Many teams survived scares this week, but conference play is coming up after the holidays. We almost have our complete non-conference picture for the 2024-25 season. Here's how things stand right now:
#1 - Tennessee: The Volunteers survived a nail-biter against Illinois. Many could say that the Illini missed out on a wicked opportunity. Still, a win is a win. Chaz Lanier is one of the nation's top transfers this year.
#2 - Iowa State: They did not lose, so they are going nowhere. I love how Iowa State is playing right now. They look like a Final Four team.
#3 - Duke: The Blue Devils continue to dominate. Cooper Flagg is being tested early, but his raw talent has shown. Yet, his teammate Kon Knueppel looks as NBA-ready as some seniors. They'll be hard to beat in March.
#4 - Auburn: The AP has them higher, but they lost to Duke last week. Still, they'll move up in the rankings once conference play starts. Johni Broome is a likely candidate for First Team All-America. They will face Purdue this week.
#5 - Alabama: They survived the storm of the non-conference with only a couple of blemishes. Now they have to endure an insane SEC conference. They should be a team to look out for in March.
#6 - Kentucky: This team is the one to watch. Lamont Butler is playing like a star. The only issue this team has is the injury to Kerr Kriisa. That's going to be a major question mark come March. They play Ohio State this week.
#7 - Florida: They're still undefeated. You can't question that. Florida is rolling right now. They'll play North Carolina this week.
#8 - Kansas: They are winning again, but so is everyone else. They'll have a lot to prove down the line.
#9 - Oklahoma: Undefeated. That's all you can say. The Sooners will get a hungry Michigan team this week.
#10 - Texas A&M: The Aggies got a surprise win against Purdue. That will elevate your confidence and your ranking very quickly. The SEC is very strong, so don't expect this to last. Still, Texas A&M is for real.
#11 - Marquette: This might be too harsh because Dayton has been destroying teams in the top ten during the non-conference schedule. Marquette does have one problem, though...the Big East is around the corner.
#12 - Houston: They did nothing wrong. Enough said.
#13 - Connecticut: Welcome back to the top fifteen UConn. The Huskies beat Gonzaga to secure two major wins before the Big East started. They needed this.
#14 - Oregon: Welcome to the Big Ten! Oregon has done well in the non-conference, but they have no idea what's waiting for them around the corner. Still, they're now the favorite going in. That can help a little bit.
#15 - Gonzaga: The Bulldogs drop after consecutive weeks of tough losses. Though, Gonzaga will make it up in conference play. They always do. They have UCLA before then.
#16 - Cincinnati: They won their rivalry game against Xavier. Congrats! Their reward? They play a dangerous Dayton team that has beaten UConn and Marquette. They're just loving life right now.
#17 - Ole Miss: They didn't lose and have Chris Beard. They do have to go to Memphis before conference play starts.
#18 - San Diego State: Again, they didn't lose. They shouldn't drop.
#19 - Illinois: I'm not sure how the Illini are not ranked. They beat a ranked Wisconsin team and lost to top-ranked Tennessee at the buzzer. Illinois is a top-twenty team that has hit a rough patch right now. They play Missouri in an anticipated Bragging Rights game in St. Louis.
#20 - Baylor: Baylor didn't lose, but the Big 12 schedule is coming. They need to be ready.
#21 - Purdue: They lost to Texas A&M. Now, they play Auburn this week. Purdue's not in a great spot going into a brutal Big Ten schedule.
#22 - Michigan State: Tom Izzo and company keep winning. That's important if they want to contend for a Big Ten title this year.
#23 - UCLA: The Bruins could move up more, but they haven't shown much other than the Oregon win. Their game against Gonzaga should tell us a lot more.
#24 - Missouri: The Tigers are on a hot streak. However, they will be in St. Louis for the Bragging Rights game against Illinois. That will be a challenge for both teams.
#25 - Mississippi State: Another outstanding SEC team. The Bulldogs are on the road this week as they face a tough Memphis team. This will be a true test.
#26 - Dayton: The Flyers are the surprise team this week. They toppled Marquette, the second top-ten team they have toppled this season. They also threatened Iowa State and North Carolina earlier this year. This team could be the surprise Final Four team we didn't know about. Cinderella stories in December? Who knew?
#27 - Memphis: Memphis beat Clemson this week to jump back into the rankings. They will play Mississippi State this week in a thriller.
#28 - Arkansas: Got a solid win against Michigan, but Arkansas still has more work to do to climb the ranking ladder. They are in a rough spot going into the SEC soon.
#29 - Michigan: They got beat, but it was a close one against a talented Arkansas team—no shame in that. The Wolverines will bounce back in Big Ten play.
#30 - Clemson: A loss to Memphis can happen. Clemson is still a great team with a chance to win the ACC this year.
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