The Super Bowl is over, with the Kansas City Chiefs winning their second-straight title. Now, the focus will be on college basketball and the road to March Madness.
Those who have not followed college basketball this season are missing out on a lot. However, this edition of Sam’s Section will cover the best players and teams in college basketball besides the top-ranked UConn Huskies.
Best Teams
No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers (22-2 overall, 11-2 Big Ten)
Purdue is back in the mix for a national title again this season, with a more improved team than last year’s. Specifically, the improvements of backcourt duo of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer have helped tremendously. Reigning Wooden Award winner Zach Edey continues to dominate every opponent and is in line for back-to-back seasons as the National Player of the Year. The Boilermakers have key wins over Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama, Arizona and Illinois. Head coach Matt Painter’s team is deep and is top-15 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency on KenPom. They’re scary all over the court, especially from long range, shooting 40% from the 3-point line. Purdue will host Minnesota on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
No. 3 Houston Cougars (21-3 overall, 8-3 Big 12)
Houston proved to the college basketball world that they would not take a step back in the program’s first season in the Big 12 as they currently sit in first place in the conference standings. The Cougars went undefeated in non-conference play with wins over Utah, Dayton, Xavier and Texas A&M. All three of their losses have been on the road, with two against Iowa State and Kansas, who are currently in the top 10 of the AP poll. Guard Jamal Shead leads the way, while LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp have also contributed tremendously to head coach Kelvin Sampson’s team. Houston has key victories over Texas Tech, BYU, Texas and Cincinnati in conference play. They are also the top-ranked defensive team in terms of adjusted efficiency on KenPom. The Cougars will host Texas in an in-state battle on Saturday at 1 p.m. on CBS.
No. 16 Dayton Flyers (19-4 overall, 9-2 Atlantic 10)
I wanted to add a mid-major team. There’s not a single one better than Dayton this season. While their schedule is not as strong as Purdue and Houston, this team can make a run in March. The Flyers are led by All-American caliber forward DaRon Holmes II, one of the best players in the country. A weak Atlantic 10 hurts the team’s resumé, but having faced Northwestern, LSU, St. John’s, Houston and Cincinnati has helped the team prepare for the battles they will endure in the NCAA Tournament, assuming they make it. Dayton has picked up huge wins over LSU, St. John’s, SMU and Cincinnati in non-conference play.
Best Players
Zach Edey, C, Purdue (23.3 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 2.3 BPG, 62.3 FG%, 71 FT%)
It’s not outrageous to say Edey is having a better season this year. Outside of his rebounding and free throw percentages, the statistics listed above have improved. He’s currently third in the country in scoring and rebounding. He’s also one of the few players in college basketball that average double-figures in points and rebounds. His best game came against Penn State, where the 7-foot-4 center finished with 30 points and 20 rebounds on 83.3% shooting. He’s a cheat code for the Boilermakers.
RJ Davis, G, North Carolina (21.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 43.2 FG%, 41.4 3P%, 90.7 FT%)
The best guard in college basketball is RJ Davis, who became the leading guard in the backcourt after former teammate Caleb Love transferred to Arizona. He’s led the Tar Heels to their best season since their improbable run to the national championship game in 2022. The White Plains, New York native’s best performance came against Wake Forest on Jan. 22 with 36 points on 60.9% shooting. He’s a thrilling player to watch and is the frontrunner for ACC Player of the Year.
DaRon Holmes II, F, Dayton (19.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.2 BPG, 54.3 FG%, 39 3P%, 68.6 FT%)
Holmes will run away with the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award. He is one of the best forwards in the country and someone I have kept my eye on since the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic. At Duquesne, the Arizona native put up a 33-point double-double. He has six double-doubles so far this season. No player shines in the mid-majors more than Holmes.
Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky (12.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 2.4 SPG, 53 FG%, 52 3P%, 80.8 FT%)
Sheppard is the best freshman in college basketball, projected as high as the second overall pick in some NBA mock drafts. While I disagree with that projection, he’s helped Kentucky look its best in years. The London, Kentucky native has high shooting percentages and leads the team in assists and steals per game. The Wildcats have two of the best freshmen players in the nation in Sheppard and Rob Dillingham. There’s no harm in going with either for this list, but Sheppard is one of two freshmen named to the John R. Wooden Award Watch List, with Baylor guard Ja’Kobe Walter being the other.