The month of March is just a week away, but the madness has been going on all season long in college basketball. There could yet be more unexpected twists and turns as teams finish up their remaining regular season games, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Here is our list of top 10 teams in college hoops for the last week of February.
Meanwhile, check out some of the best college basketball action this week with our previews of Kansas vs. Baylor and Michigan State vs. Ohio State.
March Madness News & Predictions
- 2016 March Madness Sleepers Predictions and Picks
- 2016 March Madness Longshots and Best Long Shots Picks and Predictions
- 2016 March Madness Preview
- 2016 NCAA March Madness Expert Picks
NCAA College Basketball Power Rankings: Nova Still No. 1
1. Villanova (24-3, 13-1 Big East)
Previous Rank: 1
2. Kansas (23-4, 11-3 Big 12)
Previous Rank: 2
Kansas needs just two more wins in their last four games to seal at least a share of another Big 12 regular season title. That’ll be easier said than done with three games against teams currently ranked in the Top 25 (at Baylor, at Texas, and vs. Iowa State).
3. Oklahoma (21-5, 9-5 Big 12)
Previous Rank: 3
With three losses in their last five games, the Oklahoma Sooners are stumbling to the finish line. They better not make any more mistakes in Bedlam against Oklahoma State, or they risk letting a No. 1 seed in the tournament slip.
4. Michigan State (22-5, 9-5 Big Ten)
Previous Rank: 10
With 20-plus points in his last five and 10-plus assists in his last three, Denzel Valentine is making a late push for the Wooden Award. Another showcase performance on national television this Tuesday night against Ohio State would definitely get a couple more voters’ attention.
5. North Carolina (22-5, 11-3 ACC)
Previous Rank: 4
North Carolina’s 25-point win over Miami looks a lot better after the Canes turned around and beat Virginia. The Tar Heels better take care of business at North Carolina State this Wednesday, because their last three games – at Virginia, vs. Syracuse and at Duke – are not going to be gimmes.
6. Xavier (24-3, 12-3 Big East)
Previous Rank: 7
As crazy as it seems, Xavier still has a very good shot at claiming a No. 1 seed in the tournament. A nice, shiny win over the No. 1 team in the country would look pretty good on the ol’ resume, and the Musketeers will have the chance to claim that marquee victory when they host Villanova this week.
7. Maryland (23-5, 11-4 Big Ten)
Previous Rank: 6
After two very bad losses to Wisconsin and Minnesota, Maryland finally stopped the bleeding with a win against Michigan. But if Melo Trimble (12 PPG on 19 percent shooting in his last four games) doesn’t rediscover his stroke soon, the Terps’ dreams of a No. 1 seed are toast.
8. Virginia (21-6, 10-5 ACC)
Previous Rank: 8
With another loss at Miami, all six of Virginia’s losses this season have now come on the road. However, it should come as good news for the Hoos that the two toughest games left on their schedule – starting with North Carolina on Saturday – will both be at home.
9. Iowa (20-6, 11-3 Big Ten)
Previous Rank: 5
Iowa’s been one of the great stories of the college basketball season so far, but a close call against Minnesota and a loss at Penn State could indicate that the Hawkeyes are slowly running out of steam. Their next two games – vs. Wisconsin on Wednesday and at Ohio State on Sunday – will be crucial in getting their season back on track.
10. Miami (FL) (22-5, 11-4 ACC)
Previous Rank: –
First, Duke, and now, Virginia. The moral of the story: never sleep on Miami, especially in Coral Gables. If the Canes can claim another marquee win on Saturday against Louisville, a possible top-two seed could be on the horizon.
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