An interesting side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020-21 college basketball season has been a reduction in non-conference games. In 2018-19, 2,063 non-conference games took place; in 2019-20, 2,002 happened. This year? 845. Why is that important? Because there have been fewer cross-conference matchups between elite teams this year — and fewer tests for teams like Gonzaga, who has a blissfully easy conference slate that can trip them up when elite competition comes in the Big Dance. For teams that have had a lot of COVID-19 postponements, like Villanova and Baylor, a lack of consistent play, in terms of timing, could lead to rust — and a lot of makeup games right before tournament time.
Here are our latest power rankings as you consider NCAA Basketball betting choices.
NCAA News: Updated College Basketball Power Rankings
#1 Gonzaga (22-0)
According to KenPom, the Bulldogs have a 95 percent chance of going into Selection Sunday with an unbeaten record, as they keep on steamrolling their West Coast Conference opposition. It will be interesting to see if they opt out of the WCC tournament to avoid COVID-19, though, ahead of March Madness.
#2 Baylor (18-0)
Baylor played on Tuesday for the first time since February 2, and they almost fell at home to a two-win Iowa State team. The Bears were able to complete the comeback, and next on their schedule is West Virginia…but that game looks like it will be moved.
#3 Michigan (16-1)
Michigan only has one loss, but that came at Minnesota, a team that looked dangerous then but now might end up in the NIT. Sunday featured a tremendous win at Ohio State.
#4 Ohio State (18-5)
Ohio State had gone over a month without losing before Michigan came to town and beat the Buckeyes. They are still on course for a possible 1-seed in the tournament.
#5 Alabama (18-5)
Alabama only beat Vanderbilt by four at home on Saturday; but the Tide’s reserves outscored the Commodore bench by 47 (57-10). Jaden Shackelford came off the bench to drop 27 on the visitors.
#6 Florida State (13-3)
Since the calendar turned to 2021, the SEminoles have gone 8-1 (with a COVID-19 pause) and leads the ACC standings. Raiquan Gray has double figures in eight consecutive games, putting up 16.4 points per game in that stretch.
#7 Illinois (16-5)
Brad Underwood’s Illini have won seven in a row. In four games, Ayo Dosunmu put up two triple-doubles, giving the Illinois program four triple-doubles in school history.
#8 Villanova (14-3)
The Wildcats really needed that win against Connecticut on Saturday, getting four players in double figures despite the team going just 5 of 22 from behind the arc. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl put up 17 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
#9 Houston (18-3)
Houston is hosting Western Kentucky in a non-conference game on Thursday, a last-minute adjustment that could give WKU an at-large boost, or it could give Houston a push toward a 2-seed, a push they could use after losing to Wichita State.
#10 USC (19-4)
USC dismantled Oregon on Monday, a 72-58 win that felt like a 25-point win. The team has size and length, and they can play defense and get big shots. If you’re looking for a sleeper pick to make it the Final Four, it could be the Trojans.
#11 Virginia Tech (14-5)
The Hokies ended a layoff on Tuesday, losing to Georgia Tech in their first game since February 6. Virginia Tech needed the win if they wanted a shot at an ACC title, but Georgia Tech needed the win if they want any sort of postseason. The next two games for the Hokies are also at home.
#12 Oklahoma (14-5)
Austin Reaves hung 20 on Iowa State in Oklahoma’s win on Saturday, giving the Sooners eight wins in nine games. Transfers Umoja Gibson (North Texas) and Elijah Harkless (Cal State-Northridge) have made the move to Norman very worthwhile.
#13 West Virginia (13-5)
West Virginia was down by 19 at Texas on Saturday in the second half and came all the way back to win. The Mountaineers also erased a 19-point second-half deficit against Oklahoma. Against Texas, West Virginia limited Texas to 29 second-half points and outshot Texas from the free throw line, 37-10.
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