Breaking Down RBTL's College Basketball Rankings: Who's Rising and Who's Falling?

With conference tournaments fast approaching, the battle for supremacy in college basketball is heating up. This week’s rankings see a major shake-up at the top, as Duke claims the No. 1 spot following a strong finish to the regular season. Meanwhile, powerhouses like Houston and Florida continue to assert themselves as legitimate title contenders. With teams jockeying for seeding in the NCAA Tournament, let’s dive into this week’s top 10 and the squads knocking on the door.

1. Duke (28-3)

We have a new No. 1 this week: the Duke Blue Devils. Although the ACC has been relatively weak this year, Duke has taken care of business, defeating all challengers and securing the ACC regular-season title. Cooper Flagg and company are primed for a strong performance in the NCAA Tournament.

2. Houston (27-4)

Houston continues its dominance of the Big 12 with two more wins last week. The Cougars' offense is starting to catch up to their suffocating defense, a combination that should strike fear in all opponents come tournament time.

3. Florida (27-4)

The Gators had another strong week, highlighted by a top-10 victory over No. 8 Alabama. With All-SEC guard Walter Clayton Jr. leading the way and big man Alex Condon showing his dominance, Florida looks like a team destined for a Final Four run.

4. Auburn (27-4)

The Tigers' reign at No. 1 came to an end this week after losses to No. 21 Texas A&M and No. 8 Alabama. Despite the tough week, expect Coach Bruce Pearl to have his squad ready for the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.

5. Michigan State (26-5)

The Spartans continued their Big Ten dominance with wins over Iowa and No. 17 Michigan, securing the Big Ten regular-season title. With one of the deepest rosters in the nation, Michigan State is prepared for the challenges ahead.

6. St. John’s (27-4)

The Red Storm continued their stronghold on the Big East with a gritty win over No. 18 Marquette. With Rick Pitino at the helm and the team firing on all cylinders, St. John’s will be a tough out in the tournament.

7. Alabama (24-7)

The Crimson Tide split their games last week, losing to No. 4 Florida but bouncing back with a big win over No. 1 Auburn. This remains one of the toughest teams in the country, but their success hinges on hitting three-pointers. If their shots don’t fall, their defense will need to step up to compete with elite teams.

8. Tennessee (25-6)

The Vols also went 1-1 last week, falling to Ole Miss but defeating South Carolina. Tennessee seems to be the opposite of Alabama—its defense is strong enough to beat any team, but inconsistent shooting could be a major hurdle in the tournament.

9. Texas Tech (24-7)

The Red Raiders secured two key Big 12 wins last week, earning them the conference's regular-season title. With JT Toppin leading the way, Texas Tech will be a difficult matchup for any team moving forward.

10. Maryland (24-7)

Maryland cracks the top 10 after a strong season in the Big Ten and a notable win over No. 17 Michigan last week. The Terrapins boast a powerful frontcourt duo in Julian Reese and freshman lottery pick Derik Queen, complemented by steady guard play from Rodney Rice and Jacob Gillespie. Keep an eye on Maryland as the tournament approaches.

On the Outside Looking In:

11. Clemson (26-5), 12. Texas A&M (22-9), 13. Iowa State (23-8), 14. Louisville (25-6), 15. Kentucky (21-10)

The Rest:

16. Memphis (26-5), 17. Wisconsin (23-8), 18. Saint Mary’s (27-4), 19. BYU (23-8), 20. Purdue (21-10), 21. Oregon (23-8), 22. Missouri (21-10), 23. Michigan (22-9), 24. Marquette (22-9), 25. Drake (30-3)