Don't talk about parity as The Bilastrator goes through the top 68

— -- Welcome to Volume VII of The Bilas Index. The writer of this magnificent catalog of basketball wisdom so pretentiously and self-importantly refers to himself in the third person, and this magnificent catalog of basketball wisdom registers its historical significance through Roman numerals, a practice so ostentatious that even the Super Bowl stopped doing it.

The Bilas Index is the finest, most fundamental branch of basketball understanding ever envisaged, and it explains the utterly inexplicable to the unwashed masses in a form they can digest. While others have tried to make sense of the universe of college basketball and the inner workings of it, The Bilastrator has profoundly reconceived all prior theories and knowledge to explain all physical and metaphysical phenomena on the hardwood or affecting it. With his endless basketball knowledge and superior brain, The Bilastrator provides you with The Bilas Index, which keeps you from wandering in the wilderness, flailing about at your bracket and wondering whether your team is in or out.

Although the wholly uneducated rationalize and feign competence by repeating the word "parity" to validate being paid to watch games played by the unpaid to generate billions of dollars, you have all the answers supplied to you in Volume VII of The Bilas Index, the unsurpassed and most thorough anthology of basketball intelligence of all time. As always, you're welcome.

1. Villanova Wildcats
If there is indeed "parity" and anyone can beat anyone, which there is not, then the Wildcats' consistency has been absolutely remarkable. Villanova is the only team in the country that has not lost a game to an unranked team. Josh Hart has been as good as any player in the Big East and should compete favorably for Big East Player of the Year. Hart is averaging 1.06 points per play in the half court, which is best in the league. Try to stop Daniel Ochefu and Kris Jenkins in coach Jay Wright's roll-and-replace action. This is an outstanding team that has made consistency cool again.

2. Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas ranks second in ESPN's Strength of Record, which measures the difficulty of achieving a team's record, given its schedule. Wayne Selden has a 58.3 effective field goal percentage, fifth in the Big 12.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina is the top-ranked team in the BPI, and it has one of the most talented teams in the country, especially up front. The loss to Duke was jarring but hardly season-ending. The bounce-back win over Miami on Saturday was great evidence of that. Brice Johnson continues to impress and ranks second among major conference players in Player Efficiency Rating (PER). When Johnson is playing alongside Isaiah Hicks, coach Roy Williams might have his best lineup of big men.

4. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State assists on 72 percent of its field goals, the highest rate in the nation. Denzel Valentine is on pace to be the first player in the past 20 seasons to average 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists per game in the Big Ten. Don't be surprised when Tom Izzo is announced at the Final Four as an inductee in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame -- and he has his team with him and playing for a national title.

5. Oklahoma Sooners
Buddy Hield has eight 30-point games this season, which is tied for second in the nation and third in a single season in Big 12 history. Of course, Big 12 history does not include Big 8 history, which is a pretty incredible history to toss aside. Even though the Sooners have struggled a bit lately from the field, Oklahoma is still shooting 43.1 percent on 3-point field goals, the highest in the nation.

6. Xavier Musketeers
Xavier has 13 wins against BPI top 100 this season. All three of its losses have come against top-100 teams. Xavier averages 13.8 second-chance points per game, the most in the Big East.

7. Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia is 5-1 against BPI top-25 teams this season, which is tied for most such wins in the nation. Virginia allows 59.5 points per game, the fewest among major-conference teams. Malcolm Brogdon had 28 points at Miami and proved again why he is a top candidate for ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

8. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa turns the ball over on only 14 percent of its possessions, fewest in the Big Ten and fifth-fewest in the nation. Jarrod Uthoff leads the Big Ten with 2.9 blocks per game. Uthoff is on pace to be the first Iowa player to lead the Big Ten in blocks per game since Erek Hansen did so in back-to-back seasons in 2005 and 2006.

9. Maryland Terrapins
Maryland's loss to Minnesota was its only loss this season to a team outside the BPI top 100. The Gophers rank 153rd in BPI, but Maryland was without Diamond Stone. Melo Trimble has averaged 9.8 points per game his past four games. Maryland is 2-2 in those games. The Terps, however, looked like the team they can be in a win over Michigan on Sunday. If Maryland takes care of the ball, the Terps are Houston-worthy.

10. West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia averages 21.2 points per game off turnovers, the most among major conference teams. Workhorse big man Devin Williams rebounded 28 percent of opponents' missed shots, the highest defensive-rebounding percentage in the Big 12.

11. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona rebounds 78 percent of its opponents' missed shots, the highest defensive-rebounding percentage in the nation. Arizona has five wins over BPI top-100 opponents in its six-game win streak. Over the past three games, freshman Allonzo Trier has averaged more than than 17 points and almost nine trips to the foul line.

12. Miami Hurricanes
Miami is 14-4 against the BPI top 100, tied for second-best in the nation. Sheldon McClellan has a true shooting percentage of 66.2 percent, the highest in the ACC.

13. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville has outscored its opponents by 16.6 points per game, the highest scoring differential in the nation. Big man Chinanu Onuaku rebounds 15 percent of his team's missed shots when he is on the floor, the second-highest offensive rebounding percentage in the ACC.

14. Kentucky Wildcats
Since Christmas, Tyler Ulis is averaging 19.6 points and 7.9 assists per game. On the defensive end, Kentucky allows an assist on 41 percent of its opponents' baskets, the lowest assist rate allowed in the nation. The past five games, Jamal Murray is averaging more than 28 points and shooting better than 50 percent from deep.

15. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana scores 1.19 points per possession, which makes it the second-most efficient offense in the nation. Yogi Ferrell is on pace to become the first Indiana player in the past 20 years to average at least 15 points and five assists per game.

16. SMU Mustangs
Jordan Tolbert rebounds 18 percent of his team's missed shots when he is on the court, the third-highest offensive-rebounding percentage in the nation. SMU averages 1.19 points per possession, the fourth-best offensive efficiency in the nation.

17. Wichita State Shockers
The Shockers are 3-4 when missing top players but 18-3 with all players available. If you have watched Wichita State play healthy, you know this is one of the top teams in the country. The Shockers have the top and most efficient defense in the country but do not score as easily or efficiently.

18. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue's bench averages 31.7 points per game, eighth in the nation and most by any major-conference team this season. All four of Purdue's losses in its past 10 games were against BPI top-50 teams, and five of its wins are against teams outside the BPI top 50.

19. Iowa State Cyclones
Monte Morris has a 4.74 assist-to-turnover ratio in his career, which is on pace to be the highest by any player in the past 20 seasons. Iowa State attempts 15.9 free throws per game, second-fewest among major-conference teams.

20. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M forces a turnover on 21 percent of opponents' possessions, best in the SEC. Alex Caruso is Division I's active leader in steals and Texas A&M's all-time leader, with 259.

21. Oregon Ducks
Oregon has played 14 consecutive games against BPI top-100 teams. The Ducks are 10-4 in that stretch. Chris Boucher blocks 13 percent of his opponents' 2-point field goal attempts when he is on the floor, the fifth-highest block percentage in the nation.

22. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame turns the ball over on only 14 percent of its possessions, second-fewest in the nation. Zach Auguste has 14 double-doubles this season, tied for second-most in the ACC ( Brice Johnson, North Carolina, 16).

23. Duke Blue Devils
Duke averages 1.19 points per possession, which makes it the most efficient offense in the nation. Grayson Allen is averaging 23.3 points per game since Duke ended its three-game losing streak with a win over NC State.

24. Texas Longhorns
In a telling statistic, Shaka Smart and his Texas Longhorns have played 21 games against BPI top-100 teams, tied for the most in the nation. Texas is young but has fought through a difficult schedule to be a formidable out.

25. Baylor Bears
Rico Gathers rebounds 20 percent of his team's missed shots while he is on the court, good for the best offensive-rebounding percentage in the nation. Baylor rebounds 41 percent of its missed shots, the third-best offensive-rebounding percentage in the country.

26. Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats have won 20 games for the sixth straight season under Mick Cronin. Against UConn,  Gary Clark had 13 points and 11 rebounds for his 10th career double-double. Cincinnati is in the top 10 in the nation in defensive efficiency but ranks outside the top 100 in every shooting category.

27. Utah Utes
Utah has played 20 games against BPI top-100 teams, most in the Pac-12. Jakob Poeltl leads major-conference players in PER.

28. USC Trojans
The Trojans are the only major-conference team with six players averaging at least 10 points per game. Jordan McLaughlin and Julian Jacobs are two of only four players in the Pac-12 to average more than 10 points and five assists per game.

29. VCU Rams
The Rams are getting better and better. After starting 5-5, VCU is now 20-7 and has lost to only George Washington and UMass. The Rams rank sixth in the nation in turnover percentage, as they force a miscue on almost 24 percent of opponents' possessions.

30. Dayton Flyers
After winning nine straight, the Flyers have dropped two in a row to St. Bonaventure and Saint Joseph's. Dayton leads the Atlantic 10 in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense and is second in the league in rebound margin.

31. Connecticut Huskies
The Huskies are fifth in the American yet much more respected in The Bilas Index. If only UConn could finish. The Huskies have been missing layups and making key mistakes. Still, they continue to defend. Also, the Huskies are third in the nation in free throw percentage, as they hit better than 77 percent as a team.

32. California Golden Bears
The Bears have Tyrone Wallace back and have won five in a row heading into a homestand against UCLA and USC and a road swing against Arizona and Arizona State. Cal, though young, leads the Pac-12 in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense. Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb continue to develop, and Jabari Bird has become more of a factor. Cal has quality players who are starting to get it.

33. Saint Mary's Gaels
The Gaels average 1.18 points per possession, which makes them the most efficient offense among mid-major teams.

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34. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers are 5-5 against the BPI top 50 and 8-8 against the BPI top 100. After a 1-4 start in Big Ten play, Wisconsin has won eight of nine, with the only loss coming at Michigan State.

35. South Carolina Gamecocks
The Gamecocks allow 23.1 paint points per game, the fewest in the SEC. South Carolina draws 24.1 fouls per game, the most in the nation, and has a free throw rate of 48.6 percent, third in the country. South Carolina is a top-50 defensive team but is barely among the top 100 in offensive efficiency.

36. Valparaiso Crusaders
The Crusaders are 24-5 and rated as a top-five defensive team in the nation. Valparaiso should be an at-large team in the NCAA tournament because the Horizon League title is no guarantee. Both of Valpo's league losses were to Wright State. Only four of Valpo's wins have come against the BPI top 100, with 20 wins coming against teams ranked outside the top 100.

37. Providence Friars
Providence is 2-5 in its past seven games. Four of five losses in that stretch have been against BPI top-100 teams. Kris Dunn has 20 assists and 19 turnovers in his past four games. Providence has lost three of those four contests.

38. Vanderbilt Commodores
The Commodores are just 2-7 against the BPI top 50 and are 4-4 against teams ranked between 51 and 100 in the BPI. Damian Jones put up 27 points against Florida in a solid road win.

39. Seton Hall Pirates
Although the Hall is just 2-5 against teams ranked in the BPI top 50, the Pirates are 7-1 against teams ranked between 51 and 100. Before a 1-for-12 performance against St. John's, Isaiah Whitehead averaged 24 points per game in his previous two games, including going 11-of-14 from 3-point range.

40. Florida Gators
The Gators are only 2-7 against the BPI top 50 but are 9-3 against teams ranked 51-100 in the BPI. Florida defends on every play but ranks in the bottom third of Division I in 3-point shooting and free throw shooting.

41. Syracuse Orange
The Orange have lost two straight to Louisville and Pittsburgh and could not score 60 points in either contest. Syracuse has won five games against the BPI top 50 and is 5-7 against the top 50 overall. Syracuse was 4-5 without Jim Boeheim, which will be taken into account by the selection committee. Unless there is a collapse down the stretch, Syracuse will be in the NCAA tournament.

42. Texas Tech Red Raiders
After beating Texas and Oklahoma State, the Red Raiders looked in dire straits, as they started Big 12 play 3-7. Since then, Texas Tech has beaten Iowa State, Baylor and Oklahoma.

43. Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Zags are an NCAA tournament team, but it is hardly a no-brainer for the selection committee. Gonzaga has won only one game against the BPI top 50, and that was with Przemek Karnowski in the lineup.

44. Saint Joseph's Hawks
Although just 1-3 against the BPI top 50, the Hawks have beaten six of the seven teams they have played ranked 51 to 100. Saint Joseph's is 22-5 and is 18-3 since losing to Villanova in early December.

45. Pittsburgh Panthers
The Panthers are 8-6 in ACC play but have quality road wins against Syracuse, Notre Dame and Florida State. Pittsburgh is one of the better offensive rebounding teams in the country, but it still struggles to defend.

46. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines will likely not have injured Caris LeVert back and will struggle to make the NCAA tournament field without him. Michigan has beaten only three of the 11 BPI top-50 teams it has played. The Wolverines execute beautifully on the offensive end but do not defend or rebound at a high level. Michigan has lost four of its past six games.

47. Washington Huskies
The Huskies are young, talented and athletic, but they are just 2-8 against the BPI top 50. Washington has beaten six teams ranked 51-100 and has lost four of the past five.

48. Clemson Tigers
The Tigers are 6-4 against the BPI top 50, with wins over Louisville, Duke, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Miami. Clemson has also lost four games to teams ranked outside the top 100.

49. Butler Bulldogs
After starting 11-1, the Bulldogs have lost eight of 15. Kelen Martin, a big wing who is wired to score, has averaged more than 19 points per game his past four games.

50. Monmouth Hawks
The Hawks are 2-2 against the BPI top 50 and 4-2 against the BPI top 100. In a season such as this one, it is hard to imagine Monmouth being left out of the NCAA tournament. The numbers might not favor the Hawks, but The Bilastrator does.

51. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide have wins over Notre Dame, Wichita State, Clemson, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Florida and LSU, all of which screams NCAA tournament contender. But Alabama really struggles to score. The nine top-100 wins say yes to entrance into the tournament, but your eyes say no.

52. Creighton Bluejays
The Bluejays are 3-6 against the BPI top 50, with wins over Xavier, Butler and Seton Hall. Maurice Watson is a big-time point guard, but Creighton's body of work needs more work.

53. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins have won eight games against the BPI top 100, with three coming against the top 50. At 15-12 and 6-8 in the Pac-12, UCLA needs to win the Pac-12 Tournament to reach the NCAA field.

54. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets are far better than the record indicates. Georgia Tech is 3-8 against the BPI top 50 and has won games against Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida State, Virginia and VCU ... all Bilas Index teams.

55. Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffs are 2-6 against the BPI top 50 but have lost four of the past six games. Wins over Oregon, California and Washington are not enough.

56. Florida State Seminoles
The athletic, big and talented Seminoles have lost four straight to fall to 6-9 in ACC play. Aside from wins over Florida, Virginia and VCU, there is not much else to show for the effort.

57. Temple Owls
The Owls win because Fran Dunphy is one of the nation's best coaches. Temple has not been good on the offensive end of the floor, but the Owls have given themselves a chance to win with defense. Temple shoots only 34 percent from deep and only 44 percent from 2-point range.

58. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes had won four straight before being beaten Tuesday at home by Michigan State and had won six of eight in the Big Ten, moving into The Bilas Index. Ohio State is just 2-8 against the BPI top 50.

59. Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats have played a brutal schedule and are 2-12 against the BPI top 50. With losses to North Carolina, Texas A&M, West Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Baylor and Kansas, it is no wonder Kansas State's place in the standings looks bad. This is a top-20 defense that cannot generate enough offense to beat the big shots.

60. Stony Brook Seawolves
The Seawolves have won 19 of 20 but have won only one game against the BPI top 100.

61. LSU Tigers
The Tigers have lost four of five, lost Keith Hornsby to injury for the season and rank outside the top 125 in defense. It's likely over for LSU -- and for Ben Simmons in college. That's too bad because he is a great, young player.

62. San Diego State Aztecs
The Aztecs are 13-1 in their past 14, largely due to defense. San Diego State is anemic on offense and among the most challenged shooting teams in the country.

63. George Washington Colonials
The Colonials got off to a great start but have not been able to sustain that through Atlantic 10 play. GW is 3-3 against the BPI top 50, with wins over Virginia, Seton Hall and VCU.

64. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
The Rainbow Warriors are 22-3 and 11-1 in the Big West but have not won a single game against the BPI top 100. Without winning the Big West, Hawaii cannot earn a bid to the NCAA tournament.

65. BYU Cougars
The Cougars are solid but not spectacular. Kyle Collinsworth has been very good, with averages of 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, as well as 10 career triple-doubles.

66. Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs are very good on the defensive end but have not efficiently put up enough points. Georgia is 2-8 against the BPI top 50 and 5-3 against teams ranked 51 to 100.

67. Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans
UALR is 3-1 against the BPI top 100, with wins against San Diego State, Tulsa and DePaul. The Trojans don't turn the ball over and can really defend. They rank ninth in the country in effective field goal percentage defense and ninth in 3-point field goal defense.

68. St. Bonaventure Bonnies
The Bonnies make more than eight 3s per game and hit more than 77 percent of their free throws. There are few categories of play in which St. Bonaventure truly excels, but Mark Schmidt's team is tough, makes plays at winning time and has star performers in Jaylen Adams and Marcus Posley, both of whom average more than 18 points per game.