Jason Burgos
As we near the final week of the regular season, teams around the nation are looking to bolster their resumes to earn beneficial seeds in their conference tournaments and March Madness. But who are the best of the best in men’s college basketball right now?
Our all-new college basketball rankings look to answer that question, as of February 27, 2026.
25. Vanderbilt (LW: 21)
Vanderbilt’s backcourt duo of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles leads a Commodores offense that is scoring 87.3 PPG, which is 12th best in the nation. It’s why the team is off to one of their best starts in program history as they head into the final week of the regular season with a 22-6 record.
For much of the season, they lacked a marquee victory over a ranked team, but finally got one last month against Alabama. However, they have not been able to build momentum off that win and have gone 7-6 since that win over the Crimson Tide.
24. Louisville (LW: 22)
Louisville owns a solid 20-8 record due to the strong play of its trio of talented guards. Mikel Brown Jr. could be a lottery pick in June (18.9 points and 4.8 assists), senior Ryan Conwell has been just as good (18.5 points and 4.7 rebounds), and Cardinals veteran Isaac McKneely is as reliable as ever.
The trio is not easy to defend — when they are all available — and it has shown in wins over Kentucky and Indiana earlier this season. However, they have had an inconsistent last few weeks, and missed a golden opportunity to make a jump in our top 25 after falling to North Carolina this week.
23. Tennessee (LW: UR)
Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is proving why he is a notable prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft. He is second on the team in points (17.9) and leads in rebounds (6.5) per game. The combo of him and senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie is why the Vols are worthy of a spot in our college basketball rankings.
Over the first three months of the campaign, Tennessee was an inconsisten group that eventuall fell out of our top 25. But they have played much better over the last three weeks. Going 8-2 in their last 10 and scoring pivotal wins over Alabama and Vanderbilt.
22. Saint Louis (LW: 19)
Don’t look now, but Saint Louis may have the program’s best team ever. The A-10’s top school has gotten off to an outstanding 25-3 start, and it is due to a high-powered offense that is posting 89.1 PPG — which is eighth best in the nation.
Leading the way is senior big man Robbie Avila. The starting center leads the team in scoring (12.6), assists (4.1), and is shooting 41.6% from three. While they don’t have a win against a ranked school, they have fairly earned a spot in our college basketball rankings with play that will get them back into the tournament for the first time since 2019.
21. BYU (LW: 23)
Led by potential No. 1 pick, AJ Dybantsa, BYU had a strong 16-1 start before they hit conference play. Dybantsa — the top scorer in the nation (24.8 PPG) — was a force and was getting help from the impressive backcourt duo of Richie Saunders and Robert Wright III.
However, over the last month, the Cougars have steadily fallen in our college basketball rankings as they’ve had trouble overcome their rivals in the Big 12. BYU is 4-7 in its last nine, including setbacks to Kansas, Houston, and Arizona.
20. Arkansas (LW: 20)
Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr. lead an impressive all-freshman backcourt for Arkansas this season. However, Acuff has emerged as the best of the pair, and the Razorbacks’ top star continues to generate NBA Draft buzz by leading the team in scoring (22.2 PPG) and assists (6.2 PPG).
In year two with legendary head coach John Calipari, Arkansas has played rock-solid ball. Scoring big wins over four ranked teams this season. However, they are an imperfect group, and their setbacks to Kentucky and Alabama in recent weeks keep them at the back end of our latest top 25.
19. Alabama (LW: UR)
Alabama can be a problem for any team in the nation on any night. The Crimson Tide has the best offense in the nation (92.9 PPG), and it is led by future NBA draft pick Labaron Philon Jr.. He leads the team in scoring with 21.3 PPG (14th-best in the nation).
Yet, despite their offensive firepower, they had a tough go of it in January. Going 4-3 last month. However, they have gotten hot since Feb. 4, winning seven straight, including a big OT victory over Arkansas.
18. Texas Tech (LW: 17)
Texas Tech has progressed a lot during Grant McCasland’s first two seasons overseeing the program. And the formidable duo of JT Toppin and Christian Anderson (19.6 PPG) made Tech look like a team that can make serious noise in March.
However, the news that Toppin — one of the top scorers in the nation (21.8 PPG) — is out for the rest of the year with an ACL tear means the Red Raiders don’t have a lot of hope for a deep run in March Madness.
17. Miami (OH) (LW: 18)
While it took a couple of seasons to change the program from the bottom up, Miami (OH) head coach Travis Steele has put together what is turning into the greatest team in school history.
The Redhawks head into the weekend with an outstanding 28-0 record and currently sit atop the MAC. Their fantastic season is thanks to an offense that is second in the nation (91.6 PPG) and has seven players posting 10 or more points a night. Miami won’t face a ranked team until the tournament, but could enter the event with a 31-0 record.
16. St. John’s (LW: 16)
There were huge expectations for St. John’s this season after a big year in 2024-25. However, over the first two months of the season, they were inconsistent and struggled against ranked schools.
But since the calendar hit 2026, the team led by Zuby Ejiofor (15.6 PPG) and Bryce Hopkins (13.8 PPG) has played far better. Winning 13 straight at one point, including a big win over UConn. Despite a blowout revenge loss to the Huskies this week, the Johnnies are a legit top 25 team in the country right now.
15. North Carolina (LW: 13)
Hubert Davis’ North Carolina team is worthy of a spot in our college basketball rankings due to the outstanding performance of potential lottery pick Caleb Wilson. The freshman leads the Tar Heels in points (19.8), rebounds (9.4), and steals (1.5). However, it needs to be added that he is getting big support from veterans Henri Veesaar (16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds) and Seth Trimble (14.2 points).
In the new year, the Tar Heels have been very inconsistent. They have losses to SMU and Stanford, but also wins over Virginia and a huge upset against Duke. Their recent win over a ranked Louisville team this week was a meaningful victory they needed.
14. Michigan State (LW: 12)
Legendary coach Tom Izzo has another good Michigan State team on his hands in 2026. This year’s group has four players averaging 10 or more points, and the Spartans are playing rock-solid defense. There is no better proof of their top 25 worthiness than owning wins over five ranked teams this season, including a big win over Purdue this week.
If they are focused and playing up to potential, Michigan State is a tough test for any team in the country.
13. Nebraska (LW: 15)
Fred Hoiberg’s 2026 team looks to be his best yet at Nebraska. The school heads into the weekend with a 24-4 record and is fronted by former Bradley recruit Rienk Mast. The Dutch senior is second on his team in points (13.8 PG) and first in rebounds (6.1). He is part of a formidable combo with junior Pryce Sandfort, who leads in scoring with 17.9 PPG.
Nebraska emerged as a potential title contender after wins over Illinois and Michigan State to begin the 2026 part of their schedule. However, they have cooled over the last three weeks, splitting their last eight games.
12. Virginia (LW: 14)
Head coach Ryan Odom had a rough go of it in his first year overseeing Virginia. However, year two has been far better due to the strong play of Belgian big man Thijs de Ridder. The freshman forward leads the team in points (16.0) and rebounds (6.3) for the 25-3 team.
The only thing that has stopped the Cavaliers from closing in on the top 10 is limited wins over ranked schools. However, after a January loss to North Carolina, Virginia has gotten hot again, winning nine straight.
11. Illinois (LW: 10)
Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a top program in the Big Ten and a consistent tournament participant. A key reason why they are a top-10-level program in our new college basketball rankings is freshman guard Keaton Wagler. The breakout star leads the Fighting Illini in scoring (18.2) and assists (4.3).
While Illinois hit some bumps in the road in November and December, it won 12 straight to begin the new year, including victories over three ranked teams. Unfortunately, things have gotten rocky in recent weeks, and they have lost three of their last five, including a surprise loss to UCLA last week.
10. Purdue (LW: 9)
Purdue has something most elite schools lack: Top players with a boatload of experience. Seniors Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith are leading the way for the Boilermakers in 2026 and are combining for close to 30 points a night — Smith is also adding just under nine assists a game.
Early in January, Purdue fairly earned their way back into the top five. However, they have struggled in recent weeks, losing five of their last 10, including a key setback to conference rival Michigan State this week.
9. Florida (LW: 11)
The first couple of months of the season for defending champs Florida were rough as they lost four of their first nine games. However, after back-to-back defeats to Duke and UConn, the Gators have played like a team ready for another deep run in March. Since Dec. 13, they are 17-2 and have Ws over five ranked schools.
Juniors Alex Condon (14.3 PPG) and Thomas Haugh (16.9 PPG) have led the way during their resurgence. However, big man Rueben Chinyelu has been the X-factor as the center is having a breakout season. Posting 11.3 points and 11.5 rebounds a night.
8. Kansas (LW: 8)
Kansas was a frustratingly inconsistent group for much of this season. You never truly knew what you would get from week to week. However, since mid-January, the Jayhawks and top star Darryn Peterson (when on the court) have been one of the hottest teams in the country. Scoring victories over four ranked teams in that time.
While they came up short against Iowa State and Cincinnati recently, wins over Arizona (when they were No. 1) and Houston this month show how dangerous they can be.
7. Houston (LW: 6)
Kelvin Sampson’s Houston squad is again among the top teams in the nation. Senior Emanuel Sharp (16.0 PPG) has been as important as ever. However, if they win the program’s first national championship next month, it will be because of freshman Kingston Flemings (16.6 points and 5.1 assists a night), who is emerging as a potential top-five pick in June.
Yet, another key reason the Cougars head into the weekend with a 23-5 record is an elite defense that is limiting opponents to just 62.3 points a night — second-best in the nation. However, they drop in our new college basketball rankings following three straight losses to rivals Iowa State, Arizona, and Kansas.
6. Gonzaga (LW: 7)
Mark Few’s Gonzaga squad is off to an impressive 28-2 start because of what their veteran front court of Braden Huff and Graham Ike gives them each night. The duo is averaging close to 40 points and 15 boards a game for the Bulldogs this season.
Following a bad loss to Michigan in November, Gonzaga has been a machine. Reeling off 15 straight Ws at one point. Following an ugly loss to Portland to begin the month, the Zags have rebounded with six straight wins, including a 41-point smashing of Portland.
5. Iowa State (LW: 5)
In his final season at Iowa State, Joshua Jefferson is garnering attention from NBA Draft evaluators by leading the team in rebounds (7.5) and assists (5.2) and being second in points (16.6). But the Cyclones have also gotten strong seasons from guard Tamin Lipsey and top scorer Milan Momcilovic (17.4).
They are 24-4 due to those three and a formidable defense that is giving up 64.9 points a night. Although they have recent losses against TCU and BYu, their wins against Kansas and Houston this month are why they are a top five team in our new college basketball rankings.
4. UConn (LW: 4)
It’s another season in college basketball, and UConn is once again among the elite programs in the country. Although they took a step back last season, they retooled by adding stud recruit Braylon Mullins and have returned to being a title contender in 2026.
Senior big man Tarris Reed Jr. (13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds) and junior guard Solo Ball (14.1 PPG) lead the way for a team that is not just a group to respect on offense, but is a handful on defense (65.1 opponents PPG). That defense played a major role in a dominant 32-point revenge win against St. John’s this week.
3. Michigan (LW: 1)
After 28 games, Michigan has shown that head coach Dusty May has a team that can win the program’s first championship in close to 40 years. Former UAB star Yaxel Lendeborg (14.2 PPG and 7.3 RPG) leads a dominant front court that has the Wolverines among the best scoring teams in the nation (89.1 PPG).
Their rise to elite status in 2026 features wins over six ranked teams, including decisive victories over Michigan State and Purdue in recent weeks. However, their time at the top didn’t last long after a loss to Duke last week.
2. Arizona (LW: 3)
Arizona has been impressive throughout the 2025-26 season. Led by impressive freshman Brayden Burries (15.5 points and 4.6 rebounds) and stud NBA prospect Koa Peat (13.8 points and 5.4 rebounds), the Wildcats have posted wins over eight top 25 teams, including UConn and BYU (twice).
Their performance this season has been led by an offense posting 87.2 PPG (13th best in the nation). After a pair of tough losses to Kansas and Texas Tech earlier this month, they have roared back with three straight Ws, including a huge victory over Houston last week.
1. Duke (LW: 2)
Duke is off to a vintage Blue Devils start because of the outstanding play of big man Cameron Boozer. The freshman, who stepped in to replace Cooper Flagg, leads the team in points (22.7) — which is also sixth best in the nation. Plus, he tops the team in rebounds (10.1) and assists (4.0).
Beyond the superb play of Boozer, Duke is also getting important minutes from sophomores Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba II. The trio and the team’s elite defense (62.9 PPG) are why Duke has a 26-2 record. And scored a massive win against Michigan last week.
