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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GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 12: M.J. Walker #23 of the Florida State Seminoles attempts a lay up against Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half of their semifinals game in the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2021 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

20. North Carolina Tar Heels (ACC)

First-year coach Hubert Davis will be under immense pressure after succeeding retiring legend Roy Williams as the Tar Heels’ head coach. Williams did leave the cupboard full for Davis with five key rotation players returning along with a pair of impact transfers who should help North Carolina vie for ACC supremacy.

19. Houston Cougars (American)

The Cougars got to the Final Four last year and should continue to dominate the American despite the loss of Quentin Grimes to the NBA. Texas Tech transfer Kyler Edwards should step right into Grimes’ spot in the starting lineup as Houston will continue to grind teams on the defensive end of the floor into an easy tournament bid.

18. Tennessee Volunteers (SEC)

Tennessee lost two top guards to the NBA but brings in the top point guard in this year’s recruiting class in Kennedy Chandler, who should star right away for the Volunteers. Big man John Fulkerson is back for a sixth year as well, giving Tennessee a proven veteran in the front court who should serve as the Volunteers’ lead.

17. Arkansas Razorbacks (SEC)

Eric Musselman’s team rode all the way to the Elite Eight last season and is in a good position to make noise in the SEC again despite the loss of four key players from last year’s rotation. Transfers Au’Diese Toney and Chris Lykes should fit right in as Arkansas should be able to match up with pretty much anyone they encounter thanks to excellent roster versatility.

16. Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten)

The biggest win of the offseason for Chris Holtmann was the news that E.J. Liddell would return for his junior season. Liddell is a bona fide star who can help carry the Buckeyes, who got inside the Top 5 in late February a year ago, deep into March.