March Madness 2020 is right around the corner, and the change in the Men’s NCAA Basketball Top 10 Week 17 Power Rankings is rocking the college basketball courts.
The past two rounds have shifted the dynamic of power teams, from the first to the last, there is significant movement in the ranks, compounding the intensity of the already crazy nineteen-day period of March Madness.
NCAA Basketball Top 10 – Week 17
Here are the shifts in the NCAA basketball top 10 ranks for week 17, as teams prepare for the Midwest, West, South, and East Regional:
1. Kansas (25-3)
The Jayhawks won a pivotal game on Monday, propelling them up two, into the number one spot. Yet, Kansas can’t let their big win get to their head. They still have miles to go and many to beat before they are secured as the National Champion.
For star player, Udoka Azubuike, Monday night’s game was not only a championship victory, but it was also a long-overdue reunion. According to ESPN, when Azubuike lead his team to victory over Oklahoma State (58-83), his big brother was in the audience. This is significant, as it was the first time that Azubuike saw Chima Azuonwu in ten years.
2. Baylor (24-2)
Baylor is hurting, after the team that ruined their winning streak now jumped two places in the top ten, knocking them out of their throne. However, their chance to re-ascend to their previous position is not out of sight. If they pull off a win against Kansas State Wildcats (9-18) they have a good chance of regaining their momentum. Unfortunately for them, if they lose that will likely upset their spot in the top ten exponentially.
3. Gonzaga (27-2)
Gonzaga is not such a happy camper this week either. Not only were they defeated by a current number 23 rank, BYU (23-7, 12-3 WCC), it also lost its second-place stature in the Top 10 Power Teams. While maintaining 3rd this early into March Madness is not a defeat by any means, it is a major blow to their confidence. Especially since the current frontrunner surpassed them and the previous frontrunner in one fell swoop.
Now, Gonzaga must get back in the game and dominate their next games, including the one later this week against the Sand Diego Toreros, to keep their placement.
4. Dayton (25-2)
The Flyers are still on a glorious upswing as they surmount the Top 10 Ranks again this week. Their coach, Anthony Grant, who was named the seventh Dayton coach in the last seventy years in 2017 had big shoes to fill, following his predecessor, Archie Miller. However, as the team continues to do well, making them a definite contender for this year’s National Championship, it seems that Grant is doing well. The team has managed to keep their 2-loss streak going as the pressure increases, all while climbing up four spots in two weeks! Let’s hope their streak continues as the Flyers take on the George Mason Patriots (15-12).
5. San Diego State (26-1)
San Diego State was devastated by their loss to UNLV over the weekend, as it crushed their winning streak. This adds credence to the prediction that it is their commitment to longevity that will be their downfall in this fast-paced race to the championship. However, one loss is still a stellar record, going into the next leg of the competition. So, only time will tell, as the Aztecs take on the Colorado State Rams (19-10) whether they just had a bad weekend, or it marked the beginning of the end.
6. Florida State (24-4)
Florida State put the hurt on the former top-ten hopeful, Louisville (23-5) over the weekend, knocking the Cardinals down from their position in fourth two weeks ago, now to number eleven. Ouch! This is good for the Seminoles though, as they are back in the running for a possible championship. If they can pull off a few more wins like they did last Saturday, they have a good chance of earning an admirable spot in the championship.
7. Duke (23-4)
Duke has lost some, won some and, unfortunately, lost some again, causing the Blue Devils to slip down two spaces in their Top Ten ranking. However, that doesn’t mean that they are going to continue this downward spiral. Duke has made a comeback against unbelievable odds before. There is certainly a possibility that they can recover from this small slip. When they take on Wake Forrest (11-15) there is a good chance the Blue Devils can start to get back their stride.
8. Kentucky (22-5)
The Kentucky Wildcats are on a roll this week, bumping themselves up two places. This gives the Wildcats a little breathing room between the team status and being booted out of the Top Ten. Granted, number eight is a long way from number one. Nevertheless, if there is one thing that March Madness teaches players and fans alike, there is no sure thing when it comes to the Championship.
9. Maryland (22-5)
The Terrapins are likely not a happy bale this week as their close loss against Ohio State over the weekend destroyed their previous nine-game winning streak. Ouch! While the Terrapins are not out of the Top Ten, there is cause for concern as Creighton comes in hot at number ten. Hopefully, Maryland will make a comeback when they face off against Minnesota (13-13) later this week.
10. Creighton (22-6)
Even though they are at the bottom of the Top Ten, if there was a VIP of the week for March Madness, it would be the Creighton Bluejays. This team has gone against all odds, skyrocketing into the top ten with an awesome 5 place leap from last week. Wow! Even though they have a few days rest (a rarity during March Madness) before they face off against St. John’s Red Storm (14-13), they had better bring their A-game. Now, this is getting serious for Creighton.
March Madness Championship Odds 2020
Here are NCAA basketball top 10 Week 17’s current odds for this year’s champion:
| Top 10 Power Team NCAA Title Odds – Week 17 | ||
| Team | FanDuel | DraftKings |
| Kansas | +700 | +600 |
| Baylor | +900 | +850 |
| Gonzaga | +900 | +700 |
| Dayton | +1500 | +1500 |
| San Diego State | +2000 | +2000 |
| Florida State | +2200 | +2000 |
| Duke | +1100 | +1100 |
| Kentucky | +2000 | +2000 |
| Maryland | +1500 | +1500 |
| Creighton | +4500 | +3000 |
This is an exciting time of the year for college basketball fans, especially those with teams in (or close to) the Top Ten. As we head into Week 18, it is still anyone’s game, as the Top Ten Power Teams, this week are all holding onto their positions by a thread. Next week, this list could look completely different! That is the magic of March Madness!
