Battle for Dominance: Prime 4 Groups in Males’s Faculty Basketball Energy Rankings

4 groups had a official case to be No. 1 on this week’s Energy Rankings.

Michigan took the highest spot in final week’s version because of the Wolverines’ overwhelming dominance on the Gamers Period Competition in Las Vegas, and Dusty Might’s workforce hasn’t slowed since, successful two extra video games by a mixed 69 factors.

Arizona was our No. 1 workforce heading into Feast Week after the Wildcats went into Storrs and knocked off UConn in a real street sport. On the time, that they had the most effective résumé within the nation that includes high quality wins over UConn, Florida and UCLA. They’ve since added a win over Auburn.

Duke now has the most effective assortment of wins of any unbeaten workforce with victories over Michigan State, Arkansas, Kansas, Florida and Texas — solely considered one of which got here at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils are No. 1 in wins above bubble and ESPN’s Power of Document.

And eventually, there’s Iowa State, which landed doubtlessly essentially the most spectacular win we’ll see from any workforce this season, going to Purdue and knocking off the then-AP No. 1 Boilermakers by an astonishing 23 factors. A win like that mechanically will get the Cyclones into the combination.

We opted to maintain Michigan on prime given the power of its dominance over the previous few weeks. It would not seem like there is a workforce within the nation that might beat the Wolverines with the way in which they’re enjoying.

Earlier rating: 1

Michigan is on a run not often seen in faculty basketball. The Wolverines rattled off 4 straight wins by not less than 30 factors, culminating in Saturday’s 101-60 victory over Rutgers. Additionally they turned solely the third Division I workforce prior to now 25 seasons to win six straight video games by not less than 25 factors with Tuesday’s 89-61 win towards Villanova, per ESPN Analysis, becoming a member of the 2018-19 Gonzaga and 2006-07 Florida squads. That Gonzaga workforce received its subsequent sport by 13, whereas Florida misplaced its subsequent, so Michigan has an opportunity to set itself aside this Saturday in Faculty Park.

Subsequent seven days: at Maryland (Dec. 13)

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Earlier rating: 3

Freshman Brayden Burries is beginning to hit his stride, trying increasingly more just like the much-sought-after top-15 recruit he was popping out of highschool. He struggled to begin his profession, scoring in single digits in 4 of his first 5 video games whereas taking pictures 33.3% from the sphere and 29.4% from 3. However in his previous three video games, he is averaging 17.0 factors, 4.7 rebounds and three.0 assists whereas taking pictures 56.3% from the sphere. He went for 16 factors on 7-for-11 taking pictures in Saturday’s win over Auburn.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Alabama in Birmingham (Dec. 13), vs. Abilene Christian (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 5

Aside from the sheer expertise headlined by Cooper Flagg, essentially the most spectacular half about final season’s Duke workforce was how elite the Blue Devils have been on protection. Freshman-laden rosters do not usually adapt at that finish of the ground as rapidly, however Jon Scheyer as soon as once more has this season’s workforce dialed in defensively. By way of 10 video games final season, the Blue Devils have been first in adjusted defensive effectivity, eighth in efficient subject aim share protection and sixth in 2-point protection. By way of 10 video games this season, they’re third in adjusted defensive effectivity, first in efficient subject aim share protection and second in 2-point protection.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Lipscomb (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 7

There hasn’t been a win this season extra spectacular than Iowa State’s victory over Purdue on Saturday. The Boilermakers hadn’t misplaced a nonconference sport at dwelling in additional than six years — and the Cyclones defeated them by 23 factors. Milan Momcilovic‘s shotmaking en path to a 20-point efficiency garnered headlines, however Iowa State’s protection is what was actually exceptional. The Cyclones held Purdue to its third-worst offensive efficiency since Braden Smith arrived in West Lafayette, forcing Smith to show it over six occasions whereas stifling Fletcher Loyer (2-for-8) and Trey Kaufman-Renn (1-for-8). Killyan Toure‘s strain protection on Smith was eye-opening.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Iowa (Dec. 11), vs. Japanese Illinois (Dec. 14)

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Earlier rating: 4

There are few groups that may match UConn’s depth, and Dan Hurley is not afraid to show to his bench in huge video games. Dayton switch Malachi Smith is arguably the most effective backup level guard within the nation. He completed with 9 assists and one turnover in Tuesday’s win over Florida and has totaled 31 assists to simply six turnovers in 5 video games towards top-25 foes this season. Eric Reibe crammed in admirably for Tarris Reed Jr., averaging 12.4 factors and 5.0 rebounds in 5 video games as a starter earlier than Reed returned Tuesday. Jayden Ross is a defensive sport changer. And five-star freshman Braylon Mullins is among the sport’s elite shooters.

UConn has a robust case for proudly owning the most effective set of wins within the nation with victories over BYU, Illinois, Kansas and Florida — all of which got here away from dwelling. The Huskies’ one loss to Arizona retains them exterior the controversy for No. 1 for now, although.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Texas (Dec. 12), vs. Butler (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 8

Gonzaga went again to its strengths to rebound from its blowout loss to Michigan on the Gamers Period, outscoring Kentucky within the paint 46-18 in final week’s win over the Wildcats. Graham Ike had probably the greatest video games of his profession with 28 factors and 10 rebounds, whereas Braden Huff went for 20 factors on 9-for-11 taking pictures. The Bulldogs’ offense is closely predicated on their bigs — they lead the nation in paint factors and 2-point makes an attempt per sport, per CBB Analytics, and are getting 60% of their factors from contained in the arc.

Subsequent seven days: vs. UCLA in Seattle (Dec. 13), vs. Campbell (Dec. 17)

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Earlier rating: 2

We addressed the lows of Purdue’s historic loss to Iowa State above. Properly, coming into halftime of Wednesday’s sport towards Minnesota with solely a one-possession lead, it seemed as if the Boilermakers’ struggles may proceed. However Matt Painter’s workforce opened the second half with 21 straight factors amid a 29-2 run to rebound with a 28-point win over the Golden Gophers.

The current play of 7-foot-4 middle Daniel Jacobsen has been a spotlight. He is scored in double figures 4 occasions in Purdue’s previous 5 video games, ending simply in need of a double-double towards Texas Tech (eight rebounds) and Japanese Illinois (9) final month. He has been remarkably environment friendly, too, enjoying not more than 21 minutes in a sport this season.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Marquette (Dec. 13)

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Earlier rating: 6

Michigan State’s undefeated season got here to an finish with Saturday’s dwelling loss to Duke. The Spartans have been capable of dominate contained in the arc towards each opponent this season, crashing the offensive glass and limiting opponents within the paint. However towards the Blue Devils, Michigan State shot simply 29.5% on 2-pointers whereas making solely 13 photographs contained in the arc to Duke’s 12. The Spartans additionally had their worst offensive rebounding efficiency of the season.

There aren’t many groups that may compete with them within the paint, although, and there will not be many video games wherein Jeremy Fears Jr. goes 0-for-10 from the sphere.

Subsequent seven days: at Penn State (Dec. 13), vs. Toledo (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 9

AJ Dybantsa had a real assertion efficiency in Tuesday’s Jimmy V Basic at Madison Sq. Backyard, taking up the ultimate 20 minutes towards Clemson to guide BYU to its largest second-half comeback in program historical past. He scored 22 of his 28 factors, grabbed 7 of his 9 rebounds and dished 5 of his 6 assists within the closing body. However essentially the most eye-popping stat of the sport? Dybantsa had extra factors and extra assists than Clemson within the second half whereas going 7-for-11 to Clemson’s 7-for-27 from the sphere.

Subsequent seven days: vs. UC Riverside (Dec. 13), vs. Pacific (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 10

If Jalil Bethea continues to play like he did in Sunday’s win over UTSA, he provides one more dimension to Alabama’s offense. The previous five-star recruit was thought-about one of many elite shotmakers within the 2024 highschool class earlier than an inconsistent freshman season at Miami wherein he did not carve out a rotation spot till the second half of the marketing campaign. Then a preseason foot damage sidelined him for the primary seven video games, however in his second sport again, he went for 21 factors on 5-for-10 taking pictures from 3-point vary towards the Roadrunners.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Arizona in Birmingham (Dec. 13), vs. South Florida (Dec. 17)

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Earlier rating: 14

Illinois is coming off the most effective week of its season, beating Tennessee by 13 in Nashville on Saturday earlier than hitting the street and taking down Ohio State in a real street sport Tuesday. Freshman wing Keaton Wagler broke out of his mini-slump with 16 factors, 8 rebounds and 5 assists towards the Vols then 23 factors and 5 assists towards the Buckeyes, taking pictures 7-for-16 from 3 within the two video games. He was an unheralded recruit out of highschool however acquired rave evaluations within the offseason — and might be monitoring as a possible one-and-done recruit given his positional dimension and shotmaking skill.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Nebraska (Dec. 13)

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Earlier rating: 11

Caleb Wilson has been considered one of this season’s elite gamers, and with Henri Veesaar additionally enjoying at an especially excessive stage, Hubert Davis has maybe the most effective low-post tandem within the nation. Wilson is averaging 19.3 factors and 10.6 rebounds with six double-doubles in his previous seven video games. In the meantime, Veesaar had 17 factors and 10 boards towards Kentucky then went for 18 factors, 15 boards and three blocks towards Georgetown. The Arizona switch confirmed flashes down the stretch final season and has formally taken the subsequent step in Chapel Hill.

Subsequent seven days: vs. USC Upstate (Dec. 13), vs. East Tennessee State (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 13

Louisville’s terrible 3-point taking pictures effort towards Arkansas final week did not trigger any change in method within the Cardinals’ sport towards Indiana — and Pat Kelsey’s workforce was higher for it. It went 13-for-31 from behind the arc towards the Hoosiers after making simply 21.6% of its makes an attempt towards the Razorbacks. Louisville is taking pictures 47-for-112 (42%) from 3 in its previous three wins and now ranks second nationally with 12.7 made 3s per sport. It is value monitoring, nevertheless, that the Cardinals are making 10.5 per sport at a 30.9% clip in 4 video games towards high-major opponents in comparison with 14.4 at a 39.8% clip of their different 5 contests.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Memphis (Dec. 13), at Tennessee (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 12

Emanuel Sharp put collectively his finest two-game stretch of the season this previous week, going for 27 factors and three assists towards Florida State on 6-for-12 taking pictures from 3. The senior guard adopted that with 23 factors and three assists towards Jackson State, together with 21 factors and 5 3-pointers within the first half. Sharp struggled mightily in Houston’s lone lack of the season (eight factors towards Tennessee) however has rebounded to the tune of 21.7 factors per sport in his previous three.

Subsequent seven days: vs. New Orleans (Dec. 13)

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Earlier rating: 15

Duke Miles has been probably the greatest switch guards of the season, averaging profession highs throughout the board at his fourth college. He put up 17.5 factors at Excessive Level two seasons in the past, dropped to 9.4 per sport final season with a step up in competitors at Oklahoma and rediscovered his high-end scoring prowess with Vanderbilt. Miles is averaging 17.8 factors, 3.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists via 9 video games, taking pictures almost 43% from 3-point vary whereas contributing 2.3 steals per sport.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Central Arkansas (Dec. 13), at Memphis (Dec. 17)

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Earlier rating: 16

Darius Acuff Jr. was the No. 1 level guard of the 2025 highschool recruiting class and is beginning to stake his declare for that very same honor on this freshmen class. He has been enjoying implausible basketball in current weeks, beginning with a 21-point, five-assist effort within the Thanksgiving loss to Duke. He went for 17 factors and 10 assists towards Louisville in a matchup towards Mikel Brown Jr., then added 18 factors and eight assists towards Fresno State. Acuff turned the ball over simply six occasions and shot 39% from 3-point vary in these three contests.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Texas Tech in Dallas (Dec. 13), vs. Queens (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 23

Nebraska made its Energy Rankings debut final week earlier than a pivotal stretch that includes matchups towards in-state rival Creighton and Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers received each by a mixed 51 factors and luxuriate in a five-spot increase consequently. Rienk Mast was as soon as once more the most effective participant on the ground in each video games, going for 20 factors and 5 rebounds towards the Bluejays then 17 factors and 10 boards towards the Badgers regardless of sitting the ultimate 12 minutes of the latter sport.

Subsequent seven days: at Illinois (Dec. 13)

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Earlier rating: 19

After a seven-game absence, Darryn Peterson made his long-awaited return from a hamstring damage in Sunday’s rivalry sport towards Missouri. It did not take the potential No. 1 choose very lengthy to make his presence felt, opening the scoring with a 3-pointer lower than two minutes into the sport. Peterson was aggressive out of the gates, taking 11 first-half photographs (together with seven 3-pointers) en path to 12 factors and three rebounds earlier than halftime. He performed simply six minutes within the second half as Kansas cruised to victory, including 5 extra factors to complete with 17.

Subsequent seven days: at NC State (Dec. 13), vs. Towson (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 22

We’re about to learn the way good Texas Tech actually is. The Purple Raiders have misplaced their two most troublesome video games of the marketing campaign: by 30 factors to Purdue within the Bahamas and by 4 to Illinois on the street. Their finest wins got here towards Wake Forest and LSU, and the jury remains to be out on each. However Grant McCasland’s workforce faces Arkansas in Dallas on Saturday then heads to New York to face Duke subsequent week. Christian Anderson‘s All-American push continues at tempo; he is coming off a 27-point, 4-rebound, 8-assist efficiency towards LSU on Sunday wherein he went 5-for-9 from 3. He is as much as 19.1 factors and seven.0 assists (fifth within the nation) and is making 43.1% of his 3-point photographs.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Arkansas in Dallas (Dec. 13), vs. Northern Colorado (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: 17

Auburn is already creating a singular résumé. The Tigers personal double-digit wins over St. John’s and NC State, in addition to a one-point loss to Houston. In the meantime, they’ve misplaced to Michigan and Arizona by a mixed 59 factors — and have Purdue in Indianapolis subsequent weekend. It is nonetheless exhausting to really gauge simply how good this workforce is, however it’s clear that enchancment must occur on the defensive finish. The Tigers have already allowed seven opponents to hit the one level per possession threshold; the seventh opponent to hit that mark towards Auburn final season was South Carolina on Jan. 11.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Chattanooga in Atlanta (Dec. 13)

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Earlier rating: 20

What has occurred to Tennessee because it upset Houston in Las Vegas? The Volunteers have misplaced three video games in a row, together with Saturday’s 13-point defeat by Illinois in Nashville. The schedule would not get a lot simpler, both, with Louisville coming to city subsequent week. The Volunteers’ protection has actually struggled over the previous couple weeks — three of their previous 4 opponents have scored not less than 1.17 factors per possession. They’d allowed just one nonconference opponent to do that previously seven seasons.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Louisville (Dec. 16)

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Earlier rating: Unranked

It is clear to see these are now not Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers. They are not flying up and down the ground by any stretch, though they’re averaging about eight extra possessions than Bennett’s groups did. Ryan Odom’s Cavs are fourth within the nation in offensive rebounding share after ending 350th final season and have a top-75 3-point try charge, which this system achieved solely twice in 15 years beneath Bennett. It is not completely overseas to what a Bennett workforce would seem like, although — freshman guard Probability Mallory, who dedicated to the Cavaliers beneath Bennett and recommitted beneath Odom, has been probably the greatest first-year gamers within the ACC this season.

Subsequent seven days: No video games

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Earlier rating: 18

USC suffered its first loss Saturday, falling to Washington at dwelling after blowing an 18-point second-half lead. The Trojans bounced again with a win over San Diego on Tuesday, although, as Chad Baker-Mazara continued his terrific scoring run — he is scored not less than 20 factors in 4 straight video games, together with 31 towards the Toreros. One potential silver lining with the current accidents to Rodney Rice and Amarion Dickerson is that Eric Musselman has been capable of experiment with completely different lineup combos. Freshman Jerry Easter II has began the previous 4 video games, whereas senior Ryan Cornish had his first begin Tuesday.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Washington State (Dec. 14), vs. UTSA (Dec. 17)

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Earlier rating: 21

After Tuesday’s slender loss to UConn, Todd Golden mentioned that the Gators are “via the hardest a part of [their] schedule.” Given it isn’t even mid-December they usually have not performed an SEC sport but, it appeared like a stretch — however he may not be improper. The defending champions have already performed top-five groups Arizona, Duke and UConn, shedding all three video games by a mixed 11 factors. Their fourth loss additionally got here away from dwelling. Whereas they’ve already matched their loss complete from final season, the Gators are nonetheless a official risk to be the most effective workforce within the SEC over the subsequent few months. And that is why, regardless of a 5-4 report, they’re nonetheless in these rankings.

Subsequent seven days: vs. George Washington in Dawn, Florida (Dec. 13), vs. Saint Francis (Dec. 17)

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Earlier rating: 25

One of many largest points St. John’s confronted final season was its lack of constant 3-point taking pictures. The Purple Storm ranked No. 340 in 3-point share, No. 342 in 3-point try charge and No. 352 in share of factors from 3-pointers. A portal class that included 4 gamers who made 35% or higher on 4 or extra makes an attempt per sport was anticipated to rectify that drawback. And whereas the taking pictures share is best (33% after 30.1% final season), it is nonetheless not a constant sufficient piece of the Purple Storm’s assault. They went 4-for-22 towards Ole Miss, 7-for-25 towards Auburn, 7-for-20 towards Iowa State and 6-for-17 towards Alabama. The Johnnies are nonetheless overly reliant on offensive rebounding and attending to the free throw line, which is okay, however the personnel is there to be a extra well-rounded outfit.

Subsequent seven days: vs. Iona (Dec. 13), vs. DePaul (Dec. 16)

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Dropped out: TCU Horned Frogs (No. 24)