As the madness of March draws closer, the debate over this season’s top college basketball teams is reaching a fever pitch. Which squads have the talent, chemistry, and coaching to navigate the rigors of the NCAA Tournament and emerge as champions? Let’s dive into an in-depth analysis of the top 68 teams vying for college hoops supremacy, as ranked by ESPN’s Jay Bilas.
The Cream of the Crop: Breaking Down the Top Contenders
At the top of Bilas’ rankings sit some familiar faces, but also a few surprises. The Auburn Tigers claim the No. 1 spot on the strength of their road win over Alabama in a battle of top-2 teams. Head coach Bruce Pearl has assembled a complete roster headlined by versatile big man Johni Broome, who leads the Tigers in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Pearl’s squad can beat anyone with its combination of deep shooting, bench production, and lockdown perimeter defense.
The Duke Blue Devils, despite their youth, check in at No. 2 thanks to their unmatched raw talent. Cooper Flagg has emerged as a POY frontrunner by stuffing the stat sheet on both ends. No. 3 Houston continues to dominate with its hard-nosed defense and much-improved outside shooting. Florida and Alabama round out a star-studded top 5.
SEC Supremacy and Big Ten Battles
The SEC is in the midst of a historically great season, and it shows in these rankings. In addition to Auburn, Alabama, and Florida, Tennessee (6), Texas A&M (9), Missouri (14), and Kentucky (17) give the conference seven teams in Bilas’ top 20. The Vols boast the nation’s stingiest defense, while the Aggies crash the offensive glass as well as anyone.
Not to be outdone, the Big Ten figures to be well-represented come tourney time. Purdue (10) has weathered some early losses to climb the league standings behind star guards Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Wisconsin (11) has ramped up the pace to great effect, with transfers John Tonje and Vlad Goldin propelling the Badgers. Michigan (13) has won six straight thanks to its towering frontcourt.
The Best of the Rest
Beyond the power conferences, several teams are poised to make noise in March. Gonzaga (29) remains an offensive juggernaut even in a “down” year. Saint Mary’s (31) has seized control of the WCC with its methodical tempo and stingy defense. Drake and Akron are mid-major monsters with the shooting and depth to spring upsets.
This has been a spectacular men’s college basketball season. Generally, the players are better and more skilled than ever, and the schemes coaches are running are very creative and interesting. Overall, the game is in a good place.
– Jay Bilas
Bubble Watch: The Last Teams In
Of course, the beauty of March lies in the bubbles that inevitably burst. Bilas sees Nebraska (67) as one of the “last teams in” thanks to its stout defense and the play of Brice Williams (19.5 ppg). McNeese (68) is in position to repeat as SWAC champions behind conference player of the year candidate Jermaine Williams.
With Selection Sunday fast approaching, the debate will only intensify. But one thing is certain: the 2024-25 college basketball season has been one for the ages, chock-full of standout teams, players, and performances. The competition come tourney time promises to be as fierce as it is compelling. Buckle up for a wild ride to the Final Four.
