Power Ranking the Four Best Teams in College Basketball Right Now

If you told me right now that Arizona, Michigan, Duke and Iowa State will wind up as the four No. 1 seeds of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, not only would I agree, I’d probably heckle you for the lukewarm take.

Really going out on a limb there, picking the four undefeated teams that occupy Nos. 1-4 in the AP poll! Do you like UConn on the women’s side too?

But sarcasm aside, there’s a reason why that quartet has risen to its own tier at the top. Every one of those four teams can make a case for the best team in the country, and all of them earned first-place votes — even Iowa State, the school least associated with basketball greatness historically.

The coaches’ poll picked Michigan over Arizona by a mere 13 points, while Duke has found its way to the top of some power rankings.

What sets each of these teams apart from the other? Since you’re going to be hearing much more about them throughout the season, let’s power-rank the Blue Devils, Wolverines, Wildcats and Cyclones and decide the true No. 1 six weeks into the season. (For Iowa State’s sake, let’s not use mascots as a category in our tale of the tape. Creepy Cy the Cardinal belongs on a different kind of list.)

4. Iowa State

The case for Iowa State: One does not simply walk into Mackey Arena and pulverize a veteran Purdue squad. But that’s what Iowa State did last week, causing 15 turnovers and scoring 34 points in the paint to dethrone the previous No. 1 team. The Cyclones have also developed in recent years from a serviceable offensive team to a pretty good one to the best shooting team in the country — first in field goal percentage and third on 3-pointers.

The case against: Before the Purdue game, Iowa State’s most impressive win was by one point on a neutral floor against St. John’s. And more consistency would be great. What happened the other night at home against rival Iowa? Giving up more than 50% from the floor and trailing by double digits before needing a comeback? The Cyclones may stay unbeaten into mid-January, but we can do better.

3. Arizona

The case for Arizona: Through eight games, half the Wildcats’ win have come against ranked power-conference teams, three of those were away from Tucson, and six different players have led Arizona in scoring. Those are signs of a well-rounded team. They dominate the boards, and they’re fourth nationally in field goal percentage.

The case against: Of the four teams we’re inspecting, Arizona lags in the metrics. They’re behind the others in KenPom, in KenPom defense, in Bart Torvik’s T-Rank, and in wins above bubble. In allowing 67.1 points per game, they haven’t shut teams down the way you’d like. The Wildcats have another chance to prove their worthiness of the top spot against No. 12 Alabama on Saturday night in Birmingham.

2. Duke

The case for Duke: It’s Duke. You’re going to say no to Duke? That’s like saying Notre Dame football can’t get automatic access to the playoff — never mind. 

The Blue Devils have replaced Cooper Flagg with Cameron Boozer and gone on their way, collecting major wins: Kansas at MSG, Arkansas in Chicago, Florida at home and Michigan State at their place. Such a schedule hasn’t stopped Duke from posting a D1-best 34.1 FG% allowed, just a shade better than Michigan…

The case against: Crazy as it is to say, Duke’s got the least efficient offense of this group by a mile, going by shooting percentage at least. Boozer leads them in most major categories and has a super-high usage rate, to the point where you wonder how the Blue Devils would fare if he’s on the bench in foul trouble during a close game.

1. Michigan

The case for Michigan: This where the metrics, the coaches and the average viewer can all come to an agreement. The Wolverines outstrip No. 2 Iowa State by more than 3.5 points in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency ratings. Dusty May has collected several terrific scoring options inside and out, starting with rising star Yaxel Lendeborg, and they defend about as well as Michigan. They defend about as well as Duke, leading them to outshoot their opponents by a margin of 17.7 percentage points.

The case against: Even though they’re also No. 1 in strength of record and Torvik’s Wins Above Bubble calculation, you could ask who the Wolverines have beaten relative to Duke. Didn’t they just run up the score on Auburn and Gonzaga at the Players Era? But Michigan just hasn’t slowed down, building 25- and 30-point halftime leads against Rutgers and Villanova this past week. I wouldn’t stand in Michigan’s way until I see that team trip up with my own eyes.