CBB: Gonzaga remains at the top but a pair of SEC programs are looking like Final Four teams

1. Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-1): The Bulldogs are still our top team in the country, namely because of consistency. They still have just one loss, coming versus Michigan early in the year. Since then, they collected a number of high level victories including Washington (83-76), Arizona (84-80), and North Carolina (94-81). They’re 11-0 in the West Coast Conference and are led by Killian Tillie’s 13.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Gonzaga gets Pepperdine next.

2. Auburn Tigers (22-2): The Tigers have won their last four games by a combined 17 points but the four teams they beat (Kentucky, Arkansas, LSU, and Alabama) have a combined 62-29 record. Auburn is finally starting to stack up some resumé-building victories and at the same time, are proving they can beat just about anyone in the nation. Samir Doughty, who averages 16.0 points and 4.1 rebounds, will be key going forward, beginning with Missouri on the road.

3. Duke Blue Devils (21-3): The Blue Devils have been a strange team this year because it feels like right when they hit their stride, they slip up and lose a game to someone they probably shouldn’t. Well, they’ve won six games in a row and seem like they’re reaching their potential again. With that said, keep an eye on the next couple of games versus Notre Dame, NC State, and Virginia Tech. Tre Jones leads the way with 15.6 points and 6.6 assists per night.

4. Kansas Jayhawks (21-3): The Jayhawks have won eight games in a row, in large part because of sophomore standout Devon Dotson’s play. He is putting up 17.9 points and 4.3 assists en route to possibly taking home the Big 12 Player of the Year award. Kansas’ best wins thus far have come against Dayton (90-84), Colorado (72-58), and West Virginia (58-49). Bill Self’s team will face Oklahoma in their next game as they look to catch the Baylor Bears in the Big 12 standings.

5. Louisville Cardinals (21-4): The Cardinals round out the top five as they have picked up impressive wins against the likes of Michigan (58-43), Duke (79-73), and Virginia (80-73). Louisville has a chance go make a deep run next month, mostly because they have arguably the best player in the country, Jordan Nwora, who has put up 18.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He has looked like the favorite for ACC Player of the Year and will try to continue that versus Clemson.

West: Gonzaga

East: Duke

Midwest: Kansas

South: Kentucky

Photo Credit: A Sea of Blue.