NCAA Power Rankings and Bracketology
NCAA Men’s Basketball Power Rankings #1-10
1. Gonzaga (22-0)
Since Baylor has been shut down, and Gonzaga has been blowing people out, it is no surprise that the Bulldogs remain at number one in the power rankings. An undefeated season is inevitable at this point with only Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount left on the schedule.
Jalen Suggs was just named a finalist for the Cousy Award. It is just the start of what should be a very busy award season for Gonzaga players.
2. Baylor (17-0)
Baylor will return to action against Iowa State. After Iowa State, the Bears will get two good tests against West Virginia and at Kansas.
I will not be quite as easy for Baylor to finish undefeated as it is Gonzaga. If the Bears lose one of those two games, will Michigan jump them for the second spot?
3. Michigan (16-1)
The Wolverines and Buckeyes battled on Sunday in what was the game of the year so far in college basketball. Both teams shot the ball extremely well and it looked like a Final Four quality game.
It is increasingly obvious why these two teams are in the top four in the college basketball power rankings. Michigan doesn’t get any time off after facing Ohio State, as they host Iowa and Illinois and travel to Indiana in the next eight days.
4. Ohio State (18-5)
While the Buckeyes fell at home to Michigan, they were impressive enough to keep the number four spot. The Fighting Illini are breathing down their next for the fourth spot in the power rankings and the last number one seed.
Like Michigan, Ohio State gets to face Iowa and Illinois to finish the regular season. It is going to be a fun race to the finish in the Big Ten conference.
5. Illinois (16-5)
Illinois has now won seven straight games and is coming close to passing Ohio State in the power rankings and on the seed line. Ayo Dosunmu is coming off his second triple-double of the season and was just named a finalist for the Cousy Award.
Dosunmu will most likely win the award, edging out Baylor’s Jared Butler and Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs. The Fighting Illini have two games they should win against Michigan State and Nebraska, before three very important games against Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State to finish the regular season.
Illinois will need to win all five to have a realistic chance of catching Michigan for the regular
season title. No matter what happens this Illinois team will be dangerous in March.
6. Iowa (17-6)
As much as I hate to do it because of the Hawkeyes awful defense, I’m moving them up three spots in the power rankings. After a rough stretch, Iowa has reeled off four straight victories.
The Hawkeyes will find out if they have fixed some of their issues with back-to-back games against Michigan and Ohio State. Luka Garza’s National Player of the Year hopes ride on how well his Iowa team can finish the season.
7. Alabama (18-5)
The Crimson Tide have rolled up one spot to seventh in the power rankings. Alabama took the foot off the gas against Vanderbilt and only won by four at home.
The Crimson Tide finish the regular season with games against Arkansas, Mississippi State and Auburn. Alabama should win all three and bring home an SEC title and a number two seed in the NCAA Tournament.
8. Houston (18-3)
The Cougars fell two spots after dropping a contest on the road against Wichita State. Houston took it out on Cincinnati with a 90-52 beatdown.
It was analytically the Cougars best game of the season, but the loss to Wichita State probably cost Kelvin Sampson’s club a shot at a two seed. Houston will need to win out and win the AAC tournament to get back into a conversation for a two seed.
9. Virginia (15-5)
The Cavaliers dropped three spots in the power rankings after dropping a pair of road games to Florida State and Duke. Virginia played well offensively against Duke, but couldn’t get enough stops.
After two outstanding defensive performances against Georgia Tech and North Carolina, the usually terrific Virginia defense has looked mediocre the last two games. If Virginia wants to get to the Elite 8, or even a Final Four, they are going to need to get back to having an elite defense.
10. Villanova (14-3)
The Wildcats remain at number 10 in the power rankings after a win over UConn. Villanova point guard Collin Gillespie was named a finalist for the Cousy Award.
You will notice a theme with teams in the top 10 and having an elite point guard. Cade Cunningham of Oklahoma State is the only finalist who is not on a top 10 team in our power rankings.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Power Rankings #11-25
11. San Diego State
12. Colorado
13. Loyola-Chicago
14. Oklahoma +5
15. Creighton +1
16. Wisconsin -2
17. USC -2
18. Florida State +3
19. West Virginia +1
20. Tennessee -2
21. Texas Tech -4
22. Kansas +1
23. Arkansas +1
24. Purdue (NEW)
25. Texas -3
NCAA Men’s Basketball Bracketology
Keep in mind where the power rankings are more about how good I think teams actually are, bracketology is putting them where I think the committee would have them if the season ended today.
1 Seeds
Gonzaga, Baylor, Michigan and Ohio State
2 Seeds
Illinois, Alabama, Villanova and Iowa
3 Seeds
Oklahoma, Houston, West Virginia and Florida State
4 Seeds
Creighton, Virginia, Tennessee, and USC
5 Seeds
Kansas, Texas, Wisconsin and Texas Tech
6 Seeds
Purdue, Colorado, Virginia Tech and BYU
7 Seeds
Arkansas, Loyola-Chicago, Florida and Missouri
8 Seeds
Oklahoma State, Clemson, San Diego State and Rutgers
9 Seeds
LSU, UCLA, North Carolina and Maryland
10 Seeds
St. Bonaventure, Drake, Oregon and Boise State
11 Seeds
Louisville, Seton Hall, Xavier and Richmond
12 Seeds
Saint Louis/Minnesota, UConn/VCU, Toledo and Western Kentucky
13 Seeds
Belmont, Wright State, UC Santa Barbara and Colgate
14 Seeds
UNC Greensboro, Liberty, Winthrop and South Dakota State
15 Seeds
Grand Canyon, Abilene Christian, UMBC and Texas State
16 Seeds
Prairie View A&M/North Carolina A&T, Wagner/Siena, James Madison, Eastern Washington
- First Four Out: Stanford, Colorado State, Utah State, Indiana
- Next Four Out: Duke, Wichita State, Georgia Tech and Syracuse
