Arkansas high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (2/6/2024)
There were still a plethora of make-up games to account for, but last week was the first 'normal' one since arctic weather blanketed the state in mid-January, causing all kinds of chaos.
Once you look past the Top 10, there is more than enough room for debate.
A Top 3 matchup in the 6A-Central between Bryant and Little Rock Central headlines the week's top matchups, and No. 5 Benton takes on Pine Bluff in 5A-South Top 10 showdown, plus Marion and Nettleton square off in a contest of Top 15 squads with the winner taking first place in the 5A-East.
1. Fayetteville (22-2)
Last week: 1
The top-ranked 'Dogs just keep on winning and look to keep their unblemished record against in-state foes going as they head over to No. 18 Springdale Tuesday for an always highly-anticipated showdown.
2. Bryant (22-2)
Last week: 2
A long trip, plus some nostalgia inside Don Riggs due to Jonesboro celebrating its 2014 state championship team, added some distractions, but the Hornets came through in overtime to set up a Top 3 matchup at home against Little Rock Central on Tuesday.
3. Little Rock Central (20-4)
Last week: 3
Anytime the Tigers square off against North Little Rock it is a must-watch and Tuesday's matchup was no different as Central came out on top to win its fifth consecutive game with a road trip to No. 2 Bryant up next.
4. Har-Ber (22-2)
Last week: 4
The Wildcats have hardly been challenged during their current four-game win streak and hope to keep that going at Rogers on Friday.
5. Benton (21-4)
Last week: 5
Three games last week were no problem for the Panthers as they now prepare for a a three-game conference homestand that starts with Hot Springs, plus No. 9 Pine Bluff Friday and then No. 8 Lake Hamilton on Feb. 13.
6. North Little Rock (15-6)
Last week: 6
Despite a gutsy effort, the Charging Wildcats dropped their second contest in the past three games to Top 3 competition and aim to get things back on track at home against Little Rock Southwest Tuesday.
7. Farmington (26-2)
Last week: 7
After putting up over 80 points in both victories last week, the Cardinals are two wins away from completing their third consecutive unblemished run through the 4A-1.
8. Lake Hamilton (20-5)
Last week: 8
The red hot Wolves head over to Hot Springs Lakeside to get the week tipped off before hosting Vilonia on Friday in a non-conference Top-15 matchup.
9. Pine Bluff (16-5)
Last week: 9
Three convincing victories were the story for the Z's last week as they now prepare for road trips to White Hall and No. 5 Benton this week.
10. Marion (14-3)
Last week: 10
The Patriots bounced back from an upset loss to Valley View, their first defeat of the season against in-state competition, and have a crucial mashup at No. 15 Nettleton Tuesday for first place in the 5A-East.
11. Little Rock Christian (18-7)
Last week: 11
The Warriors have responded with three-consecutive victories following a two-overtime upset loss to Clinton, as Lonoke and LISA Academy West up this week.
12. Jonesboro (11-11)
Last week: 12
This season may not be going the way the Hurricane faithful are accustomed to, but Friday's effort in a two-point overtime loss against No. 2 Bryant proved Jonesboro is not one to be taken lightly as we inch closer to the postseason.
13. Maumelle (13-10)
Last week: 14
Wins over Parkview and Jacksonville this week will secure sweeps for the Hornets over those squads, which will also set up a matchup with Catholic on Feb. 16, who has recently had Maumelle's number.
14. Vilonia (16-6)
Last week: 15
Bounced back from a tough home loss against Maumelle with a gritty one-point win over Catholic as the Eagles now prepare for a three-game week that concludes with an intriguing non-conference matchup at No. 8 Lake Hamilton on Friday.
15. Nettleton (15-8)
Last week: 17
Two more victories for the Raiders last week sets the stage for a big home contest against Tuesday against No. 10 Marion, the winner taking sole possession of first place in the 5A-East.
16. Parkview (13-10)
Last week: 18
A one-point escape against Jacksonville sealed the Patriots' fifth win in their past six contests as they set their focus on crucial 5A-Central games at No. 13 Maumelle and Catholic.
17. Bentonville (13-12)
Last week: 19
The rollercoaster continued for the Tigers last week as they notched the season's second Top 25 win over 6A-West foe Springdale, but that was followed up with a disappointing home loss to Rogers Heritage.
18. Springdale (14-10)
Last week: 13
They did rebound against Fort Smith Southside, but Bentonville completed the season sweep of the Red Dogs to start last week as they hope to put everything together and upset top-ranked Fayetteville at home Tuesday.
19. Mills University Studies (17-8)
Last week: 20
Four games, four more victories for the Comets who remain unbeaten against Class 4A competition and put up over 80 points in three of those four contests last week.
20. Alma (15-8)
Last week: 22
Still unbeaten in 2024, the Airedales have a two-game lead in the 5A-West race following victories over Van Buren and Harrison as they look to keep adding to their win streak at Siloam Springs Tuesday.
21. Subiaco Academy (22-1)
Last week: NR
One of the state's more quiet success stories of 2023-24, the Trojans currently have a half-game lead on Morrilton in the 4A-4 race and also boast a Top 25 win over Van Buren.
22. Van Buren (17-7)
Last week: 23
After dropping back-to-back Top 25 5A-West matchups by a combined seven points, the Pointers got back in the win column with a 17-point triumph over Greenbrier.
23. Russellville (20-4)
Last week: 16
With all respect due to Greenwood for a hard-fought win, the Cyclones dropped a road contest Friday against the Bulldogs that, frankly, should not have happened. They return home against Greenbrier Tuesday before a road trip to No. Alma to close the week.
24. Morrilton (23-4)
Last week: NR
The Devil Dogs make their return to the Top 25 following a brief hiatus, checking in at the final spot with one regular season remaining and they still have an outside shot of winning the regular season 4A-4 championship.
25. Mountain Home (17-7)
Last week: 24
The Bombers are looking for the season sweep over Harrison on the road Tuesday before coming back to The Hangar for some redemption against No. 22 Van Buren to finish the week.
Dropped out: Rogers (21), West Memphis (25)
– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR
