As the college basketball season heats up, the debate over who truly reigns supreme has never been more intense. Seth Davis and Andy Katz dive deep into the contenders, pretenders, and surprise risers shaping a season full of intrigue, talent, and unanswered questions.
Who Is the Best Team in the Nation Right Now?
According to Seth Davis, five programs have earned the right to call themselves the best team in college basketball: Michigan, Arizona, Duke, Iowa State, and UConn. Davis currently gives the edge to Duke, citing their undefeated record and elite metrics, along with consistency that rewards trust in his prior rankings.
Andy Katz, however, sees it differently. For him, Arizona stands alone at No. 1, thanks to a brutal schedule and five ranked wins, including a statement victory over Alabama. Katz questions Michigan’s résumé, despite the Wolverines’ jaw-dropping 40-point blowout of Gonzaga. While Michigan has passed every test placed in front of them, Katz argues they simply haven’t faced enough elite competition yet.
Interestingly, Katz draws a distinction between résumé and ability. While Arizona may deserve the top ranking, he believes Michigan might actually be the best team, boasting depth that essentially gives them nine starter-level players. If the NCAA Tournament began tomorrow, Davis suggests Michigan could even land a No. 2 seed based purely on the quality and volume of their wins.
St. John’s vs. Kentucky: Style, Substance, and Serious Questions
Turning to Saturday’s marquee matchup, both analysts agree St. John’s remains intriguing—but flawed. Andy Katz believes the game would carry far more intensity if played in Lexington, where Rick Pitino’s return would ignite emotions. Still, the stakes are high for both programs.
Seth Davis raises a critical concern: St. John’s lack of a true point guard. The experiment with Ian Jackson running the offense has been uneven at best, with turnovers and shaky floor leadership plaguing the Red Storm. Without a reliable point guard, Katz believes St. John’s ceiling stops well short of the Final Four.
Yet St. John’s does possess a major weapon: Zuby Etchifor, whose eight-block performance against Iona showcased elite rim protection. His presence could cause serious problems for Kentucky’s frontcourt.
Can Jayden Quaintance Save Kentucky?
Kentucky remains one of the most fascinating—and frustrating—stories of the season. Injuries have disrupted chemistry, and the Wildcats simply aren’t good enough to survive without being at full strength. Much of the hope now rests on Jayden Quaintance, a physical forward recovering from a torn ACL.
Davis cautions against unrealistic expectations. While Quaintance is projected as a first-round NBA pick and brings elite interior defense, returning from an ACL injury is a long process. Conditioning, timing, and confidence take time to return.
More bluntly, Davis questions the narrative surrounding Kentucky’s supposed “$22 million roster.” Strip away the hype, and the Wildcats may simply lack elite talent. Quaintance helps—but he’s not a miracle cure.
SEC Watch: Arkansas or Alabama?
In the SEC race, Davis currently favors Arkansas, though he acknowledges Alabama’s ceiling may be higher if fully healthy. Alabama recently welcomed Latrell Wrightsell back into the lineup, but their blowout loss to Arizona exposed vulnerabilities.
Both agree the SEC isn’t as deep as last season, and Tennessee’s inconsistency has been a disappointment. The conference title likely runs through Fayetteville or Tuscaloosa.
Nebraska Is No Longer a Joke—They’re Legit
Few teams have flipped the narrative faster than Nebraska. Once overlooked, the Cornhuskers now boast one of the nation’s longest winning streaks and back-to-back statement victories—demolishing Wisconsin by 30 and winning on the road at Illinois.
Key performances from Pryce Sandfort, who erupted for 26 points in one half, and Rienk Mast, who delivered a clutch game-winner, have changed perceptions entirely. Davis admits those two wins convinced him Nebraska is “for real.”
Andy Katz goes further, predicting Nebraska will finally win its first-ever NCAA Tournament game. He credits improved defense, chemistry, and the glue-guy impact of Sam Hoiberg. Currently ranked 28th in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency, Nebraska is playing the best defense of any Fred Hoiberg–coached team to date.
Both analysts even predict a Nebraska home win over Michigan State on January 2—a sentence unimaginable just months ago.
Kansas and the Darryn Peterson Dilemma
Kansas remains a national contender, but concern lingers around Darryn Peterson’s hamstring injury. While he’s returned and contributed in recent wins, prolonged bench time and visible discomfort raise red flags.
Hamstrings are notoriously tricky, and Katz wouldn’t be surprised if Kansas shuts Peterson down temporarily to ensure long-term health. Davis emphasizes Peterson’s competitive nature and loyalty to Kansas, but acknowledges the harsh reality: Kansas can’t reach its championship goals unless Peterson is fully healthy—not just available.
As the season accelerates, clarity remains elusive. Rankings shift weekly, narratives evolve nightly, and contenders rise from unexpected places. One thing is certain: college basketball is wide open, and the race to March is just getting started.
