The men’s college basketball season is a wild ride, and I’m here to sort it out every Sunday.
With so many big games each week — plus emerging stars carrying their teams toward March — the men’s college hoops schedule and many storylines is a lot to keep track of. I’m here to make sense of the big picture.
My top 25 rewards toughness, experience and identity — not preseason hype or brand names. I’ll be bold, I may surprise you, but I’ll also have receipts. Most of all, expect a ranking built for the long haul. Each week, I’ll reset the landscape, cut through the noise and tell you what actually matters as the season evolves.
[2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament Projections: Vanderbilt Joins Mike DeCourcy’s No. 1 Seeds]
With that, right here’s the fifth version of my males’s faculty basketball rankings, as of Jan. 4:
25. Kentucky Wildcats (9-5)
Beforehand ranked: 21
(Photograph by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Photos)
I used to be so excited final Saturday after I noticed them wholesome towards St John’s for the primary time all season. Then they performed Alabama and watched the Crimson Tide rain 15 3-pointers on their heads. Kentucky remains to be one of many extra proficient groups within the SEC, however a 9-5 document at this level just isn’t what BBN was anticipating.
24. Villanova Wildcats (12-2)
Beforehand ranked: NR
The Wildcats make their debut in my prime 25, edging out UCF as the opposite potential newcomer. Villanova is 12-2, their solely 2 losses have come towards BYU and Michigan. They’ve began Massive East play 3-0, with 2 of these approaching the highway. Sophomore guard Bryce Lindsay has been extremely constant as their lead guard.
23. Georgia Bulldogs (13-1)
Beforehand ranked: 24
A top-25 offense that performs at a breakneck pace (second in tempo nationally) is loads of enjoyable to observe. The Bulldogs beat Auburn in extra time on Saturday, led by guard Jeremiah Wilkinson’s 31 factors.
22. Virginia Cavaliers (12-2)
Beforehand ranked: 22
The Cavs had an up-and-down week, shedding in triple-overtime to Virginia Tech however bouncing again to beat a stable NC State crew on the highway by 15 factors. Virginia made 13 2-pointers and 13 3-pointers within the win and had been led by Sam Lewis’ 23 factors in simply 25 minutes of enjoying time. The ACC isn’t as unhealthy as I assumed it was earlier than the season began.
21. Louisville Cardinals (11-3)
Beforehand ranked: 17
The Cardinals had been routed by outdated rival, Cal, by 20 factors however then misplaced to my alma mater, Stanford, on Saturday. Louisville remains to be lacking its most important participant, guard Mikel Brown, who has not performed within the final 4 video games on account of a decrease again situation. When he performs, Louisville is 9-1. When he sits out, the Cardinals are 2-2.
20. Tennessee Volunteers (10-4)
Beforehand ranked: 19
(Photograph by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Photos)
The Volunteers misplaced to Arkansas on the highway. No disgrace in that. Tennessee nonetheless owns the No. 11 protection within the nation, but it surely couldn’t cease Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff. The Vols have a number of underclassmen of their rotation that proceed to develop, together with freshmen ahead Nate Ament and guard Amari Evans.
19. Iowa Hawkeyes (12-2)
Beforehand ranked: 25
They blew out a stable UCLA crew at dwelling on Saturday, as Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz barely out-dueled Bruins guard Donovan Dent. The Hawkeyes’ solely two losses this season have come on the highway towards Michigan State and Iowa State. This crew is approach higher than I assumed it might be.
18. Kansas Jayhawks (10-4)
Beforehand ranked: 14
The Jayhawks misplaced their convention opener versus a stable UCF crew on the highway. Freshman guard Darryn Peterson returned from harm and did his job, scoring 26 factors in simply 23 minutes. Kansas nonetheless ranks as a top-10 protection in KenPom, but it surely nonetheless has extra to show.
17. North Carolina Tar Heels (13-2)
Beforehand ranked: 13
The Tar Heels suffered their second lack of the season by getting dominated by SMU. The protection allow them to down, because the Mustangs shot 60% for the sport and made 14 3-pointers. They’ve per week to arrange for his or her subsequent dwelling sport towards Wake Forest.
16. Arkansas Razorbacks (11-3)
Beforehand ranked: 20
The Razorbacks picked up a very nice win towards Tennessee. The fabulous freshmen duo of Acuff and guard Meleek Thomas mixed for 47 factors. The Hogs’ three losses (to Houston, Duke and Michigan State) are all respectable. They may be too low in my rankings.
15. Texas Tech Pink Raiders (11-3)
Beforehand ranked: 18
(Photograph by Ishika Samant/Getty Photos)
The Pink Raiders are discovering their stride. After their large win final Saturday versus Duke, they adopted with a 22-point rout over a stable Oklahoma State crew. It was some of the balanced offensive video games of the yr with six guys scoring 9 factors or extra. Christian Anderson had a career-high 13 assists. He’s a top-5 level guard within the sport.
14. Illinois Illini (11-3)
Beforehand ranked: 15
Illinois beat a struggling Penn State crew on the highway by eight. Its protection is getting higher, little by little. In the event you haven’t seen, heart Zvonimir Ivisic has 11 blocks in his final three video games and has been the anchor.
13. Michigan State Spartans (12-2)
Beforehand ranked: 10
Michigan State misplaced its second sport of the season in a low-scoring battle at Nebraska, 56-58. The Spartans personal the fifth-best protection within the sport, and that offers them an opportunity each evening towards one of the best groups in America. Ahead Jaxon Kohler’s final two video games: 7-10 from 3-point land.
[MORE COLLEGE HOOPS: Michigan State HC Tom Izzo Praises Nebraska Fans Court Storming]
12. Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-0)
Beforehand ranked: 16
I perceive Cornhuskers followers had been mad they had been nonetheless ranked behind Illinois final week, regardless that they beat the Illini in Champaign. I simply wanted to see extra earlier than I absolutely purchased in. I’m formally on board now, as Nebraska gained a grinder over Michigan State, led by Rienk Mast, who broke out of a mini-shooting stoop and drilled six triples from the middle place.
11. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3)
Beforehand ranked: 12
They continue to be some of the harmful groups in America and confirmed why towards Kentucky. Guard Aden Holloway has put up back-to-back 26-point performances. Alabama’s three setbacks are to top-10 groups in Arizona, Purdue and Gonzaga. If I had to decide on immediately, I feel they’re my option to win the SEC.
10. Vanderbilt Commodores (14-0)
Beforehand ranked: 11
(Photograph by Carly Mackler/Getty Photos)
I perceive that Vandy’s schedule doesn’t come near Alabama’s, however the Commodores are 14-0 whereas rating fifth at KenPom. They’re beating practically everybody by double digits. They beat South Carolina on the highway by 12, led by guard Tyler Tanner’s 19 factors and 14 assists (just one turnover). Subsequent up is a house sport versus Alabama. Let’s go!
9. Houston Cougars (13-1)
Beforehand ranked: 9
Houston trailed at halftime by 5 factors at Cincinatti on Saturday, however its backcourt combo of guards Kingston Flemings and Milos Uzan carried them dwelling. Successful a highway sport when your main scorer (guard Emanuel Sharp) goes 0-9 from the sphere is spectacular. Subsequent up is a superb matchup towards Texas Tech on Tuesday.
8. BYU Cougars (13-1)
Beforehand ranked: 8
BYU is among the most pleasurable groups to observe. The Cougars beat Kansas State by 10 factors on the highway to begin convention play. Freshman ahead A.J. Dybantsa was nice once more (24 factors), however huge man Keba Keita was a wrecking-ball beneath and completed with 11 factors and 16 rebounds. The Massive 12 is so good on the prime.
7. Duke Blue Devils (13-1)
Beforehand ranked: 7
The Blue Devils weathered 14 triples from Florida State and pulled out the highway victory. Ahead Cameron Boozer was superior once more with 17 factors, 9 assists and 4 steals. The largest growth was guard Isaiah Evan’s season-high 28 factors and freshman guard Dame Sarr’s 13 factors off the bench. Can the function gamers try this towards one of the best groups within the nation?
6. Gonzaga Bulldogs (16-1)
Beforehand ranked: 5
The 14-1 Zags dropped one spot as a result of they wanted extra time to beat a Seattle U crew in Spokane on Friday evening. That’s not an enormous deal, however the prime of those rankings are so crowded. The Bulldogs are favored by DOUBLE DIGITS in each convention sport besides their final of the season at Saint Mary’s. They’re a close to lock for a No. 1 seed within the NCAA event.
5. Purdue Boilermakers (13-1)
Beforehand ranked: 6
(Photograph by John Fisher/Getty Photos)
The Boilermakers smashed Wisconsin on the highway, and guard Braden Smith grew to become the all-time Massive Ten help chief. It’s an unimaginable accomplishment for somebody who wasn’t a top-100 recruit popping out of highschool. Purdue owns the No. 1 offense within the land. To me, there’s a separation between the top-4 groups in America and the remainder, however Purdue is a transparent Last 4 contender.
4. Iowa State Cyclones (14-0)
Beforehand ranked: 4
Iowa State beat a mean West Virginia crew by 21-points on Friday evening to start convention play. Ahead Milan Momcilovic exploded for eight triples, and ahead Joshua Jefferson had a triple-double. That is one of the best crew coach T.J. Otzelberger has had throughout his time in Ames.
3. UConn Huskies (14-1)
Beforehand ranked: 3
The Huskies had a nasty capturing evening (5-24 from past the arc) versus Marquette, but nonetheless blew the Golden Eagles out by 16 factors. UConn is nearly nearly as good as Michigan and Arizona. The Massive East just isn’t even near the standard of the Massive 12 or the Massive Ten. An undefeated document in convention play is on the desk.
2. Arizona Wildcats (14-0)
Beforehand ranked: 2
The undefeated Wildcats hammered Utah on the highway by 19 factors. Arizona is a relentless group and my favourite sixth man within the nation is Tobe Awaka. The 6-foot-8 ahead had 18 factors and 12 rebounds off the bench. Arizona owns the third finest protection in America.
1. Michigan Wolverines (13-0)
Beforehand ranked: 1
(Photograph by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Photos)
The Wolverines embarrass groups. Their newest sufferer was a very good USC Trojan crew that would barely get a shot off within the first 5 minutes and trailed 11-0. Michigan gained by 30 factors… which is its common margin of victory for the season! Ahead Yaxel Lendeborg and heart Aday Mara are two of one of the best transfers within the nation. Dusty Could can actually coach, too.
Casey Jacobsen is a nationwide faculty basketball reporter and analyst for FOX Sports activities. He was a three-time All-Pac-10 choice at Stanford and a First-Crew All-American as a sophomore. Comply with him at @cjacobsen23.
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