A Look Into the NCAA Men’s Basketball AP Top 25

After an amazing 2020-2021 season filled with upsets, cinderellas, storylines, and a newly crowned NCAA men’s basketball champion in the Baylor Bears. This 2021-2022 season will be an exciting one see.

#1 Gonzaga University

Photo Credit to Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Last Season Overall 31-1, Conf 15-0

With a near-perfect season in grasp, the Gonzaga Bulldogs were one win away from winning their first NCAA championship and becoming the eighth undefeated national champion in history. In the final, Baylor would ultimately spoil their run but heading into the 2021-2022 season, the Gonzaga Bulldogs look to pick up where they left off in a big way. In the offseason, with Corey Kispert, Jalen Suggs, and Joel Ayayi declaring for the draft, Zags coach Mark Few recruited future National College Player of Year candidate Chet Holmgren, guard Hunter Sallis, and Nolan Hickman to replace them. An overall combining with Julian Strawther and Drew Timme this Gonzaga team are not only the favorites to win it all but could possibly go undefeated once again.

#2 ucla

Last Season Overall 22-10, Conf 13-6

Coming off an unbelievable season, the once Cinderella’s of the NCAA tournament enter the 2021-2022 season as one of the top programs in men’s basketball. The Bruins captained by elite shooter Johnny Juzang and playmaker Jaime Jacquez Jr look to carry their momentum into this season as all eyes and expectations are on them to win. To further solidify their roster the Bruin’s coach Mick Cronin recruited a tremendous forward in Peyton Watson and guard Will McClendon who in which they will be without this season due to a torn ACL. The Bruins also in the transfer market scooped up for Rutgers big man Myles Johnson to ease the pressure off starter Cody Riley, bringing a defensive versatility and playmaking to an already tenacious squad. The Bruins start the season with an easy home game versus CSUB but will be tested early in a matchup against #4 Villanova. Will the Bruins live up to the hype or will they disappoint?

3. Kansas

Last Season Overall 21-9, Conf 12-6

Led by their leading scorers in David McCormack (#33) and Ochai Agbaji (#30), the Kansas Jayhawks entering this season is well prepared to compete in the Big 12 with a experienced squad featuring a outstanding transfer class with notable elite guards in Remy Martin and Jalen Coleman-Lands as well as nearly four out of five starters from last year returning. In a loaded Big 12 conference with the reigning NCAA champion Baylor and a rebuilt Texas. There is high optimism within the Kansas organization that this year could be there’s for the taking.

4. Villanova

Last Season Overall 18-7, Conf 11-4

After losing to the eventual NCAA champions in the sweet sixteen, Villanova this season can be a surprise team to win it all. Although they are the fourth ranked team in the nation, I believe the Wildcats are a underrated team that could be overlooked. Notable players that will be impactful for the Wildcats will be the trio pictured above in Collin Gillespie, Jermaine Samuels, and Justin Moore as they will be leading scorers and the reason for Villanova’s success besides head coach Jay Wright. Nova’s first game will be against Mount St. Mary’s (MD.) but their largest test will be their second game versus UCLA.

5. Texas

Last Season Overall 19-8, Conf 11-6

After six years under Shaka Smart, the Texas Longhorns have decided to go in a new direction hiring former Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard. Under the current regimen, Texas quickly transitioned to a new era through recruiting and allowing Beard to get the players he wanted. Those players through the transfer market include guard Marcus Carr, Devin Askew from Kentucky, center Tre Mitchell, forward Timmy Allen, and etc. So overall entering this season and a competitive Big 12 conference, Texas will be a noteworthy team to watch moving forward.

6. Michigan

Last Season Overall 23-5, Conf 14-3

Entering their third season under head coach and wolverine legend Juwan Howard, Michigan appears to be slowly building momentum to becoming a title contender and a successful program for years to come. As it was proven last year by their tournament run to the elite eight ultimately losing to UCLA in a close back and forth game. So to further build upon their success, Howard recruited top prospects in forwards Caleb Houston and Moussa Diabate as well as prospects in Kobe Bufkin and etc. to establish the third-ranked recruiting class in the nation. Overall, I expect Michigan to compete for the title and possibly be champions of the Big Ten as the conference is very much competitive with the likes Illinois, Iowa, Purdue, and Ohio State.

7. Purdue

Last Season Overall 18-10, Conf 13-6

Ranked below their conference rival in Michigan, the Purdue Boilermakers are in my opinion in the middle of the pack between under and overrated. Purdue as an established program is underrated due to their successful play and seasons these past years. But what makes them possibly overrated is their upset loss over North Texas in the tournament and a lack of challenge in their schedule last season besides losses versus decent opponents from other conferences and rivals Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio State. However, this season Purdue will be tested from late November to early December. Overall signaling although Purdue may win early on, we won’t know the true Purdue until they play North Carolina.

8. Baylor

Last Season Overall 28-2, Conf 13-1

As the reigning and defending NCAA champions, the Baylor Bears will have a target on their back considering they were one of the best teams in college basketball last season, however with a new competitive Big 12 it will be interesting to see who will try to dethrone Baylor. As Kansas and Texas who ranked above will have a say in whether the Bears can continue to be a legitimate team. With a couple of returning starters from the championship season and three talented four-star recruits, the Big 12 crown will be neck and neck race.

9. Duke

Last Season Overall 13-11, Conf 9-9

In Coach K’s 41st and last season as the coach of Duke University, this farewell season will be a memorable and special one considering his career and impact on the college game. But to go back to the team overall, Duke besides the name and Coach K’s history, can be a competitive team this year after their disappointing season last year. Through recruiting, Coach K assembled four of the most talented prospects out of the five positions that one can choose. The big-name from the group and one I look forward to the most is forward Pablo Banchero. Their first test is against the Kentucky Wildcats who are in a similar situation to Duke. In the end, will Duke win Coach K’s sixth national championship in his final year?

10. Kentucky

Last Season Overall 9-16, Conf 8-9

Upon a disappointing 2020-2021 season, missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008-2009, and several prospects entering the draft or transferring. The Kentucky Wildcats, led by head coach John Calipari has retooled and rebuilt the program mixing in several transfers, a top 10 recruiting class head by guard TyTy Washington, and returning players. Forming an experienced group ready to reclaim the SEC. It will interesting to see if the Wildcats can return back to competitive form but in a tough SEC conference, the Wildcats will be tested from the beginning against Duke till the end of March at Florida.

11-15

11. Illinois (Last Season Overall 24-7, Conf 16-4) Like the Big 12 champions, Illinois will make noise this season with the return of Kofi, talented starters, and 23 ranked recruiting class. The question is can they repeat their success?

12. Memphis (Last Season Overall 20-8, Conf 11-4 ) With the #1 ranked recruiting class Memphis under coach Penny Hardaway will look to climb into the top 10. Headlined by elite prospects Jalen Duran and Emoni Bates, the Tigers appear to be making noise in college basketball. The question can the players and the program live up to the hype or will they have a similar season to that of 2019-2020 where they also had the #1 ranked recruiting class.

13. Oregon (Last Season Overall 21-7, Conf 14-4) Headlined by Nathan Bittle of their recruiting class, coach Dana Altman has always established Oregon as the one of best yet underrated teams in the nation. Through his recruiting and use of the transfer market, this season and roster for the Ducks will be very competitive and on par with UCLA as the contenders for the Pac-12 conference. Overall the Ducks can go far the season but the question is will they?

14. Alabama (Last Season Overall 24-7, Conf 16-4) Having lost to UCLA in the sweet sixteen, the Crimson Tide will look to build upon their success last season as the SEC champions once again. With a loaded roster led by JD Davison and Jahvon Quinerly, it will be intresting to see if the Crimson Tide can repeat in a competitive SEC conference filled with Georgia, LSU, Kentucky, and Arkansas.

15. Houston (Last Season Overall 28-4, Conf 14-3 ) As one of the surprising teams to make the Final Four last season, this season will be interesting to see if the Cougars can continue their success. However, with the likes of Cincinnati and Memphis, Houston will be a tough race for the AAC title once again.

16-20

16. Arkansas (Last Season Overall 25-7, Conf 13-4) As mentioned above in a crowded and tough SEC conference, the Razorbacks are in for a challenge but with a presumed easy first half of games this season. Arkansas with the likes of coach Eric Musselman and senior JD Notae. The Razorbacks have the potential once again to make the tournament and be one of the best this season.

17. Ohio State (Last Season Overall 21-10, Conf 12-8) After starting hot and cold last season, the Buckeyes will look pick up the pace and be a competitor in the Big Ten. However, with the likes of Michigan and Illinois, Ohio State will have to outclass and beat their rivals in the Big Ten to be legitimate this season.

18. Tennessee (Last Season Overall 18-9, Conf 10-7) Looking into the season the Volunteers, are competitive that likely build through momentum and last year indicated that Tennesse is very much not a team beat due to their defensive prowess.

19. North Carolina (Last Season Overall 18-11, Conf 10-6) With the retirement of long-time coach Roy Williams and the hiring of Hubert Davis, the Tar Heels are in a sort of middle ground in college basketball. As it is early to predict what they could be. An in a stacked ACC conference North Carolina will be in the thick of it as contenders. For now, with a roster with returning starters and promising prospects, North Carolina will be a growing team moving forward.

20. Florida State (Last Season Overall 18-7, Conf 11-4) As Scottie Barnes entered the draft this season the Seminoles with a great ACC conference was going to be compelling but makes this Florida State team underrated is their roster and addition of prospects and transfers. Building another team built on their defensive versatility and length.

21-25

21. Maryland (Last Season Overall 17-14, Conf 9-11) The Terrapins will be in a tough stretch this season being in the Big Ten, but with a mixture of young and experienced prospects. Maryland will be in the middle of the pack and possibly can compete for a spot in the tournament.

22. Auburn (Last Season Overall 13-14, Conf 7-11) As the last team from the SEC to be ranked the Tigers, are in a position to surprise everyone thanks to the recruitment of top 10 prospect Jabri Smith and the transfers of Walker Kessler and K.D. Johnson. An after a bad season last year Auburn has what it takes to be a better team in college basketball this season.

23. St. Bonaventure (Last Season Overall 16-5 , Conf 11-4) Being one of the more unknown teams in the rankings, St.Bonaventure is an elite team in the Atlantic 10 and can very well be a team that can be upset but win their conference due to teams experienced roster.

24. UConn (Last Season Overall 15-8, Conf 11-6) This season Huskies are a team with potential due to their revamped roster led by coach Dan Hurley. However, with Villanova in the Big East, the conference, for now, is a battle for second place. It will be intriguing to see if UConn can take that next step but for now, the Huskies are a decent tournament team as it is.

25. Virginia (Last Season Overall 18-7, Conf 13-4) As the #25 ranked team in the nation, the Virginia Cavaliers have fallen from one of the best teams in the nation to barely making the AP top 25. Last season after having the best record in the ACC, the Cavaliers were then hit with covid protocols that would then end their season. When it came to the tournament, the pressure ended up getting to them, as they would be upset by the 13th seeded Ohio university in a thrilling game. This season led by Tony Bennett, the Cavaliers will look back reclaim their glory, and remind the ACC as well as the media that Virginia is a winning program and is here to stay.

All stats, rankings, recruiting, and information were researched from Google, ESPN, 247sports.com, and the website of each college men’s basketball team.