ESPN shakes up BPI Top 25 college basketball rankings ahead of big weekend matchups

With a massive weekend of matchups ahead, ESPN updated its BPI Top 25. This week has certainly served a few eye-catching changes.

ESPN’s BPI is a predictive rating system for college basketball that’s designed to measure team strength and project performance going forward. With conference play quickly coming to a close, teams only have limited time to left to prove they are worthy of a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Here’s where teams stand in ESPN’s BPI currently, starting with the rating system’s surprising No. 1 overall squad.

1. Houston Cougars

While the Houston Cougars sit at No. 3 in the AP Top 25, they are on the throne of BPI. After falling to Kansas on Feb. 3, Houston has won two straight games. Most recently, the Cougars pounced on Cincinnati, defeating the Bearcats 67-62.

Houston forward J’Wan Roberts led the way for the Houston, tallying a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds on 10-15 shooting. Houston pounded the lane in the victory, amassing 38 points in the paint compared to Cincinnati’s mere 22.

2. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue hasn’t lost since Jan. 9, and seemingly only improves each outing. The team’s 84-76 win over Minnesota on Thursday was no exception. In the triumph, reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey was spectacular, notching 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Edey wasn’t the only Boilermaker who came to play. Senior forward Mason Gillis added 14 points and four boards off the bench while shooting 8-14 from the field and 4-8 from beyond the arc. Purdue trailed Minnesota by eight points at halftime and had to fight for its win.

3. Arizona Wildcats

Good luck outscoring Arizona. The team is averaging 90.1 points per game, the second-most in the country. Evidently, ESPN’s BPI approves of Arizona’s high-powered offense. The Wildcats are finally finding their stride in conference play, currently on a five-game win streak.

Most recently, Arizona blew out Colorado 99-79 on Saturday. Five Arizona players scored double figures in the contest, including Caleb Love who collected a team-high 19 points. Arizona was red-hot in the win, connecting on 10-22 (45.5%) from 3-point range.

4. UConn Huskies

UConn is the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 this week, but the Huskies still have some work to do to be top dogs in the BPI. Head coach Dan Hurley and Co. certainly made a compelling argument on Wednesday evening with a 101-65 blowout win over DePaul.

In the lopsided affair, all five of UConn’s starters scored double figures, highlighted by Alex Karaban’s 21-point performance. At its current rate, UConn has a chance become the first program to repeat as national champions since Florida in 2006-07.

5. Auburn Tigers

Auburn knows how to bounce back. After suffering a 81-65 loss to Florida this past Saturday, the Tigers sent a message this week. On Wednesday, Auburn destroyed a red-hot South Carolina team in 101-61 fashion.

Auburn’s front court was on fire from deep in the win. Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams shot a combined 9-12 from 3-point range, collectively scoring 44 points. Auburn’s defense was equally effective, squeezing 13 turnovers out of South Carolina.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama’s past week was a rollercoaster. Last Wednesday, the Crimson Tide bravely marched into a rowdy Neville Arena with high hopes. Yet, they couldn’t escape with a victory, leaving with a 99-81 loss to No. 12 Auburn.

Alabama didn’t let the loss snowball. On Saturday, Alabama picked up a convincing 109-92 triumph against LSU. In the victory, Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. boasted season highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds.

7. Tennessee Volunteers

On Saturday, Tennessee suffered a jaw-dropping 85-69 loss to Texas A&M. But, the Volunteers didn’t lie down and wallow in the self-pity. They stood up and punched back. On Wednesday, Tennessee landed its shot, downing Arkansas 92-63.

Arkansas couldn’t find a rhythm against Tennessee’s pesky defense. The Volunteers forced the Razorbacks to commit 15 turnovers in the matchup. Further, UT didn’t let its efforts go to waste, scoring 25 points off Arkansas’ turnovers.

8. Iowa State Cyclones

In a month’s time, Iowa State has transformed into perhaps the most dangerous team in the Big 12. The Cyclones showed off their prowess again this week with a nine-point triumph over Cincinnati. With the win, Iowa State in 8-3 in conference play.

The Cyclones didn’t hesitate to blow away the competition. Iowa State forced eight turnovers and had three steals in the first six minutes of the game. Ultimately, Iowa State forced Cincinnati to commit a painstaking 25 turnovers.

9. Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois has won four its last five games and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. On Tuesday, the Fighting Illini annihilated Michigan 97-68. Terrence Shannon Jr. stole the show, dropping a game-high 31 points on 11-15 shooting.

Shannon has scored in double figures for 28 consecutive games dating back to Jan. 31, 2023. He had 19 points in the first half alone against the Wolverines. With the win, Illinois 9-4 in conference play and No. 2 in the Big Ten standings, trailing only Purdue.

10. Creighton Bluejays

Creighton hasn’t always been on the path to success this season, but the team is currently sprinting toward the finish line. The Blue Jays 2-0 this past week, most recently defeating Georgetown in 94-72 blowout.

In the win, Baylor Scheierman exploded for 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists — the program’s first triple-double since 1985. Further, it was the first triple-double in program history to include assists. If Creighton can keep its momentum, the Blue Jays will fly high in March.

11. Marquette
12. Duke
13. North Carolina
14. Baylor
15. Saint Mary’s
16. BYU
17. Michigan State
18. Kansas
19. Gonzaga
20. Wisconsin
21. Texas
22. Dayton
23. Clemson
24. Kentucky
25. Florida Atlantic