NCAA basketball rankings Top 50 2021: Gonzaga, UCLA vie for top spot

NCAA basketball rankings Top 50 2021: Gonzage, UCLA vie for No. 1; Duke, Michigan, Kentucky in Top 10

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 05: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Baylor Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 21: Terrence Shannon Jr. #1 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders drives to the basket during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

35. Xavier Musketeers (Big East)

The end of the year was ugly for the X-Men but it’s important not to forget that the Musketeers started the 2020-21 campaign 8-0 before injuries and COVID pauses wrecked their season. Xavier returns its top seven scorers from a year ago and added two impact transfers in Jerome Hunter and Jack Nunge, making a huge bounceback likely.

34. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Big Ten)

Rutgers made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years and nearly got to the second weekend before blowing a huge lead to Houston in the Round of 32. Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr are back to try and help the Scarlet Knights advance into the Sweet 16, a feat that is possible if they can weather another year in the brutally competitive Big Ten.

33. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Big 12)

The biggest loss for the Red Raiders is that of Chris Beard, who bolted for Texas after the season was over. The good news is that Terrence Shannon returns to lead a new band of transfers in Mark Adams’ system, allowing Texas Tech to maintain continuity even after Beard’s departure.

32. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Big 12)

The Cowboys will be fascinating since they are running back essentially their entire roster minus Cade Cunningham, the top pick in the NBA Draft. Cunningham took Oklahoma State to another level but the core he left behind is still good enough to make the NCAA Tournament as well as win a round.

31. San Diego State Aztecs (Mountain West)

The Aztecs are hopeful that Cal transfer Matt Bradley is Malachi Flynn 2.0. Flynn came from an underachieving Pac-12 program and helped San Diego State position itself for a top seed before the pandemic canceled the 2020 NCAA Tournament, but if Bradley can give the Aztecs even 80 percent of Flynn’s performance they can be a deadly foe.