The Messenger’s College Basketball Top 25: Can No. 3 Houston Leapfrog No. 2

Senior basketball writers Seth Davis and Jeff Goodman reveal their Top 25 rankings for men’s college basketball every week. The Messenger’s overall Top 25 is compiled based on a scoring system that combines the writers’ individual lists. Here’s where things stand as of January 8.

Jeff Goodman: I think it’s finally to the point where just about everyone is in agreement that Purdue is the clear-cut No. 1 team in the land as of today. After watching Kansas struggle at home against TCU, the Boilermakers should be unanimous because their résumé and non-conference slate is so far superior to any other team (especially Houston). I really thought long and hard about Houston jumping Kansas into the No. 2 overall spot — mostly because the Jayhawks haven’t been overly impressive of late. However, I still go by wins and losses as much as possible rather than the margin of victory (not all the time, though) and decided to keep KU one spot in front of the Cougars, who are the last unbeaten team in the country. 

Seth Davis: I thought about leapfrogging Houston, too, but I also don’t like to punish teams if they don’t lose, and Kansas has played a much better schedule — which is why the Jayhawks are six spots ahead of Houston on KPI, which is more focused on this season’s results vs. the schedule than any other metric. The Cougars play at Iowa State and at TCU this week. I still doubt I will move Kansas or Purdue down next week if they don’t lose, but I am looking forward to seeing Houston play some good teams on the road in its new conference.

Seth Davis: I’ve discussed in this space several times how I deal with injuries and suspensions. I consider two factors: how the team has performed without that player, and how long that player will be out. Illinois (Terrence Shannon Jr.), Memphis (Caleb Mills) and Providence (Bryce Hopkins) have all lost key players for the season. Illinois has gone 2-1 without Shannon, but the one loss was at Purdue, so for rankings purposes that’s like going 3-0. Providence, on the other hand, lost to Seton Hall (home) and Creighton (road). There is nothing in the Friars’ metrics profile that warrants them being ranked (No. 45 KenPom, No. 57 NET, No. 44 BartTorvik, No. 41 KPI), but I wanted to give them one more week to show that they can figure out how to be competitive without Hopkins. I was impressed they nearly overcame an 18-point second half deficit at Creighton. So Providence drops to No. 25, and Creighton, which I dropped from my rankings two weeks ago, is back in at No. 21.

Jeff Goodman: Auburn was the big mover for me, jumping all the way up from No. 23 to 16. I’m impressed and surprised, but probably shouldn’t be because Bruce Pearl is one of the most underrated coaches in the country. He’s got some good players, but no stars. I’m not sure how good Arkansas is, but I know the Razorbacks beat Duke in Fayetteville — and Auburn just crushed Arkansas on its home court. 

Seth…