1. Gonzaga (16-1, 5-0 WCC). Last week: 1
Gonzaga continued to spank the rest of the WCC with dominant wins against San Francisco and Santa Clara. The Bulldogs are on the road this week against Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount.
2. Wichita State (14-2, 4-0 MVC). Last week: 2
Wichita State used strong second halves against Bradley and Loyola (Chicago) to remain perfect in the MVC. The Shockers host Southern Illinois before playing a tough game at Evansville.
3. Northern Iowa (14-2, 3-1 MVC). Last week: 4
Northern Iowa capitalized on a pair of games against the bottom of the MVC, easily defeating Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa. The Panthers finish a two-game road swing Tuesday at Bradley.
4. Old Dominion (13-2, 2-1 C-USA). Last week: 3
Old Dominion’s 10-game winning streak ended Saturday with a 72-65 at Western Kentucky. The Monarchs return home for the first time of 2015, hosting Rice on Thursday.
5. Green Bay (14-3, 3-0 Horizon). Last week: 5
Green Bay has won its three Horizon League games by an average of 18.3 points per contest. And Keifer Sykes is averaging 28.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 53.6% from the field in those games.
6. Harvard (10-3, 1-0 Ivy). Last week: 6
Harvard won 57-46 at Dartmouth to begin Ivy League competition. The Crimson briefly return to non-conference play Wednesday at Boston College.
7. Wofford (13-4, 4-0 SoCon). Last week: 8
All of Wofford’s conference games have been close, but the Terriers have won each one. They are one of Kenpom’s leaders in statistical luck in this season.
8. Louisiana Tech (12-4, 3-0 C-USA). Last week: 14
Louisiana Tech is off to a great start in Conference USA with three road wins. The Bulldogs get a pair at home this week against UAB and Middle Tennessee.
9. Saint Mary’s (13-3, 5-0 WCC). Last week: 9
Saint Mary’s beat Pacific in a close game on the road to stay tied with Gonzaga atop the WCC standings. The Gaels have a big game Saturday against BYU.
10. Stephen F. Austin (12-3, 2-0 Southland). Last week: 10
Stephen F. Austin has won 11 games in a row after Monday’s win against Southeastern Louisiana. The Lumberjacks face Central Arkansas and Abilene Christian on the road this week.
11. BYU (14-5, 4-2 WCC). Last week: 7
BYU was upset on its home floor by Pepperdine but bounced back with an 85-72 win against Loyola Marymount. The Cougars begin a three-game road trip Thursday at Pacific.
12. UTEP (11-5, 3-1 C-USA). Last week: 11
UTEP rebounded from a loss to Louisiana Tech with a blowout of Southern Miss. The Miners travel to UTSA this week.
13. Murray State (13-4, 3-0 OVC). Last week: 16
Murray State knocked off Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State to extend its winning streak to 11 games. Six of the last seven wins have come by double figures.
14. Valparaiso (16-3, 3-1 Horizon). Last week: 20
Valparaiso defeated UIC and Cleveland State last week and has now won three games in a row. The Crusaders are tied with Gonzaga as the nation’s leader in wins.
15. Northeastern (11-5, 3-1 CAA). Last week: 18
Northeastern won a pair of close road games last week and has now won four of its last five overall. The Huskies begin a four-game home stand Wednesday against Hofstra.
16. Western Kentucky (10-5, 3-0 C-USA). Last week: Unranked
Western Kentucky is yet to play on the road in Conference USA, but the Hilltoppers are off to a hot start. They upset Old Dominion on Saturday.
17. Eastern Washington (12-4, 3-0 Big Sky). Last week: 22
Eastern Washington has not had an easy time in the Big Sky, but the Eagles are 3-0. They beat Idaho 89-86 this past weekend.
18. Iona (11-5, 4-1 MAAC). Last week: 23
Iona has won four straight MAAC games after an 0-1 conference start. After Tuesday’s home game against Fairfield, the Gaels play three straight on the road.
19. Coastal Carolina (13-3, 4-0 Big South). Last week: 24
Coastal Carolina has looked sharp to begin Big South play. The Chanticleers are 6-3 away from home this season.
20. Kent State (10-5, 1-1 MAC). Last week: 19
Kent State lost its MAC opener to Bowling Green but went on the road Saturday for a solid win at Northern Illinois.
21. Yale (11-6). Last week: 17
Yale begins Ivy League play Saturday at Brown.
22. Georgia State (10-6, 3-2 Sun Belt). Last week: 13
Georgia State lost another tough game at Louisiana-Lafayette and then nearly dropped another against Troy. But the Panthers survived the Trojans, 77-72.
23. Evansville (12-4, 2-2 MVC). Last week: 12
Evansville ended a two-game slide Saturday with a win at Bradley. The Aces have an opportunity for a huge win Saturday against Wichita State.
24. Florida Gulf Coast (11-6, 1-0 A-Sun). Last week: 21
Florida Gulf Coast blew out Stetson in its Atlantic Sun opener, ending a four-game losing streak against Division I opponents in the process.
25. Eastern Michigan (11-4, 0-2 MAC). Last week: 15
Eastern Michigan lost a pair of heartbreakers to begin MAC play. Both defeats came by one point in overtime.
