My Own AP College Basketball Top 25 – 1/4/21

The College Basketball AP Top 25 always comes out every Monday of the season at noon. Since I’m not a voter, but still want to give my opinion on who should be in the top 25 and where, here’s my own top 25:

1. Gonzaga (10-0) One of the best offensive teams I’ve seen in a while. Easily the best team in the country. I don’t get why some of the AP voters vote for Baylor #1. Gonzaga has beat Kansas, Auburn, West Virginia, Iowa, and Virginia, all were highly ranked (besides Auburn, beating SEC teams are considered quality wins though). I think this team could possibly go undefeated for the entire regular season. The hardest part of their regular season schedule is past them. The Bulldogs just have West Coast Conference games to play. When you have Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Drew Timme, all considered some of the best in the country at their positions, on one team, you might not be surprised by their dominance.
2. Baylor (9-0) I wish Gonzaga and Baylor were able to play but unfortunately, COVID-19 has ruined a chance at the game of the year. Jared Butler is one of the best players in the country (#5 in the Kenpom.com Player of the Year standings currently), averaging 16 points per game (ppg). MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell both average similar numbers, but it’s clear that Jared Butler is the leader of this team. I’m interested to see how the Bears do in Big 12 play. I don’t think this team has been tested enough, playing only one ranked team all season (Illinois). The reason why I have them so high is that they didn’t lose much from last season, where they were one of the best teams in the country.
3. Villanova (8-1) The Wildcats haven’t played a game since December 23rd, but there’s no doubt that they take the #3 spot after Kansas fell to Texas at home. I’m very impressed by Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who is averaging 16.2 ppg (leads team), 7.6 rebounds per game (rpg) (leads team), and 0.6 blocks per game (bpg) (leads team). Kenpom.com has Robinson-Earl as the #7 player of the year. Collin Gillespie was named a preseason first-team all-American and he’s averaging 15.3 ppg (second-highest on the team), 4.2 assists per game (apg)(leads team), and 1.2 steals per game (spg) (leads team) They also beat a top-10 Texas team in Austin, which helps their resume. They beat a tough Marquette team, who beat Wisconsin and Creighton, both top 11 teams.
4. Texas (8-1) Texas upset #3 Kansas in Lawrence, and it wasn’t even close. This team is legit. Matt Coleman leads the team with 13.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, and 1.4 spg. The Longhorns also have freshman power forward Greg Brown (five-star recruit), who leads the team in rebounds (7.2 rpg) and blocks (1.3 bpg). They also have wins over formerly ranked North Carolina, unranked but talented Oklahoma State (led by top freshman Cade Cunningham), and NCAA tournament projected Indiana Hoosiers. Watch out Big 12, because the Longhorns are coming.
5. Kansas (8-2) I’m not sold on Kansas, but their wins are enough to stay in the top 5, as well as a lot of top 10 teams losing since the last AP Poll. Before being blown out at home by Texas, the Jayhawks beat Texas Tech on the road and West Virginia by 14 in Lawrence. Ochai Agbaji currently looks like the best player on the team, with a team-high of 3 Kenpom.com game MVPs and second in scoring (14.4 ppg) and assists (2.2 apg). He’s a good defensive guard, averaging 4.7 rebounds per game, 1 steal per game (3rd highest), and 0.7 blocks per game (3rd highest, by 0.2). Marcus Garrett is the guy who I hear the most, but I don’t see him producing as much as Agbaji.
6. Wisconsin (9-2) The Badgers lost to Maryland in Madison last Monday, but they make it up for it with a good win against #21 Minnesota, 71-59. Earlier this season, they beat Michigan State on the road and blew out Louisville who was ranked #23 at the time. D’Mitrik Trice is the biggest contributor, leading the team in scoring (14.2 ppg), assists (3.4 apg), and steals (1.1 spg). The Big Ten looks DEEP this year, with Wisconsin near the top of the conference.
7. Iowa (9-2) Luka Garza is the heavy favorite to win the Wooden Award, so I’m not surprised by how good the Hawkeyes are. Iowa’s on a two-game winning streak, both against ranked opponents. They beat #19 Northwestern significantly, but #14 Rutgers took the Hawkeyes to the final seconds at the RAC, where Iowa won by 2. This team goes beyond Garza (27.5 ppg, leads NCAA). Joe Wisekamp is a great complimenting guard to Garza and Jordan Bohannon moves the ball well.
8. Tennessee (7-1) Tennessee got a great away win over a red-hot Missouri team. They lost to Alabama by 8, but they only go down 1 spot.
9. Creighton (8-2) You may be wondering, “How did Creighton almost lose to Providence?” The Friars are well-coached and have one of the best players in the Big East, David Duke. Forward Damien Jefferson had 18 points, 6 steals, 3 assists, and 8 rebounds. Preseason Big East Player of the Year Marcus Zegarowski had a game-high of 20 points and 6 three-point shots made.
10. West Virginia (8-3) The Mountaineers experienced a road loss to unranked Oklahoma. Oscar Tshiebwe unexpectedly left the program, so it’s time for Derek Culver to lead this team deep. So why did they lose to Oklahoma if they’re a top 10 team? Umoja Gibson came off the bench and hit 8 threes for 29 points. He couldn’t miss. Culver had 2 points and I bet that Bob Huggins is going to make him run for that. Miles McBride had 15 and leads the team in most stats, so maybe there’s the guy that will step it up as we move into 2021 and more conference games.
11. Michigan (9-0) The Wolverines are still undefeated and just beat #19 Northwestern 85-66. Hunter Dickinson has emerged as a top 10 player in the country so far, averaging 16.6 points per game, 8.8 rpg, and 1.6 bpg. Watch out for Isaiah Livers, Franz Wagner, Eli Brooks, and Mike Smith. They all contribute well to this team.
12. Houston (8-1) Losing to Tulsa had to hurt. Losing Caleb Mills had to hurt. At least they still have Quentin Grimes and I don’t see the Cougars losing too many games in the weak AAC. Maybe a loss to SMU, but besides that, nothing really intimidates me for Houston.
13. Missouri (7-1) Missouri lost big to #7 Tennessee, but pick up a great win over Arkansas in Fayetteville. Xavier Pinson one of my favorite players to watch in the SEC. I also am shocked Kenpom.com has the Tigers at #41.
14. Illinois (8-3) Still one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Ayo Dosunmu is my favorite guard to watch not on UConn.
15. Minnesota (10-2) They may have lost to Wisconsin, but the Golden Gophers picked up 2 ranked wins over Michigan State and Ohio State since the last AP Poll came out. As I said, the Big Ten is CRAZY good. Marcus Carr (22.7 ppg) is one of the best players in the country.
16. Rutgers (7-2) Losing by 2 to Iowa hurts, but I can’t blame Rutgers- they did everything they could. One of mine and my grandfather’s favorite teams to watch and shout out Steve Pikiell.
17. Texas Tech (8-3) Cade Cunningham and the Cowboys upset Texas Tech, but Mac McClung is having his best collegiate season. I like how Chris Beard coaches, I’ve been a fan of him since they were making the run to the Final Four.
18. Virginia Tech (8-1) Got a conference win over Miami, and the win against Villanova early this season looks better and better. Keve Aluma is currently one of the best in ACC play.
19. Oregon (8-1) They haven’t lost a game since they lost to Missouri in the season opener. Eugene Omoruyi and Chris Duarte are some of the best players so far in the Pac-12.
20. Clemson (8-1) Clemson has only lost to Virginia Tech, but besides that, the Tigers have a strong start to the season. Aamir Simms is one of the best players early in conference play, leading Clemson in scoring and rebounds.
21. Alabama (7-3) Undefeated in the SEC and got a HUGE win over Tennessee. Good guard depth that includes Jahvon Quinerly.
22. Oklahoma (6-2) Players off the bench score high as the Sooners upset West Virginia. Austin Reaves leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists.
23. Virginia (5-2) Not sold on UVA. They have the talent and the ceiling, I need to see them play tougher teams. The ACC is significantly weaker this season.
24. Florida (5-1) The Gators are undefeated in the SEC and are on a two-game winning streak after losing to Florida State. The LSU win will certainly help them more than the Vanderbilt win.
25. Oklahoma State (7-2) The Big 12 is strong this year. Cade Cunningham is one of the most-talked about freshmen in the country and he certainly deserves the recognition he’s receiving. An upset win over Texas Tech and contending with Texas (losing by 3) does it for me.