The Bilas Index: Ranking the top 68 teams in men's college basketball

With football on hiatus, college basketball seizes the national stage at the perfect moment: conference play is intensifying and March is visible on the horizon. The 2024-25 campaign has already delivered the best early-season product in recent memory, defined by unprecedented freshman star power, historic offensive efficiency and a parity that stretches well beyond the traditional blue-bloods. To orient newcomers and veterans alike, The Bilas Index—Volume II—evaluates the 68 teams most capable of shaping the coming NCAA tournament.

1. Michigan The Wolverines are the only program sitting inside the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Depth, size, elite shooting and the nation’s most intimidating interior defense have allowed Michigan to bludgeon more quality opponents than any other contender. A trip to Indianapolis feels like an expectation, not a hope.

2. Arizona A paint-dominant, defense-first outfit, Arizona survived its first loss on Big Monday at Allen Fieldhouse and a second at Texas Tech. Freshman sniper Brayden Burries supplies outside balance for a roster that wins through rebounding and relentless rim protection.

3. Duke Two defeats came against good teams while holding double-digit leads. Cameron Boozer remains the front-runner for national player of the year, and better late-game execution is considered an attainable fix rather than a fatal flaw.

4. Houston Traditionally a defense-driven program, the Cougars currently own a higher ceiling on offense, paced by freshman star Kingston Flemings and his 42-point eruption at Texas Tech. Tightening the defense will determine how high Houston can climb.

5. Iowa State Seldom mentioned in the “best team” debate, the Cyclones pair a top-10 offense with a top-10 defense. Joshua Jefferson is the nation’s most versatile front-court weapon not named Boozer, Milan Momcilovic may be its best shooter, and Tamin Lipsey headlines a deep collection of playmakers.

6. Illinois With Kylan Boswell sidelined, freshman Keaton Wagler—fresh off a 46-point masterpiece at Purdue—has emerged as a lottery-level lead guard. The Illini launch more than half their shots from deep, pound the glass and run one of the country’s most beautiful offenses.

7. Florida An early gauntlet of nail-biters is paying off. The Gators now rival Michigan and Arizona for the nation’s best frontcourt, with Thomas Haugh powering a quartet of imposing bigs and steady back-court growth erasing early turnover woes.

8. UConn National-title-level schemes remain, and the defense is already championship caliber, but the Huskies must rediscover last season’s shooting precision and ball security to return to the Final Four.

9. Kansas Allen Fieldhouse is still the sport’s ultimate weapon, and the Jayhawks are rounding into form around a core of Melvin Council Jr., Tre White, Bryson Tiller and emerging defensive force Flory Bidunga. Darryn Peterson’s intermittent availability remains the variable.

10. Nebraska Despite close losses to Michigan and Illinois—one while shorthanded—the Cornhuskers defend, share the ball and space the floor. The only remaining question is psychological: can they rebound once the zero-loss aura is gone?

11. Purdue Braden Smith is the country’s top point guard and Trey Kaufman-Renn owns the best low-post footwork of any big. If perimeter defense stabilizes, the Boilermakers can still replicate last year’s March surge.

12. Michigan State Tom Izzo’s group wins through rebounding and grit while ranking among the nation’s stingiest defenses. Jeremy Fears Jr. paces the country in assist rate; improved shooting would elevate the Spartans from tough out to true threat.

13. Gonzaga Health is the chief concern after losing Braden Huff. Graham Ike continues to produce against constant double-teams, but the Bulldogs must boost free-throw frequency and conversion rate to survive the season’s second act.

14. Vanderbilt Duke Miles’ recovery timeline is murky and Frankie Collins has yet to return, yet Tyler Tanner’s sophomore breakout and Tyler Nickel’s deep shooting keep the Commodores in the at-large picture. Interior defense will decide their ceiling.

15. North Carolina Derek Dixon’s insertion at starting point guard sparked five straight wins, including the classic over Duke. Caleb Wilson’s explosiveness and Henri Veesaar’s double-double consistency add upside if sustained effort follows.

16. Tennessee Turnovers and late-game execution have cost the Vols multiple wins, but Ja’Kobi Gillespie and blossoming wing Nate Ament provide reason to believe Tennessee is one correct stride away from clicking.

17. Alabama Charles Bediako’s ineligibility creates a selection-committee puzzle, yet Darius Miles and company remain dangerous. Expect no retroactive adjustment until due process concludes.

18. Texas Tech JT Toppin and Christian Anderson form one of the nation’s most explosive duos. Lefty sniper Donovan Atwell shoots 44% from deep and stretches defenses beyond the arc.

19. Saint John’s Zuby Ejiofor—arguably the Big East’s most complete big—teams with Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins to power a ten-game winning streak that includes wins over UConn and Rick Pitino’s 900th victory.

20. Arkansas John Calipari’s backcourt of Darius Acuff Jr. (21.2 ppg, 6.3 apg, 50% FG) and Meleek Thomas (15.0 ppg) fuels a top-tier offense capable of a repeat Sweet 16 run.

21. Virginia Ryan Odom has restored stability in Charlottesville, guiding the Cavaliers toward a return to the tournament after last year’s unexpected absence.

The Bilas Index continues through slot 68, but the message is clear: this season’s championship race is as wide open as any in decades, and the next eight weeks of conference carnage will determine who earns the right to cut down the nets in Indianapolis.