College Basketball Rankings: ESPN shakes up BPI Top 25 after pivotal conference race weekend

ESPN shook up its latest college basketball rankings in the Basketball Power Index (BPI) after a pivotal conference race weekend.

Some regular season titles were clinched and other teams were left looking at themselves in the mirror. Either way, it’s officially March!

Let’s dive into the latest BPI top 25 rankings following some top tier basketball on Saturday.

1. Duke

Duke dominated Florida State Saturday despite an injury scare for Cooper Flagg. The Blue Devils won 100-65 and cruised to their 26th win and remained at the top of the BPI.

Isaiah Evans led the way with 19 points, two rebounds and one assist. Flagg put up 16 points, six rebounds and four assists in just 20 minutes of action.

2. Houston

This latest win for the Cougars was a big one. The 73-64 win over Cincinnati clinched the Big 12 regular season title for Houston and they stayed near the top of the BPI.

LJ Cryer put up 20 points, one rebounds and one assist. Terrance Arceneaux put up 10 points and an assist off the bench in 26 minutes.

3. Auburn

Auburn is the No. 1 team in the AP Poll but only No. 3 in the BPI. They beat a ranked Kentucky team 94-78 and with Alabama’s loss, they clinched the SEC regular season title.

Miles Kelly logged 30 points, two rebounds and one assist to lead the way. Chad Baker-Mazara had 22 points, two rebounds and one assist.

4. Tennessee

Tennessee knocked off Alabama at the buzzer in quite the matchup in the SEC. With the win, the Vols stayed put at No. 4 in the BPI.

Jahmai Mashack put up 11 points, six rebounds and two assists, along with three steals and two blocks. Oh yeah, the game winner too. What a game.

5. Florida

Florida remained a top five team in the BPI with an 89-70 win over Texas A&M to improve to 25-4 on the season. Leading by double digits at halftime, Florida kept its foot on the gas in the final 20 minutes.

Will Richard hit six three pointers en route to 25 points, six rebounds and one assist. Thomas Haugh added 17 points, three rebounds and two assists.

6. Alabama

This was a backbreaker for Alabama but the Crimson Tide didn’t shift in the BPI rankings. Losing on a buzzer beater on the road hurts, especially when they could’ve knocked off Tennessee.

The rest of the slate isn’t easy either. Alabama has Florida and Auburn to wrap up the regular season before competing in the SEC Tournament.

7. Iowa State

Iowa State hung on in the second half, ultimately beating Arizona 84-67 after the Wildcats turned up the juice in the final 20 minutes. The Cyclones maintained their spot in the BPI this Sunday.

Milan Momcilovic put up 17 points and three assists to lead the way. Tamin Lipsey added 15 points, two rebounds and eight assists.

8. Arizona

Speaking of Arizona, the Wildcats are top 10 in the BPI but they’re No. 22 in the AP Poll. It was a balanced effort but not enough scoring against Iowa State.

Jaden Bradley put up 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals. KJ Lewis added 13 points off the bench to go along with six rebounds and two assists.

9. Texas Tech

Texas Tech edged out Kansas on the road despite the Jayhawks mounting a comeback in the second half. The Red Raiders maintained a top 10 ranking in the BPI with the victory.

JT Toppin put up 21 points, five rebounds and one assist. Darrion Williams added 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

10. Gonzaga

Gonzaga concluded its regular season with a 95-75 win over San Francisco. After building a 15 point lead in the first half, the Bulldogs cruised in the second half.

Ben Gregg put up 23 points and eight rebounds to lead the way. Nolan Hickman added 17 points, three rebounds and one assist.

ESPN BPI Top 25 after pivotal conference games

11. Michigan State (+1)
12. Kansas (-1)
13. Clemson (+3)
14. Maryland
15. St. John’s (+2)
16. Purdue (-3)
17. Marquette (+5)
18. Wisconsin (+3)
19. Kentucky (-4)
20. UConn (-1)
21. Baylor (-1)
22. Texas A&M (-4)
23. BYU (+2)
24. Illinois
25. Creighton (-2)