Week one is in the books and while the top 25 came away relatively unscathed, we learned a great deal about what it looks like to be a highly touted college basketball team in the month of November. The week wasn’t without its scares and underperforming juggernauts, impressive debuts from youthful talent, and near buzzer beaters. As per usual at the start of the college basketball marathon horn sounding, boiling enthusiasm abounds. Here’s Will’s updated Top 25:
1) North Carolina (2-0)
Previous: 1
Some might call the Heels’ first two outings of the year lackluster while facing two high level mid-major programs. But while not playing their best they managed to log two double digit victories that were never truly in doubt. It goes without saying they need to figure out how to get grad transfer Pete Nance involved in the offense and on the glass as they aim to replace Brady Manek. But we must be reminded that Manek wasn’t a starter on last year’s national runner-Up squad in November. Encouraging numbers from preseason Wooden Award candidate Armando Bacot (22 PPG, 7.5 RPG) and preseason All ACC first team guard Caleb Love (21.5 PPG, 4.5 APG) will go a long way for the Heels to continue being who we thought they might be.
2) UCLA (2-0)
Previous: 2
Ranked higher here than in other outlets, UCLA is seen as a high value because of their returning stars in Tyger Campbell and Jamie Jaquez Jr. However, it’s been Junior guard Jaylen Clark leading the way with 16.5 PPG, 68.4% from the field, and 4.5 APG. UCLA has one of the more under the radar freshman prospects in Amari Bailey, who Prep Hoops ranked as the #1 Freshman in the 2022 class ahead of Duke’s Derrick Lively. With even scoring across the board (5 players averaging 10+ PPG) the Bruins showed their balance with their first two early season matchups en route to an average 25 point margin of victory week 1.
3) Kentucky (2-0)
Previous: 3
With no sign of preseason Wooden Award favorite Oscar Tshiebwe as he aims to return from an offseason injury, the Wildcats made light work in week 1 of Duquesne and Howard. No stranger to brand new-look rosters in years past, it’s not often a transfer for the Wildcats appears to be the brightest rising star. That is until now with Illinois St. transfer Antonio Reeves leading the way with 20.0 PPG off the bench. If they can sustain that type of productivity from their depth all season, coupled with the return of Tshiebwe and a star studded starting lineup, UK will be a near lock for a one seed.
4) Houston (2-0)
Previous: 4
The Cougars pick up exactly where they left off last season with two words: defensive efficiency. Through two games their opponents are averaging a pedestrian 45.5 PPG. Jarace Walker is a stud Freshman (15.5 PPG), and joining him in the starting lineup are 3 juniors and a senior in what is one of the most experienced lineups in the country. Scoring was a late season question mark for Houston a season ago as they fell short in their quest for a Final Four, falling to Villanova in the Elite Eight. Now with Walker, the Cougars may have found the missing piece for more offense leading to another campaign that’s likely to end in a deep run.
5) Kansas (2-0)
Previous: 5
The defending National Champions, despite losing Mitchell Lightfoot, Remy Martin, and David McCormick, are loaded again. Juniors Jalen Wilson and Dajuan Harris Jr. are still a load for the experienced Jayhawks, something that is a welcome addition to freshman Gradey Dick’s already impressive start to the year. After dismantling two of the lower ranked opponents in week 1, Kansas will have the chance to show us who they are on Tuesday night in a battle of the Blue Bloods as they face off with Duke in Indy.
6) Duke (2-0)
Previous: 11
We still haven’t seen what Duke will look like when they get yet another top 5 recruit back from injury in Dariq Whitehead, but what we have seen in John Scheyer’s rookie campaign has been good…really good. If there’s a potential knock on this Duke team it’s experience: from the Coach, to the starters, to the bench, but they have talent in spades at potentially all three. Junior Jeremy Roach picked up where he left off a season ago as one of the best guards in the ACC, and a host of freshman have matched his productivity. Like Kansas, Duke’s two opponents thus far are in the basement of KenPom rankings (Jacksonville #199, SC Upstate #309), but as previously mentioned they get the chance to prove themselves on Tuesday night in primetime.
7) Baylor (2-0)
Previous: 7
Not to call them Jekyl and Hyde, especially not this early, but the Baylor Bears have looked like two different teams through two games. Game one, a 117-53 curb stomping of Mississippi Valley St, the Bears showed extreme athleticism, a propensity for top notch defense, and a “he’s heating up” type highlight reel from star Adam Flagler. In a game that featured eye opening high flying offense they had six different scorers in double figures. The following game against Norfolk St. however was a workmanlike 17 point win, a lead that grew steadily throughout the game after trailing early. Only three players reached double figures; Bridges, George, and Flagler, whom as expected are their main stable of horses following the departures of Dain Dainja and Matthew Mayer, both of whom transferred to Illinois.
8) Texas (2-0)
Previous: 8
In keeping with the impressive defense against small schools trend, Texas found themselves looking no different in week 1 holding their two opponents to an average of 44 PPG. The bad news? The didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard themselves, only averaging 77 PPG. No one on the roster has broken 20 points in a game for the season with Tyrese Hunter netting 18 against UTEP. After that however, no one has scored more than 14 points in a game and only 5 times have players on the roster scored double digits. Despite the defense being potentially tops in the country alongside Houston (what's in the water in Texas?), the Longhorns will have to figure out a way to score the basketball if they’re going to hold court in the top 10 for long.
9) Virginia (2-0)
Previous: 15
UVA made the biggest rise/fall in the week 1 rankings because…well, Tony Bennett. Known mostly for his stall offense and low scoring games, the former national championship head coach has managed to quietly put together a roster capable of doing something we aren’t accustomed to from teams in Charlottesville; score. Despite a "going through the motions" 12 point win in their first game of the week, UVA blew the lid off of John Paul Jones Arena with 89 points in game 2; the most points they've scored since the first game of the 2020-2021 season, over 75 games ago. Their young nucleus of starters who are finally in the spotlight will only get better as the year progresses.
10) Gonzaga (2-0)
Previous: 9
The Zags played the toughest test of all the top 10 teams this week against Tom Izzo's MSU team; a team that is on the outside looking in of the rankings, and it didn't disappoint. MSU led/hung around all game and had the ball on the final possession with a chance to give Gonzaga a rare early season loss. Gonzaga got a game saving stop to move to 2-0 on the week, but they aren’t without their question marks. Drew Timme is still Drew Timme, but yet again we have to wonder if their supporting cast and cupcake conference schedule are enough to keep them near the top of the rankings or take them the distance that has eluded them.
The Rest:
11) Indiana (2-0)
Previous: 12
12) Arizona (2-0)
Previous: 14
13) Arkansas (2-0)
Previous: 10
14) Tennessee (1-1)
Previous: 6
15) Auburn (2-0)
Previous: 16
16) Illinois (2-0)
Previous: 17
17) Alabama (2-0)
Previous: 18
18) Texas Tech (2-0)
Previous: 19
19) Michigan (2-0)
Previous: 20
20) Villanova (1-1)
Previous: 13
21) St. Louis (2-0)
Previous: 22
22) Uconn (2-0)
Previous: 24
23) San Diego St. (2-0)
Previous: 25
24) Dayton (2-0)
Previous: Unranked
25) Creighton (2-0)
Previous: Unranked
Fell Out:
#21 Miami
#23 TCU
