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 19: Lucas Williamson #1 of the Loyola (Il) Ramblers and Bubba Parham #3 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets compete for the ball during the second half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

25. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (Missouri Valley)

Porter Moser may be at Oklahoma and Cameron Krutwig may be gone but the Ramblers are still a quality team that will be a problem to deal with. Loyola-Chicago already turned heads by winning a secret scrimmage at Wisconsin, a sign that they still have the ability to make a deep run in March for the third time in five years.

24. Michigan State Spartans (Big Ten)

Tom Izzo’s team isn’t as strong as recent editions of the Spartans but they may be deeper. The additions of Northeastern transfer Tyson Walker and five-star guard Max Christie give Michigan State some serious punch in the backcourt, allowing this team to get better as the year progresses in typical Izzo fashion.

23. Auburn Tigers (SEC)

Bruce Pearl has reloaded the Tigers on the fly, adding four impact transfers to quickly turn around a program that underachieved last season. The crown jewel of the class is North Carolina transfer Walker Kessler, who could dominate in the paint for Auburn.

22. Maryland Terrapins (Big Ten)

The Terrapins overachieved a year ago by winning games in the Big Ten with a lineup full of players who all stood between 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-7. The additions of point guard Fatts Russell and center Qudus Wahab from the transfer portal should significantly enhance the versatility of Maryland as well as enhance the program’s upside.

21. St. Bonaventure Bonnies (Atlantic 10)

The Bonnies dominated the A-10 a year ago and brought back all five starters from that team, helping St. Bonaventure earn its first spot in the AP Preseason Top 25 since 1971. A rugged defensive team, the Bonnies are one of the most dangerous teams in the country outside of the power conferences.