College basketball rankings show that Auburn remains at the top, with Duke closely trailing behind. This past weekend was a showcase of thrilling matchups, featuring several top-10 teams as Selection Sunday approaches in just over three weeks. The national championship contenders demonstrated their strengths, while the depth of the SEC became increasingly evident.
Duke put on a commanding performance against Illinois, winning decisively with a score of 110-67 at Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils, recognized as the only team in the nation ranked in the top four for both offensive and defensive efficiency by KenPom, started strong, hitting 16 of their first 27 shots. This display reinforced their potential to claim the championship title in San Antonio this April.
Although Cooper Flagg faced some challenges, including foul trouble, the overall team performance overshadowed his quiet night. Duke’s defensive prowess, anticipated since preseason, was evident as they held the Fighting Illini to a dismal 0-for-16 from beyond the arc in the first half. With Isaiah Evans, Sion James, and Khaman Maluach contributing consistently, the Blue Devils proved hard to stop when their shots are falling.
Duke’s impressive victory over top-ranked Auburn earlier in the season further solidifies their position as a leading contender. They are a formidable force in the current landscape of college basketball.
In the Big 12, an Iowa State team missing its top scorers, Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert, put up a strong fight against Houston. However, the Cougars showcased their elite shot-making skills, ultimately sealing a 68-59 victory. Houston’s offensive efficiency ranks among the top seven in the nation, a testament to Kelvin Sampson’s coaching. L.J. Cryer stood out with 28 points, including five three-pointers, demonstrating the Cougars’ ability to score in critical moments.
Nate Bittle continued to be a significant challenge for opponents, scoring 23 points as the Ducks narrowly defeated the Badgers, 77-73.
The most notable statement of the weekend came from Tom Izzo and Michigan State, who defeated Michigan 75-62. This victory positioned the Spartans as frontrunners in the Big Ten regular-season championship. Freshman Jase Richardson emerged as a key player, contributing 21 points on efficient shooting.
Michigan State’s defensive strategy was impressive, limiting a top-30 offense to just 24 points in the second half on their home court.
In the SEC, Chaz Lanier’s explosive 30-point performance for Tennessee led them to a significant win against Texas A&M. His scoring ability, along with Zakai Zeigler’s contributions, positions the Volunteers as potential title contenders. Conversely, questions linger about the Aggies’ offensive consistency, raising doubts about their Final Four aspirations despite their top-10 ranking.
On the bubble, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt secured crucial wins against Mississippi State and Ole Miss, respectively. Mark Byington’s work with the Commodores has been remarkable, keeping them in contention for an NCAA bid. Meanwhile, SMU’s loss to Clemson and Wake Forest’s setback against NC State left both teams struggling, highlighting the ACC’s challenging position this season.
A new addition to the Top 25 this week is BYU. As discussed in the weekly roundtable, the Cougars have the potential to make a significant impact in March. Under head coach Kevin Young, who previously worked with the Phoenix Suns, BYU has developed a top-15 offense. They have won four straight games, including victories over Kansas and Arizona, propelling them into the upper tier of the Big 12 standings.
Their thrilling 96-95 win over Arizona at McKale Center was particularly noteworthy, as the Wildcats boasted an impressive home record of 58-5 since the 2021-22 season. Richie Saunders secured the win with two clutch free throws and led the team with 23 points. With a diverse scoring lineup, including Trevin Knell and promising freshmen, BYU demonstrated their ability to hit 14 three-pointers in that game.
This team has the momentum to advance deep into March Madness and is looking forward to the arrival of national No. 1 recruit A.J. Dybantsa next season.
Here’s the complete Top 25!
1. Auburn (25-2)
2. Duke (24-3)
3. Florida (24-3)
4. Houston (23-4)
5. Alabama (22-5)
6. Tennessee (22-5)
7. St. John’s (24-4)
8. Iowa State (21-6)
9. Michigan State (22-5)
10. Texas A&M (20-7)
11. Michigan (20-6)
12. Maryland (21-6)
13. Texas Tech (21-6)
14. Wisconsin (21-6)
15. Clemson (22-5)
16. Missouri (20-7)
17. Louisville (21-6)
18. Memphis (22-5)
19. Purdue (19-9)
20. Saint Mary’s (25-4)
21. Kentucky (18-9)
22. BYU (19-8)
23. Arizona (18-9)
24. Mississippi State (19-8)
25. Creighton (19-8)
