Although it was Super Bowl week, college basketball still delivered in a big way as conference play reached another level of intensity. With the postseason picture beginning to take shape, Arizona and Miami (OH) continue to chase history as the nation’s remaining unbeaten teams, while traditional powers like UConn and Duke absorbed significant losses in conference play. Upsets across multiple leagues created movement throughout the rankings and opened the door for new teams to enter the mix. At the same time, the freshman class is increasingly becoming one of the season’s defining storylines, with first-year stars playing major roles in shaping conference races and national title outlooks. Here’s how the Power 16 shakes out after the chaos of Week 14.
1. Arizona Wildcats (23-0)
The Wildcats pushed their unbeaten start to 23-0 with a dominant 84-47 win over Oklahoma State, setting a new Big 12 record for the best start to a season in conference history. Powered by a talented freshman core, highlighted by Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, Arizona continues to play with a level of poise and maturity well beyond its years. The frontcourt rotation remains a major strength, with senior Tobe Awaka providing elite impact off the bench and Peat complemented by defensive anchor Motiejus Krivas. Arizona will be tested over the next two weeks with four consecutive games against ranked opponents, beginning with a matchup tonight against No. 11 Kansas.
2. Michigan Wolverines (22-1)
The Wolverines are building strong momentum following dominant wins over Penn State (110-69) and Ohio State (82-61). Their bench production has returned to early-season form, providing balanced scoring and restoring the depth that makes Michigan so difficult to handle. Several starters delivered standout performances during the week, including Nimari Burnett, who caught fire from beyond the arc, and Aday Mara, who controlled the paint with his interior presence. Meanwhile, senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg continues to impact the game in a variety of ways, providing steady all-around production and leadership. Michigan will look to maintain its strong play as the schedule lightens with upcoming matchups against Northwestern and UCLA.
3. UConn Huskies (22-2)
After a dominant 92-60 win over Xavier, the Huskies hit their first setback in conference play with an 81-72 loss to No. 22 St. John’s. UConn received solid production from its veteran frontcourt duo of Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr., but ball security proved costly as senior guard Silas Demary Jr. struggled with turnovers under pressure. Freshman Braylon Mullins continues to provide strong perimeter shooting and spacing, but inconsistent bench production remains a concern against high-level competition. UConn will look to stabilize its rotation and improve its depth as it prepares for matchups with Butler on Wednesday and Georgetown on Saturday.
4. Houston Cougars (21-2)
The Cougars followed a 79-55 win over UCF with a statement 77-66 victory over No. 16 BYU, continuing to build momentum in conference play. Houston’s talented freshman duo of Kingston Flemings and Chris Cenac[ Jr. played a major role, with Cenac flashing promising three-point range while Flemings controlled the tempo and showed poise as the primary initiator. The veteran backcourt also delivered key support, as seniors [Player: Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan provided efficient perimeter scoring. With a strong mix of emerging freshman impact and experienced guard play, Houston is well positioned moving forward and will look to maintain its rhythm against Utah and Kansas State this week.
5. Duke Blue Devils (21-2)
After opening conference play with 10 straight wins, the Blue Devils suffered a tough 71-68 road loss to archrival No. 14 North Carolina. Duke’s offense surged early, but late-game execution faltered as the supporting cast struggled to generate consistent scoring around freshman star Cameron Boozer. Much of the team’s offense flowed through Boozer’s playmaking, and the lack of secondary creation showed down the stretch. Fellow freshman Dame Sarr was efficient and showed encouraging offensive rhythm, but Duke’s defense was unable to contain North Carolina’s pressure in key moments. The Blue Devils will look to shore things up defensively as they face Pittsburgh on Tuesday before hosting No. 20 Clemson on Saturday.
6. Iowa State Cyclones (21-2)
The Cyclones secured a hard-fought 72-69 win over Baylor in their lone game of the week, continuing their steady climb through conference play. Iowa State’s offense has been powered by its frontcourt duo of Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson, who provide scoring versatility and interior presence. Momcilovic has been especially lethal from deep, shooting over 53 percent from three and tracking toward one of the most efficient perimeter seasons in recent memory. In the backcourt, senior Tamin Lipsey continues to set the tone with his toughness and activity, leading the conference in steals and consistently impacting the game on both ends. Iowa State’s balanced, team-oriented approach has been the foundation of its success, and the Cyclones will look to maintain that edge against TCU on Tuesday before a major test against No. 11 Kansas on Saturday.
7. Illinois Fighting Illini (20-4)
The Fighting Illini followed an 84-44 blowout of Northwestern with a tough 85-82 overtime loss to No. 10 Michigan State. In the win, Illinois dominated the glass behind its deep frontcourt rotation of David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Ben Humrichous. That physical edge was harder to maintain against the Spartans, whose toughness disrupted Illinois’ rhythm. For the first time in weeks, freshman star Keaton Wagler struggled to find his shot, while junior guard Andrej Stojakovic stepped up and showed he can carry the offensive load when needed. Illinois will look for that backcourt balance to stabilize as it prepares for a matchup with Wisconsin on Tuesday.
8. North Carolina Tar Heels (19-4)
Since their California road trip, the Tar Heels have been playing some of their best basketball, adding wins over Syracuse (87-77) and rival Duke (71-68). North Carolina’s frontcourt tandem of Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar continues to anchor the team with consistent production and interior presence. On the perimeter, the guard play has shown clear improvement, led by senior Seth Trimble, whose late-game heroics, including a buzzer-beater against Duke, highlighted the team’s toughness and composure. The Tar Heels will look to carry that momentum forward as they prepare for upcoming matchups with Miami and Pittsburgh.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers (21-2)
After back-to-back losses the previous week, the Cornhuskers bounced back with an important 80-68 win over Rutgers. Nebraska leaned on its frontcourt leadership, as Rienk Mast and Pryce Sandfort carried much of the offensive load. The backcourt also delivered timely support, with senior guards Jamarques Lawrence and Sam Hoiberg providing steady complementary production to help stabilize the team. Freshman Braden Frager struggled to find his range from deep, but the balanced team effort was a positive step forward. Nebraska will look to build on that momentum as it prepares for a major test against No. 12 Purdue.
10. Michigan State Spartans (20-4)
The Spartans absorbed a surprising 76-73 loss to Minnesota midweek but responded with resilience, knocking off No. 5 Illinois in overtime on Saturday. Rather than letting the upset linger, Michigan State showed maturity and composure, tightening up execution and learning quickly from its mistakes. Sophomore Jeremy Fears Jr. has been driving the recent offensive surge, providing leadership and control late in games. Inside, seniors Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper anchored the effort, helping Michigan State control the paint and the glass on both ends. The Spartans will look to carry that momentum into a lighter week, with a standalone matchup against Wisconsin on February 13.
11. Gonzaga Bulldogs (23-2)
The Bulldogs had been rolling through the WCC before a surprising 87-80 loss to Portland raised some concerns about their overall consistency. Gonzaga responded with a solid 81-61 win over Oregon State, but the upset highlighted questions about the roster’s offensive balance. Senior Graham Ike continues to carry a heavy scoring burden for the starting group, and the team has become increasingly reliant on bench production to generate consistent offense. The absence of junior forward Braden Huff has made it more difficult for the starters to create reliable scoring opportunities. Gonzaga will look to stabilize its rotation and offensive flow as it prepares for matchups with Washington State and Santa Clara this week.
12. Kansas Jayhawks (18-5)
The Jayhawks opened the week with a statement 64-61 win over No. 13 Texas Tech and followed it with a solid 71-59 victory over Utah. Kansas’ defensive versatility up front, led by Bryson Tiller and Flory Bidunga, has created major problems for opposing frontcourts, including Texas Tech’s JT Toppin. The Jayhawks’ ceiling ultimately hinges on their backcourt, where the guard trio has the ability to ignite offensively at any time, headlined by freshman star Darryn Peterson. Kansas will need continued production from its perimeter group as it prepares for a major stretch, beginning with No. 1 Arizona tonight and No. 7 Iowa State on Saturday.
13. Virginia Cavaliers (20-3)
The Cavaliers have responded well since their loss to No. 14 North Carolina, picking up convincing wins over Pittsburgh (67-47) and Syracuse (72-59). Junior guard Sam Lewis led the way in both games, showcasing strong efficiency from beyond the arc and providing a steady offensive spark. Meanwhile, senior Malik Thomas has struggled to find consistency as a three-level scorer over the past couple of weeks. Virginia’s young frontcourt duo of freshmen Thijs de Ridder and Johann Grunloh also had difficulty establishing a rhythm. The Cavaliers will look for more balanced production as they prepare for matchups with Florida State and a February 14 test against Ohio State.
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders (17-6)
Despite a sixth loss of the season to No. 11 Kansas, the Red Raiders remain in the rankings following a solid 70-63 win over West Virginia. Texas Tech’s demanding early schedule has tested the group, but the overall talent level keeps them firmly in the mix. Junior JT Toppin continues to anchor the team as one of the most productive big men in the country. On the perimeter, the spacing and shot-making provided by Christian Anderson, Donovan Atwell, and Jaylen Petty gives the offense a dangerous balance that few teams can replicate. Texas Tech will need a full team effort this week as it faces Colorado before a highly anticipated matchup with No. 1 Arizona.
15. Purdue Boilermakers (19-4)
The Boilermakers return to the rankings after grinding out a 68-64 win over Oregon, halting a three-game losing streak that had their season trending in the wrong direction. Purdue’s veteran backcourt of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer has provided a much-needed spark, bringing stability and shot-making to an offense that has struggled to find consistent rhythm. As the season has progressed, the frontcourt has not delivered the same level of impact typically associated with a Matt Painter team, which has traditionally relied on a dominant interior presence. Purdue will need its experienced guards to continue elevating the group’s ceiling as it prepares for a key matchup against No. 9 Nebraska.
16. St. John’s Red Storm (18-5)
The Red Storm surge into the rankings after a statement win over No. 3 UConn, following it up with a 68-56 victory against DePaul. After a slow start to the season, head coach Rick Pitino has his group playing with confidence, reeling off nine straight conference wins. Senior Zuby Ejiofor has been the focal point, anchoring the interior with his physicality and all-around production. He’s been supported by impactful frontcourt transfers Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins, who have added toughness, athleticism, and scoring inside. The backcourt depth, built largely through the transfer portal, has also provided timely offensive flashes. St. John’s will look to build on its momentum as it hosts Xavier before traveling to Providence on Saturday for a key road test.
Next Five: BYU (17-6), Arkansas (17-6), Florida (17-6), Saint Louis (23-1), Vanderbilt (19-4)
Players of the Week
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Ament has come into his own over the past month, culminating in two elite scoring performances. He poured in 28 points in a win over Ole Miss and followed with 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting and 4-of-6 from three in a close loss to Kentucky. Entering the season as a projected top-10 pick, Ament’s size, skill, and versatility have always stood out, and as his comfort and confidence grow, his rising draft stock should continue to follow.
Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Wilson continues to exceed preseason expectations, consistently delivering 20-plus points and providing steady production night after night. While his peak performances may not match the highest ceilings in the freshman class, his reliability has been invaluable, including a strong showing in North Carolina’s rivalry win over Duke. His consistency against high-level competition continues to reinforce his standing as a projected top-five pick.
Nimari Burnett, Michigan
Burnett led the Wolverines’ win over Penn State with a career-high 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting and 7-of-10 from three. Now in his third season at Michigan, he has developed into a consistent two-way perimeter threat. His long-range efficiency helps stretch defenses and plays a key role in one of the most balanced and efficient starting groups in the country.
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s
Ejiofor may not have posted the flashiest numbers across the week, but he was the steady catalyst behind St. John’s success. In a win over UConn, he delivered 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and two steals. His activity, physicality, and all-around impact have helped spark the Red Storm after a slow start, highlighting his value as a high-energy interior presence.
Rienk Mast, Nebraska
Mast bounced back in a big way with 26 points and eight rebounds on 11-of-20 shooting after a difficult outing the previous week. In his second season with the Cornhuskers, he has become a central offensive piece and a major factor in their 20-0 start. His response against Rutgers was an important step toward reestablishing his rhythm as Nebraska pushes deeper into conference play.
Play of the Week:
Fresno State 7 points in 6.8 seconds vs UNLV
https://x.com/br_betting/status/2019072245780394398?s=46
OR
Seth Trimble Game Winner vs Duke
https://x.com/marchmadnessmbb/status/2020312730419306814?s=46
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