College basketball rankings: Tennessee and Auburn fight for No. 1, Kansas back in top 10.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is buzzing with excitement as it showcases an impressive out-of-league season, positioning itself to send a significant number of teams to the NCAA Tournament. With the potential for 12 to 13 SEC teams to make the cut, Saturday’s thrilling matchups saw the league dominate with a remarkable 13-1 record.
So, who stands out: Tennessee or Auburn?
Tennessee, the reigning No. 1 team, remains at the top this week. In a nail-biting game against Illinois, the Volunteers faced adversity when their top two guards fouled out. Chaz Lanier left the game with just 3:40 remaining, followed by Zakai Zeigler’s fifth foul just seconds before the final buzzer. Despite the challenges, Jordan Gainey stepped up, driving coast-to-coast for a layup that secured a thrilling 66-64 victory.
Gainey, a transfer from South Carolina Upstate, showed his prowess by scoring 23 points. Lanier, hailing from North Florida, continued to impress with 17 points, reinforcing a trend: Coach Rick Barnes effectively utilizes the transfer portal to enhance his roster. Notably, Dalton Knecht, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, played a pivotal role in leading the Volunteers to an Elite Eight finish last season. With a perfect 10-0 record, Tennessee is poised to enter conference play at 13-0.
Auburn may not hold the No. 1 spot currently, but there’s a strong case for Bruce Pearl’s squad as a contender for the nation’s best. The rankings are razor-thin, with a 51-49 split favoring Tennessee, largely due to the Volunteers’ flawless record and their recent road triumph against a solid Illinois team.
Auburn’s Johni Broome is making headlines as a leading candidate for national player of the year. In a commanding 91-53 victory over Ohio State, Broome recorded an impressive 21 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks—marking the Tigers’ first 20-20 game since 1989. The team’s offensive firepower is undeniable, highlighted by explosive performances from guards like Denver Jones and freshman Tahaad Pettiford, who collectively contributed to a 13-for-30 shooting display from beyond the arc. With the No. 1 offense in the country according to KenPom and a solid defensive ranking at 12th, Auburn’s ability to score at a high rate makes them a formidable opponent.
Here are five quick takeaways from an exhilarating weekend of college basketball.
A New Freshman Star Emerges
Liam McNeeley has made a name for himself as one of the top freshmen in the nation, ranking just behind Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ standout Dylan Bailey. McNeeley’s stellar 26-point, 8-rebound, 4-assist performance, with zero turnovers, was instrumental in UConn’s 77-71 victory over Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden. This win marks UConn’s third consecutive positive result.
Notably, McNeeley’s accomplishment of scoring 25-plus points without turnovers is a first for a Connecticut freshman since Shabazz Napier in 2012. This performance has propelled the Huskies back into the top 15 rankings after struggling at the Maui Invitational.
Kudos to Coach Dan Hurley and his team for their rapid adaptation. Despite losing starting center Samson Johnson to concussion protocol and facing foul trouble with Tarris Reed, they found a way to win, showcasing significant defensive improvement along the way.
Texas A&M Proves Its Mettle
Texas A&M displayed resilience in a hard-fought 70-66 victory over Purdue. Playing in a pseudo road game in Indianapolis, the Aggies out-rebounded the Boilermakers 34-23, showcasing their physicality. Pharrel Payne, a Minnesota transfer, shone with 16 points on a perfect shooting night. Coach Buzz Williams’ team has now won five consecutive games against high-major opponents, solidifying their place in the top 15.
Mark Pope’s Impact on Kentucky
In a historic matchup, Kentucky triumphed over Louisville for the 14th time in their last 17 encounters, winning 93-85 in Lexington. Under Coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats have transformed their offensive strategy, allowing different players to shine. Lamont Butler, a San Diego State transfer, stood out with 33 points on an impressive 10-of-10 shooting performance, earning him national player of the week honors.
Dayton’s Remarkable Upset
The Dayton Flyers pulled off a stunning upset, coming back from a 13-point deficit to defeat No. 6 Marquette 71-63. This victory solidifies Dayton’s status as a top 20 team and a strong candidate for an at-large bid in the Atlantic 10.
Concerns for Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats are struggling with a 4-5 record, raising concerns among fans. After a disappointing loss to UCLA, who rallied from 13 points down, the Wildcats are in a precarious position. UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau was instrumental in the comeback, finishing with 17 points, while the Bruins now sit at 9-1, making them serious contenders in the Big Ten.
Let’s dive into the latest Top 25 rankings!
1. Tennessee Volunteers (10-0)
The Volunteers are recognized as the best defensive team in the nation. Under Coach Rick Barnes, they consistently demonstrate strong defensive skills. Additionally, they rank in the top 15 nationally for offense in KenPom, and Chaz Lanier is considered one of the top five players in college basketball.
2. Auburn Tigers (9-1)
Auburn’s next big challenge is against Purdue in Birmingham. If they secure this win, they will enter SEC play with only one loss, which is commendable.
3. Iowa State Cyclones (9-1)
The Cyclones demonstrated their resilience by overcoming a 13-point deficit to defeat their archrival Iowa 89-80. Joshua Jefferson, a transfer from Saint Mary’s, continues to shine with a strong performance, tallying 19 points and 10 rebounds.
4. Kentucky Wildcats (10-1)
Mark Pope’s impact on the Wildcats is evident, as they have transformed into a top-4 team in the nation. Big Blue Nation is optimistic about their future under Pope’s leadership.
5. Duke Blue Devils (8-2)
The Blue Devils recently defeated Incarnate Word 72-46, showcasing a strong performance from freshman Khaman Maluach, who scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Their next matchup is against George Mason.
6. Florida Gators (10-0)
The Gators maintained their undefeated status with an 83-66 victory over Arizona State. Walter Clayton played a significant role, contributing 25 points to the win.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-2)
Alabama secured another quality win by defeating Creighton 83-75. Mark Sears had an outstanding game, scoring 27 points, while Kansas transfer Labaron Philon added 16 points and five rebounds.
8. Marquette Golden Eagles (9-2)
The Golden Eagles faced a tough opponent in Dayton, and while they lost, they should not be heavily criticized for their performance.
9. Houston Cougars (6-3)
Despite ranking No. 15 in the AP due to three losses, Houston remains a formidable team, holding top-4 positions in both KenPom and Torvik metrics.
10. Kansas Jayhawks (8-2)
Kansas bounced back with a strong 75-60 win over NC State, led by Hunter Dickinson’s 21 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Zeke Mayo also shined with 26 points, showcasing the depth of talent on the roster.
11. UConn Huskies (8-3)
12. Texas A&M Aggies (9-2)
13. Ole Miss Rebels (9-1)
14. Oklahoma Sooners (10-0)
15. UCLA Bruins (9-1)
16. Oregon Ducks (10-1)
17. Purdue Boilermakers (8-3)
18. Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-3)
19. Dayton Flyers (9-2)
20. Memphis Tigers (8-2)
21. San Diego State Aztecs (7-2)
22. Arkansas Razorbacks (9-2)
23. Michigan Wolverines (8-2)
24. Michigan State Spartans (8-2)
25. Cincinnati Bearcats (8-1)
FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience 
