16. St. John’s
The Red Storm haven’t lost since January 3 – thanks in large part to Rick Pitino switching to a bigger lineup with Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, and Zuby Ejiofor on the court at the same time. This has really opened up the floor for the guards, who are also playing better during this run.
17. Saint Louis
Like Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Josh Schertz’s Billikens are taking care of business. They are very quietly demolishing every mediocre A10 team that stands in their way, not moving the needle a whole lot in either direction, and remaining a sleeper pick to make a deep tournament run.
18. Virginia
I think it’s time that I give the Cavaliers some due. They’ve just very quietly climbed up to 9-2 in the ACC, beating the teams that they are supposed to beat. Ryan Odom is looking like one of the best new hires in all of college basketball.
19. Louisville
I have long bemoaned this team not being its true, fully healthy self, but they certainly looked like it against NC State. Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr. had the rare combined stat line of 76 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists. Incredible performance from a dynamic backcourt duo.
20. Vanderbilt
Like Tom Petty, this team is free-falling. We have long documented Vanderbilt’s lack of size, but they really need to get Duke Miles back healthy in the backcourt. No Miles is placing a lot on the plate of Tyler Tanner.
