Week 21 of the NCAA basketball season is in progress, so lets look at who is taking the top spots in the power rankings. It’s been an interesting season as we have seen that no one is safe. Usually you have that one team that stands head and shoulders over the rest, that one team that might not be unbeaten, but is a clear cut best team. This year you don’t have that. It’s like there are 9 or 10 teams that at any given point could be or already have been the number one team in the nation. With that being said let’s take a look at the top 5 entering into week 23.
- Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have been a favorite to win the title all season and have played great basketball. The Sooners have played 5 teams in the top 25 this year, but they have lost 2 of the 3. The have beaten Villanova, West Virginia and Baylor, but they lost to Kansas and Iowa State. So how far can the Sooners go? That may be up to Naismith trophy award candidate Buddy Heild who is putting together a spectacular season.
- North Carolina Tarheels
The Tarheels are by far the hottest team in the NCAA. They haven’t lost a game since December and have what many call the most talented roster in college hoops. The Tarheels have lost twice to Northern Iowa and Texas, but since that loss 12 weeks ago they haven’t looked back. Carolina has only played 1 ranked team in Maryland; however they did win in convincing fashion over the Terapins. Hopefully another Naismith candidate Brice Johnson can lead the Tarheels to a 6th National title.
- Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes have probably the toughest schedule here as they have played 8 ranked teams including Dayton, Purdue (twice), Michigan State (twice), Wichita State, Notre Dame and Iowa State. Iowa has only lost 3 games all to ranked opponents: Notre Dame, Dayton and Iowa State. But they did beat Michigan State twice and Purdue twice so beware of the Hawkeyes because they are hungry for a title this year
- Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks have occupied the top spot for much of this year until recently where they have lost 3 of their last 5. The Jayhawks have played 5 ranked teams, but they seem to crumble a little bit seeing as though they’ve only won 2 of them against Oklahoma and Baylor; however, they have lost to Michigan State, West Virginia and Iowa State. It’s a little early to count the Jayhawks out, but based off this season’s track record, they aren’t looking to good under pressure.
- Villanova Wildcats
Villanova is another one of those teams that could be number 1 at any point in time, but could also lose at any point. Another team to have played 5 ranked teams they, like the Jayhawks, have crumbled under pressure losing 3 of 5 to ranked opponents. They have lost to Oklahoma, Providence and Virginia, but they did manage to beat Butler and kill Xavier.
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