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Dec 13, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Darryl Reynolds (45) celebrates with guard Josh Hart (3) against the Temple Owls during the second half at The Pavilion. Villanova defeated Temple, 78-57. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
One month into the 2016-17 NCAA basketball season, there are still six undefeated teams remaining.
Only six schools remain undefeated at the conclusion of the first full month of college basketball. Those schools are Baylor, Creighton, Gonzaga, UCLA, USC and Villanova.
Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and South Carolina were among those who recently suffered their first loss.
It is important to note that none of these six teams are expected to go undefeated this year. Even Gonzaga, who plays in the West Coast Conference, a mid-major conference, will lose a game they shouldn’t at some point in conference play. It’s inevitable. The other five schools play in high-major conferences that feature several ranked programs.
The UCLA Bruins will most likely be the final unbeaten team due to their easy transition to conference play. The high-powered offense opens up against a struggling 22nd ranked Oregon Ducks team. If they were to defeat the Ducks on the road, they would remain unbeaten and face Oregon State on the road.
Their following five match-ups are against unranked opponents, however, as previously stated, losing a game a team shouldn’t will happen. The Bruins could potentially open up conference play at 7-0. Regardless of how it plays out, I see UCLA being the final unbeaten team.
With that in mind, here is our rankings for the undefeated teams. Leave a comment if you agree or disagree.
Nov 30, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans head coach Andy Enfield reacts against the San Diego Toreros during the second half at Jenny Craig Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
6. USC Trojans
Record: 9-0
Key Wins: Texas A&M (65-63), SMU (78-73), BYU (91-84)
The Trojans had one of the toughest offseasons of any team in the nation. USC lost two crucial pieces in guard Julian Jacobs (11.6 points, 5.5 assists) and forward Nikola Jovanovic (12.1 points, 7.0 rebounds). Both went undrafted and evidently made poor decisions to leave the program early.
Despite the departures, USC has built an extremely balanced group. Eight Trojans play 10 or more minutes per game, while six score 10 or more points per game. Junior guard Elijah Stewart has led the pack, averaging 16 points per game and six rebounds per game.
USC is ranked last primarily because they have yet to play a ranked team, and will not do so until conference play. They do have three statement wins over Texas A&M, SMU, and BYU, but they barely squeezed by in all three.
Dec 9, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard Maurice Watson Jr. (10) attempts a shot over Longwood Lancers guard Kendrick Thompson (5) at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Creighton defeated Longwood 113-58. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
5. Creighton Bluejays
Record: 10-0
Key Wins: 9th ranked Wisconsin (79-67), NC State (112-94), Ole Miss (86-77)
Led by one of the best backcourts in the nation, the Bluejays are one of two undefeated teams in the Big East. Guards Marcus Foster (17.8 points) and Maurice Watson Jr. (13.1 points, 9.1 assists) combine to form a phenomenal guard duo.
Creighton is undoubtedly one of the deepest teams in the country. Sophomore guard Khyri Thomas (13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds) and freshman center Justin Patton (12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds) have played key roles so far for Creighton.
The Bluejays’ 12-point victory over Wisconsin, a top 10 team at the time, sparked their 10-game winning streak. They then went on to earn quality wins over NC State and Ole Miss.
Dec 10, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) drives the lane against the Akron Zips during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 61-43. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
4. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Record: 10-0
Key Wins: Florida (77-72), 21st ranked Iowa State (73-71), 16th ranked Arizona (69-62)
This season marks the first time in program history that the Bulldogs started 10-0. The new faces for Gonzaga have been the primary reason for the Bulldogs’ success.
Washington transfer Nigel Williams-Goss leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.4 points per game. Missouri transfer Johnathan Williams also has been very productive (9.5 points per game), while Cal transfer Jordan Mathews is averaging 9.4 points per game.
7-foot freshman Zach Collins (10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds) has been fantastic down low for Mark Few’s squad. Senior big man Przemek Karnowski (12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds) and sophomore guard Josh Perkins (11.7 points) are two of the few returnees who are contributing greatly.
Gonzaga has played exceptionally well through the first month of the season. They have a resume filled with great wins, including victories over Florida (who was unranked at the time of the meeting but has peaked to 21st in the AP rankings), then-21st ranked Iowa State and then-16th ranked Arizona. All three games were decided by 10 points or less, so we aren’t seeing Gonzaga blow teams out of the water. Regardless, Few’s squad has been outstanding this season and is a team that could make a serious run in March.
December 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots to score a basket against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
3. UCLA Bruins
Record: 10-0
Key Wins: Texas A&M (74-67), 1st ranked Kentucky (97-92), Michigan (102-84)
One of the most talked about teams at the moment is the UCLA Bruins. They are a sensational offensive club, as they are currently second in the NCAA in points per game. UCLA has six players averaging in double figures. Senior guard Isaac Hamilton leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.7 points per game.
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The freshman duo of guard Lonzo Ball and forward TJ Leaf has had college basketball fans raving. Ball, averaging 15.0 points per game, is second in the nation in assists per game (8.8). Leaf, shooting a team-best 68 percent from the floor, is averaging 17.6 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game.
UCLA also has guards Bryce Alford (15.6 points, 42 percent from three) and Aaron Holiday (13.3 points), as well as center Thomas Welsh (11.1 points, 9.6 rebounds), in their stacked six man rotation.
Aside from wins against Texas A&M, Kentucky and Michigan, UCLA’s non-conference schedule is very weak. The Kentucky win was very striking, and jumped UCLA from the number 11 spot all the way to the two spot in the subsequent AP poll. One more impactful non-conference game remains on the Bruins schedule: They play Ohio State on December 17.
Dec 3, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Malcolm Bernard (11) attempts to block Baylor Bears guard Manu Lecomte (20) from a loose ball in the second half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports
2. Baylor Bears
Record: 8-0
Key Wins: 4th ranked Oregon (66-49), 10th ranked Louisville (66-63), 7th ranked Xavier (76-61)
Having the thickest resume by far of any team in the NCAA, it is beyond shocking the Bears are still undefeated.
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Baylor’s defense is incredible, ranking eighth in the NCAA in points allowed per game (59.0).
Scott Drew’s deep team is headed by junior forward Johnathan Motley, who is averaging 16.3 points per game to go along with 8.1 rebounds per game. Junior guards Manu Lecomte (13.9 points) and Al Freeman (11.6 points) are the two other Bears averaging in double figures.
Baylor has an unbelievable four wins over top 25 teams. Baylor started the year unranked, but now ranks 4th in the latest AP poll. They also have quality wins over great mid-major programs in VCU (71-63) and Florida Gulf Coast (81-72).
Only one of their four wins over top 25 teams was decided by single digits. Their resume is, without question, the strongest of anyone in the NCAA.
Dec 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats head coach Jay Wright on the sideline against the La Salle Explorers at Palestra. The Villanova Wildcats won 89-79. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. Villanova Wildcats
Record: 11-0
Key Wins: 15th ranked Purdue (79-76), Central Florida (67-57), 23rd ranked Notre Dame (74-66)
The reigning national champions are off to a hot start. Josh Hart has established himself as a Player of the Year candidate, as he is averaging 19.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He put up a 37-point performance last weekend against 23rd ranked Notre Dame.
Kris Jenkins, who’s name will forever live in college basketball because of his buzzer-beating three to knock off North Carolina in the NCAA Championship last year, has found his role as the team’s secondary scorer (13.5 points). Sophomore guards Jalen Brunson (12.7 points) and Mikal Bridges (10.8 points) have both improved greatly from last season.
The Wildcats rank inside the top 70 in both points per game and points allowed per game.
Though their non-conference schedule is rather weak, the Wildcats are too talented to be ranked outside of number one. 56 of 65 AP Poll voters had Villanova as the top team in the latest top 25. Villanova is yet to leave the top four of the AP rankings, proving their dominance regardless of their strength of schedule.
Jay Wright has the opportunity to display Villanova’s talent as they open up their conference schedule against 10th ranked Creighton, 18th Butler, Marquette and 17th ranked Xavier.
