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 1.

Headed for Hoops Heaven: the “Saintly 16″

1. Villanova (23-5)

2. Gonzaga (24-5)

3. Xavier (21-7)

4. Georgetown (19-9)

5. St. Mary’s (24-5)

6. Siena (24-6)

7. Dayton (19-9)

8. Marquette (19-9)

9. Notre Dame (19-10)

10. Seton Hall (16-11)

11. St. John’s (15-13)

12. Portland (19-9)

13. St. Louis (19-9)

14. Iona (21-9)

15. Fairfield (20-9)

16. Detroit (18-13)

Projected in Purgatory: Boston College, Canisus, Creighton, Duquesne, Loyola-Marymount, Niagara, Providence, St. Bonaventure, St. Peter’s and Seattle.

Destined for Hoops Hell: DePaul, Holy Cross, LaSalle, Loyola (IL), Loyola (MD), Manhattan, Mt. St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (NY), St. Francis (PA), St. Joseph’s, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara.

“Benedict’s Bum” (worst Catholic team in America): Fordham (2-24).