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 January 4.

Headed for Hoops Heaven: the “Saintly 16″

1. Villanova (12-1)

2. Georgetown (11-1)

3. St. Mary’s (13-2)

4. Gonzaga (11-3)

5. Notre Dame (12-3)

6. Dayton (10-3)

7. Xavier (8-5)

8. St. John’s (10-4)

9. Seton Hall (9-4)

10. Marquette (9-5)

11. Siena (11-4)

12. Boston College (9-5)

13. Portland (9-5)

14. Providence (9-5)

15. Duquesne (9-5)

16. Detroit (10-5) 

Projected in Purgatory: Creighton, DePaul, Fairfield, Iona, LaSalle, Loyola (IL), Loyola (MD), Loyola-Marymount, Niagara, St. Bonaventure, St. Louis, San Diego and Santa Clara.

Destined for Hoops Hell: Canisus, Holy Cross, Manhattan, Mt. St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, St. Francis  (NY), St. Francis (PA), St. Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, San Francisco and Seattle.

“Benedict’s Bum” (worst Catholic team in America): Fordham (2-10).