ESPN updates College Basketball Top-16 Power Rankings after upset-filled weekend

ESPN updated its College Basketball Top-16 Power Rankings following a weekend that was full of upsets all around the country. Still, the top teams are starting to pull away from the rest of the pack while those schools are just a step behind the elite jockey for position.

Houston remains unbeaten even as Big 12 play got started for the Cougars on Saturday. Still, they’re a step behind Purdue in the rankings. With only one loss and Zach Edey dominating in the middle for the Boilermakers, it’s easy to see why ESPN is so high on Purdue this season.

That isn’t to say that everything in the Top-16 Power Rankings from ESPN is chalk. There are still plenty of surprises after the weekend, including two new teams in these rankings from last week’s ESPN rankings.

1. Purdue Boilermakers (14-1)

Purdue hasn’t lost since December 1st, when the Boilermakers dropped a close conference game against Northwestern. However, since then, Purdue has won three Big Ten games while dominating its non-conference schedule. That includes wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama, and Arizona among others.

It’s no surprise that Zach Edey has been the headliner this season for Purdue. He’s having another incredible season and is going to be in the National Player of the Year discussion. However, he’s not alone. Sophomore guard Braden Smith has also been phenomenal this season and helps the Boilermakers play as a balanced team.

2. Houston Cougars (14-0)

Houston is still unbeaten this season, with the knock being that it hasn’t been an incredibly challenging schedule. The Cougars haven’t played a ranked team yet, but that’s going to change as Big 12 play gets underway. This is Houston’s first season in the conference and while they already earned a win over West Virginia, the Cougars have plenty of tough games coming up.

As of now, Houston has two players, both of whom are guards, averaging double-digit points per game, LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp. Along with them, Jamal Shead has been vital to the Cougars with 6.2 assists per game this season.

3. Kansas Jayhawks (13-1)

With only one loss, the divide between Kansas and Houston is razor thin at this point. However, the Jayhawks do have that loss to Marquette and even though it’s a respectable loss to go along with several good wins against Kentucky, Tennessee, UConn and Indiana ESPN still has them behind the Cougars.

Now getting into Big 12 play, Kansas, like Houston, is going to have plenty of opportunities to put its stamp on the season. That continues with games against UCF and ranked Oklahoma later this week.

4. UConn Huskies (13-2)

If there were any concerns that UConn would slump after winning a national championship last season, they weren’t necessary. The Huskies have been excellent this season, only dropping two games against Kansas and Seton Hall, respectively. Meanwhile, the Huskies have wins against Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, and Gonzaga among others.

Most recently, UConn has managed to win three straight games in Big East play without center Donovan Clingan. Averaging double-digit points this season, he’s been injured and will likely be out a few more weeks.

5. Tennessee Volunteers (11-3)

Coming into the season, Tennessee was a popular pick to win the SEC and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. To this point in the season, very little has happened to change that. Even with three straight losses to Purdue, Kansas, and North Carolina, the Volunteers bounced back and are now coming off seven straight wins.

A veteran group, the Volunteers opened SEC play by dominating Ole Miss. In conference, an already battle tested team will be able to learn plenty about itself ahead of the NCAA Tournament. That includes how to beat other great teams.

6. Kentucky Wildcats (11-2)

Another SEC team is coming in right after Tennessee in the ESPN Top-16 Power Rankings, the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats opened SEC play with a close win over Florida and now are looking to build on that and their excellent performance in non-conference play where they only lost to Kansas and UNCW.

It shouldn’t be surprising to see Kentucky here. As usual, head coach John Calipari has an incredibly deep and talented team. That includes five players who are averaging double digits in scoring this season. Among them, Antonio Reeves is leading the way with 19 points per game.

7. North Carolina Tar Heels (11-3)

North Carolina has won four straight games since dropping a pair of games against UConn and Kentucky. On top of that, the Tar Heels have a 3-0 record in ACC play with a few solid non-conference wins against Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

One of the great strengths of North Carolina is how veteran this team is. That, notably, includes Armando Bacot who is averaging 11.1 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, RJ Davis is leading the way with 20.6 points per game.

8. Arizona Wildcats (11-3)

While several teams at the top of ESPN’s Top-16 Power Rankings have been flexing, the Arizona Wildcats have struggled recently and seen their ranking drop down to a respectable eighth. That includes going 3-3 in their last six games, with losses to Purdue, FAU, and Stanford.

Pac-12 play is in full swing for Arizona, who is 3-1 in conference games to open things up. Next up is a trip to Washington State in the last year of the Pac-12 in its current build. For now, it seems like a very winnable conference for Arizona.

9. Illinois Fighting Illini (11-3)
10. Oklahoma Sooners (13-1)
11. Marquette Golden Eagles (11-4)
12. Duke Blue Devils (11-3)
13. Memphis Tigers (13-2)
14. Baylor Bears (12-2)
15. Auburn Tigers (12-2)
16. Wisconsin Badgers (11-3)

After non-conference play, teams are all transitioning into the early stages of conference play. For many schools, this stretch of time could completely change the course of the season. So, whether or not Purdue stays at the top of the ESPN Power Rankings remains to be seen.