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 28: RaiQuan Gray #1 of the Florida State Seminoles blocks the shot of Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 28, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

10. Kentucky Wildcats (SEC)

This year should be something of a revenge tour for Kentucky, which flopped to an epic degree last season after John Calipari put together a schedule that was too difficult for his young team to handle without a proper offseason. Instead of relying solely on five-star freshmen, Calipari took advantage of the transfer market to supplement his young core with starry veterans like Kellan Grady, Oscar Tshiebwe and C.J. Fredrick, a decision that should pay immediate dividends for the Wildcats.

9. Baylor Bears (Big 12)

The reigning national champions lost a lot of key starters, including NBA draft picks Davion Mitchell and Jared Butler, but Scott Drew’s outstanding depth has left the Bears in good position to remain a Top 10 team. Role players on Baylor’s title-winning team such as Matthew Mayer and Adam Flagler are poised to step into bigger roles this season.

8. Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)

Hunter Dickinson’s return was huge for the Wolverines, who lost a lot of key players off of last year’s Elite Eight squad. Michigan can bank on Dickinson and Eli Brooks to lead a team filled with talented role players, such as five-star freshman Caleb Houstan, to challenge for Big Ten supremacy once again.

7. Duke Blue Devils (ACC)

Mike Krzyzewski’s final season begins with Duke as presumptive ACC favorites after a significant roster overhaul following a disappointing 2020-21 campaign that saw the Blue Devils miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995. Five-star freshmen Paolo Banchero, A.J. Griffin and Trevor Keels should help Duke be a dominant force in the ACC.

6. Purdue Boilermakers (Big Ten)

The Boilermakers arrived a year early and now bring back essentially the same roster with an extra year of experience under their belts. Guard Jaden Ivey has superstar potential as Purdue has a legitimate shot to reach its first Final Four since 1980.