NBA-Draft.com's Top 25
End of the Regular Season
#1 - Kansas, 32-2
Previous: 1
Record Against Tournament Teams: 13-2
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: @ Temple (84-52); vs. Cornell (71-66); vs. Baylor (81-75); @ Kansas State (81-79 OT); @ Texas (80-68); @ Texas A&M (59-54); vs. Kansas State (82-65)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Tennessee (76-68); @ Oklahoma State (85-77)
Last Week: Big 12 Champions
NCAA Seeding: #1, Midwest Region
Notes: Kansas topped off their strong regular season with a Big 12 title. En route to their tournament victories, they knocked off Top 25 teams such as Texas A&M and Kansas State. As a result, the Jayhawks were awarded the NCAA Tournament's top overall seed in the Midwest Region, but possibly the tournament most difficult as well.
#2 - Kentucky, 32-2
Previous: 2
Record Against Tournament Teams: 7-1
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Louisville (71-62); vs. Vanderbilt (85-72); vs. Tennessee (73-62); @ Vanderbilt (58-56); vs. Tennessee (74-45)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Tennessee (74-65)
Last Week: SEC Champions
NCAA Seeding: #1, East Region
Notes: The Wildcats have secured the #1 seed in the East Region and have become a favorite amongst some analysts to win it all, but will their inexperience hurt them? Wall, Cousins and Bledsoe are playing like seasoned veterans, but Coach Callipari is the only one on the roster with NCAA experience.
#3 - Duke, 29-5
Previous: 4
Record Against Tournament Teams: 8-4
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs.Gonzaga (76-41); vs. Clemson (74-53); @ Clemson (60-47); vs. Georgia Tech (86-67); vs. Maryland (77-56); vs. Georgia Tech (65-61)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Wisconsin (73-69); @ Georgia Tech (71-67); @ Georgetown (89-77); @ Maryland (79-72)
Last Week: ACC Champions
NCAA Seeding: #1, South Region
Notes: Duke had some close calls through the ACC Tournament, but won as expected leading them to grab the #1 seed in the South Region. Analysts believe that Duke has the easiest road out of all four #1s to make it to the Final Four. Is this the year for the Blue Devils? They haven't made it that far since 2004.
#4 - Syracuse, 28-4
Previous: 3
Record Against Tournament Teams: 11-4
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Florida (85-73); @ West Virginia (72-71); Georgetown (73-56); @ Georgetown (75-71); vs. Villanova (95-77); @ Notre Dame (84-71); vs. Marquette (76-71)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. Pittsburgh (82-72); vs. Louisville (66-60); @ Louisville (78-68); vs. Georgetown (91-84)
Last Week: Big East Quarterfinals (Loss to Georgetown 91-84)
NCAA Seeding: #1, West Region
Notes: A week after losing to Georgetown in the Big East Quarterfinals, Syracuse held off some doubters by locking up a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament; unfortunately for the Orange, they were shipped out to the West Region to open up Tournament play. Will Syracuse stay healthy in March?
#5 - West Virginia, 27-6
Previous: 5
Record Against Tournament Teams: 9-5
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Texas A&M (73-66); vs. Ohio State (71-65); vs. Pittsburgh (70-51); vs. Georgetown (81-68); @ Villanova (68-66 OT); vs. Georgetown (60-58)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Purdue (77-62); @ Notre Dame (70-68); vs. Syracuse (72-71); vs. Villanova (82-75); @ Pittsburgh (99-95 3OT)
Last Week: Big East Champions
NCAA Seeding: #2, East Region
Notes: The Mountaineers won their last four games, each by three or less points behind the star clutch play of 1st Team All-Big East performer, Da'Sean Butler. With a strong March from Butler, Kevin Jones, Devin Ebanks and one of their point guards, WVU has a good shot at making the Final Four in Indianapolis.
#6 - Ohio State, 27-7
Previous: 6
Record Against Tournament Teams: 7-5
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. California (76-70); vs. Florida State (77-64); @ Purdue (70-66); vs. Wisconsin (60-51); vs. Michigan State (74-67)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Butler (74-66); @ Wisconsin (65-43); @ West Virginia (71-65); vs. Purdue (60-57); @ Minnesota (73-62)
Last Week: Big Ten Champions
NCAA Seeding: #2, Midwest Region
Notes: Evan Turner has locked up the Player of the Year award with his incredible leadership and play throughout the Big Ten Tournament; he averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists a game, while also knocking down the winning heave against Michigan to single-handedly that put OSU in the championship game. Turner's teammates (David Lighty, Jon Diebler and Willie Buford) have turned up as of late.
#7 - Kansas State, 26-7
Previous: 9
Record Against Tournament Teams: 9-5
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: @ UNLV (95-80); vs. Texas; vs. Texas A&M (88-65); @ Baylor (76-74); vs. Oklahoma State (83-64)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Missouri (74-68); vs. Oklahoma State; Kansas (81-79 OT); Kansas (82-65); vs. Kansas (72-64)
Last Week: Big 12 Finals (Loss to Kansas 72-64)
NCAA Seeding: #2, West Region
Notes: The Wildcats have lost three of their last five games, but two of those are to the NCAA Tournament's top overall seed, Kansas, giving them three losses to Kansas on the season. Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente have been hot as of late, but Jamar Samuels could be the key to the Wildcats' Tournament run.
#8 - New Mexico, 29-4
Previous: 8
Record Against Tournament Teams: 8-3
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Cal (86-78); vs. Texas A&M (84-81); vs. BYU (76-72); @ UNLV (76-66); @ BYU (83-81); vs. San Diego State (88-86 OT)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ San Diego State (74-64); vs. UNLV (74-62); vs. San Diego State (72-69)
Last Week: Mountain West Finals (Loss to San Diego State, 72-69)
NCAA Seeding: #3, East Region
Notes: As the #3 in East and possessing a record of 8-3 against NCAA Tournament teams throughout the season, the Lobos won't likely be sneaking up on anyone in the NCAA Tournament. The Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, 1st Team all-league Dairese Gary and 2nd Team All-Mountain West Roman Martinez form one of the nation's most underrated trios and should continue to be difficult to contain in the Tournament play.
#9 - Butler, 28-4
Previous: 6
Key Wins: vs. #21 Dayton (83-75); @ #17 UNLV (95-80); vs. #1 Texas
Key Losses: vs. Mississippi (86-74); @ Missouri (74-68); vs. Oklahoma State; #2 Kansas (81-79 OT); @ #2 Kansas (82-65)
Last Week: L @ Kansas (82-65); L vs. Iowa State (85-82 OT)
This Week: Big 12 Tournament, Mar. 11 (Winner of Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma)
Notes: After a fantastic regular season, the Wildcats ended on a bit of a down note, losing on the road at Kansas before getting downed by the Cyclones of Iowa State in OT. At home against Iowa State, K-State's pair of All-Big 12 guards, Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente combined to score 44 points, but just 3-for-21 from behind the arc. They hope to bounce back in the Big 12 Tournament but could face one of the nation's hottest teams in Oklahoma State in the second-round.
#10 - Michigan State, 24-8
Previous: 10
Record Against Tournament Teams: 6-6
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Gonzaga (75-71); vs. Wisconsin (54-47); @ Purdue (53-44); vs. Minnesota (60-53); @ Minnesota (65-64)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. Florida (77-74); vs. Texas (79-68); @ Wisconsin (67-49); vs. Purdue (76-64); vs. Ohio State (74-67); vs. Minnesota (72-67 OT)
Last Week: Big Ten Quarterfinals (Loss to Minnesota (72-67 OT)
NCAA Seeding: #5, Midwest Region
Notes: The Big Ten's #3 seed were upset by the eventual Big Ten Tournament winner, Minnesota after their 1st round bye. Despite sharing the conference's regular-season title, the Spartans were seeded 5th in the Midwest Region, the most difficult bracket in this year's tournament. To advance, Michigan State will need to get more consistent play from Raymar Morgan and Durrell Summers.
#11 - Purdue, 27-5
Previous: 7
Record Against Tournament Teams: 8-4
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Tennessee (73-72); vs. West Virginia (77-62); vs. Wisconsin (60-57); @ Michigan State (76-64); @ Ohio State (60-57)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Wisconsin (73-66); vs. Ohio State (70-66); vs. Michigan State (53-44); vs. Minnesota (69-42)
Last Week: Big Ten Semifinals (Loss to Minnesota 69-42)
NCAA Seeding: #4, South Region
Notes: The Boilermakers look like a completely different team without junior forward, Robbie Hummel on the court. In the team's last three games, Purdue has edged Penn State and Northwestern by single-digits, and got thrashed by Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament by scoring the lowest output in a half in school history, 11 points. Their status as a #4 seed in the South Region is making them a favorite as an upset special.
#12 - Villanova, 24-7
Previous: 12
Record Against Tournament Teams: 7-6
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. #21 Dayton (71-65); vs. Mississippi (79-67); vs. #11 Georgetown (82-77); W @ #4 West Virginia (82-75)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Temple (75-65); @ #8 Georgetown (103-90); vs. UConn (84-75); @ #19 Pittsburgh (70-65); @ #4 Syracuse (95-77); vs. #8 West Virginia (68-66 OT)
Last Week: W @ Cincinnati (77-73); L vs. West Virginia (68-66 OT)
NCAA Seeding: #2, South Region
Notes: After winning 20 of their first 21 games, the Wildcats managed to beat just one NCAA Tournament team during the remainder of the season (10 games), and end the season on a losing note in the Big East Tournament. The Wildcats' Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher are the keys to their success in the Tournament, especially in the late-minutes of games.
#13 - Temple, 29-5
Previous: 18
Record Against Tournament Teams: 4-3
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. #3 Villanova (75-65); vs. Siena (73-69); vs. Xavier (77-72); vs. vs. Richmond (56-52)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Georgetown (46-45); vs. Kansas (84-52); @ Richmond (71-54)
Last Week: A-10 Champions
NCAA Seeding: #5, East Region
Notes: Temple won over the A-10 Tournament by finding revenge against the Spyders of Richmond, but were not helped out by the selection committee when the Owls received a #5 seed and matched up with a very talented and under-seeded Cornell team. Lavoy Allen and Jeff Foote will battle all game long inside, while Ryan Brooks and Juan Fernandez try to contain Cornell's guards, while also getting their fair share of perimeter shots off.
#14 - Georgetown, 23-10
Previous: 21
Record Against Tournament Teams: 9-8
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Temple (46-45); vs. Butler (72-65); vs. Washington (74-66); @ Pittsburgh; vs. Duke (89-77); vs. Villanova (103-90); vs. Syracuse (91-84); vs. Marquette (80-57)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. Old Dominion (61-57); @ Marquette (62-59); @ Villanova (82-77); @ Syracuse (73-56); vs. Notre Dame (78-64); @ West Virginia (81-68); vs. West Virginia (60-58)
Last Week: Big East Finals (Loss to West Virginia 60-58)
NCAA Seeding: #3, Midwest Region
Notes: The Hoyas have played the most games against Tournament teams in the field, so don't expect Georgetown to be fazed throughout March. A statistic to keep an eye on is Georgetown's inability to come out on top in close games. In contests decided by 5 points or less, the Hoyas are just 2-6 on the season.
#15 - BYU, 29-5
Previous: 16
Record Against Tournament Teams: 4-5
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. UNLV (77-73); @ UTEP (83-77); @ San Diego State (71-69); vs. San Diego State (82-68)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Utah State (71-61); @ New Mexico (76-72); @ UNLV (88-74); vs. New Mexico (83-81); vs. UNLV (70-66)
Last Week: MWC Semifinals (Loss to UNLV (70-66)
NCAA Seeding: #7, West Region
Notes: BYU faces a tough task of making the Sweet 16 ranked as a #7 seed in the West Region. Despite being ranked in the AP's Top 25 almost all season long, the Cougars are just 4-5 against NCAA Tournament teams and will most likely face Kansas State in the 2nd Round if they can get by Florida. Jimmer Fredette must stay hot for BYU to stay in the field.
#16 - Tennessee, 25-8
Previous: 17
Record Against Tournament Teams: 3-6
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Kansas (76-68); vs. Kentucky (74-65); vs Florida (61-60)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. Purdue (73-72); vs. Vanderbilt (85-76); @ Vanderbilt (90-71); @ Kentucky (73-62); vs. Kentucky (74-45)
Last Week: SEC Semifinals (Loss to Kentucky 74-45)
NCAA Seeding: #6, Midwest
Notes: Tennessee beefed up their resume with wins over two of the NCAA Tournament's #1 seeds, but were just 1-6 outside of those games against Tournament teams. They certainly have upset potential, but they also have the ability to get upset, especially with a tough San Diego State team in the opening round. A matchup of Wayne Chism against Kawhi Leonard will be an excellent frontcourt battle.
#17 - Pittsburgh, 24-8
Previous: 14
Record Against Tournament Teams: 7-5
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: @ Syracuse (82-72); vs. West Virginia (98-95 3OT); @ Marquette (58-51); vs. Villanova (70-65); vs. Louisville (82-77 OT)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Texas (78-62); vs. Georegetown; @ West Virginia (70-51); Notre Dame (68-53); vs. Notre Dame (50-45)
Last Week: Big East Quarterfinals (Loss to Notre Dame 50-45)
NCAA Seeding: #3, West Region
Notes: Armed with Ashton Gibbs, one of the most improved players in the nation and an All-Big East Performer, Pittsburgh has the star power to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. They have a great combination of guards and an above-average front court and making the Sweet 16 is expected at the very least.
#18 - Baylor, 25-7
Previous: 22
Record Against Tournament Teams: 8-5
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Oklahoma State (83-70); @ Texas (80-77 OT); vs. Texas A&M (70-66); vs. Texas (92-77); vs. Texas (86-67)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Kansas (81-75); vs. Kansas State (76-74); @ Texas A&M (78-71); @ Oklahoma State (82-75); vs. Kansas State (82-75)
Last Week: Big 12 Semifinals (Loss to Kansas State 82-75)
NCAA Seeding: #3, South Region
Notes: Baylor is a popular pick to come out of the South Region for a few reasons- LaceDarius Dunn, Tweety Carter and Ekpe Udoh. Dunn and Carter both shoot well from outside, while Ekpe Udoh, a defensive force, has become more versatile on the offensive end. Baylor's length in the frontcourt has taken opposing teams out of their game plan all season long.
#19 - Wisconsin, 23-8
Previous: 15
Record Against Tournament Teams: 7-5
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Duke (73-69); vs. Maryland (78-69); vs. Marquette (72-63); vs. Ohio State (65-43); vs. Purdue (73-66); vs. Michigan State (67-49)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. Gonzaga (74-61); @ Michigan State (54-47); @ Ohio State (60-51); @ Purdue (60-57); vs. Minnesota (68-52)
Last Week: Big Ten Quarterfinals (Loss to Illinois 58-54)
NCAA Seeding: #4, East Region
Notes: Despite losing in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament, Wisconsin is still poised to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. They have upperclassman leadership with seniors Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon and junior Jon Leuer. They also have the personnel to create mismatches on offense- their guards are strong and can post you up, while their big men can take you out to the 3-point line and shoot from outside.
#20 - Gonzaga, 26-6
Previous: 13
Record Against Tournament Teams: 3-4
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Wisconsin (74-61); @ St. Mary's (89-82); vs. St. Mary's (80-61)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Michigan State (75-71); vs. Wake Forest (77-75); vs. Duke (76-41)
Last Week: WCC Finals (Loss to St. Mary's 81-62)
NCAA Seeding: #8, Midwest Region
Notes: Gonzaga boasts one of the Tournament's most experienced players and best leaders in Matt Bouldin, but freshman, Elias Harris and sophomore, Robert Sacre, could be the keys to the Zags success. Harris and Sacre will need to battle with Florida State's enormous frontline in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
#21 - Vanderbilt, 24-8
Previous: 19
Record Against Tournament Teams: 6-2
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Missouri (89-83); vs. Florida (95-87); @ Tennessee (85-76); vs. Tennessee (90-71)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Kentucky (85-72); vs. Kentucky (58-56)
Last Week: SEC Semifinals (Loss to Mississippi State 62-52)
NCAA Seeding: #4, West Region
Notes: Of Vanderbilt's 6 wins against Tournament teams, five of them were by single-digits. The Commodores are 10-7 away from home, including losses to 6 teams that didn't make the NCAA Tournament. Vanderbilt is another team with the potential to upset a team with their great guard play and post play, but also be upset by one of the lowers seeds.
#22 - Maryland 23-8
Previous: 20
Record Against Tournament Teams: 5-6
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Florida State (77-68); @ Florida State (71-67); vs. Georgia Tech (76-74); vs. Clemson (88-79); vs. Duke (79-72)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. Wisconsin (78-69); vs. Villanova (95-86); @ Wake Forest (85-83 OT); @ Clemson (62-53); @ Duke (77-56)
Last Week: ACC Quarterfinals (Loss to Georgia Tech 69-64)
NCAA Seeding: #4, Midwest Region
Notes: Maryland's 7-game ACC win streak came to an end in their first game of the league Tournament, losing to Georgia Tech by five. Greivis Vasquez has star potential to carry Maryland on his back (as he has done throughout his career) and lead them deep into the Tournament. Since the New Year, the Terps are 15-4.
#23 - Texas A&M, 23-9
Teams: vs. Clemson (69-60); vs. Minnesota (66-65); vs. Baylor (78-71); vs. Texas Previous: 23
Record Against Tournament Teams: 6-8
Key Wins Against Tournament (74-58; W v. Oklahoma State (76-61)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. West Virginia (73-66); vs. New Mexico (84-81); @ Washington (73-64); @ Kansas State (88-65); @ Texas (72-67); vs. Kansas (59-54); @ Baylor (70-66)
Last Week: Big 12 Semifinals (Loss to Kansas 79-66)
NCAA Seeding: #5, South Region
Notes: Texas A&M has gotten great guard play and perimeter shooting from Donald Sloan and B.J. Holmes and have numerous frontcourt players that contribute, led by Bryan Davis. They play excellent defense, which should lock up Utah State's shooters in the opening round, giving them the inside track to the Sweet 16.
#24 - Richmond, 26-8
Previous: N/A
Record Against Tournament Teams: 7-3
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Missouri (59-52); vs. Florida (56-53); vs. Temple (71-54); vs. Xavier (89-85 OT)
Losses To Tournament Teams: @ Wake Forest (74-68 OT); @ Xavier (78-76 OT); vs. Temple (56-52)
Last Week: A-10 Finals (Loss to Temple 56-52)
NCAA Seeding: #7, South Region
Notes: Richmond joins our final regular season polls by finishing up the season as Atlantic 10 runner-ups. Since December 19th, Richmond is 19-5, losing all four of their five games by five points or less, including two in OT. The Spiders have excellent guard play by Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalvez that could lead Richmond deep into the Tournament.
#25 - UTEP, 26-6
Previous: 24
Record Against Tournament Teams: 3-4
Key Wins Against Tournament Teams: vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff (70-52); vs. Houston (65-58); @ New Mexico State (79-58)
Losses To Tournament Teams: vs. BYU (83-77); vs. New Mexico State (87-80); vs. Houston (81-73); @ Houston (75-65)
Last Week: C-USA Finals (Loss to Houston 81-73)
NCAA Seeding: #12, West Region
Notes: The Miners 16-game win streak came to an end with the C-USA finals loss to Houston, the second loss to the Cougars this season. As a result, the Miners will be matched up in 5/12 game against Butler, an extremely intriguing game. Butler has struggled against teams with strong frontcourts like UTEP has, but UTEP is relatively unproven against NCAA Tournament quality teams, beating three teams that made the Tournament only because they won their conference.
Dropped Out: #25 Xavier
Also Receiving Votes: Notre Dame, Xavier, Marquette, San Diego State, Northern Iowa, St. Mary's, Cornell, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Cal, Washington, Utah State, Texas, Mississippi State, Murray State, Minnesota
