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

Another big week of upsets brings a big change at the top of the AP Poll Top 25, including a new No. 1 team for the first time in a while thanks to an upset loss by UConn and a pair of big wins for Houston. Purdue remains in the mix as well, bouncing back from a loss last week.

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 yet again across the rankings. From the top to the bottom, it is a whole new look for the college basketball rankings.

Here is how I think the new AP Top 25 will look on Feb. 26:

1. Houston (Last week: 2)

Houston had one of its best weeks of the season with Top 25 wins over Iowa State and Baylor to rise up to the top spot in the AP Poll and take advantage of the recent losses from other contenders. They lead the Big 12 in their first season in the conference and look the part of a championship threat.

The Cougars will play against a skidding Cincinnati team next before Oklahoma on the road this weekend.

2. UConn (Last week: 1)

UConn ended a long winning streak this week with an upset loss against Creighton on the road, but bounced back nicely over the weekend against Villanova to avoid a significant drop in the updated rankings. They must now try to reclaim the top spot in the Top 25 with more big results.

The Huskies will get a week off to prepare for their next game against Seton Hall on Sunday.

3. Purdue (Last week: 3)

Purdue remains at No. 3 this week, just barely behind UConn and Houston. They rebounded from last week’s upset loss against Ohio State and took care of business against Rutgers and Michigan.

The Boilermakers will face Michigan State after getting a week to prepare on Saturday.

4. Tennessee (Last week: 5)

Tennessee avoided a bad loss against Missouri in the mid-week, then picked up a convincing win over a Texas A&M team in desperate need of a big win. They climb up toward the top of the national rankings and now sit atop the SEC standings as well.

The Volunteers will host Auburn in the mid-week slate before a roadtrip to face Alabama in a pivotal conference title race matchup.

5. Marquette (Last week: 6)

Marquette had no trouble dispatching DePaul in a rebound effort this week, then beat a Xavier team which needed big wins to help build an NCAA Tournament case. They showed an ability to hold steady throughout the Big East schedule and move back into the Top 5.

The Golden Eagles will continue the schedule with a game against Providence on Wednesday before facing off against Creighton on the road.

6. Arizona (Last week: 4)

Arizona drops outside the Top 25 of the projected AP Poll this week after falling in a matchup for the Pac-12 regular season lead against Washington State. They were able to respond quickly, beating Washington just two days later to avoid a big fall.

The Wildcats will face in-state rival Arizona State before a weekend matchup against Oregon.

7. Kansas (Last week: 9)

Kansas got a bye week to prepare for Texas at home and left no doubt in a runaway win. They might have made the most of the opportunity, but still miss Kevin McCullar with injury as they chase Houston in the Big 12 standings.

The Jayhawks will play BYU at home before taking a roadtrip to face Baylor on Saturday.

8. North Carolina (Last week: 10)

North Carolina also got a bye week leading up to a weekend matchup against Virginia and was able to come away with the victory. They stay atop the ACC standings for another week and with a loss from Duke look likely to carry momentum through the final weeks.

The Tar Heels will face Miami on Monday before getting an in-state rivalry matchup against NC State over the weekend.

9. Iowa State (Last week: 6)

Iowa State dropped a tough game against Houston on the road after moving all the way to No. 6 in last week’s Top 25, but was able to handle West Virginia convincingly over the weekend to balance things out and remain in the Top 10 for another week.

The Cyclones will face Oklahoma before testing themselves on the road against UCF this weekend.

10. Duke (Last week: 8)

Duke holds onto a spot inside the Top 10 of the projected AP Poll this week thanks to a win over Miami in the mid-week. They followed up that big performance with a loss against Wake Forest but still have the resume to stick here.

The Blue Devils will look to build momentum against Louisville before a massive ACC matchup with Virginia on Saturday.

Ranking 11-25

11. Auburn (Last week: 14)

12. Creighton (Last week: 15)
13. St. Mary’s (Last week: 18)
14. Kentucky (Last week: 17)
15. Alabama (Last week: 13)
16. Illinois (Last week: 12)
17. Baylor (Last week: 11)
18. South Carolina (Last week: 20)
19. Dayton (Last week: 16)
20. Utah State (Last week: NR)
21. Washington State (Last week: 21)
22. SDSU (Last week: 19)
23. Gonzaga (Last week: NR)
24. Nevada (Last week: NR)
25. Wake Forest (Last week: NR)

Projected to drop out: Colorado State (Last week: 22), Texas Tech (Last week: 23), Florida (Last Week: 24), BYU (Last Week: 25)