There was a large shakeup within the high 5 of the Power Rankings this week, with the gauntlet that’s the SEC claiming two extra victims in Florida and Alabama. Tuesday night time started with Alabama seeing its eight-game profitable streak finish at house towards Ole Miss. Two hours later, Florida — precisely one week after beating Tennessee by 30 factors — misplaced by one at house to Missouri.
While neither of these colleges drops far, the outcomes give extra credence to the thought of a three-team tier incomes a little bit of separation on the high of the rankings.
Johni Broome‘s damage makes Auburn’s spot extra tenuous, however the Tigers beat Mississippi State by 22 even with out him. Duke is barely breaking a sweat whereas blowing out inferior ACC competitors. And then there’s Iowa State, which has solely a two-point loss to Auburn blemishing its résumé and simply dispatched Kansas by 17.
That’s to not say different groups will not push into that group within the coming days and weeks. Houston’s metrics put the Cougars within the dialog, however they want a marquee win or two. Even after their losses, Tennessee and Florida aren’t far off and could have loads of alternatives.
But proper now, after the stunning house losses within the SEC on Tuesday, Auburn, Duke and Iowa State look a minimize above everybody else.
Previous rating: 1
No Broome, no drawback. Auburn battered Mississippi State by 22 factors in its first full recreation since Broome suffered a sprained ankle that ought to preserve him out no less than a few weeks.
Unsurprisingly, senior ahead Chaney Johnson stepped into Broome’s spot within the lineup and was terrific, ending with 17 factors on 7-for-10 capturing with eight rebounds and 4 blocks. Johnson has performed 30 or extra minutes on 5 events this season, and he is averaging 15.6 factors and eight.2 rebounds in these video games.
Next seven days: at Georgia (Jan. 18)
Previous rating: 2
T.J. Otzelberger was compelled to alter his beginning lineup for simply the second time this season as information broke hours earlier than Wednesday’s recreation towards Kansas that Milan Momcilovic will miss prolonged time with a hand damage. In stepped Curtis Jones, the nation’s finest sixth man. But Otzelberger additionally moved large man Dishon Jackson to the bench and slotted Brandton Chatfield into the beginning lineup. Against the Jayhawks, Jones had 20 first-half factors and completed with 25, whereas Jackson had 17 factors off the bench.
Next seven days: at West Virginia (Jan. 18), vs. UCF (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 3
Don’t neglect about Kon Knueppel! The freshman from Milwaukee acquired appreciable buzz within the preseason, then got here out of the gates with 22 factors within the season opener towards Maine, shifting into the highest 10 of NBA mock drafts.
After a couple of up-and-down weeks, Knueppel has regained his early-season kind. He had 25 factors and 6 3-pointers within the win over Miami on Tuesday, and is averaging 16.7 factors over his previous six video games, capturing 46.7% from 3-point vary.
Next seven days: at Boston College (Jan. 18)
Previous rating: 6
Tennessee returned to its early-season kind within the second half towards Georgia on Wednesday, popping out of halftime on a 26-4 run and cruising to an 18-point win. Zakai Zeigler was terrific, hitting three 3s in a 70-second stretch and ending with 16 factors, 7 assists and 6 steals — whereas Jordan Gainey got here off the bench to attain 19. Meanwhile, Chaz Lanier continues to wrestle. He shot simply 2-for-16 towards Georgia, bringing his totals over the previous three video games to eight.3 factors on 18.6% capturing.
Next seven days: at Vanderbilt (Jan. 18), vs. Mississippi State (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 9
Jaxson Robinson was essentially the most extremely touted of Kentucky’s switch additions final spring earlier than taking a backseat to a few of his teammates in early-season buzz, however the former BYU participant has put collectively back-to-back impactful performances. He had 27 factors and 7 3-pointers at Mississippi State on Saturday, then adopted with 22 factors, 8 rebounds and 5 3s within the Wildcats’ win over Texas A&M on Tuesday — his two highest-scoring video games of the season.
Next seven days: vs. Alabama (Jan. 18)
Previous rating: 4
Todd Golden’s crew was introduced again right down to Earth on Tuesday, struggling a one-point house loss to Missouri.
Are there any similarities between the Gators’ two losses of the season, to Kentucky and Missouri? Both have been by far Florida’s worst defensive performances of the marketing campaign, with the Gators permitting 1.48 factors per possession to the Wildcats and 1.21 to the Tigers. Both opponents made double-digit 3-pointers, whereas Missouri additionally grabbed 15 offensive rebounds. Florida has been top-of-the-line 3-point share defenses within the nation all season, so that is seemingly only a blip.
Next seven days: vs. Texas (Jan. 18), at South Carolina (Jan. 22)
Previous rating: 7
Marquette barely escaped DePaul in extra time on the highway Tuesday, nevertheless it was one other constructive recreation for Kam Jones‘ supporting solid. Jones has struggled capturing the ball from the perimeter over the previous few weeks, going 1-for-10 towards the Blue Demons to drop to twenty% from 3 up to now six video games — however David Joplin stepped up with 30 factors and 7 3-pointers, whereas Chase Ross had 15 factors after going for 27 final week.
One thing more to observe is Shaka Smart’s bench utilization: Tre Norman was the one participant to see double-digit minutes off the bench Tuesday, whereas Zaide Lowery, Damarius Owens and Caedin Hamilton have seen their minutes lessened after having extra constant roles earlier this season.
Next seven days: vs. Xavier (Jan. 18), at Seton Hall (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 5
Alabama had its worst offensive efficiency in two seasons Tuesday night time, getting held to 64 factors in a 10-point house loss to Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide shot 5-for-20 from 3-point vary and turned the ball over 21 occasions. It was the primary time since their Sweet 16 loss to San Diego State in 2023 that the Tide have scored fewer than 70 factors — and the primary time all season they have been held under 1.04 factors per possession. Their 0.84 factors per possession was their lowest since a March 2023 loss at Texas A&M.
Next seven days: at Kentucky (Jan. 18), vs. Vanderbilt (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 14
J’Wan Roberts is beginning to come to life on the offensive finish. The senior large man scored in double figures in his first three video games of the season, then simply as soon as over the following eight video games. But as soon as the schedule flipped to Big 12 play, Roberts grew to become way more aggressive on the offensive finish. After placing up a season-high 22 factors towards West Virginia on Wednesday, he is averaging 14.0 factors and 6.0 rebounds over his previous 5 video games, capturing almost 59% from the sphere.
Next seven days: at UCF (Jan. 18), vs. Utah (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 13
If it appears as if Oregon has persistently received shut video games this season, it is not simply anecdotal. As this tweet factors out, Oregon has eight wins this season the place its KenPom win chance was 36% or decrease sooner or later within the second half. The Ducks’ current three-game win streak was determined by a complete of seven factors. Their greatest win this season, again in November towards Alabama, was by two factors. It’s not a shock that they are No. 13 nationally in Luck Rating at KenPom — and No. 1 amongst high-major groups.
Next seven days: vs. Purdue (Jan. 18), vs. Washington (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 11
After three straight wins by which Kansas’ protection regarded elite, particularly within the second half, the Jayhawks struggled to comprise Iowa State on Wednesday — and their offense disappeared. Kansas was held to 57 factors and 0.80 factors per possession, simply 4 days after it scored 54 factors and 0.88 factors per possession in a win over Cincinnati — the Jayhawks’ two worst offensive performances of the season.
Next seven days: vs. Kansas State (Jan. 18), at TCU (Jan. 22)
Previous rating: 15
Memphis’ previous two wins have come by simply 4 factors every, and whereas the protection held each North Texas and East Carolina to beneath one level per possession, the Tigers’ offense totaled 142 factors on 140 possessions. One of the problems was acquainted: turnovers. Memphis ranks on the backside of the AAC in turnover share, and the Tigers coughed it up 31 occasions up to now two video games. Against East Carolina, the skin photographs weren’t falling, because the nation’s sixth-best 3-point capturing crew went simply 6-for-23 from behind the arc.
Next seven days: at Temple (Jan. 16), at Charlotte (Jan. 19)
Previous rating: 8
The Aggies have hit a tough patch, dropping their previous two video games — however star guard Wade Taylor missed each defeats, in addition to their two-point highway win at Oklahoma. And whereas A&M’s offense has clearly been impacted with out its finest scorer, it is the Aggies’ protection that has struggled because the begin of SEC play. Oklahoma, Alabama and Kentucky all scored no less than 1.13 factors per possession towards A&M, combining to make 36 3s.
Next seven days: vs. LSU (Jan. 18), at Ole Miss (Jan. 22)
Previous rating: 10
While the narratives popping out of the Illini’s demolition of Indiana on Tuesday centered totally on the Hoosiers’ struggles, it was additionally a outstanding offensive efficiency from Brad Underwood’s crew. The 60 first-half factors have been essentially the most Illinois had scored in a primary half on the highway up to now 25 seasons. And Kasparas Jakucionis is clearly wholesome after lacking two video games with an damage. He went for 21 factors and 5 assists, making three 3-pointers.
Next seven days: at Michigan State (Jan. 19)
Previous rating: 16
Solo Ball growing into one of many Big East’s premier shot-makers has been a storyline of UConn’s season, and can also be going to be a key issue within the Huskies’ offense remaining environment friendly with Liam McNeeley sidelined. Ball has gone from averaging 3.3 factors to 13.6 and from capturing 31.9% from 3 to 43.9%. He has been even higher over his previous 4 video games, averaging 17.3 factors and capturing 51.6% from 3-point vary on almost eight makes an attempt per night time.
Next seven days: vs. Creighton (Jan. 18), Butler (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 17
Don’t sleep on Dusty May’s guards. Tre Donaldson has been terrific throughout Michigan’s five-game profitable streak, averaging 14.0 factors, 6.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists — with higher than a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s additionally capturing 48.3% from 3 over that span. Similarly, Nimari Burnett is averaging 16.5 factors in his previous 4 video games, with two 16-point performances and two 17-point showings. Burnett is 15-for-20 from 3 in these contests.
Next seven days: at Minnesota (Jan. 16), vs. Northwestern (Jan. 19)
Previous rating: 19
Caleb Furst‘s Purdue profession has been fascinating from a task perspective. He began the primary 12 video games of his freshman season earlier than shifting to the bench in a much-diminished function. The large man then began 21 video games as a sophomore earlier than ending the season taking part in sparingly and persevering with that for a lot of his junior marketing campaign. As a senior, Furst moved from the bench to the beginning lineup 5 video games in the past — and Purdue is 5-0 since. He had a season-high 15 factors and 6 rebounds in Wednesday’s win at Washington, together with a few key performs late within the first half to maintain it shut.
Next seven days: at Oregon (Jan. 18), vs. Ohio State (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 22
The Rebels picked up their greatest win of the Chris Beard period Tuesday, going to Alabama and knocking off the top-five Crimson Tide. And the important thing was as soon as once more Malik Dia, who has emerged as a frontcourt power over the previous couple weeks. In the primary 14 video games of the season, the Belmont switch averaged 7.1 factors and 5.5 rebounds on 41.1% capturing. After going for 23 factors and 19 boards towards Alabama, Dia is averaging 21.0 factors, 11.3 rebounds and capturing 55.3% over his previous three video games.
Next seven days: at Mississippi State (Jan. 18), vs. Texas A&M (Jan. 22)
Previous rating: 12
Even throughout the Bulldogs’ nine-game profitable streak, there have been indicators that their protection wasn’t fairly pretty much as good as previous iterations beneath Chris Jans — and that got here to the forefront within the current losses to Auburn and Kentucky. The Bulldogs allowed a mean of 91.5 factors within the two video games, with the Wildcats and Tigers combining to make 26 3-pointers. Both groups shot higher than 62% contained in the arc and scored no less than 1.24 factors per possession. That all has to alter earlier than this weekend.
Next seven days: vs. Ole Miss (Jan. 18), at Tennessee (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 18
Tom Izzo has used his backups as a lot as any coach within the nation this season, rating ninth nationally in bench minutes, and the depth was wanted Wednesday towards Penn State. Frankie Fidler had his finest recreation in a Spartans uniform, coming off the bench to place up 18 factors — together with 14 within the second half — and 7 rebounds. Michigan State has received 10 straight video games and will get its alternative at an announcement win with Illinois coming to East Lansing on Sunday. To this level, the Spartans have not overwhelmed any groups thought-about a lock for the NCAA event. A victory Sunday would change that in a giant method.
Next seven days: vs. Illinois (Jan. 19)
Previous rating: Unranked
After a 13-win turnaround and an NCAA event look in Dennis Gates’ first season on the helm in 2022-23, the Tigers did not win a single SEC recreation in 2023-24, ending 8-24. This season, although, Gates has Missouri again on the upswing. The Tigers went into Gainesville on Tuesday and handed Florida simply its second lack of the season, with Caleb Grill coming off the bench to make six 3s and rating 22 factors. That victory pairs properly with a December win over Kansas, and Missouri’s solely three losses have come to Auburn, Illinois and Memphis.
Next seven days: vs. Arkansas (Jan. 18), at Texas (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 21
Gonzaga has received 5 in a row since dropping to Kentucky, UConn and UCLA in a five-game stretch, however there are legit issues in regards to the Bulldogs’ protection. During the win streak, they’ve allowed 82 factors to Pepperdine, 80 to San Diego and 75 to Washington State — with all three scoring no less than 1.08 factors per possession. Each of these groups shot 50% or higher contained in the arc and each Pepperdine and Washington State rebounded no less than one-third of their misses.
Next seven days: at Oregon State (Jan. 16), vs. Santa Clara (Jan. 18)
Previous rating: Unranked
Wisconsin’s win streak is as much as six video games after the Badgers held on to beat Ohio State on Tuesday, and that has coincided with Steven Crowl‘s emergence down low. Six of Crowl’s seven double-figure level totals this season have are available in his previous six video games. In the primary 11 video games of the season, he averaged 7.4 factors on 43.2% capturing and 5.2 rebounds. In the previous six, he has averaged 16.2 factors on 71.2% capturing and 6.5 rebounds.
Next seven days: at USC (Jan. 18), at UCLA (Jan. 21)
Previous rating: 23
The resurgence continued Tuesday night time, when the Wildcats beat Baylor by 11 in a recreation Arizona led by as many as 27 factors — it was completed and dusted within the first 10 minutes. Once once more, it was Henri Veesaar who proved to be the spark for the Wildcats. He got here off the bench to complete with a career-high 19 factors and 7 rebounds, going 9-for-11 from the sphere, after racking up 14 factors and 5 rebounds off the bench towards UCF final weekend. Veesaar is averaging 10.9 factors and 6.0 rebounds throughout Arizona’s seven-game profitable streak.
Next seven days: vs. Nevada (Jan. 22)
Previous rating: 25
Despite Wednesday’s blowout loss to Tennessee, Georgia stays within the rankings forward of St. John’s by advantage of the Bulldogs’ head-to-head win again in November. It does not get a lot simpler for Mike White’s crew, although, with a house recreation towards Auburn this weekend after which journeys to Arkansas and Florida. They need to get higher offensively away from house in the event that they’re to proceed within the rankings. In 5 highway or impartial video games this season, Georgia has exceeded one level per possession simply as soon as, reaching the 70-point mark simply as soon as as effectively.
Next seven days: vs. Auburn (Jan. 18), at Arkansas (Jan. 22)
Dropped out: Oklahoma Sooners (No. 22), Utah State Aggies (No. 24)
