March Madness 2020 is shaping up to be the rise of the underdogs. The shifts from Week 17 to Week 18 are interesting, to say the least when it comes to these new NCAA basketball rankings for week 18.
While Kansas, San Diego State, and Maryland manage to hang on to their ranking, many have fallen in the ranks, while a few have overcome amazing odds.
Remember, NJBetting.com will provide you with current college basketball top 10 rankings each week, as well as March Madness champion futures odds. Here are the new NCAA basketball rankings for week 18:
NCAA Basketball Rankings – Week 18 Top 10
1. Kansas (26-3)
The Jayhawks continue to reign supreme in the Top Ten Power Teams for Week 18, maintaining the number one spot. However, the team that knocked Baylor out of the number two spot, TSU, is coming for Kansas this week.
Does another TSU win have enough power to knock the current frontrunner down a few ranks? Perhaps, but one thing that is certain, Kansas is on a roll and they don’t seem to be slowing down.
2. Gonzaga (29-2)
Gonzaga had a big win this week, taking a St. Mary’s victory, with a close, but final score of 86-76. This win allowed Gonzaga to return to its previous position of second, now just a heartbeat away from the number one spot. Although, Gonzaga’s next opponent has yet to be decided, as the team’s chapter is still in the thick of the West Coast Tournament.
Still, their stellar performance thus far makes them ripe for the number-one spot, if Kansas lowers their guard, even for a second.
3. Dayton (27-2)
The Dayton Flyers are doing well this week as they slid into rank number three, after their 82-67-point win over Davidson late last week. While Dayton is sporting a winning record so far, it could all change in an instant, for better or worse, as the Flyers take on Rhode Island on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.
Although, the Ohio team has a lot riding on their success, as their community needs to have something positive to hope for right now. Late 2019 and early 2020 hasn’t been kind to Dayton Ohio and the surrounding areas, as the community has suffered, both from natural disaster and crime.
So, the excitement that the Flyers are bringing their community, as they raise up the ranks is sure to give the team a boost of confidence, enabling them to continue their path to victory.
4. Baylor (25-3)
Baylor is still riding an unfortunate wave of bad luck, as the former frontrunner is now struggling to remain in the top five. If they endure another sucker punch to their rank, like the one they took on the chin last week, knocking them down two ranks, they could be down for the count.
Yet, that doesn’t mean victory is completely out of reach for the Baylor Bears. The team is undoubtedly hoping to regain some of their confidence by beating Texas Tech for the fourth straight game in a row. This faceoff happening on Monday night is pivotal, though, because a loss would likely knock them down a few more ranks.
5. San Diego State (28-1)
San Diego State has a crazy-good record, heading into Week 18, which is likely why they were one of the three that we’re able to maintain their rank. However, it is surprising that the team did not go up any, especially with the upsets taking place amidst the higher ranks.
The Aztecs are currently first in the Mountain West Tournament, which makes the opponent for their next game on March 4th currently undecided.
6. Kentucky (24-5)
The Kentucky Wildcats continue their winning streak, as their victory against Auburn (73-66) helped the team pounce up two ranks! This is one of the underdogs that continue to surprise fans and opponents alike.
However, they have two games this week; Tennessee on March 3rd and the Florida Gators on Saturday, March 7th. While neither of these teams should be a threat to Kentucky, they are struggling to keep their ranking, as Florida State maintains the exact winning ratio and is currently right behind Kentucky at number seven.
7. Florida State (24-5)
Florida State is undoubtedly looking to regain at least their former rank of number six, after being overtaken by Kentucky this week. Fortunately, they have two games this week, Notre Dame on March 4th and Boston College on March 7th. To make any headway, Florida State needs to dominate in both upcoming games.
8. Seton Hall (21-7)
The Seton Hall Pirates are sitting pretty this week, as the team managed to commandeer the eighth rank this week, after leaping up four through the recent turn of events. Yet, the question for the Pirates now, is whether they will be able to keep their rising tide of luck turned on their side?
This question should be answered soon, as Seton Hall faces off against Villanova and the Creighton; a team that they overtook, helping to knock them completely off the Top Ten Power Teams list. Undoubtedly, the Creighton Blue jays are going to be looking for vengeance. Will the Pirates succumb? Only the time on the court will tell.
9. Maryland (23-6)
The Maryland Terrapins seem to be on an upswing this week. While they did not move up in the ranks, they were the last of the three Top Ten Power Teams to keep their rank this week.
Maryland is not out of danger yet, though, as the team is playing Rutgers and Michigan this week. These are not particularly dangerous teams for Maryland but the possibility that they could lose either of these games is a definite threat to maintaining their Top Ten status.
10. Louisville (24-6)
Louisville is making a comeback, as it kicks Creighton completely off the Top Ten List in Week 18 of March Madness. However, the tenth spot is never a comforting place to be, since the eleventh place could easily rise back up and reclaim their spot.
The Cardinals do have a little bit of downtime this week, though, as their next game is not until the weekend when they take on the Virginia Cavaliers.
March Madness Championship Odds 2020
Here are the NCAA basketball top 10 Week 18’s current odds for this year’s champion:
Top 10 Teams With NCAA Title Odds – Week 18 |
||
|
Team |
||
|
Kansas |
+650 |
+700 |
|
Gonzaga |
+900 |
+900 |
|
Dayton |
+1500 |
+1500 |
|
Baylor |
+1000 |
+900 |
|
San Diego State |
+2200 |
+2200 |
|
Kentucky |
+1600 |
+2000 |
|
Florida State |
+2200 |
+2000 |
|
Seton Hall |
– |
– |
|
Maryland |
+1800 |
+1600 |
|
Louisville |
+4800 |
+1600 |
The shifting sands of power continue to make the NCAA Basketball Top 10 Power Rankings, rise and fall from week to week. Some teams managed to hold their own and maintain their rank.
Still, other teams proved they could not withstand the pressure, and some teams ascended triumphantly.
Heading into Week 19, it is impossible to tell which teams will remain on this list of Top Ten Power Teams and which new teams will make their mark.
However, the unknown is what makes March Madness a crazy, incredible journey for teams, players, and fans alike. See you next week for NCAA basketball power rankings and futures odds for week 19!
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