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College basketball power rankings: Duke is easy call as new No. 1

By Shayne Nissen

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 15: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils tries to get past Justin Roberts #2 of the Georgia State Panthers during the second half during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 15, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 15: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils tries to get past Justin Roberts #2 of the Georgia State Panthers during the second half during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 15, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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The college basketball rankings are cycling through No. 1 teams after a pair of big upsets. After Kentucky’s loss to Evansville, Duke is the new No. 1.

There were plenty of teams that showed out in week two, but there are also some teams that fell flat on their faces. Yes, we’re looking directly at you Kentucky. Here are our college basketball power rankings entering Week 3, with a new No. 1 as Duke takes the top spot from Kentucky.

1. Duke 

For years now we have gotten used to Coach K dominating with one-and-done players. But through four games this season, it’s been Tre Jones who has dominated for the Blue Devils. The sophomore point guard was one of the four highly touted recruits from last year’s team and the only one to not declare for the NBA draft. So far this season Jones leads the team with 17 points per game, 5.8 assists per game, and nearly two steals per game. For a team still largely surrounded by freshmen, Jones could prove to be the veteran presence last year’s team was missing.

2. Michigan State

Cassius Winston is proving to everyone why he was the favorite to win the Naismith Trophy coming into this season. The senior is averaging a team-high 19.7 points per game and 6.3 assists through the Spartan’s first three games this season. Despite a loss to then No. 2 Kentucky in the first game of the season, the Spartans have bounced back with victories over Binghamton and Seton Hall. Both Kentucky and Seton Hall are top 15 teams in the country so we have to give credit where credit is due. The Spartans are playing a very tough schedule this season, and their victory over Seton Hall on Thursday cements their spot at No. 2 on this list.

3. Louisville

Expectations were sky-high for the Louisville basketball program coming into this season. That’s because their leading scorer and rebounder from a season ago in Jordan Nwora returned for his junior season. Through their first four games, Nwora has proved to be one of the elites in the scoring category, as he is averaging 21.7 points per game. He isn’t the only one though as five different players are averaging double-digit points this season for the Cardinals. Louisville looks to be as solid as anyone in the country right now.

4. North Carolina

If you want to sum up North Carolina’s season so far, it won’t take you very long. Cole Anthony has been the best player in college basketball through two weeks. His 27.3 points per game through three games are all you need to point to prove that. The freshman son of Greg Anthony has been lights-out and it started right away with a whopping 34 points in their season opener against Notre Dame. This Tar Heel team is going to be very hard to beat if he keeps up this level of play.

5. Kansas

Sure the first game of the season for Kansas was very sloppy. But there aren’t many teams in the country who are going to come out looking like a championship-caliber team and especially not against Duke. While there’s no denying the sloppy play in the eventual loss to Duke, there’s also no denying the talent this Jayhawks team has. The guard tandem of Devon Dotson and Isaiah Moss have been fantastic, and with a favorable schedule ahead of them, Kansas should see plenty of wins this week.