Feast Week is among one of the best stretches in the sports calendar. College basketball is on television seemingly all day, every day, giving us plenty of results to digest. Watching high-level foes square off makes the action that much better.
CBS Sports is right there with the rest of us, taking in games across the country. They have also compiled the latest top 25 and 1 to reflect the early portion of Feast Week.
Some major movement takes place throughout, mainly due to results at the Players Era Festival. Let’s check out the full rankings, beginning in the desert.
There might be some debate as to who the best team in college basketball is right now. You cannot argue with the resume Arizona has put together, though.
Of Arizona’s six wins, three are against quality power conference foes. Every single one of them is away from Tucson too, mixing between true road and neutral site venues. Quite the start for the Wildcats.
The argument as to who college basketball’s best team is likely takes place because of Purdue. Matt Painter has built one of the most consistent programs in the sport, once again fielding a team seemingly worthy of a Final Four.
Purdue took itself abroad for an MTE, winning out in Baha Mar. Big Ten play does officially begin on Dec. 2 before mixing in some other nonconference games.
Michigan is the first team to appear in both the top 25 and 1 and the Players Era Festival. In fact, they are scheduled to play in the championship game on Wednesday night.
Some early results brought some early pause to the Wolverines. However, a drubbing of Auburn helped CBS move them into the top three.
UConn only has one loss on the season, coming to the team ranked No. 1 in the top 25 and 1. Losing at home is never ideal but Danny Hurley has once again made sure to schedule like a maniac.
Like plenty of others sprinkled throughout the top 10, the tests are far from over. All of this as the Huskies look to climb the mountain for the third time in four years.
A lot of the hype surrounding BYU rightfully revolves around AJ Dybantsa. The potential No. 1 overall pick is showing out early in his Cougars career, proving why he’s among the best.
BYU is proving to be a lot more than Dybantsa, though. Richie Saunders helped guide them to a win over Wisconsin, giving other coaches plenty to think about moving forward.
The reigning national champions are still among elite company. CBS Sports places them at No. 6 in the latest top 25 and 1, remaining in place from the previous edition.
It’s been a quiet Feast Week for the Gators, not taking place in an MTE. Instead, a break took place before facing TCU on Thanksgiving Day.
Another team primed to play on the holiday, Duke holds another opportunity to get a valuable win on the resume. This begins a run of four in five vs. power conference opponents before starting the ACC schedule.
Duke is home to one of the best players out there, Cameron Boozer. They likely go as far as he does, needing to continue a fantastic true freshman campaign.
Louisville fans could not ask for a better start to the season. Two rivalry wins are the cherry on top of an undefeated record heading into Thanksgiving. The type of start Pat Kelsey dreamed of.
Now, we only see the level of opponents go up a notch. Louisville has plenty of potential to move up in the top 25 and 1 due to upcoming matchups, beginning with old friend John Calipari next Wednesday.
Going 2-0 at the Players Era Festival carries a ton of weight. While Iowa State might not be playing in the championship game, it’s still been a good time in Las Vegas for the Cyclones.
There is an injury to worry about, with Tamin Lipsey going down in the opener. All reports indicate he should be okay in the long term, keeping the ceiling sky high in Ames.
Another team with two wins at the Players Era Festival, Gonzaga will actually compete for the $1 million prize. They will face the previously mentioned Michigan Wolverines, with the loser still receiving $500,000.
Gonzaga’s resume goes further than what has taken place out West. Mark Few usually likes to schedule heavy, and turning those into wins has the Zags looking national title good.
11. Alabama Crimson Tide
12. St. John’s Red Storm
13. Illinois Fighting Illini
14. Tennessee Volunteers
15. Houston Cougars
16. Michigan State Spartans
17. Texas Tech Red Raiders
18. Arkansas Razorbacks
19. North Carolina Tar Heels
20. Kentucky Wildcats
21. Kansas Jayhawks
22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
23. Indiana Hoosiers
24. Iowa Hawkeyes
25. Ole Miss Rebels
26. USC Trojans
