ESPN releases updated Top 16 college basketball power rankings

ESPN has updated its top 16 college basketball power rankings now that we are nearly two months into the 2023-24 season. Some teams have started to separate and show that they are elite — including a Houston squad that remains undefeated.

While the Cougars are unbeaten, it’s Purdue that is still atop ESPN’s college basketball power rankings. The Boilermakers have one loss but they also have the most impressive resume in the country.

There are also some surprises in the top 16 as teams have come out of nowhere to make some noise early on this season. Here’s a look at the full top 16 college basketball power rankings from ESPN:

1. Purdue Boilermakers (11-1)

Purdue is unbeaten in nonconference action with impressive wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama and Arizona. Zach Edey is having another All-American level season, but he is getting more help this year.

Point guard Braden Smith has been a star for Purdue as a sophomore. He is averaging 13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game, while shooting 47.5 percent from 3-point range. The Boilermakers will look to continue their strong start to the season against Eastern Kentucky on Friday, before Big Ten play resumes next week.

2. Kansas Jayhawks (11-1)

Kansas lost to Marquette in the Maui Invitational but has otherwise been perfect on the year. The Jayhawks have wins over Kentucky, Tennessee and UConn and more recently won at Indiana.

The Hoosiers haven’t been great this year, but Assembly Hall is always a tough place to play. Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr. have provided a great 1-2 punch for Kansas this season.

3. Houston Cougars (12-0)

Houston has taken care of business against everyone it has played, although the Cougars have yet to face a ranked opponent. Houston has a chance to stay unbeaten for a while. As things stand, the Cougars won’t face a ranked team until Jan. 23 against BYU.

L.J. Cryer leads the way for Houston with an average of 17 points a game. Kelvin Sampson needs someone else to step up and help him as a consistent scoring threat.

4. Arizona Wildcats (9-2)

Arizona has dropped two of its past three games during what has been a difficult stretch of the season. The Wildcats bounced back from a loss to Purdue with a win over Alabama, before falling to Florida Atlantic on Dec. 23.

Arizona had chances to beat the Owls, before losing 96-95 in double overtime. North Carolina transfer Caleb Love is leading Arizona with an average of 16.5 points per game, although he hasn’t been the most efficient scorer.

5. UConn Huskies (11-2)

Defending college basketball national champion UConn is off to another excellent start to the 2023-24 season. The Huskies have dropped a pair of games on the season but did hold off St. John’s the last time out.

UConn must adjust to playing without center Donovan Clingan, who is set to miss three-to-four weeks with a foot injury. Clingan was averaging 13.9 points and 6.3 boards on the season.

6. Tennessee Volunteers (9-3)

Tennessee has bounced back in impressive fashion after dropping three straight games in late November. The Vols have won five games in a row after falling to Purdue, Marquette and North Carolina back-to-back-to-back.

The Vols look like one of the best teams in the SEC and have a veteran squad that is capable of making some noise come March. Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht leads Tennessee with an average of 15.7 points per game.

7. Kentucky Wildcats (9-2)

Right behind Tennessee in ESPN’s top 16 college basketball power rankings is another SEC program in Kentucky. The Wildcats were upset by UNC Wilmington in early December but have otherwise been impressive this season.

Kentucky is a deep and talented team with five players averaging double digits in points and three more averaging at least 7.6 points per game. Antonio Reeves leads the way for the Wildcats. The senior is averaging 18.3 points per game, while shooting 45.5 percent from 3-point range.

8. Illinois Fighting Illini (9-2)

Illinois has been a bright spot for the Big Ten this season after being picked to finish fourth in the league during the preseason. The Fighting Illini are currently 9-2 with a win over FAU and a blowout victory over Missouri.

Illinois announced on Monday that star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has been suspended by the team after charges of rape were brought against him. Shannon is averaging a team-high 21.7 points per game.

9. Florida Atlantic Owls (10-2)
10. Marquette Golden Eagles (10-3)
11. North Carolina Tar Heels (8-3)
12. Oklahoma Sooners (10-1)
13. Memphis Tigers (10-2)
14. Colorado State Rams (11-1)
15. Duke Blue Devils (8-3)
16. Baylor Bears (10-2)

Purdue has the best resume in the country and is No. 1 in ESPN’s college basketball power rankings, but there are plenty of other talented teams in the mix. With conference play about to get heated up, it will be interesting to see how the power rankings evolve in the coming weeks.