Every week, we have incredible storylines this season in men’s college basketball.
This week, previously undefeated and top-ranked Arizona lost back-to-back games to bring the Wildcats back down to Earth a bit. Miami (Ohio) now remains the lone unbeaten team, so I need to address why I still don’t have them ranked in my rankings. I have tremendous respect for the RedHawks and coach Travis Steele for what they’ve accomplished. No matter the conference, going undefeated into late February is difficult to do. It’s a great story, and we love the underdog in America. However, I don’t believe Miami is one of the 25 best teams in college basketball.
The word “undefeated” does matter, but not so much that I feel obligated to rank them. I’m still rooting for them to win, and I believe they should be included in the NCAA Tournament field — even if they don’t win their conference.
That said, here’s the latest edition of my men’s college basketball rankings, as of Feb. 15.
Utah State is tied with San Diego State for first place in the Mountain West. On Saturday, the Aggies flexed their muscles against a struggling Memphis team, beating the Tigers by 24 points.
Louisville is back in my rankings after winning five consecutive games, including dropping 118 points against NC State and then beating Baylor handedly in a random non-conference game in February. (More of this, please!)
Tennessee moved up two spots in my rankings after beating Mississippi State and LSU, which was expected. The Vols’ defense is still one of the toughest around. This Saturday’s contest at Vanderbilt is a big one.
Alabama has won four games in a row in the SEC and made 31 3-pointers combined this week. Next up is a conference matchup against Arkansas on Wednesday. That will be a fun one!
Wisconsin seems too low here, right? The backcourt duo of Nick Boyd and John Blackwell is wreaking havoc on the Big Ten right now. Wisconsin now has road wins at Michigan and Illinois, the conference’s two most talented teams.
[COLLEGE HOOPS: 4 Takeaways From Wisconsin’s Dominant Big Ten Win Over Michigan State]
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FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – FEBRUARY 14: Tahaad Pettiford #0 of the Auburn Tigers goes to the basket within the second half towards Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Area on February 14, 2026 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 88-75. (Photograph by Wesley Hitt/Getty Photos)
Arkansas freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. is among the finest gamers within the nation — interval. Auburn had no solutions for him on Saturday evening, however they aren’t the one ones.
I’m so bummed that probably the greatest gamers within the nation, Caleb Wilson, is injured (hand) and out indefinitely. He is the heartbeat of this crew, whereas additionally being probably the most proficient performer. I needed to drop North Carolina due to this.
Saint Louis performed two dangerous groups this week however smashed them each by a mixed 51 factors. The Billikens are dominating the Atlantic 10 and rank twenty third in KenPom.
St John’s win at Windfall was marred by a struggle adopted up with the dirtiest play I’ve seen all 12 months. Misplaced in among the aftermath was the stellar play of St. John’s Dylan Darling, who had 23 factors and eight rebounds off the bench.
After its three-game skid a few weeks again, Vanderbilt is again to enjoying its enjoyable model of offensive basketball, and the Dores are winners of 5 of their previous six video games. Ahead Tyler Nickel had 25 factors towards Texas A&M on Saturday.
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SOUTH BEND, IN – JANUARY 27: Jalen Haralson (10) of the Notre Dame Combating Irish handles the ball whereas defended by Thijs De Ridder (28) of the Virginia Cavaliers throughout a university basketball recreation on January 27, 2026 at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana. (Photograph by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
I watched Virginia beat a median Ohio State crew on Saturday, however the Cavaliers did it very methodically. That’s meant to be a excessive praise; Virginia performs each ends of the ball and doesn’t beat itself.
Gonzaga is probably the most tough crew to rank. I perceive those that suppose that the Zags haven’t any enterprise in my prime 15 after Braden Huff’s damage (knee) and their loss to lowly Portland. Nevertheless, I nonetheless imagine it is a good crew — however they’re slowly falling in my rankings.
Michigan State has misplaced three of its previous 4, together with a street loss to Wisconsin on Saturday. The excellent news is that the Spartans get to host UCLA and Ohio State this week to get proper.
My early skepticism about Nebraska was nicely documented, however I’ve come round. Regardless of a house loss to a wonderful Purdue crew, Nebraska is among the hardest groups within the nation. No lead is secure, as a result of the Huskers put 5 guys on the ground that may all shoot from 3.
Illinois misplaced at house to a surging Wisconsin crew however recovered on Sunday towards Indiana, so it did not drop far. Residence losses matter, after all, however I might nonetheless take the Combating Illini on a impartial ground within the NCAA Match towards all of the groups which might be beneath them proper now.
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 14: JT Toppin #15 of the Texas Tech Crimson Raiders controls the ball throughout the second half towards the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Middle at ALKEME Area on February 14, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. The Crimson Raiders defeated the Wildcats 78-75 in extra time. (Photograph by Chris Coduto/Getty Photos)
Texas Tech picked up the second-best win of any crew this season by taking down top-ranked Arizona in Tucson. (Iowa State beating Purdue by 23 at Mackey Area remains to be my No. 1.) That goes properly with the Crimson Raiders’ neutral-court win over Duke.
Kansas beat Arizona at house with out Darryn Peterson (sickness) after which bought dominated at Iowa State with Peterson enjoying (solely 10 factors), so I stored the Jayhawks proper the place they have been final week. The Arizona win means lots about the place this crew can go.
Florida‘s 5-4 begin to this season looks like one other lifetime in the past at this level, and I received’t maintain it towards the Gators as a result of not one of the losses have been dangerous. The Gators are each bit what we thought they may very well be initially of the season and are actually the favourite to win the SEC.
I used to be prepared to go away Purdue out of the title contender dialog a couple of weeks in the past, however their extra time win at Nebraska adopted by a Saturday demolition of Iowa has the Boilermakers again in my prime 10.
UConn barely beat Georgetown at house on Saturday. Not that spectacular — I do know — however aside from that entertaining loss at St John’s final week, UConn is among the most constant groups within the nation.
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 14: Cameron Boozer #12 of the Duke Blue Devils prepares to shoot a free throw throughout the recreation towards the Clemson Tigers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photograph by Lance King/Getty Photos)
Duke may be underrated at No. 5 as a result of the Blue Devils’ protection is elite (and their NET is 2). They utterly shut down Clemson crew on Saturday. Their protection will give them an opportunity to win each recreation, however their offensive depth is what worries me.
My emotions about who Iowa State is (prime 5) and what the Cyclones are able to (nationwide title) have not wavered a lot because the begin of the 12 months. Their revenge win towards Kansas simply confirmed that. Milan Momcilovic’s nook fade-away 3 within the first half was probably the most ridiculously made shot I’ve seen this season.
Again-to-back losses aren’t excellent for Arizona followers, however I believe it may very well be factor for this group. I believe the Wildcats will regroup. Koa Peat’s damage (decrease leg) is far more regarding, nevertheless. We’ll control that.
Houston is now within the lead within the Massive 12. This will probably be an intriguing race and an enchanting convention match in March. The Cougars will host Arizona this week, which is among the most necessary regular-season video games of the 12 months.
Michigan demolished an improved UCLA crew by 30 factors on Saturday, a consequence that stunned nobody. That’s why this crew is the perfect within the land. Aday Mara bought to beat up on his previous coach, too. That needed to be enjoyable for him.
