College Basketball: On3’s Week 7 Top 25

Week six of the college basketball season slowed down a little after the incredible excitement we got from “Feast Week.” Even with the change of pace, there has been a decent amount of movement with early high-ranking programs like UNC, Arizona, and Indiana remaining out of the top 25 entirely.

This is how I see the twenty-five best teams in college basketball, after watching through the first six weeks of games. There is a long way to go in this college basketball season, and if these first few weeks are any indication, a lot of twists and turns are sure to happen along the way.

But for this moment, as we are in the middle of December, here is On3’s updated Top 25 ranking after week 6.

1. Tennessee (10-0)

To this point, Tennessee has done what they are supposed to do, win. Tennessee currently has five P5 wins including this weekend’s true road win against Illinois. Senior point guard Zakai Zeigler is leading the SEC in assists (7.5) and transfer shooting guard Chaz Lanier is shooting 47.4 percent from three while averaging 18.9 points. Next up for the Volunteers is Western Carolina on 12/17.

2. Auburn (9-1)

Auburn dropped their lone game, a six point loss at No. 6 ranked Duke. However, since that game, Bruce Pearl’s Tigers have had a pair of ninety-something to fifty-something wins. Through their first ten games, Auburn is averaging 87.4 points while only giving up 65.7 per game. They have been dominant more times than not, and their feature player, Johni Broome, has been one of college basketball’s best players this season. Next up for Auburn is Georgia State on 12/17.

3. Iowa State (9-1)

Iowa State’s lone blemish on their record is to currently No. 2 ranked Auburn, by two points, in Maui. The Cyclones have scored over 80 points in all nine games played this season while shooting 50.0 percent from the field as a team. They are averaging 17.2 assists on 30.4 field goals made. Next up for Iowa State is Morgan State on 12/22.

4. Kentucky (10-1)

Kentucky is averaging 91.3 points this season while shooting 36.7 percent from behind the arc and knocking down 10.7 threes per game. Kentucky’s lone loss on the season is a four point game at Clemson in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Wildcats have six players averaging between 10.2 and 15.7 points. Next up for Mark Pope’s Wildcats is Ohio State on 12/21.

5. Florida (10-0)

With this weekend’s eighty-something to sixty-something win over Arizona State, Florida remained undefeated. The Gators now have four P5 wins, including a road win at Florida State. They are averaging 86.2 points and grabbing 46.2 rebounds per game. Senior guard Walter Clayton is averaging 19.1 points (4th in the SEC). Next up for Florida is a matchup with UNC on 12/17.

6. Kansas (8-2)

Kansas dropped two of their last three games, both on the road, to Creighton and Missouri. Of their eight wins, four have been to P5 programs including a neutral site win to No. 7 ranked Duke. The Jayhawks are led by All-American candidate, senior center Hunter Dickinson who is averaging a 15.6-point, 10.0-rebound double-double on the season. Next up for Kansas is Brown on 12/22.

7. Duke (8-2)

Over their last three games, Duke dealt No. 2 ranked Auburn their only loss of the season then defeated Louisville on the road to start ACC play 1-0. The Blue Devils are giving up 59.9 points while holding opponents to 36.2 percent from the field. Freshman Cooper Flagg is leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Next for Duke is a home matchup against George Mason on 12/17.

8. Oregon (10-1)

Oregon bounced back from a two-point home loss to now No. 12 UCLA by getting an 18-point win against a mid major opponent. The Ducks carry perhaps the best two wins of any team in the country with their victories over No. 11 Texas A&M and No. 9 Alabama. Seven different players have led Oregon in scoring this season. Next up for Oregon is a battle against Stanford on 12/21.

9. Alabama (9-2)

Alabama’s two losses are to No. 8 Oregon and No. 19 Purdue. Five of their nine wins are over P5 level programs. With Chris Youngblood now back, the Crimson Tide now have nine players averaging double-figure minutes played. They are led by All-American candidate Mark Sears and his 17.5 points and 4.0 assists per game. Alabama will play Notre Dame next on 12/18.

10. Oklahoma (10-0)

Oklahoma remains undefeated on the season with five P5 wins and a Battle 4 Atlantis championship. The Sooners are shooting 47.8 percent from the field while holding opponents to 28.6 percent from three. Porter Moser has found a rotation he is comfortable with, seeing eight players play between 12.8 and 30.0 minutes per game. Next up for Oklahoma is a matchup against No. 24 Michigan on 12/18.

College basketball week 7 rankings: teams 11-25

11. Texas A&M (9-2)
W Purdue (70-76)
Next Game: Houston Christian (12/20)

12. UCLA (9-1)
W Arizona (57-54)
Next Game: Prairie View A&M (12/17)

13. Marquette (9-2)
L Dayton (71-63)
Next Game: Butler (12/18)

14. Ole Miss (9-1)
W Southern Mississippi (77-46)
Next Game: Southern (12/17)

15. Dayton (9-2)
W Marquette (71-63)
Next Game: UNLV (12/17)

16. Cincinnati (8-1)
W Xavier (68-65)
Next Game: No. 15 Dayton (12/20)

17. Mississippi State (9-1)
W McNeese State (66-63)
Next Game: Central Michigan (12/17)

18. UConn (8-3)
W Gonzaga (77-71)
Next Game: Xavier (12/18)

19. Purdue (8-3)
L Texas A&M (70-66)
Next Game: No. 1 Auburn (12/21)

20. Memphis (8-2)
W Clemson (87-82 OT)
Next Game: Virginia (12/18)

21. Drake (9-0)
W St. Ambrose (90-35)
Next Game: Kansas State (12/17)

22. West Virginia (8-2)
W NC Central (79-45), W Bethune Cookman (84-61)
Next Game: Mercyhurst (12/22)

23. Gonzaga (7-3)
L UConn (77-71)
Next Game: Nicholls State (12/18)

24. Michigan (8-2)
L Arkansas (89-87)
Next Game: No. 10 Oklahoma (12/18)

25. Houston (6-3)
W Troy (62-42)
Next Game: Toledo (12/18)