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National State of Play 2024: Weekly Snapshot of College Basketball

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, December 13th 2025 at 20:33 GMT by USA Today

National State of Play 2024: A Week‑by‑Week Snapshot of College Basketball

On October 29, 2024, USA TODAY released its latest “National State of Play” report, the weekly benchmark that ranks the top 25 men’s college basketball teams across the country. The update, which follows the first full week of non‑conference play, gives fans a clear picture of which programs are on the rise, which have slipped, and how the early‑season performances are shaping the postseason landscape. The article also includes a women’s basketball counterpart and a quick recap of key games that influenced the standings.

1. Men’s National Rankings – Top 25

The report starts with the updated poll, listing the top 25 teams in order of their composite score, which is calculated from votes by a panel of college basketball writers and coaches. Here are the most noteworthy movements from the previous week:

The article notes that the top five teams—Duke, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Kansas, and UCLA—are all undefeated, and their early-season form sets a high bar for the rest of the conference races.

2. Key Games That Shaped the Rankings

The report highlights several standout matchups that had a ripple effect on the polls:

• Duke vs. Villanova (Westwood Arena) – Duke’s dominant 84–65 victory was the catalyst for the team’s ascent to the number one spot. The Blue Devils’ defense forced 18 turnovers, and guard Jalen Green finished with 28 points.

• Kentucky vs. Georgia Tech (Rupp Arena) – In a high‑scoring affair, Kentucky outpaced the Yellow Jackets 78–71. Kentucky’s center, Isaiah Thompson, recorded a double‑double (12 points, 11 rebounds).

• Kansas vs. Baylor (Allen Fieldhouse) – Kansas’s 95–73 win was a statement victory over a top‑10 opponent. The Jayhawks’ 51‑point offensive output was the highest of the week.

• UCLA vs. Arizona (Stadium at Rose Bowl) – UCLA’s 77–74 win was a narrow thriller, showcasing the Bruins’ ability to close out games in the final minutes.

The article also links to in‑depth game recaps, such as the Duke‑Villanova game analysis on USA TODAY’s “Basketball Beat” section and the UCLA‑Arizona box score on the NCAA’s official site.

3. Women’s National Rankings – Top 25

The women’s counterpart to the men’s poll provides a quick look at the top 25 programs:

The report notes that the top five teams are all in the top‑10 of the women’s power rankings and that the early‑season schedule will be a key predictor for the NCAA tournament field.

4. Conference Overviews

The article also offers a brief overview of how each conference is faring after the first week of play:

• ACC – 5‑0 in conference play, with the top three teams (Duke, Kentucky, UNC) all undefeated.
• SEC – 4‑1, led by Kentucky and South Carolina.
• Big 12 – 4‑1, led by Kansas and Texas.
• Pac‑12 – 3‑2, with UCLA, Arizona, and Stanford all in the mix.
• AAC – 2‑0, dominated by UConn and Houston.

The piece links to deeper dives into each conference’s schedule, noting that many of the early‑season matchups were against non‑conference opponents, which can inflate team records.

5. What’s Next?

USA TODAY’s “National State of Play” report emphasizes that early‑season performance is a strong, but not definitive, indicator of postseason success. Coaches are still in the process of evaluating their rosters, and the mid‑season conference play will likely produce more volatility in the rankings.

The article encourages readers to watch for upcoming games that feature the top‑ranked teams and to keep an eye on the weekly polls, as they will continue to inform the narrative leading into the “March Madness” bubble.

6. Links for Further Context

Within the article, USA TODAY provides several hyperlinks for readers who want deeper insights:

1. Game Recaps – Detailed write‑ups of the Duke‑Villanova, Kansas‑Baylor, and UCLA‑Arizona games.
2. Player Highlights – Profiles on Jalen Green (Duke), Isaiah Thompson (Kentucky), and other standout performers.
3. Conference Schedules – Official schedules from the ACC, SEC, Big 12, Pac‑12, and AAC.
4. Statistical Analysis – In‑depth analysis of team offensive and defensive metrics.

These links are useful for fans wanting to explore the nuances behind the rankings and the stories that will shape the rest of the season.

7. Bottom Line

The “National State of Play 2024” article provides a comprehensive snapshot of the current landscape of college basketball, covering both men’s and women’s teams. It outlines the top 25 rankings, explains the key games that influenced the poll, offers a glance at each conference’s standing, and directs readers to further information. For anyone following the sport, the report serves as a crucial reference point for understanding where the most elite programs stand and how the season is unfolding—an indispensable tool as the regular season moves closer to the postseason showdown.