Florida Atlantic Surges while Blue Bloods Move Up in Latest Men's Basketball Power 36 Rankings

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25/12/2023 19h53

In a whirlwind of Christmas-time chaos, the latest installment of NCAA.com correspondent Andy Katz's Power 36 rankings witnessed some significant upheavals. One of the biggest movers in the rankings was Florida Atlantic University (FAU), who stunned the fourth-ranked Arizona Wildcats in a double-overtime thriller in Las Vegas, propelling them up 12 places.

The Power 36 rankings provide a comprehensive snapshot of the college basketball landscape, revealing the strongest teams as the year comes to a close. Here is a breakdown of some notable teams in the rankings:

Kansas holds the second spot in the rankings, bolstered by a lineup featuring several All-Americans. The Jayhawks are poised for a strong season.

Houston, at number five, is forging an impressive resume for a potential top seed in the NCAA tournament. The Cougars are steadily solidifying their position.

Kentucky, sitting at number eight, has reclaimed its role as the team to beat in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). After a brief slump, the Wildcats have returned to form.

North Carolina, at number ten, is showcasing its best basketball of the season, particularly with their recent victory over Oklahoma. The Tar Heels, led by RJ Davis, are gaining momentum.

Despite missing Donovan Clingan, UConn managed a hard-fought split in the Big East week, earning them the third spot. The Huskies are proving their resilience.

Marquette, in sixth place, experienced a setback with a disappointing loss to Providence, marking their worst game of the season so far.

The Memphis Tigers, sitting at number 14, continue to rack up wins, including an impressive victory over Virginia. Head coach Penny Hardaway has high hopes for a Final Four run this year.

Oklahoma faced their first loss of the season against North Carolina, dropping them to number seven. The Sooners remain a formidable force in college basketball.

Following their thrilling double-overtime win against Arizona, FAU surged back into the top 10 at number 22, proving their mettle on the court.

The Wildcats of Arizona, despite their challenging schedule and a win against Alabama, faltered against FAU, leading to a split week and a drop to number four.

In a showdown at MSG, Duke handled Baylor with confidence, securing the 17th spot in the rankings.

Tennessee, currently ranked 11th, has overcome their early-season struggles and is now a legitimate threat in the basketball landscape.

Illinois secured a victory against a struggling Missouri team, placing them at number 12. The Illini are showcasing their potential.

Auburn, on a winning streak this month, holds the 16th spot, showing promise for the rest of the season.

Wisconsin continues to impress at number 18, unfazed by their prior loss to Arizona.

Clemson, occupying the 15th spot, will be a strong contender in the ACC race.

Ole Miss, undefeated but facing a weaker schedule compared to other teams, found themselves at number 13.

Villanova, renowned for their roller-coaster season, earned a spot in the rankings with several road wins in the Big East, including a victory against Creighton.

Creighton, after suffering a defeat to Villanova, experienced a significant drop in the rankings, needing to regroup in close games.

The Colorado State Rams, currently ranked 19th, await their next challenge in the Mountain West Conference (MWC).

The Colorado Buffaloes remain the second-best team in the Pac-12, positioned at number 20.

Ohio State, at number 23, poses a threat in the highly competitive Big Ten conference.

Arkansas, at 24th place, remains a contender in the race for the SEC title.

Providence enjoyed an impressive week with victories over Marquette and Butler, securing a spot in the rankings.

Nebraska, despite facing injury issues, maintains their position at number 25, displaying their resilience.

James Madison, despite an argument for dropping them without a loss, remains in the rankings due to the strength of competition faced by teams above them.

Michigan State, with their winning streak intact, prepares for an important test against Indiana State to gauge their progress.

New Mexico boasts an impressive 10-game winning streak, with just one loss, as they approach the holidays.

The Texas Longhorns are an intriguing team in these rankings, with high potential for success.

Baylor, still competitive in the Big 12 race, experienced setbacks with losses to Michigan State and Duke.

South Carolina holds its position with only one loss, proving their stability among the top teams.

Utah emerges as a formidable Pac-12 team, sitting at number 30.

BYU, poised for their debut in the Big 12, is well-positioned for a strong season.

Northwestern, back in the rankings, displayed dominance with a commanding victory over Arizona State in Phoenix.

Grand Canyon keeps their momentum alive with an impressive seven-game winning streak, earning them the 35th spot.

Among the standout performances of the week, FAU garners the title of "March Madness Team of the Week." They achieved a remarkable victory over Arizona in a spectacular contest that ended 96-95 in double overtime. Johnell Davis led the charge for FAU, scoring 35 points and grabbing nine rebounds. With a record of 10-2 and notable wins over Butler, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech, FAU is proving their potential for a deep run in March Madness.

Memphis' David Jones is named the "March Madness Player of the Week," following impressive performances against Virginia and Vanderbilt. Scoring 26 and 28 points respectively, Jones displayed his versatility and leadership. The senior player is currently averaging 20 points and six rebounds per game, a testament to his growth and impact on the team.

Looking ahead, the top 10 games to watch for the week of December 25 promise thrilling matchups. San Diego State's clash with Gonzaga takes the top spot as a crucial game for the Aztecs to solidify their Mountain West Conference standing. Creighton's showdown with Marquette and Washington's challenge against Colorado also promise intense action and potential ranking shifts.

As college basketball enters the holiday break, teams are gearing up for an exciting continuation of the season. The Power 36 rankings provide a comprehensive overview of the top-performing teams heading into the new year, igniting anticipation for the upcoming March Madness tournament.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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