The 2024–2025 NCAA basketball season has been nothing short of thrilling. From electrifying buzzer-beaters to breakout performances, college basketball fans are locked in as conferences battle it out on the hardwood.
With that said, which conferences are truly dominating the scene this year?
We've crunched the numbers, dissected team performances, and brought you the ultimate power rankings for 2024–2025.
How We Ranked the Conferences
Our rankings consider overall ratings, team performance, and strength of schedule, offering a comprehensive view of the college basketball landscape. With the season nearing its conclusion, here’s how the conferences stack up—from the SEC’s dominance to the SWAC’s uphill battle. These insights can provide valuable context for your next FanDuel NCAAB picks, helping you identify opportunities and make informed betting decisions as March Madness approaches.
1. SEC (Rating: 0.605)
Top Team: Auburn (27-2)
For the second straight year, the SEC reigns supreme in college basketball. With Auburn continuing their blistering pace at 27–2 and season powerhouse Tennessee close behind, the SEC boasts incredible depth and star players. Auburn’s ability to control games, paired with a punishing schedule, cements the SEC's top spot for the team.
2. Big Ten (Rating: 0.575)
Top Team: Michigan State (24-5)
The Big Ten has once again proved its competitiveness, with Michigan State leading the charge. Night in and night out, this conference delivers nail-biting games and exceptional talent. Sparty’s strong 24–5 record ensures the Big Ten is a force to be reckoned with during March Madness.
3. Big 12 (Rating: 0.565)
Top Team: Houston (26-4)
Standalone star teams are great, but the Big 12’s allure lies in its depth. The Houston Cougars have been in full beast mode all season, rounding out a 26–4 record. They share the stage with Kansas and Baylor, keeping the Big 12 at the heart of NCAAB playoff predictions.
4. Big East (Rating: 0.542)
Top Team: St. John’s (26-4)
Yes, you read that right—St. John’s is leading the Big East resurgence this year. Tied with Houston in overall record, the Red Storm have revived the conference, giving recent March Madness entrants fits. Wondering who to root for as a Cinderella team? Pay attention to Big East basketball.
5. ACC (Rating: 0.536)
Top Team: Duke (27-3)
Never count out Duke and the ACC! While Duke continues to dominate in their typical elite fashion, the conference feels like it’s lost just a bit of its sparkle compared to past seasons. That said, with a 27–3 powerhouse squad, they’re still making plenty of noise in NCAAB news headlines.
6-10. Mid-Major Highlights
- Atlantic 10 (0.529): George Mason’s 22–7 campaign has the league buzzing.
- Mountain West (0.526): Utah State’s defense is carrying them into contention.
- CUSA (0.525): Middle Tennessee impresses with steady performances.
- Missouri Valley (MVC) (0.515): Drake is quietly putting up one of the best records (27–3).
- WCC (0.513): Saint Mary’s continues to fly under the radar but proves deadly.
Mid-Major Underdogs Making Noise
Beyond those top 10 conferences, keep an eye on America East, the Ivy League, and the Northeast Conference.
Conferences like these often produce Cinderella stories when neutral court matchups in March take place. Between Yale’s precision and UC Irvine's calculations, there’s bound to be surprises.
Why Conference Rankings Matter
For college basketball fans, knowing which leagues are dominant isn’t just locker-room banter—it informs crucial decisions like bracket building for March Madness or understanding why teams like Saint Mary’s are worth considering in NCAAB insights betting. It’s about finding where top-tier talent is concentrated and who might make a surprise run to the Final Four.
Now that you’ve seen the rankings and conference breakdowns, have we missed any leagues you’ve been keeping tabs on? What mid-major team do you think is primed for a deep postseason run? Tell us in the comments.
