College Basketball Top 25: 11/22/21

Welcome to another week of my college basketball rankings! There is a lot changed in these rankings due to many upsets and ranked wins over the last week. Michigan lost twice, so how do they fit in the top 25? All your questions regarding your teams will be answered right now:

  1. Gonzaga (4-0) (PREV: 1)

Gonzaga will face two challenges this week as they are scheduled to play UCLA and Duke. Win both of those games, and they don’t lose a single game.

  1. UCLA (4-0) (PREV: 2)

UCLA will have their rematch against Gonzaga on Tuesday. That Villanova win was huge for the Bruins. The Bruins are certainly one of the top teams so far.

  1. Purdue (5-0) (PREV: 7)

Purdue has the best resume out of anyone in the top 10. They beat North Carolina and Villanova back-to-back, with Zach Edey, Jaden Ivey, and Trevion Williams leading the way. The Boilermakers are LOADED.

  1. Duke (5-0) (PREV: 3)

Duke is undefeated, but their #4 ranking heavily relies on their opening-season win against Kentucky. They should experience a major test this week as they face Gonzaga in Las Vegas. They need to win either that game or the Ohio State game in order for them to have a successful non-conference slate.

  1. Kansas (3-0) (PREV: 4)

Kansas needs more competition in order for me to take them seriously. Yes, they beat Michigan State in Madison Square Garden. That’s their best win of the season. Only playing three games so far isn’t ideal, but they have the ESPN Events Invitational coming up, starting on Thursday.

  1. Villanova (3-2) (PREV: 6)

Villanova deserves to stay up here mainly because of how well they are scheduled. They have played three top 25 opponents so far, winning only one of the three games. However, both of those opponents are top 3 on my list. They are extremely battle-tested, which is key for the rest of the season. Now, they will play their Philadelphia rivals, which should be easy for Jay Wright’s squad. I am, however, concerned about Justin Moore’s ability to show up in important games. They need him badly.

  1. Texas (3-1) (PREV: 8)

Texas has won two straight games since losing by a dozen to an extremely talented Gonzaga team. They have a bunch of buy games, and they’re not in some major early-season tournament, which isn’t the greatest feeling. With time, this Longhorns team will keep getting better and better.

  1. Baylor (4-0) (PREV: 9)

A solid start for the defending National Champions. Baylor’s biggest win was a blowout win over Stanford on Saturday. Weak competition to begin the season. However, a loaded Battle 4 Atlantis bracket begins on Wednesday, with the Bears facing Arizona State in the opening round. I can’t wait for this tournament to start.

  1. Tennessee (3-1) (PREV: 15)

In my top 25, I take strength of schedule into account. I would put Kentucky here, but they have no good wins. That’s not the same for the Volunteers, who handled North Carolina with ease after losing to Villanova big. Kennedy Chandler will lead this team into some tough games throughout the season, but his teammates have shown up as well. Tennessee is my top SEC team so far.

  1. Houston (3-0) (PREV: 13)

The Cougars may have defeated Hofstra in overtime, but they have picked up the slack since, including a major blowout at home against Virginia. Butler will be another test for Houston, which is their first game of the Maui Invitational.

  1. Kentucky (3-1) (PREV: 11)

Kentucky needs to play some challenging opponents in their non-conference slate, because they have a bunch of easy games to start. Their only loss comes from a top 10 Duke team, while they have no quality wins. I’m yawning at their schedule until December 11, where they face Notre Dame. That will be the next test for John Calipari’s squad.

  1. Alabama (3-0) (PREV: 12)

Alabama is ranked #6 in tempo, shooting 61.2% from inside the arc. There is a lot of talent for Alabama, but how do they prove they are for real? Their best win came against South Dakota State, so they will need to find a way to get a game against Kansas in the ESPN Events Invitational.

  1. Memphis (4-0) (PREV: 14)

Memphis has now been ranked the #2 defense according to KenPom, with one of the best tempos, offensive rebounding percentage, and #2 in defensive block percentage. They’re not elite when it comes to offense, but defense does win championships. If they can beat Virginia Tech on Wednesday, they set themselves up with a top 25 matchup against Xavier.

  1. Illinois (2-1) (PREV: 10)

Marquette upset the Fighting Illini last week, but that was a team without Kofi Cockburn. He’s back tonight against Cincinnati. Andre Curbelo had one of the worst games I have ever seen from any guard.

  1. Arkansas (3-0) (PREV: 18)

Arkansas doesn’t have a great defense, but they are 3-0, with double-digit wins over each of their easy opponents. I hate that part about the start of the season. Too many cupcake teams playing the top teams. Eric Musselman has his team as one of the top defensive rebounding teams in the country, and they hope that can be key in major games. They face Kansas State in Kansas City tonight.

  1. Arizona (5-0) (PREV: N/A)

Arizona enters my top 25 for the first time this season. Welcome! Even though it took an overtime to beat Wichita State, they forced people to look at their team after blowing out Michigan. The Wildcats should start 6-0, but then they start conference play. Even that should be easy for Arizona.

  1. Seton Hall (3-0) (PREV: N/A)

Seton Hall looks legit so far. They blew out their first two opponents, then somehow upset Michigan in Ann Arbor. They are one of the best defensive teams when it comes to defending the 3, as well as effective field goals. Ohio State in Fort Myers should be another major test for the Pirates.

  1. St. Bonaventure (5-0) (PREV: 25)

St. Bonaventure looks extremely good, but they’re also one of the most experienced teams while others are looking to figure out their team. Winning the Charleston Classic was a huge step, with wins over Clemson, Boise State, and Marquette. Watch out for Kyle Lofton and the Bonnies.

  1. Michigan (3-2) (PREV: 5)

Michigan lost two of the last three games since last week, but both teams are hot and are in my top 25. Michigan losing at home to Seton Hall, even with a full-strength team, is a bad look for the Wolverines.

  1. Auburn (3-0) (PREV: 20)

Auburn has to play better, as they only beat USF by single digits. For a team as talented as them, they should be destroying South Florida. They’re top 10 in blocking, which probably comes from 7’1” Walker Kessler. They face UConn on Wednesday in their biggest game yet.

  1. UConn (4-0) (PREV: 21)

UConn looks legit through four games, but they were all against teams that aren’t even top 270 on KenPom. Adama Sanogo is a top big in the country, but they need to be tested. That will come when the Huskies face Auburn in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

  1. BYU (4-0) (PREV: N/A)

BYU not only beat Oregon, but they absolutely blew them out. The Cougars could be for real, with Alex Barcello leading the way. They have a big game this weekend as the Holy War takes the hardwood in Salt Lake City.

  1. Indiana (4-0) (PREV: 24)

Indiana should certainly move up in rankings, with Trayce Jackson-Davis leading the Hoosiers this season once again. Their biggest win comes against St. John’s but they need to play tougher teams. I’m sure they are waiting until conference play to make the national media open their eyes more.

  1. Florida (3-0) (PREV: 25)

Florida is only ranked because they haven’t lost and they have a huge win over Florida State. Colin Castleton is one of the best players in college basketball so far, so expect nothing less when Florida starts rolling their way into the Fort Myers Tip-Off championship game.

  1. Xavier (4-0) (PREV: N/A)

Paul Scruggs is one of the best players in the Big East, and there’s no doubt about that. Xavier earned themselves a spot in the top 25 with a convincing win over Ohio State. While the Buckeyes fell out of my top 25, they are still loaded with talent. Xavier has Iowa State next up.

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