College Basketball Rankings: Predicting the AP Poll Top 25 after marquee matchups

Some of the best teams in the country faced off in Top 25 matchups this week, and others battled for position at the top of the conference. Now it is time to shake up the AP Poll once again with a new look featuring all the latest results.

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.

UConn went undefeated after making its way to No. 1 in last week’s Top 25, and Purdue remained just behind them in the mix. Kansas dropped another concerning game and could fall as others move up the board to fill their place.

Here is how I think the new AP Top 25 will look on Jan. 22:

1. UConn (Last week: 1)

UConn continued its winning ways last week by knocking off ranked foe Creighton and then closing out a narrow road win against Villanova. They now improve to 17-2 on the season.

The Huskies will play just one game this week, getting a full eight days off before facing Xavier.

2. Purdue (Last week: 2)

Purdue remains near the top of the Top 25, just as they have all season, after picking up wins over Indiana and Iowa on the road. They sit at 17-2 for the year.

The Boilermakers will play Michigan at home before a roadtrip to face Rutgers this week.

3. North Carolina (Last week: 4)

North Carolina continues to pick up wins and move up the rankings each week. They improved to 15-3 by beating Louisville and Boston College.

The Tar Heels continue the ACC schedule this week against Wake Forest before facing Florida State on the road.

4. Houston (Last week: 5)

Houston rebounded from a week with consecutive losses by picking up two more wins against Texas Tech and UCF. They are now 16-2 for the season.

The Cougars will continue Big 12 play with a road game against BYU and a matchup against Kansas State this week.

5. Kansas (Last week: 3)

Kansas suffered another confusing loss over the weekend against West Virginia to drop further down the Top 25 rankings despite winning against Oklahoma State. They move to 15-3, but remain low in the computer rankings.

The Jayhawks will have little time to rebound with games against Cincinnati and Iowa State this week.

6. Tennessee (Last week: 6)

Tennessee has ridden the hot scoring streak of Dalton Knecht over recent weeks on the way to a 14-4 record so far. Wins over Florida and Alabama last week build the resume further.

The Volunteers play just one game this week, going up against Vanderbilt on the road.

7. Kentucky (Last week: 8)

Kentucky picked up two more SEC wins against Mississippi State and Georgia, but the biggest news of the week was freshman Zvonimir Ivisic getting eligible to help the 14-3 squad.

The Wildcats will travel for a pair of road game over the next week against South Carolina and Arkansas.

8. Arizona (Last week: 12)

Arizona rises back into the Top 10 after picking up wins over USC and UCLA to move to 14-4 for the season.

The Pac-12 schedule continues for the Wildcats with road games against Oregon State and Oregon on the schedule.

9. Auburn (Last week: 13)

Auburn keeps moving up the Top 25 each week with one of the most complete rosters and a 16-2 record. Wins over Vanderbilt and Ole Miss help make them a contender to reach the Top 10.

The Tigers will play at in-state rival Alabama before a roadtrip to face Mississippi State this week.

10. Duke (Last week: 7)

Duke saw its impressive win streak fall away this week, losing against Pitt in the only game of the week. They now stand at 13-4 for the season.

The Blue Devils will face Louisville on the road before another home game against Clemson this week.

Ranking 11-25

11. Illinois (Last week: 14)
12. Oklahoma (Last week: 15)
13. Marquette (Last week: 17)
14. Wisconsin (Last week: 11)
15. Baylor (Last week: 9)
16. Dayton (Last week: 21)
17. Utah State (Last week: 16)
18. Creighton (Last week: 18)
19. FAU (Last week: 23)
20. BYU (Last week: 20)
21. Colorado State (Last week: NR)
22. New Mexico (Last week: NR)
23. Memphis (Last week: 10)
24. Iowa State (Last week: 24)
25. Texas Tech (Last week: 25)

Projected to drop out: TCU (Last Week: 19), Ole Miss (Last week: 22)