‘Nova hangs on to heavenly position atop latest Pope’s Poll

[The Pope]

Pope's Poll 2/27/18

Forty-two Catholic colleges and universities compete in NCAA Division I basketball — here’s a missive direct from the Vatican showing how they stack up on the hardwood at this point in the 2017-18 season. Rankings and records reflect games played through February 26.

“The Saintly Sixteen”

1. Villanova (25-4)
2. Gonzaga (27-4)
3. Xavier (25-4)
4. St. Mary's (27-4)
5. Creighton (20-9)
6. Notre Dame (17-12)
7. Seton Hall (20-9)
8. Loyola (IL) (25-5)
9. Marquette (17-12)
10. St. Bonaventure (22-6)
11. Providence (18-11)
12. Boston College (16-13)
13. Georgetown (15-13)
14. Canisius (21-10)
15. San Diego (18-12)
16. St. Louis (16-13)

Projected in Purgatory: Duquesne, Iona, Mt. St. Mary's, Niagara, St. Francis (PA), San Francisco and Seattle.

Hangin' In Hoops Hell: Dayton, DePaul, Detroit Mercy, Fairfield, Fordham, Holy Cross, LaSalle, Loyola (MD), Loyola-Marymount, Manhattan, Portland, St. Francis (NY), St. John's, St. Joseph's, St. Peter's, Santa Clara, Sacred Heart, and Siena.

"Francis’ Flop" (worst Catholic team in America): Incarnate Word (6-20).