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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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RICHMOND, VA – NOVEMBER 08: Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the VCU Rams defends a shot from Thomas Bell #13 of the North Texas Mean Green in the second half during a game at Stuart C. Siegel Center on November 8, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – NOVEMBER 08: Marcus Santos-Silva #14 of the VCU Rams defends a shot from Thomas Bell #13 of the North Texas Mean Green in the second half during a game at Stuart C. Siegel Center on November 8, 2019 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

21. VCU

The lone representative of the Atlantic 10 on this list, VCU gets their name inside the top 25 thanks to an 84-82 win over LSU this past week. It was a game that saw Marcus Santos-Silva shine as he scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the victory. After a disappointing first season for head coach Mike Rhoades, he got back to the NCAA Tournament last year. It looks highly likely we will see the Rams dancing again behind a very talented cast of players.

22. Oklahoma

Oklahoma finds its way into the top 25 after two big victories over both Minnesota and Oregon State. The departure of college basketball superstar Trae Young left a hole in last year’s team but behind leading scorer Austin Reaves, the Sooners are starting to fill those holes. Veterans Kristian Doolittle and Brady Manek are leading an experienced Oklahoma squad that will look to make some noise in the Big 12 this season.

23. Texas

Another Big 12 team that was unranked in the AP poll coming into the season, the Texas Longhorns find themselves inside the top 25 after win over No. 23 Purdue. Texas basketball hasn’t been exactly stellar over the last handful of years but this team is trying to change that. Junior Matt Coleman and sophomore Andrew Jones are leading the Longhorns as the only two double-digit scorers through four games. But behind one of the better Texas rosters in recent memory, the Longhorns are looking to get back to the NCAA tournament.

24. Washington

Despite a loss to Tennessee the reigning Pac-12 champs still find themselves inside the top 25 thanks to an early-season win over Baylor. The Huskies were thoroughly beaten despite Nanziah Carter’s best efforts to keep the Huskies in the game. Carter was the team’s No. 5 leading scorer last season, but he currently leads the team with 18.7 points per game this season. The Huskies should continue to get tune-ups leading up to their showdown with Gonzaga.

25. Saint Mary’s 

Saint Mary’s gets into the top 25 despite an overtime loss to Winthrop. That’s what playing and beating Wisconsin in the first game of the season will do for you. Returning 20-points per game score Jordan Ford is leading the team once again with 19.3 this season. That includes a 19-point outburst in their most recent victory against Cal Poly.

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