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 December 6.

Headed for Hoops Heaven: the “Saintly 16″

1. Villanova (8-0)

2. Georgetown (6-0)

3. Gonzaga (6-2)

4. St. Mary’s (6-1)

5. Notre Dame (8-1)

6. Dayton (5-2)

7. Xavier (5-2)

8. Boston College (6-2)

9. St. John’s (6-1)

10. Seton Hall (6-0)

11. Marquette (6-2)

12. Siena (5-3)

13. Portland (5-3)

14. Providence (5-3)

15. DePaul (5-2)

16. Detroit (6-2) 

Projected in Purgatory: Creighton, Duquesne, Fairfield, Iona, LaSalle, Loyola (IL), Loyola (MD), Niagara, St. Bonaventure, St. Joseph’s, St. Louis, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Seattle.

Destined for Hoops Hell: Canisus, Fordham, Holy Cross, Loyola-Marymount, Manhattan, Mt. St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (PA), St. Peter’s, and San Francisco.

“Benedict’s Bum” (worst Catholic team in America): St. Francis (NY) (2-5).