Faculty Basketball Rankings: Casey Jacobsen Welcomes Kentucky Again, Prime 3 Unchanged

[ad_1] The lads's faculty basketball season is a wild journey, and I’m right here to kind it out each Sunday.

With so many large video games every week — plus rising stars carrying their groups towards March — the lads's faculty hoops schedule and plenty of storylines is quite a bit to maintain observe of. So I am right here to make sense of the massive image. My Prime 25 rewards toughness, expertise and identification — not preseason hype or model names. I will be daring, I'll shock you, however I am going to even have receipts.

Most of all, anticipate a rating constructed for the lengthy haul. Every week, I’ll reset the panorama, minimize by means of the noise and inform you what really issues because the season evolves.

With that, right here’s the third version of my males's faculty basketball rankings, as of Dec. 21:

25. Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2) Beforehand ranked: NR

IOWA CITY, IA: Guard Bennett Stirtz #14 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes to the basket within the first half towards ahead Max Burton #10 and guard Jalen Griffith #2 of the Western Michigan Broncos on December 14, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Enviornment. (Picture by Matthew Holst/Getty Pictures)

The one two losses this season for the Hawkeyes have come on the street towards Michigan State and Iowa State. In any other case, guard Bennett Stirtz & Co. have a group that ranks within the prime 30 for each offensive and defensive effectivity (in response to KenPom). That is simply an NCAA event group in the meanwhile.

24. Georgia Bulldogs (10-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 25

I really like groups that rating, and the Bulldogs, led by guards Blue Cain and Jeremiah Wilkinson, have a top-20 offense within the nation. Their final 4 video games have seen them drop 123, 107, 84 and 112 factors, respectively.

23. Florida Gators (8-4) Beforehand ranked: 24

An "straightforward" week noticed the Gators beat Saint Francis and Colgate by a mixed 71 factors. Most significantly, guard Xaivian Lee averaged 18.5 factors per sport on environment friendly taking pictures. He wants confidence going into SEC play. Forwards Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh stay the muse of this group, although.

22. Virginia Cavaliers (10-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 23

The Cavs went from the 103rd-best offense within the nation final 12 months to the 14th-best offense after this weekend. That’s large time. Virginia beat Maryland at dwelling on Saturday and was led by senior guard Dallin Corridor’s 20 factors (8 for 8 from the sector) and 6 assists.

21. Kentucky Wildcats (8-4) Beforehand ranked: NR

Welcome again to the highest 25, Cats! If they've their complete roster on the ground like they did towards St. Johns, then I don’t anticipate Kentucky dropping under this quantity for the remainder of the season. Ahead Jayden Quaintance’s debut of 10 factors, eight rebounds and two blocks off the bench was the largest distinction within the sport.

20. Arkansas Razorbacks (9-3) Beforehand ranked: No. 20

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drives to the basket throughout a sport towards the Queens Royals at Bud Walton Enviornment on December 16, 2025. The Razorbacks defeated the Royals 108-80. (Picture by Wesley Hitt/Getty Pictures)

I mentioned it final week, and I’ll say it once more: I nonetheless suppose this Arkansas group is de facto good. The Razorbacks' three losses (to Houston, Duke and Michigan State) don’t trouble me a lot and shall be precious late within the 12 months. Guard Darius Acuff continues to dazzle, dropping 27 factors and 7 assists in Saturday’s loss towards Houston’s robust protection.

19. Tennessee Volunteers (9-3) Beforehand ranked: No. 19

The Vols had a bounce-back week by hammering a Louisville group that was with out their main scorer (guard Mikel Brown Jr.) by 21 after which destroyed Gardner-Webb on Sunday. I’m wanting ahead to Saturday’s street take a look at vs. Arkansas.

18. Texas Tech Purple Raiders (9-3) Beforehand ranked: No. 22

The Purple Raiders had been short-handed — three gamers had been out, after which two regulars fouled out — and nonetheless beat Duke at Madison Sq. Backyard. Sophomore guard Christian Anderson was superior once more, scoring 21 of Texas Tech’s remaining 31 factors of the sport.

17. Louisville Cardinals (10-2) Beforehand ranked: No. 11

The Cardinals aren’t going to get penalized an excessive amount of for dropping to a tricky Tennessee group with out their electrical playmaker, guard Mikel Brown Jr. I nonetheless anticipated the sport to be nearer than 21 factors, although. Attention-grabbing bounce-back alternative to begin ACC towards the shocking 12-1 Cal Bears all the best way out on the West Coast. That’s a sneaky good sport.

16. Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-0) Beforehand ranked: No. 18

I do know Cornhuskers followers are upset at me for having their group behind Illinois, regardless of beating Illinois final week, and I perceive. It's nothing private. Nebraska is among the finest shock tales within the sport (together with Vanderbilt and Seton Corridor), and its buzzer-beating efficiency in Champaign was wonderful. However I nonetheless don’t suppose it is higher than Illinois if each groups performed to their capabilities. Head-to-head video games are vital, however they don't seem to be my solely standards. That’s why when Texas Tech beats Duke on Saturday, the Purple Raiders don’t mechanically get ranked over Duke.

15. Illinois Illini (8-3) Beforehand ranked: No. 17

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS: Andrej Stojakovic #2 of the Illinois Preventing Illini shoots previous Braden Frager #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the course of the first half at State Farm Middle on December 13, 2025. (Picture by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Pictures)

Illinois has examined itself this season with blended outcomes. It hasn’t been totally wholesome, which has confirmed itself on the defensive finish, and Nebraska ahead Pryce Sandfort’s 36-point efficiency towards it's the newest proof. Its losses have all been towards good groups. I imagine Illinois has a extremely excessive ceiling, although with the Braggin' Rights sport vs. Missouri this Monday night time.

14. Kansas Jayhawks (9-3) Beforehand ranked: No. 15

The Jayhawks are right here due to what they've achieved with and with out guard Darryn Peterson. He got here again after a pair weeks away to attain 17 towards NC State, however then he left the sport early after tweaking his hamstring once more. Oh boy. It looks like he is perhaps out one other month or extra. This is perhaps the best Kansas will get in these rankings for some time because it enters Massive 12 play. I hope I’m incorrect.

13. North Carolina Tar Heels (11-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 13

The Tar Heels fought valiantly towards a strong Ohio State all sport to offer themselves an opportunity late, after which acquired a lucky bounce that led to the successful dunk by middle Henri Veesaar. They welcomed again guard Seth Trimble (17 factors) after his forearm surgical procedure, and it’s clear how vital he's to the backcourt. The Tar Heels should not an excellent group, they usually lack a really spectacular win. However I nonetheless like this group quite a bit. That ought to matter, proper?

12. Vanderbilt Commodores (12-0) Beforehand ranked: No. 13

The Commodores boast a top-10 offense within the nation, which will get them further bonus factors on my rankings (no less than I’m clear!), however their protection is sweet too. They continue to be undefeated after squeaking previous Wake Forest in additional time after which thumping Memphis due largely to ahead Tyler Nickel’s eight triples!

11. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3) Beforehand ranked: No. 12

I don't care about losses if they're the correct ones. Alabama has three losses to top-10 groups in Arizona, Purdue and Gonzaga. This group is flawed (inside, largely) however nonetheless extraordinarily harmful and has an actual probability to win the SEC. The Tide personal the second most effective offense within the sport, headlined by guard Labaron Philon. He’s must-see TV.

10. Michigan State Spartans (11-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 10

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Jeremy Fears Jr. #1 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball towards Khoi Thurmon #21 of the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the course of the first half of a school basketball sport at Little Caesars Enviornment on December 20, 2025. The Michigan State Spartans gained the sport 79-70. (Picture by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Pictures)

The Spartans have a top-10 protection within the nation… once more. Their offense is up and down, however they do have two of probably the most improved gamers within the sport: ahead Jaxon Kohler and guard Jeremy Fears Jr. Michigan State barely beat Oakland on Saturday after taking pictures 6-of-22 from deep. They hold discovering methods to win, although.

9. Houston Cougars (11-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 9

I really feel I've the Cougars underrated after solely loss by three factors to a strong Tennessee squad, however their offense hadn’t actually discovered its groove… till Saturday. Houston beat a superb Arkansas group by 11 and dropped 94 factors. Freshman guard Kingston Flemings is their MVP thus far, however guard Emanuel Sharp is gaining confidence and had a team-high 22.

8. BYU Cougars (11-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 8

The Cougars had two straightforward wins this week, however in case you haven’t seen ahead AJ Dybantsa’s tip-dunk vs. Abilene Christian on Saturday, please watch it proper now. It’s the dunk of the 12 months thus far and capped a 35-point efficiency from the freshman famous person. I can’t wait to see him towards Massive 12 competitors each night time.

7. Duke Blue Devils (11-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 4

The Blue Devils misplaced their first sport of the season to an explosive Texas Tech group. No disgrace there in any respect, however the identical query lingers with this group: After ahead Cameron Boozer, who are you able to rely on offensively to ship on a constant foundation? The one different Duke participant to attain in double figures was Cameron’s twin brother, guard Cayden Boozer. Isaiah Evans was 1-of-4 from the sector in half-hour of taking part in time.

6. Purdue Boilermakers (11-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 7

The Boilermakers smashed Auburn by 28 factors, and that may probably be it for Auburn in my prime 25. Purdue guard Braden Smith out-dueled Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford, who had a season-low 5 factors. Smith completed with a career-high 14 assists and appears able to battle Michigan ahead Yaxel Lendeborg (and perhaps Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr.) for Massive Ten Participant of the 12 months. Must be enjoyable to look at that unfold.

5. Gonzaga Bulldogs (12-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 6

PORTLAND, OREGON: Tyon Grant-Foster #7 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs grabs a rebound towards Dezdrick Lindsay #4 of the Oregon Geese in the course of the second half at Moda Middle on December 21, 2025. (Picture by Soobum Im/Getty Pictures)

The Zags hold chugging alongside, beating Campbell and Oregon. They're among the many prime 10 in each offense and protection, in response to KenPom, versus a good non-conference schedule. As they begin WCC play, they're favored by DOUBLE DIGITS in each sport besides their final of the season at Saint Mary’s.

4. Iowa State Cyclones (12-0) Beforehand ranked: No. 5

That is the perfect group Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger has had throughout his time in Ames. I really like watching their protection devour opposing backcourts on a weekly foundation. They may take some losses within the unbelievable Massive 12 convention, in fact, however I’d be shocked if it’s greater than 5. It looks like a four-team race between Arizona, Iowa State, Houston and BYU. Get your popcorn!

3. UConn Huskies (12-1) Beforehand ranked: No. 3

The Huskies should not as dominant as Arizona and Michigan, however give this group some extra time and I believe coach Dan Hurley could have them in that higher echelon. The Massive East will not be even near the standard of the Massive 12 or the Massive Ten, so it gained’t shock any of us if UConn rips off eight or 9 wins in a row throughout convention play. I predict that it's going to not drop exterior the highest 5 of the AP ballot all season, get a No. 1 seed within the NCAA event and have an excellent probability at successful a 3rd title in 4 years.

2. Arizona Wildcats (11-0) Beforehand ranked: No. 2

I used to be within the constructing on Saturday when Arizona performed San Diego State in Phoenix. The primary half was a gradual, low-scoring defensive battle that the Aztecs had been hoping for. Then Arizona took over, outscoring San Diego State, 40-18, within the second half. Freshman ahead Koa Peat was large once more, however senior ahead Tobe Awaka was a wrecking machine off the bench with 15 rebounds. The Wildcats are so deep, and Arizona and Michigan have clearly separated from everybody else.

1. Michigan Wolverines (11-0) Beforehand ranked: No. 1

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN: L.J. Cason #2 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket towards Rob Dockery #99 of the La Salle Explorers in the course of the first half at Crisler Enviornment on December 21, 2025. (Picture by Jaime Crawford/Getty Pictures)

All through the final month, the Wolverines have left little doubt in my thoughts about being the perfect group in faculty basketball. On Sunday, they scored no less than 100 factors for the fifth time of their final six video games. It’s getting ridiculous. And in case you forgot, additionally they personal the perfect DEFENSE within the nation. Out of large respect for the Massive Ten and applications like Purdue and Michigan State, I predict the Wolverines will take a few losses, however I shall be genuinely shocked in the event that they don’t win the convention title by a number of video games.

Casey Jacobsen is a nationwide faculty basketball reporter and analyst for FOX Sports activities. He was a three-time All-Pac-10 choice at Stanford and a First-Crew All-American as a sophomore. Observe him at @cjacobsen23.

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