This college basketball season has been different with many teams emerging as top tier in the country. These players and teams from the Power 6 Conferences are at the top right now.
ACC
The Top team in the ACC this year has been Virginia Tech. Overall, they are 8-1 and are 19th in the AP Top 25 Rankings. One of the better players in this conference has to be Matthew Hurt from Duke. Even with a shorter season than most teams, Hurt is putting up a Conference high 18 points per game and is ranked sixth in the ACC with 8 rebounds per game. He has improved since last season by shooting the ball more and being a go to player for the Blue Devils.
Movin’ up 🤟#StoneByStone | #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/AVGA890WCc
— Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 4, 2021
Big 12
Baylor is starting the season strong, ranked 2nd in the AP Top 25 with a record of 9-0. The Bears are fully complete and is emerging as a powerhouse school in college basketball over the past few years. Cade Cunningham is the top player in the Big 12. Projected to be a top pick in the NBA Draft, Cunningham is averaging 18 points per game (2nd in Big 12) and 5 rebounds per game (14th in Big 12). A stud for sure and it will be fun to watch him grow as the season progresses.
Big East
Ranked 3rd on the AP Poll, Villanova has been consistent all season long. With a record of 8-1, the Wildcats are atop of the Big East. As for the best player in the Big East, it has to go to James Bouknight. With UConn back in the Big East, Bouknight is putting up 23 PPG, first in the Big East; however, he is 35th in APG because he averages a little more than 5 per game. If he can improve a little more on playmaking and passing; Bouknight will become a household name around the country.
BOUKKKKKK!!!! The windmill gives the Huskies their largest lead of the game, up 61-38! #ThisIsUConn | #PullTheSled pic.twitter.com/Ue8plZH6CV
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) December 31, 2020
Big Ten
Iowa is one of the most entertaining teams in the nation to watch, even with a 9-2 record they are 5th in the AP Rankings. A National Player of the Year Candidate, Luka Garza, is one of the best players in the country, let alone the Big Ten. Averaging 27 points per game and 9 rebounds per game, Luka is in the top three for both categories in the conference. An all-around athlete that can do it all on the court.
.@LukaG_55 didn’t miss a shot in the second half, btw.
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) January 2, 2021
Second half:
15 PTS, 5-5 FG, 5-5 FT
Final line:
25 PTS, 9-11 FG, 4 REB, 2 BLK#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/CZFXF0Dw5Z
Pac 12
A team that has been hot as of late is Arizona. They are 3-1 in conference play; however, they are not ranked in the AP Top 25. The Wildcats have a record of 9-1. Eugene Omoruyi has been all-around amazing for the Oregon Ducks. He averages a Pac 12 best, 18 points per game shooting 50% from the field. The star senior has certainly helped the Ducks to be ranked 17th in the AP Poll.
SEC
Making a strong push this season are the 9th ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Starting the season off 7-1, the Volunteers have made a statement thus far. Beating ranked Missouri Tigers in a pivotal game; however, they lost an SEC Conference game to Alabama which hurt them in Week 7 AP Rankings, dropping 2 spots. A standout player so far is Scottie Pippen Jr. he is second in points per game with 22 and is a top three in the SEC with 4 assists per game.
#⃣1⃣ in the @SEC and #⃣9⃣ in the nation with 23.3 points per game.
— Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball (@VandyMBB) December 28, 2020
Career-high 30 points Sunday. @spippenjr | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/bdXPdciIwO