During week three of the college basketball season we saw the start of “Feast Week” along with some other major early season matchups. There were some blowouts, some upsets, and some ranking movement from week two. Some teams took ahold of their moment in the spotlight, and some stumbled through the week.
These are the twenty-five best teams in college basketball, for me, after watching through three weeks of games. There is a long way to go in this college basketball season, and if the first three weeks are any indication, a lot of twists and turns are sure to happen along the way.
But for this moment, as we enter week Thanksgiving week of the college basketball season, here is On3’s updated Top 25 ranking after week 3.
1. Kansas (5-0)
Kansas has early season wins over UNC and Michigan State. They’re led by National Player of the Year candidate Hunter Dickinson and head coach Bill Self passed Phog Allen earlier this season for most all-time wins at Kansas. Next up for the Jayhawks is Duke on 11/26.
2. Auburn (4-0)
Auburn has already had a signature win when they went on the road the first week of the season to earn a five-point win over Houston. The Tigers’ other three games were won by a combined 105 points. Big man Johni Broome is averaging a double-double (20.0 points and 11.3 rebounds) and Bruce Pearl’s team is currently putting five players in double figures. Next up for the Tigers is a top-five matchup with Iowa State on 11/25.
3. Gonzaga (5-0)
Gonzaga already has two P5 wins along with a road win at San Diego State. Through five games the Zags are averaging 93.2 points per contest and they are assisting on 58.1 percent of their made field goals. Five players are in double figures and eight are playing 16.0 minutes or more. Next up for Gonzaga is West Virginia on 11/27.
4. UConn (4-0)
UConn has won their four games by 36 points, 39 points, 41 points, and 35 points. They are led by All-American candidate junior forward Alex Karaban and his 16.3 points. The Huskies have nine players playing between 12.8 and 29.8 minutes per game. Next up for UConn is Memphis on 11/25.
5. Iowa State (3-0)
Iowa State has only played three games keeping seven days between each contest to this point. The Cyclones are led by its dynamic backcourt trio of Curtis Jones, Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert. The team is averaging 9.7 steals and shooting 48.6 percent from the field. Next up for Iowa State is Auburn on 11/25.
6. Kentucky (5-0)
Kentucky is averaging 97.0 points per game, including a 77-72 win over Duke in the Champions Classic. Led by junior Otega Oweh’s 16.2 points, Mark Pope’s group has ten players playing between 11.4 and 23.2 minutes each contest. Next up for Kentucky is Western Kentucky on 11/26.
7. Tennessee (6-0)
While senior PG Zakai Ziegler has the ball in his hands running the show, transfers Chaz Lanier and Igor Milicic have led the way in scoring. The Volunteers are shooting 53.2 percent from the field and assisting on 58.8 percent of their made field goals this season. Next up for Tennessee is UT-Martin on 11/27.
8. Houston (3-1)
Houston bounced back from a 74-69 week one loss to Auburn for 46-point and 36-point wins. The Cougars have had four different players lead them in scoring and they have 11 players playing more than 11 minutes each game. Next up for Houston is a top-10 matchup with Alabama on 11/26.
9. Duke (4-1)
Duke is coming off a 14-point true road win at Arizona. The Blue Devils are being led by their freshman duo Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg. In Duke’s two high major games so far, Flagg has scored 24 and 26 points. Next up for Duke is a top-10 matchup with Kansas on 11/26.
10. Alabama (4-1)
Alabama bounced back from an 87-78 loss to Purdue with a 100-87 win over Illinois. Freshman Labaron Philon has been steady from the point guard spot and senior Grant Nelson has scored in double figures each of his last four games. Next up for Alabama is a top-10 matchup with Houston on 11/26.
College basketball teams 11-25
11. Marquette (6-0)
W Purdue (76-58), W Georgia (80-69)
Next Game: Stonehill (11/27)
12. Indiana (4-0)
W UNC Greensboro (69-58)
Next Game: Louisville (11/27)
13. Florida (6-0)
W FAMU (84-60), SIU (93-68)
Next Game: Wake Forest (11/28),
14. UNC (3-1)
W Hawai’i (87-69)
Next Game: Dayton (11/25)
15. Cincinnati (5-0)
W Northern Kentucky (76-60), Georgia Tech (81-58)
Next Game: Alabama State (11/27)
16. Xavier (5-0)
W Siena (80-55)
Next Game: South Carolina (11/25)
17. Wisconsin (7-0)
W UCF (86-70), W Pittsburgh (81-75)
Next Game: Chicago State (11/30)
18. Purdue (5-1)
L Marquette (76-58), W Marshall (80-45)
Next Game: NC State (11/28)
19. BYU (5-0)
W Mississippi Valley State (87-43)
Next Game: Ole Miss (11/28)
20. Ole Miss (5-0)
W Oral Roberts (100-68)
Next Game: BYU (11/28)
21. Arkansas (4-1)
W Pacific (91-72), Little Rock (79-67)
Next Game: Maryland Eastern Shore (11/26)
22. Baylor (4-2)
L Tennessee (77-62), W St. John’s (99-98)
Next Game: New Orleans (11/27)
23. Drake (6-0)
W Miami (80-69), W FAU (75-63), W Vanderbilt (81-70)
Next Game: Georgia Southern (11/30)
24. Mississippi State (5-0)
W SMU (84-79)
Next Game: UNLV (11/28)
25. St. Mary’s (6-0)
W Stanislaus State (78-38), W Cal Poly (80-66)
Next Game: USC (11/28)
Dropped Out
(*previous ranking)
Arizona (16), St. John’s (19), Creighton (21), Texas Tech (22), Nevada (24)
