The Pope's Poll—Who Are the Top Catholic Men's Basketball Teams?

As this went to press, two teams from the top five remain in the tourney. Coincidentally neither of them come from power conferences.

Forty-one Catholic colleges and universities compete in NCAA Division I basketball—let’s see how they compare in this exclusive and divinely inspired poll, an encyclical sent straight from the Pontiff in the Vatican City.

Records and rankings have been updated to include games played through March 14, “Selection Sunday,” a holy day of obligation for all college hoop fans.

Headed for Hoops Heaven and Postseason Play: The “Saintly 17″

1. Villanova (24-7, NCAA)

2. Xavier (24-8, NCAA)

3. Georgetown (23-10, NCAA)

4. St. Mary’s (26-5, NCAA)

5. Gonzaga (26-6, NCAA)

6. Siena (27-6, NCAA)

7. Marquette (22-11, NCAA)

8. Notre Dame (23-11, NCAA)

9. Dayton (20-12, NIT)

10. Seton Hall (19-12, NIT)

11. St. John’s (17-15, NIT)

12. Portland (21-10, CIT)

13. St. Louis (20-11, CBI)

14. Fairfield (22-10, CIT)

15. Creighton (16-15, CIT)

16. Duquesne (16-15, CBI)

17. Loyola-Marymount (18-15, CIT)

Passing Time in Purgatory

(At least for another year): Boston College, Detroit, Iona, Niagara, St. Peter’s, and Seattle.

Hangin’ in Hoops Hell

Canisus, DePaul, Holy Cross, LaSalle, Loyola (IL), Loyola (MD), Manhattan, Mt. St. Mary’s, Providence, Sacred Heart, St. Bonaventure, St. Francis (NY), St. Francis (PA), St. Joseph’s, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara.

“Benedict’s Bum”

(Worst Catholic team in America for the 2009-10 hoops season): Fordham (2-26).

Special Thanks go to Rogobob who provides the poll...