ESPN updates college basketball power rankings following loaded weekend of action

ESPN revealed its latest college basketball power rankings Tuesday with some teams making some serious moves. The biggest mover, ESPN’s team of the week, was UCLA. The Bruins took out Maryland and Kentucky, particularly the Terrapins on the road where UCLA led by as many as 38 points in the second half.

UCLA also beat Kentucky and forced 18 turnovers, giving the Bruins a tremendous boost in the power rankings, getting into ESPN’s top 16. The biggest win of the week was from Houston, which beat Virginia in a game between two ranked teams. The former top-ranked Cougars earned the 69-61 win and it was a nice bounce back after losing to Alabama.

Below are ESPN’s top 16 teams as of Dec. 20, as well as the teams who dropped out and the ones who are knocking on the door.

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Rankings

1. UConn (12-0)

2. Purdue (11-0)

3. Arizona (10-1)

4. Houston (11-1)

5. Kansas (10-1)

6. Virginia (8-1)

7. Texas (9-1)

8. Gonzaga (9-3)

9. Alabama (9-2)

10. Tennessee (9-2)

11. Arkansas (10-1)

12. Baylor (8-2)

13. UCLA (10-2)

14. Duke (10-2)

15. Illinois (8-3)

16. Mississippi State (11-0)

Dropped out: Maryland, Indiana

Waiting: Wisconsin, TCU, Marquette

The performance that sticks out is Kansas, which jumped from No. 9 to No. 5 according to ESPN. 

“Kansas has looked as impressive as any team in the country since losing to Tennessee in the Bahamas on the day after Thanksgiving,” ESPN’s Jeff Borzello wrote. “The Jayhawks are 4-0 since that defeat, winning those four games by an average of 27 points.”

Head coach Bill Self thought his team played better in the win over Indiana than Missouri. The Jayhawks took out the Hoosiers 84-62.

“I thought we played better today than we did against Missouri,” Self said postgame. “You know, I guess Missouri, they got some looks that were pretty good looks they didn’t make it. And they got some layups and things like. Today I mean, for the most part … their best offense was in the second half when (Trayce Jackson-Davis) blocked a shot and that led to numbers. And at least from the way I saw it, so it’s hard to defend that, but when we play five on five, I thought our defense was the best it’s been.”

Another high quality game came in the form of Gonzaga versus Alabama. The Bulldogs earned a 100-90 win and held off the Crimson Tide, particularly Brandon Miller who scored 36 points. 

It also might be time to check out Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are now 11-0 and got in by virtue of Maryland and Indiana going on losing skids. The SEC might have another legitimate threat come March.