2024 College Basketball Rankings: UConn, UNC Remain on Top, While Kansas, Duke Fall
Date: January 21, 2024
Author: John Fanta
The college basketball season is in full swing, and the competition is heating up as teams vie for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. This past weekend featured some thrilling games, including a triple-overtime thriller between Creighton and Seton Hall, a buzzer-beater win for Texas over Baylor, and a one-point road victory for No. 1 UConn. With just eight weeks remaining until Selection Sunday, it’s time for teams to start stacking up wins and building their résumés for March Madness.
Five Takeaways from the Weekend:
- Kentucky Welcomes Zvonimir Ivisic and Continues Rolling:
The Wildcats received a boost this weekend when Croatian big man Zvonimir Ivisic was cleared to play by the NCAA. Ivisic made an immediate impact in his debut, scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds in just 16 minutes of action. With Ivisic in the fold, Kentucky now has even more upside and could be a contender for the national title.
- Kansas’ Flaws Exposed in Loss to West Virginia:
The Jayhawks suffered a disappointing loss to West Virginia this past weekend, highlighting some of their weaknesses. Kansas’ perimeter shooting and defense were inconsistent, and they were unable to stop West Virginia’s Johnny Furphy and Nick Timberlake, who combined for 25 points. The Jayhawks will need to find more consistency if they want to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
- Four Big East Teams Ranked after a Wild Week:
The Big East is proving to be one of the most entertaining conferences in college basketball this season. Four Big East teams are ranked in the Top 25, and they have been involved in several close games this past week. Connecticut, which has not won a Big East regular-season championship since 2006, is all alone in first place at 7-1.
- Iowa State and Texas Tech Pull Out Impressive Big 12 Wins:
The Big 12 is known for its depth and competitiveness, and this weekend was no exception. Iowa State and Texas Tech both pulled out impressive wins, with Iowa State beating TCU and Texas Tech defeating BYU. These wins show that the Big 12 is still the best conference in America and that any team can beat any other team on any given night.
- Watch Out for the Dayton Flyers:
The Dayton Flyers have won 12 consecutive games and are now 15-2 on the season. They have one of the best players in America in DaRon Holmes II, who is averaging 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. The Flyers are capable of making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, and they are a team to watch out for.
Updated Rankings:
- UConn (17-2)
- North Carolina (15-3)
- Purdue (17-2)
- Auburn (16-2)
- Kentucky (14-3)
- Tennessee (14-4)
- Kansas (15-3)
- Houston (16-2)
- Arizona (14-4)
- Illinois (14-4)
- Oklahoma (15-3)
- Wisconsin (14-4)
- Marquette (13-5)
- Duke (13-4)
- Baylor (14-4)
- Dayton (15-2)
- Creighton (14-5)
- Utah State (17-2)
- Iowa State (14-4)
- Colorado State (15-3)
- New Mexico (16-3)
- Memphis (15-4)
- Seton Hall (13-6)
- Texas Tech (15-3)
- Princeton (15-1)
Conclusion:
The college basketball season is heating up, and the competition is only going to get tougher as teams start to make their final push for the NCAA Tournament. With just eight weeks remaining until Selection Sunday, every game is crucial, and every win and loss can have a major impact on a team’s chances of making it to the Big Dance.