Sports Analysis

College Basketball Rankings

College Basketball teams across America have started conference play this week. After some light foreplay and an electric finish in Maui, these college teams are chomping at the rubberized bit to earn their spot in March. I have my rankings below.

School Name	*My ranking*	Ap Ranking	Record
Olivier Rioux	1	Not Ranked	0 minutes played
Florida	2	6	13-1
Tennessee	3	1	14-0
Auburn	4	2	12-1
Iowa State	5	3	12-1
Duke	6	4	12-2
Marquette	7	8	13-2
Kentucky	8	10	12-2
Alabama	9	5	12-2
Tony Bennet	10	NR	Retired
Houston	11	14	10-3
UCLA	12	15	11-3
Kansas	13	7	9-3
UConn	14	11	12-3
Illinois	15	22	10-3
Oklahoma	16	12	13-0
Texas A&M	17	13	12-2
Mississippi State	18	17	13-1
Oregon	19	9	12-2
Purdue	20	20	11-4
Memphis	21	21	11-3
Michigan State	22	18	12-2
St. John’s	23	NR	1-3
Gonzaga	24	19	12-4
Michigan	25	Not Ranked	11-3

Analysis

At 7 foot 9, how can you not rank the Canadian kid in the top spot? Although he hasn’t played and his motor skills coordination may be in question, no one can surpass this guy’s sheer size.
Despite a last-minute loss to highly ranked Kentucky, Florida is putting together a good season, plus they have Olivier Rioux on the roster.
Undefeated, unbothered with Knecht and Aidoo leaving, and unrepenting defense. Rick Barnes looks like he makes blood sacrifices in his free time.
A team not afraid of some bare-knuckle fist fighting, any team would hate to face them. The question remains, can they land the plane in crunch time?
How many Iowa State players can you name? If its more than zero congrats, you’re more familiar with the roster than me. TJ Otzelberger has proved time and again he can build a winner. They may fall back to earth in a stacked big 12.
I hate Duke. Preppy school, hot girls, never look at me. Ain’t got no change in my pocket. Despite my hate this team is good, relying on freshman in crunch time is not normally a recipe for success.
Don’t sleep on Cam Jones man. Shaka Smart has this team firing. A lean, mean, Big East team.
Mark Pope taking over from Calipari is the best thing to happen to Kentucky basketball since Calipari took over from Gillispie.
After a bit of a rocky start Nate oat’s team seems to have found their footing. In a stacked SEC ‘Bama is a force.
Virgina basketball looks bleak. All the Bennet haters are seeing what he did for that pogrom. Was it old fashioned? Hell yeah, put a twist of lemon in there and the team was a great fundamental watch.
I would say this is the first tier separator, there are 9 teams that look legit. Defense wins championships. Under Kelvin Sampson Houston will bite your kneecaps.
Such an intimidating defense for any program to come play. They shut Oregon down in their last matchup. The physicality of the team makes sense considering all the first fighting on campus between the Israel/Palestine student protesters
Kansas looks stale. Unlike Duke I actually like Kansas. They missed on a few of their transfers (Storr) that they were relying on, enough solidity and scoring potential here to be a contender,
UConn feels like a team on the brink. Hurley could as soon consume his team as motivate them. No coach has a tighter booty hole, this guy is a walking powder keg with an ego to boot. UConn to win in March.
I love this Illinois team. Boswell is such a professional 2-way guard. Jackounis is so smooth with it, and will Reiley is a bucket. As long as Ivisic can hold his own in the paint this team has nowhere to go but up. Love the mix of veterans and young talent.
I had the Sooners ranked higher before getting shellacked by ‘Bama. Since they won the Battle for Atlantis, does that mean they own Aquaman?
Buzz Williams’ three-piece suits are iconic, that along with the bouncy team play makes them a top 25 lock.
Mississippi queen, if you know what I mean. I lost 10 dollars last year on this team in March. I like the gib of the program, long, athletic, bouncy, good ball handling skill. I’ve been hurt by them before.
The quack attack has a strong senior heavy team. While maybe lacking the top end talent, this team is consistent and disciplined, much unlike an actual duck. As a west coast homer, I should really have them ranked higher.
The post Edy era has been relatively okay for Purdue. While not getting the same pre-season love, the team has elite guard play and should be a contender in the B1G and poised to be a competitor come march.
What can I say? Elite guard play with Penny Hardaway. Another team possible of pulling of an upset anywhere/
Tom Izzo is so boomer he’s cool again. As a generation of college coaches retire moaning about NIL (Larrinaga, Saban, Coach K), Izzo keeps chugging along. Not sure I’m buying the Spartans for a deep march run but they can be a fun spunky team.
For fear of the mafia, I cannot leave Rick Pitino out. That and the gritty team play puts them in my top 25.
Bit of a west coast homer pick, not sure I believe in this Gonzaga team as much as previous iterations, guard play doesn’t feel as elite, big man play feels a step down from what it was. Transition year, sweet 16 and bounce.
To be honest I struggled with this last spot. Michigan gets the nod because their ceiling looks so high. When they are on the team looks like they can hang with anyone, just need to find consistency. As long as their twin towers stay upright, er avoid injury, they can beat anyone at anytime.

Honourable Mentions

San Diego State: a 9-3 team, San Diego State plays gritty 2 way basketball. Lacking a true offensive threat, there’s a chance this team can grind its way to a MWC title.

Baylor: There’s more talent on the team than their standing suggest. Not sure I believe in Drew to turn the season around, seems to be coordinator merchant. They’re missing Tsang badly.

Arkansas: Calipari lives by the sword dies by the sword. Boogie Fland can be sick in spurts but has those freshman moments. I expect a similar ark to previous Kentucky teams, can roll with anyone but can get caught if an opposition runs and guns with an aggressive defense.