The latest men”s college basketball Power Rankings reveal a significant shift as Miami (Ohio) makes its debut in the top 25, while the Nebraska Cornhuskers climb higher in the rankings. Both teams are among the last three unbeaten squads, alongside Arizona.
Before the season began, it would have seemed improbable that these teams would find themselves in such a prominent position by late January. Yet, after another week without a loss, both Nebraska and Miami (Ohio) have proven their worth. Despite their standings, efficiency metrics paint a different picture. Nebraska is currently No. 12 in KenPom and No. 19 in ESPN”s BPI, while Miami (Ohio) sits at No. 90 in KenPom and No. 89 in the BPI. However, their actual performance tells a different story.
Nebraska boasts one of the strongest résumés in the nation, ranking in the top five for both strength of record and wins above bubble. Notably, the Cornhuskers have impressive victories over Illinois and Michigan State, with the win against Illinois coming on the road. Meanwhile, Miami (Ohio) ranks No. 21 in strength of record and No. 28 in wins above bubble. Their road victories at Kent State, Bowling Green, and Toledo highlight their competitiveness in the Mid-American Conference, especially after defeating preseason favorite Akron and Horizon favorite Wright State earlier in the season.
With Arizona set to face BYU and Nebraska traveling to Michigan next week, there”s a strong possibility that Miami (Ohio) could emerge as the last unbeaten team. Let”s delve into this week”s top 25 rankings.
Top Teams Overview
1. Arizona Wildcats (19-0) – Previous ranking: 1
Each week, the Wildcats seem to showcase a different standout player. Recently, junior big man Motiejus Krivas took center stage, delivering a stellar performance with 17 points and 12 rebounds against UCF, including a rare 3-pointer. He followed that up with another 17-point outing against Cincinnati.
2. UConn Huskies (18-1) – Previous ranking: 2
The return of Silas Demary Jr. has been crucial for UConn. After a slow start, he has transformed into one of the conference”s top point guards, averaging impressive stats over recent games.
3. Michigan Wolverines (17-1) – Previous ranking: 3
After a rough start in January, Aday Mara is back in form, contributing significantly to Michigan”s scoring and defense.
4. Duke Blue Devils (17-1) – Previous ranking: 4
Maliq Brown continues to make an impact on defense, leading the ACC in steals while also contributing offensively.
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-0) – Previous ranking: 7
As Nebraska embarks on a crucial period, the health status of freshman guard Braden Frager is under scrutiny after he sustained an injury. Coach Fred Hoiberg will need Pryce Sandfort to maintain his high level of play.
Additional Rankings and Insights
6. Gonzaga Bulldogs (20-1) – Previous ranking: 8
7. Houston Cougars (17-1) – Previous ranking: 9
8. Michigan State Spartans (17-2) – Previous ranking: 11
9. Iowa State Cyclones (17-2) – Previous ranking: 5
10. Purdue Boilermakers (17-2) – Previous ranking: 6
As the season progresses, teams are making their cases for higher positions in the rankings, showcasing both talent and resilience on the court. The next week will be critical for many as they strive to maintain or improve their standings.
