College Basketball Power Rankings: Texas on Top

1. Texas Longhorns (17-0) - The Longhorns top our list for this week’s college basketball power rankings, but that could all change if they fall to Kansas State tonight. NCAA basketball odds makers have listed Texas as a 1.5-point underdog for tonight’s contest. The Horns have great inside/outside balance, but we’ll see what they are really made of as they get deeper into a very challenging Big 12 slate.

2. Villanova Wildcats (16-1) – Nova has great guard depth, led by Scottie Reynolds, and that is going to make the Cats very tough once again come tourney time. Since a loss at rival Temple, Nova has taken care of both Marquette and Louisville on the road and is coming off a big win over Georgetown Sunday.

3. Kansas Jayhawks (16-1) – The Jayhawks have rebounded from a loss at Tennessee with back-to-back double digit wins over Nebraska and Texas Tech. I really like the Jayhawks because of the leadership and experience they have at the point guard spot with Sherron Collins. Kentucky’s John Wall may be more talented, but I’ll take Collins’ experience come tourney time any day.

4. Duke Blue Devils (15-2) – Duke leads the entire country in RPI and I love the games of both Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler. Since losing at Georgia Tech, the Dukies have absolutely crushed Boston College and Wake Forest. They take on in-state rival N.C. State next.

5. Kentucky Wildcats (18-0) – I’m just not sold on the Wildcats yet. They are just 10th in the RPI rankings. They will likely remain highly ranked this season playing in the weaker SEC, and they no doubt have an incredible player in John Wall, but inexperience figures to be an issue. With that being said, Coach Cal is one of the best, and his boys will continue to improve throughout the season.

6. Michigan State Spartans (15-3) – After getting to the national title game last season, expectations are high for the Spartans. You have to love the way head coach Tom Izzo gets his boys to defend, and Kalin Lucas is clearly one of the best points guards in the country. I’ll be looking forward to next month’s matchup with Purdue.

7. Syracuse Orange (17-1) – Cuse is No. 2 in the RPI, and I like the addition of Wesley Johnson. The thing that tells the story with this team is they are No. 1 in the country in offensive field goal percentage and No. 10 in field goal percentage defense. Any time you can rank in the top 10 in those two categories, you’re a pretty good team.

8. Kansas State Wildcats (15-2) – The Wildcats are off to a strong start, especially at home where they are 10-0. They can really solidify themselves as a legit contender by knocking off Texas tonight.

9. Tennessee Volunteers (14-2) – Despite losing Tyler Smith, the Vols have asserted themselves as a force to be reckoned with after defeating then-No. 1 ranked Kansas. Tennessee figures to perform well in the SEC, but the big question is how it will fare in the Big Dance. Smith was Tennessee’s go-to guy when it needed someone to make a play. His absence could be felt more in March.

10. Pittsburgh Panthers (15-2) – While I’m not sold on Pitt as a championship contender with all the talent it lost from last year’s team, the Panthers certainly have it going right now with eight straight wins, and one of those was a victory at Syracuse.

Put your trust in Jimmy Boyd’s NCAA basketball picks for the best basketball betting season you’ve ever experienced.