Saturday was a huge day in college basketball, where the SEC-Big 12 Challenge happened. The Big 12 why the conference is the best with a 7-4 victory over the SEC. We finally have a true No. 1 team in college basketball, with Purdue continuing to win while Alabama lost to Oklahoma. Find out more about the rankings for this week right now:
- Purdue (21-1) (PREV: 2)
The Boilermakers have the fifth-longest winning streak in the nation with eight wins in a row. Zach Edey put up a 38-point, 13-rebound performance yesterday in the win over Michigan State. Purdue has only lost once this year, and they could potentially win out, with their toughest games remaining being at Indiana and Maryland. This week, they host Jalen Pickett and Penn State on Wednesday before traveling two hours south to face Indiana on Saturday.
- Tennessee (18-3) (PREV: 4)
The Volunteers were one of the only SEC teams to win in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge, defeating Texas on Saturday in Knoxville, which included a 27-point performance from Olivier Nkamhoua. Tennessee will go on the road on Wednesday to take on Florida, then host Auburn at home on Saturday.
- Houston (20-2) (PREV: 2)
The Cougars bounced back after a home loss to Temple with back-to-back wins over UCF and Cincinnati, the latter being in comeback fashion. Houston has two road games this week against Wichita State and Temple on Thursday and Sunday respectively.
- Arizona (19-3) (PREV: 9)
Arizona has now won four straight after losing to Oregon on January 14. They have been led by Azuolas Tubelis, who is an All-American player right now. The Wildcats look to avenge their road loss to the Ducks on Thursday in Tucson. They will then host Oregon State on Saturday.
- Alabama (18-3) (PREV: 6)
Alabama is one of the best teams in college basketball, but they drop a few spots after losing to Oklahoma on Saturday. That snapped a nine-game win streak which included wins over Mississippi State, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Missouri. Not only did the Crimson Tide lose, but the game wasn’t close at all. Alabama will have a chance to bounce back tomorrow at home against Vanderbilt, then go on the road to face LSU on Saturday.
- Virginia (16-3) (PREV: 14)
Virginia has now won six straight, with their most recent win coming against Boston College by 19 points. The Cavaliers will have a tough challenge as they are on the road this week against Syracuse tonight and rival Virginia Tech on Saturday.
- Kansas State (18-3) (PREV: 10)
Jerome Tang is my pick for National Coach of the Year currently, and despite the road loss on Tuesday to Iowa State, the Wildcats have been phenomenal lately. Markquis Nowell is one of my favorite guards in college basketball, and Keyontae Johnson has broken out as another star on this team. They bounced back on Saturday with a home win against Florida, but have a tough week coming up. They will go down the road to Lawrence in a rematch against Kansas, then host Texas on Saturday. Two major tests for Kansas State this week.
- Kansas (17-4) (PREV: 1)
The Jayhawks lost three straight games, all coming against strong teams in the Big 12. Kansas was due for a win, and they got a good one in Lexington against Kentucky on Saturday. Jalen Wilson has moved up as the frontrunner for Big 12 Player of the Year, as he seemed to carry the Jayhawks lately. Kansas will return to Allen Fieldhouse tomorrow night for a huge Big 12 matchup against Kansas State, who handed them an overtime loss nearly two weeks ago. They’re back on the road on Saturday as they look to sweep Iowa State.
- Texas (17-4) (PREV: 11)
The Longhorns fell to the red-hot Volunteers on Saturday on the road, but Marcus Carr has looked more and more like one of the best players in the conference. He may not be the best guard, but he’s one of them. Texas has a big game at home tonight against Baylor, an important game for their home schedule. They also will go on the road on Saturday against Kansas State in hopes of avoiding a sweep.
- UCLA (17-4) (PREV: 7)
The Bruins are on a two-game losing streak after having one of the longest win streaks in the country this season. Both games were tough road games against Arizona and USC, but Mick Cronin needs to prove that he can take UCLA to big wins this season. They will host the two Washington Pac-12 teams this week with an opportunity of sweeping both of them in just three days.
- Baylor (16-5) (PREV: N/A)
Baylor was a team I doubted a lot this season, especially once Big 12 play began. However, since beginning 0-3 in the conference, the Bears haven’t lost since, including big wins over West Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas, and, most recently, Arkansas. Two in-state battles are coming up this week at Texas tonight then at home against Texas Texas on Saturday.
- Gonzaga (18-4) (PREV: 8)
That loss to Loyola Marymount does hurt, but the Zags can overcome that loss by winning out in the conference. However, it won’t be so easy with how good Saint Mary’s has been all season. Drew Timme must play a huge role on Saturday as the Bulldogs travel to Moraga to take on the Gaels.
- Marquette (17-5) (PREV: 21)
Marquette is ranked the top offense in college basketball and that’s thanks to Tyler Kolek, who’s arguably the best guard in the Big East. They have won eight of their last nine games, the one loss being at Xavier, and three in a row. The Golden Eagles will stay at home this week with two matchups against Villanova and Butler respectively.
- Xavier (17-5) (PREV: 12)
Xavier has Final Four potential, with the best starting lineup in the country. The starting lineup is so good, you could argue they all could be all-Big East players. The Musketeers had what Sean Miller claimed as the “best win of the season” against UConn inside a rocking Gampel Pavilion where the Huskies nearly came back after being down 17 points. Maybe Xavier has shown more weakness in that second half because they got destroyed by Creighton on Saturday afternoon. The Musketeers look to bounce back with two games back in Cincinnati against Providence and St. John’s.
- TCU (16-5) (PREV: 16)
The Horned Frogs lost in overtime on the road to Mississippi State, but that shouldn’t stop you from still thinking TCU is one of the best teams in the Big 12. Mike Miles is an all-Big 12 guard, but he and his team need to prove that they’re deserving of their ranking this week against West Virginia and Oklahoma State, the latter being a road game.
- Iowa State (15-5) (PREV: 13)
Iowa State has gotten a little cold lately, losing three of their last five games. Luckily enough for the Cyclones, all three losses came on the road. They have not lost at home this season, but they have Kansas at home on Saturday, putting the undefeated home record at risk.
- Saint Mary’s (19-4) (PREV: N/A)
Saint Mary’s has the third-longest winning streak in the country with ten wins in a row, including a road win on Saturday against BYU. By the way, what a great finish that was in Provo. Saturday is arguably the Gaels’ biggest test of the season, with Gonzaga coming to town.
- Providence (17-5) (PREV: 18)
Providence has won three straight, including an impressive road win against Villanova yesterday where Wildcats guard Justin Moore returned for the first time since last season. They have one game this week, but it’s arguably their hardest coming against Xavier in Cincinnati. Providence has a legit shot at back-to-back Big East regular season titles, and it’s thanks to Bryce Hopkins, Devin Carter, and, of course, head coach Ed Cooley.
- Clemson (18-4) (PREV: 25)
The Tigers are in first place in the ACC. Who would have imagined that? Their last three wins aren’t super impressive outside of a one-point win at home against Virginia Tech, the others being Georgia Tech and Florida State. Still, Clemson is the top team, standings-wise, in the conference. The ACC Coach of the Year award is Brad Brownell’s to lose. The Tigers are on the road tomorrow against Boston College then host Miami (FL) on Saturday.
- Miami (FL) (16-5) (PREV: 17)
The Hurricanes have had their moments, but there’s been a trend ever since 2023 started. Miami has lost every other game, with a 3-4 record in the new year so far. They will have a chance to finish January with a 4-4 record if they can beat Virginia Tech in Coral Gables tomorrow night. They also take on Clemson in a tough road game on Saturday.
- San Diego State (17-4) (PREV: 23)
This part of the ranking is very difficult, as there are so many arguments about why a team should or should not make the top 25. The Aztecs have won four straight and sit in first place in the Mountain West. They are on the road against Nevada tomorrow night then host Boise State on Friday night. A tough week for San Diego State coming up.
- Indiana (15-6) (PREV: N/A)
Welcome back to the top 25, Indiana. The Hoosiers have won five in a row, all but one coming against good teams in the Big Ten. The Big Ten isn’t as strong as it has been in recent years, but the Hoosiers are looking better now than they were to begin the month. Two extremely difficult matchups this week as they’re on the road to face Maryland tomorrow night then host Purdue on Saturday.
- Illinois (15-6) (PREV: N/A)
Let’s also welcome back Illinois, as they have won six of their last seven games. Terrence Shannon Jr. looks like one of the best players in the Big Ten, but this must not be a fluke for Brad Underwood’s team. Similar to Miami, the Fighting Illini lost every other game from December 2 to January 4. Since their road loss to Northwestern, Illinois has only lost once, which was at home against Indiana. They will host Nebraska tomorrow night, but the biggest matchup this week for the Illini comes on Saturday at Iowa.
- Boise State (17-5) (PREV: N/A)
Make that two Mountain West teams in my top 25 as Boise State makes their season debut in my ranking. The Broncos’ defense is one of the best in the country, thanks to their ability to defend the perimeter and get defensive rebounds. They have won seven of their last eight games, which was a road overtime loss to New Mexico. Marcus Shaver is one of the best players in the conference, and he will have to lead the team as they face Air Force and San Diego State on the road this week.
- Auburn (16-5) (PREV: 22)
Auburn barely stays in my top 25 after falling their last two games to Texas A&M and West Virginia. Their defense is still strong, being one of the better defenses in college basketball, but they need to be better if they want to be taken more seriously. Hosting Georgia on Wednesday should be a breeze, especially compared to a road game at Tennessee on Saturday.
Calhoun's Corner 