Fansided

College basketball power rankings: Duke stays at No. 1, Florida rebounds

By Shayne Nissen

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Duke Blue Devils guard Tre Jones (3) reacts after Duke Blue Devils center Vernon Carey Jr. (1) makes a basket during the first half of the 2K Empire Classic college basketball game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Georgetown Hoyas on November 22, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Duke Blue Devils guard Tre Jones (3) reacts after Duke Blue Devils center Vernon Carey Jr. (1) makes a basket during the first half of the 2K Empire Classic college basketball game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Georgetown Hoyas on November 22, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 20: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against the Elon Phoenix during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 20, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 75-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 20: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives to the basket against the Elon Phoenix during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on November 20, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 75-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

6. North Carolina

The Tar Heels fall to six after a major scare in which they trailed Elon at halftime in their game on Wednesday. North Carolina was eventually able to pull it out with a 75-61 victory. Much of the credit for the win should go to Armando Bacot who had 22 points and 14 rebounds. The five-star center in the class of 2019 is averaging 10.5 points and nine rebounds so far this season. The double-double against Elon was his second in a row. Like a lot of teams right now, the Tar Heels have visible talent but are still very young.

7. Maryland

Maryland, unlike many of the top teams on this list, had a lot returning this season. Those players are producing at a high level for the Terrapins. In their most recent victory on Friday against George Mason, Anthony Cowan led Maryland with 16 points and Jalen Smith had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

8. Virginia 

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. That has been the motto of most of Tony Bennett’s Virginia squads and that has continued this year. The Cavaliers’ slow and methodical style of play allows for opposing teams to stay within striking distance. But Virginia always seems to pull out victories and that includes this week with narrow victories over Vermont and Arizona State. Multiple players have been key in keeping this machine running, including freshman Casey Morsell who averaged just 2.4 points per game going into the Arizona State contest but had 19 points along with two steals vs. the Sun Devils.

9. Ohio State

It’s only been three weeks but we already know this Ohio State team is the best team that Chris Holtmann has had in Columbus. The Buckeyes continued their hot streak after routing Villanova a week ago with blowout wins over Stetson and Purdue Fort Wayne. Ohio State has a great mix of veterans like Kaleb Wesson, and youngsters, like future star D.J. Carton. It’s a mix that should have the Buckeyes rolling come m March.

10. Oregon

The Ducks are favorites to win the Pac-12 and they continue to show it already at the beginning of the season with victories over Memphis and Houston. They built up a ton of momentum after winning the Pac-12 tournament last year, which has continued into this season. Payton Pritchard led the team with 16 points and five assists against Houston. Pritchard also leads the Ducks in points per game with 19.4 points.