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Welcome back, hoop fans! As another electrifying week of college basketball wraps up, it's time to shake up the power rankings. A handful of top-ranked teams fell this week, but some underrated teams also came away with huge victories, which has rattled these power rankings. My power rankings are updated and listed here at RotoBaller and updated weekly!
Unlike traditional polls, these rankings will also show similarities and differences between teams, breaking down not only team wins but crucial losses as well. This past week included wild finishes, upsets, and strong victories.
Let's break it down, team by team, and see who's falling and rising in this week's power rankings.
(25) Florida (16-7)*
Last week: L 67-66 at Texas A&M and W 81-65 vs. Auburn
Florida enters this week’s rankings for the first time this season after defeating top-ranked Auburn in a not-so-close contest at Flordia. The Gators can be viewed as a sneaky SEC team in a very powerful conference, as the team currently sits fifth in the SEC. Guard Walter Clayton leads the team in scoring 16.0 points per game while shooting 43.0 percent from the field this season.
(24) Indiana State (22-3)*
Last week: W 101-61 vs. Valparaiso and W 73-71 at Missouri State
This is the first time a team from the Missouri Valley Conference has appeared on our rankings, but if you haven’t checked them out, do so. This team not only brings excitement on offense but is also excellent defensively. The team is led by Isaiah Swope, averaging 17.7 points per game this season.
(23) Saint Mary’s (20-6)*
Last week: W 84-43 at Pacific and W 76-51 at Portland
Saint Mary’s joins this week’s rankings after stretching their winning streak to 12 straight wins, placing them 20-6 on the season and leading the West Coast Conference at 11-0. This team is making itself known and is currently the front-runner to win the conference. The team is led by Aidan Mahaney, who is averaging 14.0 points per game this season.
(22) BYU (17-6) ⇓1
Last week: L 82-66 at Oklahoma and W 72-66 vs. Kansas State
BYU ended the week with a win against Kansas State after losing the last game against Oklahoma. The team is led by Jaxson Robinson, averaging 13.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game this season. BYU has proven to be a great team at home, but need to be able to show that they are capable of being consistent on the road as well.
(21) Oklahoma (18-6) ⇑3
Last week: W 82-66 vs. BYU and W 66-62 vs. Oklahoma State
The Sooners won both their conference home games this week, one against ranked BYU, which puts Oklahoma sixth in the Big 12 conference standings. The Sooners are led by Javian McCollum, averaging 14.2 points per game this season.
(20) Texas Tech (17-6) ⇓1
Last week: L 79-73 at Baylor and W 66-59 vs. UCF
The Rebels went 1-1 this week, which included a road loss to Baylor in a difficult atmosphere, but bounced back with a win against UCF, which was much needed as they had lost three of the last four games. Texas Tech is led by Pop Isaacs, averaging 16.9 points per game this season.
(19) Virginia (19-5)*
Last week: W 60-38 vs. Miami and W 80-76 at FSU
Virginia is a new team on this week’s rankings, and rightfully so; the team has improved to 19-5 after defeating Miami and FSU this week. This team can be viewed as the nation's best defensively and is led by Reece Beckman, averaging 13.8 points and 6.1 assists per game this season.
(18) Wisconsin (16-8) ⇓9
Last week: L 72-68 at Michigan and L 78-56 at Rutgers
Wisconsin has lost four games in a row after being ranked top-ten in the country just a couple of weeks ago. This team always screamed overrated, but losing four straight was beyond unexpected. The team will need to quickly recover as they see four unranked teams before they battle against ranked Illinois.
(17) Alabama (17-7) ⇑1
Last week: L 99-81 at Auburn and W 109-92 at LSU
Despite losing to Auburn earlier in the week, Alabama put together a solid bounce-back performance as they defeated LSU by double-digits. Surprisingly, Alabama is tied for first in the SEC and is led by superstar Mark Sears, who is averaging 20.5 points per game this season.
(16) Creighton (17-7) ⇑1
Last week: L 91-87 at Providence and W 78-71 at Xavier
The Bluejays went 1-1 this week, which resulted in the team moving up one spot in this week's rankings. Creighton has put together one of the more slept-on seasons despite the team sitting just third in the Big East conference standings. The team is loaded with shooters who can outshoot anybody from a distance. Baylor Scheierman leads the team with 18.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season.
(15) Kentucky (16-7) ⇓4
Last week: W 109-77 at Vanderbilt and L 89-85 vs. Gonzaga
This team has struggled as they have now lost four of their last six games, three being home games. The schedule doesn’t get much easier for the Wildcats as they soon will battle against Ole Miss, Auburn, and Alabama later this month. This team is filled with talent, but they must start putting together wins before they get too behind.
(14) Illinois (17-6) ⇓1
Last week: L 88-80 v\at Michigan State
The Fighting Illini broke their three-game winning streak after losing on the road to a Michigan State team that has struggled all season. This loss should be viewed more as a game that the Spartans needed to come away with, so this shouldn’t be a reason to start to worry about Illinois. The team still sits second in the conference standings, only behind Purdue.
(13) Iowa State (18-5) ⇑3
Last week: W 70-65 at Texas and W 71-59 vs. TCU
The Cyclones won both conference games this week after losing their last outing against Baylor. ISU currently stands second in the conference and five of their last six games, including wins over TCU, Kansas, and Texas. The team depends on Keshon Gilbert, who is averaging 13.9 points per game this season.
(12) Baylor (17-6) ⇑2
Last week: W 79-73 vs. Texas Tech and L 64-61 at Kansas
Baylor went 1-1 this week after defeating a cold Texas Tech game but then lost in a close road game against Kansas. This week's loss against Kansas shouldn’t leave too big of a scare on the Bears, as the Jayhawks are considered one of the best teams in the nation, especially at home. Baylor moves up two spots this week for their win over Texas Tech and their ability to keep it very close in Lawrence.
(11) South Carolina (21-3) ⇑4
Last week: W 68-65 vs. Ole Miss and W 75-60 vs. Vanderbilt
The Gamecocks continue to climb the rankings and now hold a share of the SEC conference at 9-2, along with Alabama. A reminder for most, but South Carolina was picked to finish last in the conference in the preseason coaches poll, but they have ignored the doubters as this team has looked amazing this season. The team is led by Meechie Johnson, averaging 14.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season.
(10) Auburn (19-4) ⇑2
Last week: W 99-81 vs. Alabama and L 81-65 at Florida
Auburn won just one of their two conference games this week, including a double-digit loss to Florida. Despite the Gators currently being unranked, this loss shouldn’t leave too big of a scar on Auburn, as the Gators were in a must-win position for them. Auburn is led by junior forward Johni Broome, averaging 16 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season. Expect Auburn to bounce back against a strong South Carolina team this week.
(9) Marquette (18-5) ⇑1
Last week: W 86-75 vs. St. John’s
Marquette saw just one game this week, and the team defeated St. John’s after a scary first-half performance where the team was down for nearly three-thirds of the game. However, the team overcame the deficit and won the game by double-digits. Marquette moves up one spot this week after defeating St. John’s.
(8) Duke (18-5) ⇔
Last week: W 71-53 vs. Notre Dame and W 80-65 vs. Boston College
The Blue Devils remain at the same slot this week after defeating both of their conference competitions, including wins over Notre Dame and Boston College. There wasn’t too much to take form this week as both of these teams are viewed as lower competition regarding conference standings, but these were two wins that Duke needed to capture.
(7) Arizona (19-5) ⇔
Last week: W 105-99 at Utah and W 99-79 at Colorado
Arizona went 2-0 on the road this week after defeating both Utah and Colorado, two teams who are strong this season despite being unranked. Unsurprisingly, the Wildcats are one of the nation’s best in offensive production and continued to show that this week as they scored a combined 204 points. Winning both games keeps them in my top ten this week.
(6) Tennessee (17-6) ⇓1
Last week: W 88-68 vs. LSU and L 85-69 at Texas A&M
Tennessee has continued to impress but ultimately went 1-1 this week after defeating LSU by twenty points and then lost on the road to Texas A&M in a game where the Aggies shot lights out. The loss this week was hard to swallow, but the Vols bring energy and fast transition play which will be beneficial as conference play wraps up.
(5) North Carolina (19-5) ⇓2
Last week: L 80-76 vs. Clemson and W 75-72 at Miami
North Carolina fell two spots this week due to the loss against unranked Clemson at home earlier in the week but recovered nicely after defeating Miami on the road. The Tar Heels still stand on top of the ACC standings by one game but have a demanding schedule, including road games against Syracuse, Virginia, and Duke.
(4) Kansas (19-5) ⇔
Last week: L 75-70 at Kansas State and W 64-61 vs. Baylor
Kansas went 1-1 this week, which included a close road loss to rival Kansas State, but responded by taking down ranked Baylor at home. The big story here is star forward Kevin McCullar missing their last game and being expected to miss more as he is dealing with a knee injury. This would be a significant loss if McCullar does miss extended time. The Jayhawks see no movement this week.
(3) Houston (21-3) ⇑2
Last week: W 79-63 vs. Oklahoma State and W 67-62 at Cincinnati
Houston escaped a close win on the road against Cincinnati and defeated Oklahoma in highlight fashion which bumps this team up two spots. Houston has one of the most athletic rosters in the nation and can continue to move higher in the rankings as the season continues.
(2) Purdue (22-2) ⇔
Last week: W 79-59 vs. Indiana
Purdue remains at the two-spot this week after securing their lone victory against a struggling Indiana team. Zach Edey continues to showcase himself as one of the nation's more dominant centers and is currently averaging 23.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game this season.
(1) UConn (22-2) ⇔
Last week: W 71-62 vs. Butler and W 89-64 at Georgetown
UConn remains at the top of the rankings this week as this team continues to win and show dominance at home and on the road against tough, non-ranked opponents. The Huskies currently sit on top of the Big East with just three ranked opponents remaining in their schedule. Guards Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer lead the team in scoring with over 15 points per game. Winning both conference games this week keeps them put.
Others Receiving Votes
- Ole Miss
- New Mexico
- Dayton
- Utah State
- San Diego State
Stay tuned for the college basketball rankings here at RotoBaller throughout the entire season!
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