College Basketball Rankings: Predicting the AP Poll Top 25 after big weekend for top teams

The NCAA Tournament selection committee released the first look at which teams could be in line for a top-four seed this year, and although it does not directly correlate to the AP Poll, it could certainly shape how voters view the Top 25.

Trying to predict how the voters will view each win and loss leads to a shuffled up version of the Top 25, with some movement in the middle and plenty of intersecting resumes.

Pair all the talk about resumes with some marquee matchups at the top of the Top 25 and there is bound to be some big changes to the order this week. UConn cemented its grip on the top spot and Marquette will wait and see how far they fall after the historic blowout.

Here is how I think the new AP Top 25 will look on Feb. 19:

1. UConn (Last week: 1)

UConn cemented its spot atop the AP Poll’s Top 25 for the foreseeable future by putting up a historic win against No. 4 Marquette after handling business as usual against DePaul. The Huskies showed why they have dominated the rankings so far this season by leaving no doubt.

The Huskies will go on the road to face Creighton and then play against Villanova over the weekend.

2. Houston (Last week: 3)

Houston made the most of the bye week and picked up a convincing win over Texas, which has started to make a surge up the board in every analytic. They remain in contention for the Big 12 title in their first season in the conference and look the part of a 1-seed lock.

The Cougars will play against Iowa State in a Top 10 matchup and then play a road game against Top 25 Baylor.

3. Purdue (Last week: 2)

Purdue drops down to the No. 3 spot of the Top 25 despite being listed as the No. 1 overall seed by the selection committee this week. Any opportunity they had to close the gap was crushed by the results of the weekend. A surprising loss to Ohio State, which just fired its coach, overshadowed a win over Minnesota.

The Boilermakers will face Rutgers before playing a road game against Michigan to cap the week.

4. Arizona (Last week: 5)

Arizona continues their move up the boards in the Top 25 after making the most of a bye week leading up to an in-state rivalry game against Arizona State. They also got good news from the selection committee when they learned they are currently in line for a 1-seed, something voters will no-doubt remember.

The Wildcats will face a surging Washington State team before playing against Washington over the weekend.

5. Marquette (Last week: 4)

Marquette shot up the board last week and found themselves in a Big East showdown with UConn this weekend with a chance to really shake things up at the top of the AP Poll after beating Butler in the mid-week. However, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity and walk away wondering how far they will fall in the Top 25

The schedule continues with home games against DePaul and Xavier as they look to rebound.

6. Tennessee (Last week: 8)

Tennessee took care of business this week against a pair of weaker SEC opponents. First, they took down Arkansas on the road and then beat in-state rival Vanderbilt to ensure they move up the rankings this week instead of down.

The Volunteers play against Missouri on the road this week before getting Texas A&M at home over the weekend.

7. Duke (Last week: 9)

Duke continued its good run of form since the rivalry loss a couple weeks ago by beating another less heated in-state rival in Wake Forest. They then rode a historic performance by freshman guard Jared McCain to dismiss Florida State and move up in the AP Poll.

The Blue Devils will face Miami and Wake Forest on the road this week as they look to keep momentum through the ACC schedule.

8. Kansas (Last week: 6)

Kansas dropped another game on the road against Texas Tech, leading to more questions about the resume, but rebounding nicely with a comeback effort against Oklahoma. They remain a 2-seed according to the selection committee and look likely to remain in the Top 10 here.

The Jayhawks will play against Texas this weekend after getting a bye week to prepare for the remainder of the Big 12 schedule.

9. North Carolina (Last week: 7)

North Carolina faltered once more as the ups and downs continue through February. A loss against Syracuse on the road dampened the excitement before a win against Virginia Tech cheered things up along with news that they remain in contention for a top seed when the selection committee put them on the 2-line.

The Tar Heels will face a roadtrip to play against Virginia after getting their bye week in the ACC schedule.

10. Iowa State (Last week: 10)

Iowa State did something many have failed to do this season, won a pair of games to hold onto the Top 10 spot in the AP Poll after jumping into the picture. In an unpresented year of upsets, they took care of business against Cincinnati and Texas Tech.

The Cyclones will face their toughest challenge yet on the road against Houston on Monday, then play West Virginia over the weekend.

Ranking 11-25

11. Baylor (Last week: 12)
12. Illinois (Last week: 14)
13. Alabama (Last week: 15)
14. Dayton (Last week: 16)
15. Creighton (Last week: 17)
16. Auburn (Last week: 13)
17. St. Mary’s (Last week: 18)
18. South Carolina (Last week: 11)
19. Kentucky (Last week: 22)
20. SDSU (Last week: NR)
21. BYU (Last week: 19)
22. Wisconsin (Last week: 20)
23. Virginia (Last week: 21)
24. Washington State (Last week: NR)
25. Colorado State (Last week: NR)

Projected to drop out: Indiana State (Last week: 23), FAU (Last week: 24), Oklahoma (Last Week: 25)