From: Grant Halverson (Getty Images)

Feast week has come and gone, and the college basketball landscape is slowly starting to take shape. The recent AP Poll came out, which puts Purdue at #1. But I am here to tell you the number 2 team, Arizona, is the best team in the country.

Resume

For starters, Arizona has the most impressive win this season. An emphatically stamped win at Cameron trumps a neutral site against Marquette. Arizona also controlled Michigan State for an entire game on Thanksgiving. They have dominated every other team they played, putting up 95+ points in every other game.

Roster

The Cats' guard play has been fantastic so far. Tommy Lloyd has Caleb Love under control and he looks bought in on both sides of the ball. The UNC transfer is averaging 13 points and 5 assists so far. Love is lock-down defensively in his new stop, causing multiple shot clock violations already. His turnovers are down, and just looks in control of his game. Kylan Boswell leads the way from the perimeter for UA. The young sophomore is averaging 13 points per game on elite efficiency. The Wildcats' backcourt is tough, physical, and hungry in 2023.

Veteran Leadership

Arizona also has elite leadership from a pair of seniors. Pelle Larson and Oumar Ballo are veterans that know the Lloyd system and are leading from the front lines. The senior pair has combined for 23 points and 9 rebounds per game. Larson controls the perimeter game and Ballo dominates the paint. The two vets are providing endless value for Tommy Lloyd right now. 'Zona is getting leadership from another veteran, SDSU transfer Keshad Johnson. Johnson bring this roster another level of experience. He, along with Love, have been in the biggest games this sport has to offer. His elite defense has contributed to the most balanced roster in the country.

Look, I understand why you would think Purdue is the best team in the country. They have Zach Edey. They ran through the Maui Invitational. Their guard play has been much improved. However, Arizona simply has a more balanced roster. I trust their guards more. Arizona has much more depth off the bench than Purdue. Multiple players come off the bench ready to contribute, conversely, something Purdue does not really have. Arizona is my number 1 team in the country for the foreseeable future.