 18 points and seven assists. Hoos has his four players averaging 10-11.6 points per game. Their schedule levels up with a home game against Houston on Saturday.

6. Houston (9-1)

No, I didn’t jump off the Cougars just because they took their first loss. The problem with this team is that Marcus Sasser hasn’t found his attacking rhythm and Kelvin Sampson’s side has gone 12-44 in aggregate over the arc over the past three games. Cougars need to hit more shots because they are better on defense. Sometimes it’s so easy.

7. Tennessee (9-1)

Defense moves and volunteers are a prime example. They locked down Maryland in Brooklyn on Sunday and he scored a brave 56-53 victory over the Terrapins. Rick Burns’ team defensively outperforms any team in the country, and Olivier Enkamuir’s physicality cannot be overstated.

8. Kansas (9-1)

The defending national champions headed to Missouri for a reality check on Saturday, blowing the Tigers in the Border War 95-67. Jaylen Wilson played like a first-team All-American, scoring 24 points and he had 10 rebounds in the win. The Jayhawks host Indiana on Saturday and promise to be a big game at Allen Fieldhouse.

9. duke (10-2)

The way the Blue Devils dominated Iowa at Madison Square Garden last week was impressive. John Scheier feels like he has one of the highest ceilings teams in the country for the freshman class. Blue Devils has Kyle Filipowski and Dereck Lively II lengths. They have an alpha in Jeremy Roach. If Darik Whitehead keeps coming in the wing position, watch out.

Ten. texas (7-1)

The only time the Longhorns didn’t play at the Moody Center was a loss to Illinois State that failed to close. The Texas backcourt of Marcus Kerr and Tyrese Hunter shoots a lot and sometimes plays towards the hole. The loss to Illinois saw the duo collectively go 7-for-25 off the field. The arrest of Chris Beard on Monday morning and charges of third-degree assault against him have become a major issue for the Longhorn family.

[Related: Chris Beard arrested on felony family violence charge]

11. Arkansas (9-1)

Losing Trevon Brazil to a season-ending ACL injury hurt the Razorbacks, but Eric Musselman still has one of the best teams in the country. Ricky Council IV went from his AAC Sixth Man of the Year at Wichita State University to one of the Hoggs’ most important players. Against Oklahoma on Saturday, Jr. played 40 minutes and scored 26 points. Superstar freshmen Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh, and company stole a lot of headlines, but the Council had a strong presence via the portal.

12. Baylor (7-2)

Keyonte George is one of college basketball’s best freshmen. Last week against Tarleton State, the five-star 6-foot-4 guard had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Bears. Scott Drew’s team ranks 5th in the nation in KenPom Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. It’s the defensive end that’s interesting, and Baylor says he’s 47th. Can the Bears get closer to their DNA on the edge of the floor?

13. Gonzaga (7-3)

The Bulldogs have won three of their last four, with one loss being a one-point neutral-site loss to Baylor, a team one slot up. Julian Strother serves as a dynamic wing option for Mark Few’s offense that could also playoff against Drew Timm. The 6.7-foot junior posted his double-figure scoring streak in his fourth straight game, with his 18 points and 12 rebounds against Washington on Friday.

14. UCLA (8-2)

The Bruins are on a five-game winning streak, and 6-foot-5 junior guard Jalen Clarke has made a huge leap forward for Mick Cronin’s team. Clarke, who scored 24 points Saturday against Denver, increased from 6.7 points per game and 3.8 rebounds he had to 15.1 points per game and 6.1 boards per game. This week he gets to learn more about UCLA. The Bruins will travel to Maryland on Wednesday (9:00 PM FS1 ET) before taking on Kentucky at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

15. Indiana (8-2)

With a mix of Hoosiers, Illinois and Maryland, it was tough picking a team in this 15th slot. However, IU is chosen because the Hoosiers shouldn’t be criticized for losing to Arizona in Las Vegas. Are they going to Kansas for the big game on Saturday? That’s a tall order, but it’s a matchup they can win, as the Jayhawks have some issues with their frontcourt.

5 Other Observations About College Basketball

1. How about Chris Jans and 9-0 Mississippi State? The Bulldogs are just outside the top 15 votes and are one of the biggest surprises in college basketball. Senior forward Tolsmith is a name to watch, averaging 17 points and nine rebounds per game with the Bulldogs. They are an elite defensive team.

2. Do not sleep on Shaka Smart and Marquette. The Golden Eagles picked up another quality non-conference victory on Sunday, beating Notre Dame 79-64 at South Bend. Sophomore guard Cam Jones is one of the most underrated backcourt players in the country. On Sunday he scored his 25 points and had no turnovers in 35 minutes.

3. Memphis is a dangerous team, and Penny Hardaway’s group has a chief guard who pilots a ship named Kendrick Davis. In Saturday’s top-15 win over Auburn, the SMU transfer he tallied 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Can the Tigers make a statement in Alabama on Tuesday night?

4. Penn State has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2011, but the Nittany Lions have a wealth of experience, a well-rounded offense, and Mika Shrewsbury to break through this season’s drought. Saturday’s 15-point win in Illinois was very impressive, with Andrew Funk and Myles Dredd scoring a combined 11 points. Jalen Pickett is the driving force behind the team. He is averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game this season.

5. College Basketball Saturday is going to be a blast. The sport has five ranked versus ranked games scheduled (AP Top 25).

Noon ET: No. 14 Indiana vs. No. 8 Kansas

1:00 PM ET: No. 5 Houston vs. No. 2 Virginia

1:00 PM ET: No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 15 Gonzaga (Birmingham)

5:15 PM ET: No. 16 UCLA vs. No. 13 Kentucky (New York)

10:30 PM ET: No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 9 Arizona

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John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He has covered the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1, to serving as lead his host on the BIG EAST digital network and providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John Fanta.

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