As we begin the final month before March Madness, the top 25 teams in the nation are looking to bolster their resumes to earn meaningful seeds in the tournament. But who are the best of the best right now? Our all-new college basketball rankings look to answer that very question.
25. Texas A&M (LW: UR)
Coach Buzz Williams has Texas A&M in position for a fourth straight trip to the tournament for only the second time in school history. A major reason why the 17-5 team lands a spot in our new college basketball rankings is an elite offense that is posting 92.0 points a night — third-best in the nation.
The Aggies have six players scoring 10 or more a night and are led by senior Rashaun Agee. The future draft pick leads in scoring (14.2) and rebounds (8.7). Although he and his team have struggled against ranked competition, they are legitimately one of the 25 best teams in the nation.
24. Louisville (LW: 24)
Louisville owns a rock-solid 16-6 record due to the strong play of its trio of talented guards. Mikel Brown Jr. could be a lottery pick (15.6 points and 5.1 assists), senior Ryan Conwell has been just as good (18.7 points and 5.0 rebounds), and Cardinals veteran Isaac McKneely is as reliable as ever.
The trio is not easy to defend, and it showed in wins over Kentucky and Indiana this season. However, Louisville has gotten stiffer competition in recent weeks and was not up to the task in a pair of losses to Duke and one to Virginia.
23. St. John’s (LW: 23)
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 seasons they were inconsistent and struggled against ranked schools.
But since the calendar hit 2026, the team led by Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins has gotten on a roll in recent weeks. Winning eight straight and earning their way back into our top 25.
22. Clemson (LW: 21)
Coach Brad Bromwell is in the best groove of his 16-year stint leading Clemson, and he has the 2026 Tigers in position to win 23 or more games for a fourth straight year due to some really good play from forwards Carter Welling and RJ Godfrey.
The duo is combining for over 20 points and 11 boards a night for Clemson. Although they suffered a frustrating loss to NC State in OT last month, it came after a nine-game win streak that was made possible by a top 15 defense giving up 64.5 points a game.
21. Saint Louis (LW: 22)
Don’t look now, but Saint Louis may have their best team in school history. The A-10’s top program has gotten off to an outstanding 22-1 start, and it is due to a high-powered offense that is posting 91.3 PPG — which is sixth best in the nation.
Leading the way is senior big man Robbie Avila. The starting center is posting 13.0 points and 4.5 rebounds, while shooting an outstanding 44.0% from three. While they don’t have a win against a ranked school, they have fairly earned a spot in our new college basketball rankings.
20. Miami (OH) (LW: 20)
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 23-0 record and currently sit atop the MAC. Their fantastic start is thanks to an offense that is No. 1 in the nation (92.8 PPG) and has six players posting 10 or more points a night. Miami won’t face a ranked team until the tournament, but they are a dark horse to keep an eye on.
19. Arkansas (LW: 17)
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 as he continues to generateNBA Draft buzz due to his play this season (20.3 points and 6.2 assists a night).
In year two with legendary head coach John Calipari, Arkansas has played rock-solid ball. Scoring big wins over four ranked teams. However, they are an imperfect team, and their setbacks to Auburn and Kentucky show they are good but beatable.
18. Virginia (LW: 14)
Head coach Ryan Odom had a rough start 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 (16.7) and rebounds (6.6) for the 19-3 team.
The only thing that has stopped the Cavaliers from closing in on the top 10 is the lack of wins against ranked programs. While they finally got one last month with a victory over Louisville, they immediately followed that up with a setback against North Carolina.
17. Vanderbilt (LW: 18)
Vanderbilt’s backcourt duo of Tyler Tanner and Duke Miles leads a Commodores offense that is scoring 88.8 PPG, which is 12th best in the nation. It’s why the team is off to one of their best starts in program history at 19-3.
For much of the season, they lacked a marquee victory over a ranked team, but finally got one last month against Alabama. However, they followed that up with a three-game losing skid, including defeats against Florida and Arkansas.
16. Florida (LW: 19)
The first couple of months of the season for defending champs Florida were rough as they lost four of their first nine games. However, since back-to-back defeats to Duke and UConn, the Gators have played far better. Since Dec. 13, they are 13-2 with wins over Vanderbilt and Alabama.
Juniors Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh have been leading the way during their resurgence. However, big man Rueben Chinyelu has been the X-factor as the center is having a breakout season. Averaging a double-double each night.
15. BYU (LW: 12)
Led by the player who could go No. 1 in June’s NBA Draft, AJ Dybantsa, BYU has had another good season. The No. 1 scorer in the nation (23.9 PPG) is also posting 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals a night. However, the team also has a very good backcourt combination in Richie Saunders and Robert Wright III.
While the Cougars are a worthy top 25 team, they have struggled all year against ranked teams. Losing four of five versus ranked schools. It is why they remain well outside the top 10 in our new college basketball rankings.
14. North Carolina (LW: 16)
Hubert Davis’ North Carolina team is worthy of a spot in our top 25 due to the outstanding performance of future lottery pick Caleb Wilson. The freshman leads the Tar Heels in points (20.0), rebounds (9.8), and steals (1.5). However, he is also getting big support from veterans Henri Veesaar (16.8 points and 9.0 rebounds) and Seth Trimble (14.1 points).
In January, the Tar Heels dropped in our college basketball rankings after losing three of four. However, Davis’ group has rebounded with four straight, including a victory over Virginia. They have a chance to jump into the 10 if they can upend rivals Duke this weekend.
13. Purdue (LW: 13)
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 nine assists a game.
Early in January, Purdue fairly earned their way back into the top five. However, they hit a bit slump at the end of the month. Losing three straight, including to Indiana. It is why they remain outside the top 10 in our new college basketball rankings.
12. Texas Tech (LW: 11)
Texas Tech has progressed a lot during Grant McCasland’s first two seasons overseeing the Red Raiders program. And if the formidable duo of JT Toppin (No. 6 scorer in the nation) and Christian Anderson can continue to play like they have, Tech could make some serious noise in March.
While they do own wins over Duke and BYU, they have often struggled against top 25 teams this year, including a loss to Kansas this week. It is why they haven’t broken into the top 10 of our recent college basketball rankings.
11. Michigan State (LW: 17)
Legendary coach Tom Izzo has another good Michigan State team on his hands in 2026. While they can score buckets, the Spartans have proven to be a handful for opponents because of a formidable defense that is giving up just 64.9 PPG.
There is no better proof of their potential than owning victories over three ranked teams, including North Carolina. Plus, Jeremy Fears has emerged as one of the best guards in the country. However, his recent crash-out against Minnesota and loss to Michigan before that are why they fall in our latest college basketball rankings.
10. Nebraska (LW: 6)
Fred Hoiberg’s 2026 team looks to be his best yet at Nebraska. The school heads into the weekend with a 22-2 record and is led by former Bradley recruit Rienk Mast. The Dutch senior is second on his team in points (14.1 PG) and rebounds (5.9). But he is also getting a lot of help from junior Pryce Sandfort, who leads in scoring with 17.2 PPG.
Nebraska emerged as a potential title contender after wins over Illinois and Michigan State. However, their status took a big hit in the last two weeks after big losses to Michigan and Illinois.
9. Iowa State (LW: 10)
In his final season at Iowa State, Joshua Jefferson is getting the attention of NBA Draft evaluators. The Las Vegas native leads the teams in rebounds (7.8) and is second in points (17.3), assists (5.1), and blocks (0.9). But the Cyclones have also gotten strong years from guard Tamin Lipsey and top scorer Milan Momcilovic (18.8).
They are 20-2 and own a destructive victory over one-time No. 1 team Purdue. After a pair of frustrating losses to Kansas can Cincinatti last month, they have reeled off four impressive wins since.
8. Kansas (LW: 15)
Kansas has been a frustratingly inconsistent group this season. You never truly know what you will get from week to week. They have the talent to beat teams like Tennessee and blow out Iowa State, but have also lost to West Virginia and UCF.
Despite their up-and-down play for much of the season, potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick Darryn Peterson and the Jayhawks are starting to heat up. They have won six straight, with half coming against ranked schools, including Iowa State and Texas Tech this week.
7. Illinois (LW: 9)
Brad Underwood has turned Illinois into a top program in the Big Ten. This season, Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic (13.5 PPG) has made a real impact as one of their top scorers. However, freshman guard Keaton Wagler is turning into the breakout star of the season. The native of Kansas leads the Fighting Illini in scoring (17.9) and assists (4.3).
While Illinois hit some bumps in the road in November and December, they have won their last 12, including over Nebraska and Purdue.
6. Houston (LW: 8)
Kelvin Sampson’s Houston squad is again among the top teams in the nation. Senior Emanuel Sharp (15.9 PPG) has been as important as ever. However, if they make another deep run in March, it will be because of the continued growth of freshman Kingston Flemings (17.0 points and 5.5 assists). The star guard is fast emerging as a potential lottery pick in June.
Yet, the main reason the Cougars head into the weekend with a 20-2 record is an elite defense that is limiting opponents to just 61.4 points a night — which is second-best in the nation. After a tough loss to Texas Tech late in January, Houston has reeled off three straight dominant wins.
5. Gonzaga (LW: 5)
Mark Few’s Gonzaga squad is off to an impressive 22-2 start because of what their veteran front court of Braden Huff and Graham Ike gives them each night. The duo is posting close to 40 points and 15 boards a game for the Bulldogs.
Following a 40-point loss to Michigan in November, Gonzaga has been a machine. Reeling off 15 straight Ws until a stunning loss to Portland this week.
4. Duke (LW: 3)
Duke is off to a vintage Blue Devils start because of the outstanding play of super prospect Cameron Boozer. The freshman, who stepped in to replace Cooper Flagg, leads the team in points (23.3) — which is also second best in the nation. He also tops the team in rebounds (9.9), assists (4.0), and steals (1.9).
Beyond the superb play of the man who could go No. 1 in June’s draft, Duke is also getting important minutes from sophomores Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba II. The trio is the main reason why Duke has a 21-1 record heading into a huge matchup with North Carolina this weekend.
3. Michigan (LW: 4)
After 21 games, Michigan is showing that head coach Dusty May has a team that can win the program’s first championship in close to 40 years. While former UAB star Yaxel Lendeborg is getting a lot of attention for being the tip of their scoring spear (14.7 PPG), the Wolverines have several other talented players on the eighth-best offensive team in the nation (90.5 PPG).
Their rise to elite status in 2026 features wins over five ranked teams, including Nebraska and Michigan State this week.
2. UConn (LW: 2)
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 be a serious title contender in 2026.
Senior big man Taris Reed Jr. (14.1 points and 7.8 rebounds) and junior guard Solo Ball (14.3 PPG) lead the way for a team that is not just a group to respect on offense, but is among the 10 best in the nation on defense as they give up just 63.8 points a night.
1. Arizona (LW: 1)
Arizona has been a juggernaut throughout the 2025-26 season. Led by impressive freshman Brayden Burries (15.3 points and 4.5 rebounds) and stud NBA prospect Koa Peat (14.58points and 5.6 rebounds), the Wildcats have posted wins over six top 25 teams, including UConn and BYU.
They have five players posting 10 or more points a game and are 11th in the nation in scoring (89.5 PPG). This is coach Tommy Lloyd’s best team since the group that went 33-4 four years ago.
