NCAA analyst Andy Katz has unveiled his latest Power 37 rankings, offering fresh insights into men’s college basketball. Teams like BYU and Michigan State have climbed the rankings as the season heats up, while others, such as Purdue and Kansas, have struggled.
Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways from Last Week’s Action
- 2 Rick Pitino Energizes St. John’s at Madison Square Garden
- 3 Duke’s Defensive Dominance Under Jon Scheyer
- 4 Notable Teams Missing from the Power 37
- 5 Jai Lucas Poised to Take Over Miami Basketball
- 6 Michigan Locks in Dusty May for the Future
- 7 Updated Power 37 Rankings
- 8 March Madness National Team of the Week: BYU Cougars
- 9 March Madness National Player of the Week: Jase Richardson, Michigan State
- 10 Top 10 Games to Watch This Week
Key Takeaways from Last Week’s Action
Rick Pitino Energizes St. John’s at Madison Square Garden
Rick Pitino’s arrival at Madison Square Garden to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” set the stage for a thrilling night. The St. John’s Red Storm dominated UConn, creating the electric atmosphere the administration envisioned when hiring the Hall of Fame coach. St. John’s, now a legitimate Final Four contender, showcased elite defense and deadly three-point shooting, which could take them deep into March Madness.
Duke’s Defensive Dominance Under Jon Scheyer
Jon Scheyer has proven to be the right coach at the right time for Duke. His players-first approach resonates well with the team, and they now stand as strong contenders for the national title. Led by potential Player of the Year Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils delivered a 43-point victory over Illinois. Their relentless defense mirrors UConn’s effort in last year’s Elite Eight matchup. This Duke squad could be the hardest-playing Blue Devils team since Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett led the program in 2019.
Notable Teams Missing from the Power 37
Some high-profile programs failed to make this week’s rankings. Purdue’s four-game losing streak, Illinois and UConn’s blowout losses at Madison Square Garden, and Kansas’ crushing defeat in Provo all contributed to their omission. These teams need to regroup quickly as March approaches.
Jai Lucas Poised to Take Over Miami Basketball
Reports indicate that Jai Lucas is heading to Miami to replace longtime coach Jim Larrañaga. Lucas, who has gained valuable experience at Texas, Kentucky, and Duke, understands the evolving landscape of college basketball. His strong recruiting connections and familiarity with the NIL and transfer portal era make him an ideal fit for the Hurricanes.
Michigan Locks in Dusty May for the Future
Michigan’s decision to offer an early contract extension to head coach Dusty May was a strategic move to fend off potential suitors, including Indiana. May’s impressive track record, including a Final Four run at FAU, has already positioned.
Michigan is a Big Ten title contender. He’s proving to be a coach capable of building a long-term winning culture in Ann Arbor.
Updated Power 37 Rankings
- Auburn (25-2) – John Broome scored 16 points against Arkansas and 31 against Georgia.
- Duke (21-6) – The Blue Devils leapfrog Florida after dismantling Illinois at MSG.
- Florida (24-3) – Riding a six-game winning streak and making a push for a No. 1 seed.
- Houston (23-4) – Holding a commanding lead in the Big 12 with six consecutive wins.
- St. John’s (24-4) – Dominated UConn with elite defense and three-point shooting.
- Alabama (22-5) – Bounced back with a key win over Kentucky after a two-game skid.
- Texas Tech (21-6) – A crucial week ahead to challenge Houston in the Big 12 race.
- Maryland (21-6) – One of the hottest teams in the country, set for a showdown with Michigan State.
- Michigan State (22-5) – Big wins over Purdue and rival Michigan push the Spartans up the list.
- Iowa State (21-6) – A tough loss at Houston, but still a formidable NCAA contender.
For the full Power 37 rankings, see the NCAA’s official rankings page.
March Madness National Team of the Week: BYU Cougars
BYU’s dominant week has reshaped their season. The Cougars crushed Kansas 91-57 and followed up with a nail-biting 96-95 win over Arizona. This four-game win streak has propelled them to a 19-8 overall record and a strong position for an NCAA Tournament berth. Richie Saunders played a pivotal role, scoring 23 points against Arizona and 22 against Kansas.
March Madness National Player of the Week: Jase Richardson, Michigan State
Freshman Jase Richardson stepped up at the perfect time for the Spartans. His 21-point second-half performance led Michigan State to victory over rival Michigan. He also contributed 12 points in a crucial win over Purdue. If Richardson continues this upward trajectory, Michigan State could have a game-changer for a deep March run.
Top 10 Games to Watch This Week
- Michigan State at Maryland (Wednesday) – The Spartans lead the Big Ten race, but Maryland is a legitimate challenger.
- Houston at Texas Tech (Monday) – Houston aims to widen the gap in the Big 12.
- Auburn at Kentucky (Saturday) – Rupp Arena will be rocking for this showdown.
- Alabama at Tennessee (Saturday) – Both teams are eyeing a No. 1 seed.
- Arizona at Iowa State (Saturday) – A potential second-seed battle.
- Texas A&M at Florida (Saturday) – A must-win for the Aggies to stay in the SEC hunt.
- Texas Tech at Kansas (Saturday) – A surprising high-stakes battle for the Jayhawks.
- UCLA at Purdue (Friday) – Purdue looks to bounce back after a rough stretch.
- New Mexico at San Diego State (Tuesday) – A critical matchup in the Mountain West.
- Utah State at Boise State (Wednesday) – Boise State needs this win to move up the NCAA bubble.
As the regular season nears its conclusion, teams jostle for top seeds, and the competition intensifies. BYU’s resurgence, Michigan State’s momentum, and Duke’s defensive dominance have shifted the landscape. With March Madness around the corner, every game counts in the race for a championship.
