March Madness is here, and the race for the top of the college basketball rankings is heating up. With NCAA Tournament bids being secured and conference tournament brackets taking shape, teams are making their final push to solidify their standing. From stunning buzzer-beaters to powerhouse performances, this past weekend delivered incredible moments that shook up the rankings.
Duke Claims No. 1 in College Basketball Rankings
The biggest headline? Duke has taken over the No. 1 spot in the latest college basketball rankings after dominating the ACC regular season. The Blue Devils wrapped up a 19-1 conference record, securing the top seed in the ACC Tournament with a commanding 82-69 victory over North Carolina.
Duke’s success has been fueled by a balanced attack led by Cooper Flagg, who continues to prove why he’s a generational talent. In the win over UNC, Flagg stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks. He got plenty of help from Kon Knueppel (17 points) and Tyrese Proctor & Sion James (combined 32 points), showing why the Blue Devils are the top team in the college basketball rankings.
With Duke sitting at 28-3, they are in prime position to enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.
St. John’s Cracks the Top 5 After Thrilling Finish
One of the biggest risers in this week’s college basketball rankings is St. John’s, which climbed into the Top 5 after an unforgettable 86-84 overtime win against No. 20 Marquette. The Red Storm, led by RJ Luis (28 points, 10 rebounds) and Kadary Richmond (triple-double: 10 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists), have matched a program record with 27 regular-season wins.
Coach Rick Pitino, who recently appeared on The Tonight Show, has engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in college basketball rankings history. With an 18-2 Big East record, St. John’s is now seen as a legitimate Final Four contender.
Alabama Wins an Instant Classic vs. Auburn
Alabama and Auburn delivered one of the best games of the season, with Mark Sears hitting a clutch game-winner to lift the Crimson Tide to a 93-91 victory.
The Tide got revenge for their earlier loss by outmuscling Auburn in key moments. Grant Nelson (23 points, 8 rebounds) and Cliff Omoruyi (15 points, 8 rebounds) led the way, while Labaron Philon (15 points) provided a spark.
Auburn’s Johni Broome was sensational despite the loss (34 points, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks), but Alabama’s defense stepped up late to secure the win. This back-and-forth battle proves both teams are Final Four threats as they climb in the latest college basketball rankings.
Six Other Key Takeaways from the Weekend
1. St. John’s Continues Its Magical Season
St. John’s isn’t just a Top 5 team in the college basketball rankings—they’re playing like a national title contender. Zuby Ejiofor’s buzzer-beater against Marquette sealed another thrilling win, and RJ Luis is emerging as one of the best players in the country.
2. Kentucky Adds Another Top-15 Win
The Wildcats matched a college basketball record with their eighth Top-15 win of the season. Otega Oweh (22 points), Koby Brea (17 points), and Andrew Carr (16 points, 12 rebounds) led Kentucky to a 91-83 win over Missouri. Despite inconsistency this year, they have the talent to make a deep NCAA Tournament run.
3. Houston Dominates the Big 12
Houston clinched another Big 12 regular-season title, finishing with an incredible 19-1 conference record. Under Kelvin Sampson, the Cougars have gone 34-4 in two seasons of Big 12 play, solidifying their Top 3 status in the college basketball rankings.
4. Illinois Rises After Big Wins
Illinois is back in the Top 25 after back-to-back ranked wins, including an 88-80 victory over Purdue. Led by Kasparas Jakucionis (potential NBA lottery pick) and Will Riley (22 points), the Illini closed the game on a 13-1 run, proving they can make a deep run in March.
5. BYU Stays Hot with 8-Game Win Streak
BYU is one of the hottest teams in the college basketball rankings, winning eight straight games behind Richie Saunders and top draft prospect Egor Demin. However, the story of the Big 12 remains Houston’s dominance.
6. NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch
As the season winds down, bubble teams are making their final push. Indiana’s win over Ohio State might have secured their NCAA Tournament bid, while Xavier’s strong finish has put them in a good position. Meanwhile, UNC’s 1-11 Quad 1 record might be their downfall.
Updated College Basketball Rankings: Top 25
- Duke (28-3)
- Houston (27-4)
- Auburn (27-4)
- Florida (27-4)
- St. John’s (27-4)
- Alabama (24-7)
- Michigan State (26-5)
- Tennessee (25-6)
- Texas Tech (24-7)
- Clemson (26-5)
- Maryland (24-7)
- Louisville (25-6)
- BYU (23-8)
- Iowa State (23-8)
- Memphis (26-5)
- Wisconsin (23-8)
- Kentucky (21-10)
- Saint Mary’s (27-4)
- Texas A&M (22-9)
- Missouri (21-10)
- Illinois (20-11)
- Purdue (21-10)
- Oregon (22-8)
- UC San Diego (28-4)
- Drake (29-3)
Final Thoughts
With Duke leading the college basketball rankings, St. John’s surging into the Top 5, and powerhouse teams like Houston, Auburn, and Alabama making statements, this season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent history.
With conference tournaments around the corner, expect even more chaos as teams fight for their spot in March Madness. Buckle up—this is what college basketball rankings are all about!
