College Basketball Power Rankings (March Madness Contenders Look to Round Into Form)
By Reed Wallach
The college basketball world is about to hit its busy season with conference play starting across the country on a nightly basis. While we are still sifting through the contenders at the top of the rankings, sports bettors always have an eye on the NCAA Tournament and some valuable bets to make in the Futures market.
Every week here at BetSided, we will be power ranking the top 25 teams relative to their futures odds.
Here's how things stand as conference play enters full swing. All odds listed are via WynnBET.
Tier 1: NCAA Tournament 1 Seed Contenders
1. Gonzaga (+400)
Gonzaga finally dropped a WCC game this season, on the road to St. Mary's by 10, but I wouldn't be so concerned, this team is still the overwhelming National Championship favorite. The difference between the No. 1 Zags in adjusted efficiency margin on KenPom is the same between No. 2 Kenutcky and about No. 14 Texas. It's crowded, but Mark Few's team is a cut above.
2. Arizona (+1000)
3. Kentucky (+800)
4. Baylor (+1500)
Despite a host of injuries to the roster all season long, Baylor quietly is No. 3 in KenPom's Monday rankings. The team had an emotional win over Kansas at home over the weekend are still in the mix for the Big 12 regular season title.
The metrics still say the Bears are elite even if they are flying under the radar.
5. Duke (+1200)
Duke has won six straight and will be the heavy favorites to win the ACC Tournament, but what is the ceiling for this club, who are playing in the worst major conference in the country this season?
I'm interested to see the NCAA Tournament path for the Blue Devils, who have been vulnerable at times this season to strong shooting teams that can beat their wings off the dribble.
6. Auburn (+1000)
The shine has worn off of Auburn, who has dropped three road games in SEC play now, but the team still profiles as a National Championship contender.
The team is elite on defense, No. 8 in the country with the size of Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler shutting down the paint for opponents, but they are really struggling on the offensive side of the ball, bottom 100 in 3-point percentage.
We'll see if some positive regression is due their way as the team has fine guard play and still rate as a top 20 offense per ShotQuality.
7. Houston (+3000)
8. Kansas (+1200)
9. Villanova (+2000)
Villanova lost a thriller at UConn last week, but the Wildcats are still seen as the most likely team to win the Big East Tournament next week and are inside the top 30 on both sides of the ball per KenPom.
Nova has a star guard with Colin Gillespie who is capable of winning games on his own in March with strong shooting around him.
Tier 2: Dangerous, but Filled with Questions Come March Madness
10. UCLA (+2000)
11. Tennessee (+3000)
The Vols are starting to climb up the rankings with a pair of big wins over the past few weeks at home against Kentucky and Auburn.
However, we have seen Rick Barnes' team struggle in a Tournament setting with a streaky offense. Tennessee is shooting really well in SEC play from deep (second in the conference) but is dead last in two point percentage. Can their offense be consistent enough to make a deep tourney run?
12. Purdue (+800)
Purdue's streaky play was on display Saturday against Michigan State. While the offense remains the best in the country, the defense is going to hold them back from a March run.
13. Texas Tech (+2000)
Similar to Tennessee, Texas Tech is an elite defensive team that shuts down the paint for opponents, but can they win away from home? The team lost on the road at TCU over the weekend.
14. Connecticut (+7500)
15. Arkansas (+6000)
The hottest team in the country is still Arkansas, who held off a second half Kentucky run to win at home in front of a frenzied Bud Walton Arena.
All of a sudden, the Razorbacks are starting to look like he's a top four seed behind the No. 2 ranking in KenPom. JD Notae has been incredible of late, including 30 points on Saturday against UK. The team has a tough finish to the regular season against LSU and at Tennessee before the highly anticipated SEC Tournament.
16. Providence (+7500)
Just win, baby. The Friars are the Big East regular season champions despite some concerns about their advanced metrics. Luck or not, the team is 24-3 after winning arguably the game of the year against Xavier last week in triple overtime.
Tier 3: Good Teams, but Possible Early Exits from NCAA Tournament
17. Wisconsin (+7500)
18. Illinois (+2000)
19. Texas (+5000)
I still have questions about Texas, who has a ton of talent but have fallen short of expectations in Chris Beard's first season. The team nearly lost on the road to Big 12 bottom feeder West Virginia, allowing north of 80 points and squeaking out a one point win. We'll see if the Longhorns show something in the final week of the season against Baylor and Kansas going into the Big 12 Tournament.
20. USC (+7500)
Tier 4: Mid Major Darlings
21. Murray State (N/A)
Murray State cemented itself as the class of the Ohio Valley Conference by blowing out the second best team in the league Belmont by 33 last week.
Don't sleep on this team that plays a physical and up tempo style of basketball come March they can make the second weekend.
22. Boise State (+15000)
23. Wyoming (N/A)
24. Colorado State (+10000)
25. Saint Mary's (+5000)
Saint Mary's gets the nod after knocking off Gonzaga at home this past weekend. The Gaels are firmly in the Tournament and play a methodical brand of basketball. They can be a tough prep if they get out of the first round.
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!