College Basketball Rankings: Predicting the AP Poll Top 25 after massive MTE events in Week 4

The Feast Week slate has dominated headlines across college basketball over the past week, with the top teams changing how AP Poll voters view them with MTE performances at neutral sites. Ahead of next Top 25 update, there is plenty to debate across the board with several ranked matchups making the process much more difficult to unpack.

Multiple neutral site MTEs headline the past week’s top results with the Players Era Festival and Maui Invitational dominating the narrative. From Michigan vs. Gonzaga to Tennessee vs. Houston, there have been dozens of impactful outcomes to consider.

After the fourth week of college basketball’s new season wraps up, it is time to look at how the results could impact the rankings. Here is an early projection of what Monday’s AP Poll could look like after the latest set of games.

Predicted AP Poll Top 25

1. Purdue (Last Week: 1)

Purdue hangs tight in the top spot of the projected AP Poll update, leading the Top 25 by remaining undefeated. The Boilermakers did not add as much as others to the resume, but the head start should prove enough to stay here.

2. Michigan (Last Week: 7)

Michigan got the biggest boost of any team this week, winning the Players Era Festival with three dominant results over good opponents. The Wolverines won every game by at least 30 over that span, leaving no doubt they were the best team in Las Vegas.

3. Arizona (Last Week: 2)

Arizona did not participate in the major MTE events of the week, but already has enough on its resume to remain among the top teams in the country. The Wildcats could fall regardless in the Top 25, given other results.

4. Duke (Last Week: 4)

Duke picked up a Top 25 win this week by taking down Arkansas, adding to the non-conference resume once again. The Blue Devils have overcome all tests to this point and remain firmly in the mix with the other great undefeated teams for a top spot.

5. Houston (Last Week: 3)

Houston suffered its first loss of the season at the Players Era Festival, falling against Tennessee in group play. However, the Cougars also earned two wins which should prevent them from a large fall down the board.

6. UConn (Last Week 5)

UConn is another team which did not travel for an MTE this week, but still played top-level competition when they beat Illinois. The Huskies have a solid case among the top teams even with one loss, given the strength of the setback.

7. Louisville (Last Week: 6)

Louisville added two dominant wins over mid and low-major competition this week, doing little to boost them up the rankings but enough to prevent a slide behind their rivals. The Cardinals are now set up for multiple big non-conference matchups.

8. BYU (Last Week: 9)

BYU continues to raise its stock, picking up two more wins in the ESPN Events Invitational to win the championship. The Cougars enter the month of December with a chance to solidify themselves near the top of the rankings and gain ground on their rivals.

9. Michigan State (Last Week: 11)

Michigan State looks primed to make another leap up the Top 25 this week as Tom Izzo’s team continues to string together big results. The Spartans were able to take down North Carolina after an easy win over East Carolina.

10. Gonzaga (Last Week: 12)

Gonzaga took down Alabama and Maryland to start the Players Era Festival schedule, placing them in the championship game with a chance to rocket up the AP Poll. However, a decisive loss to Michigan limits the potential for them to move up the board to a couple spots based on the losses around them.

Predicting 11-25

11. Iowa State (Last Week: 15)
12. Alabama (Last Week: 8)
13. Florida (Last Week: 10)
14. Illinois (Last Week: 13)
15. Tennessee (Last Week: 17)
16. North Carolina (Last Week: 16)
17. Kentucky (Last Week: 19)
18. Texas Tech (Last Week: 20)
19. Vanderbilt (Last Week: N24)
20. Kansas (Last Week: NR)
21. Indiana (Last Week: 25)
22. USC (Last Week: NR)
23. Auburn (Last Week: 21)
24. St. John’s (Last Week: 14)
25. Arkansas (Last Week: 22)

Projected to drop out: UCLA (Last Week: 18), NC State (Last Week: 23)