Last week gave us an early taste of March drama, complete with chaos and statement wins. Duke held firm as the nation’s new No. 1 team, while Miami (OH) kept its perfect 29-0 season intact with a thrilling last-second victory. Across the Big Ten and Big 12, upsets continued to shuffle the standings and alter postseason outlooks with conference tournaments looming. Still, there is meaningful basketball left before the real madness begins. Here’s how the Power 16 shapes up entering the final week of the regular season.
1. Duke Blue Devils (27-2)
The Blue Devils carried their momentum forward with dominant wins over Notre Dame (100-56) and No. 11 Virginia (77-51). Freshman forward Cameron Boozer continues to deliver steady double-double production, anchoring Duke’s frontcourt with consistency well beyond his years. Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans remains a reliable perimeter weapon, stretching defenses with his three-point shooting. Duke’s team defense has been elite on a national level, and the Blue Devils will look to maintain that standard as they face NC State tonight before hosting No. 18 North Carolina on Saturday.
2. Michigan Wolverines (27-2)
The Wolverines hold steady at No. 2 after bouncing back from their loss to Duke with wins over Minnesota (77-67) and a statement 84-70 victory over No. 10 Illinois. Michigan continues to lean on the versatility and physicality of its frontcourt, led by Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara, but the offense will need to adjust with sophomore guard LJ Cason sidelined due to injury. Junior Elliot Cadeau is expected to assume greater playmaking responsibility, while freshman Trey McKenney will be counted on for expanded production off the bench. Michigan will quickly learn how sustainable that adjustment is with matchups against Iowa on Tuesday and No. 13 Michigan State on Sunday.
3. Arizona Wildcats (27-2)
After dropping back-to-back ranked games to open February, the Wildcats have responded with four straight wins, including three over ranked opponents. This past week, they defeated Baylor 87-80 before dismantling No. 14 Kansas 84-61. The backcourt pairing of senior Jaden Bradley and freshman Brayden Burries has developed into one of the most dynamic duos in the country, combining pace, shot creation, and scoring balance. The return of freshman forward Koa Peat has further strengthened Arizona’s offensive versatility and depth. The Wildcats will look to sustain that momentum against No. 4 Iowa State tonight before closing the regular season against Colorado.
4. UConn Huskies (27-3)
After opening the week with a disappointing upset loss to Creighton, the Huskies responded emphatically, crushing No. 15 St. John’s 72-40 before grinding out a 71-67 win over Seton Hall. UConn’s defense set the tone, anchored by senior big Tarris Reed Jr., whose interior presence and rim protection fueled a dominant stretch. Senior forward Alex Karaban also found his rhythm from beyond the arc while maintaining his usual defensive intensity. The Huskies will look for continued frontcourt production as they prepare for a Mar. 7 matchup with Marquette to close the regular season on a strong note.
5. Iowa State Cyclones (24-5)
The Cyclones split their week, handling Utah 75-59 before falling 82-73 to No. 16 Texas Tech. Junior forward Milan Momcilovic has regained his perimeter rhythm, while senior forward Joshua Jefferson continues to impact games across the stat sheet with his versatility and physicality. However, Iowa State’s backcourt has lacked consistency, particularly from senior Tamin Lipsey and sophomore Killyan Toure, and that uneven guard play has limited the offense at times. The Cyclones will need sharper execution as they head on the road to face No. 2 Arizona tonight before closing the regular season against Arizona State.
6. Houston Cougars (24-5)
The Cougars’ late-season slide continued with a 69-56 loss to No. 14 Kansas, marking their third straight defeat and the program’s first three-game losing streak in nearly a decade. Houston responded with a dominant 102-62 win over Colorado, but offensive inconsistency remains a concern. When shots are not falling in the backcourt, the Cougars struggle to generate reliable scoring. Freshman Kingston Flemings continues to flash high-level talent, yet Houston will need steady production from senior guards Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan to stabilize the offense. The Cougars will look to regain momentum against Baylor and Oklahoma State to close the regular season.
7. Florida Gators (22-6)
The Gators have extended their winning streak to nine games, punctuated by convincing victories over Texas (84-71) and No. 20 Arkansas (111-77). Their frontcourt continues to anchor both ends, led by the elevated play of juniors Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, and Rueben Chinyelu, who collectively control the paint and the glass. In the backcourt, senior Xaivian Lee has taken command as the primary facilitator, while sophomore Boogie Fland has rediscovered his perimeter stroke, adding needed spacing. Florida will look to carry that balance into matchups with Mississippi State on Tuesday and Kentucky on Saturday to close the regular season.
8. Michigan State Spartans (24-5)
The Spartans are building momentum heading into postseason play, edging No. 8 Purdue 76-74 before defeating Indiana 77-64. Sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. continues to provide steady control of the offense, while junior forward Jaxon Kohler has developed into a versatile scoring option and reliable presence on the glass. Off the bench, sophomore guard Kur Teng has emerged as a dangerous perimeter shooter, giving Michigan State valuable spacing. The Spartans will look to sustain that consistency against Rutgers on Thursday before a marquee road matchup with No. 3 Michigan.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers (25-4)
The Cornhuskers have steadied themselves since the loss to Iowa, responding with convincing wins over Maryland (74-61) and USC (82-67). Junior forward Pryce Sandfort continues to flash his scoring ceiling as a high-level perimeter shooter, while freshman forward Braden Frager has emerged as one of the more consistent three-level scoring threats off the bench. Nebraska will need increased production from its backcourt to finish strong, beginning with a road matchup against UCLA on Tuesday before returning home for a rematch with Iowa to close out an impressive regular season.
10. Illinois Fighting Illini (22-7)
The Fighting Illini missed an opportunity for a résumé-defining win, falling to No. 3 Michigan. Freshman guard Keaton Wagler continues to power the offense, giving Illinois one of the highest offensive ceilings in the country with his shot creation and efficiency. Freshman forward David Mirkovic has also flashed promise as a versatile offensive hub. However, inconsistent production from the veteran core has limited the team’s overall balance, an issue that must be corrected moving forward. Illinois will look to regroup this week with matchups against Oregon and Maryland.
11. Purdue Boilermakers (22-7)
The Boilermakers find themselves in a difficult stretch after back-to-back losses to No. 13 Michigan State and Ohio State (82-74), marking the second time this season they have dropped consecutive games. As the year progresses, Purdue’s offensive ceiling has appeared more limited. Senior guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer continue to generate consistent production, but the frontcourt has not carried the same imposing presence as in previous seasons, with senior Trey Kaufman-Renn shouldering much of the responsibility. Purdue will need Kaufman-Renn to rediscover his junior-year form as the Boilermakers look to rebound against Northwestern on Wednesday and Wisconsin on Saturday.
12. Kansas Jayhawks (21-8)
The Jayhawks opened a challenging week with an impressive 69-56 win over No. 5 Houston but followed it with an 84-61 blowout loss to No. 2 Arizona after a poor second half. Senior Tre White provided steady production, while freshman guard Darryn Peterson showed flashes but struggled with efficiency at times. Kansas controlled the paint against Houston behind sophomore Flory Bidunga and freshman Bryson Tiller, yet the script flipped against Arizona as the Jayhawks were outworked inside. Finding consistency will be critical as Kansas closes the regular season against Arizona State and Kansas State.
13. Texas Tech Red Raiders (22-7)
Few teams have shifted momentum like Texas Tech since the upset loss to Arizona State that cost them junior JT Toppin for the season. The Red Raiders responded with an 80-68 win over Cincinnati before delivering a statement 82-73 victory against No. 4 Iowa State. Sophomore Christian Anderson has taken on a larger all-around role, while senior Donovan Atwell continues to stretch defenses with his perimeter shooting, giving Tech enough offensive firepower to compete with anyone. The Red Raiders will aim to maintain that edge against TCU on Tuesday and No. 19 BYU on Saturday to close the regular season.
14. Gonzaga Bulldogs (28-3)
The Bulldogs earned redemption with an 89-48 rout of Portland but followed it with their annual setback against Saint Mary’s, falling 70-59. Gonzaga continues to lean heavily on senior Graham Ike as its primary offensive anchor, raising concerns about secondary scoring and overall depth. When Ike finds himself in foul trouble, as he did in the loss to Saint Mary’s, the offense can stagnate without a dependable alternative. With the regular season complete, Gonzaga will need another consistent contributor to emerge during the conference tournament to solidify its status as a legitimate March contender.
15. St. John’s Red Storm (23-6)
The Red Storm opened the week with a disastrous 72-40 loss to No. 5 UConn, missing their final 24 field goal attempts and exposing just how low their floor can be. They responded with an emphatic 89-57 bounce-back win over Villanova, but the inconsistency remains a concern. Senior Zuby Ejiofor has been the team’s most dependable presence, serving as a catalyst on both ends with his interior production and energy. Off the bench, sophomore Ian Jackson has emerged as a reliable shotmaker and disruptive defender in the passing lanes. St. John’s will look to stabilize its performance level against Georgetown and Seton Hall to close the regular season.
16. Alabama Crimson Tide (22-7)
After hovering on the fringe, the Crimson Tide are back in the rankings following a dominant 100-75 win over Mississippi State and a gritty 71-69 comeback victory against No. 22 Tennessee. Sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. has been the headliner, repeatedly delivering in late-game moments. But Alabama’s surge has also been fueled by freshman Amari Allen, sophomore big Aiden Sherrell, and senior guard Latrell Wrightsell, giving the Tide multiple scoring threats across the rotation. When their confidence is rolling, Alabama is as explosive as any offense in the country. They will look to solidify that momentum against Georgia and Auburn to close the regular season.
Next Five: Virginia (25-4), Arkansas (21-8), Miami (OH) (29-0), North Carolina (22-6), BYU (20-9)
Players of the Week:
Seth Trimble, North Carolina
Trimble delivered the best week of his senior season in a must-win stretch for the Tar Heels. He opened with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting in a ranked win over Louisville, then followed with 20 points against Virginia Tech. With freshman Caleb Wilson sidelined, North Carolina’s margin for error has shrunk, but Trimble’s elevated scoring and veteran poise give the Tar Heels a chance to exceed expectations down the stretch.
Brayden Burries, Arizona
Burries continues to establish himself as one of the most reliable guards in college basketball. He scored 24 points against Baylor and followed with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in a dominant win over Kansas. As a freshman, he has become a steady three-level scorer for a national contender, pairing production with maturity beyond his years. While Koa Peat drew early attention, Burries has been Arizona’s most consistent backcourt threat.
Tarris Reed Jr., UConn
Reed anchored UConn’s defense in emphatic fashion this week, posting 20 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks, and two steals in a rout of St. John’s. His rim protection and interior presence have been constants all season, forming a formidable defensive tandem with Alex Karaban. When Reed is active on both ends, UConn’s ceiling rises significantly.
Latrell Wrightsell, Alabama
Wrightsell remains a streaky but dangerous weapon in Alabama’s explosive backcourt. He scored 18 points with six rebounds and five assists before erupting for 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 6-of-9 from three in a ranked win over Tennessee. Alongside Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway, Wrightsell adds another layer of scoring versatility that makes the Crimson Tide difficult to contain.
Donovan Atwell, Texas Tech
With JT Toppin sidelined for the season, Atwell has elevated his offensive role. He scored 12 points on 4-of-9 from three against Cincinnati and followed with 18 points on 6-of-10 from deep in an impressive win over Iowa State. When Atwell finds his rhythm from long range, he provides the consistent secondary scoring Texas Tech needs next to Christian Anderson.
Play of the Week:
Trey Perry Game Winner to Keep Undefeated Season Alive vs Western Michigan
https://x.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/2027554273916326018?s=20
