College Basketball Rankings: Predicting the AP Poll Top 25 with more non-conference matchups in Week 6

While most of the country continues the non-conference schedule, a handful of teams have already started facing conference foes. The Big Ten has already seen some of its top teams face off, helping shape the AP Poll this week.

Arizona again added to its resume with a win over Alabama, cementing itself as the No. 1 team for another week. Meanwhile, the rest of the Top 10 held steady throughout the past seven days to keep things relatively similar up top.

After the sixth week of the college basketball season wraps up, it is time to look at how the results could impact the upcoming 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. Arizona (Last Week: 1)

Arizona solidified its spot atop the AP Poll Top 25 once again this week with a dominant win over Alabama. The Wildcats are now in prime position to hold onto their spot with one of the best resumes in college basketball.

2. Michigan (Last Week: 2)

Michigan looks to hold steady in the second spot of this week’s Top 25, continuing a run of big wins. The Wolverines topped Villanova and Maryland by double-digits, which brings their streak to seven such games.

3. Duke (Last Week: 3)

Duke joins the mix of teams projected to hold steady in this week’s rankings with no games on the schedule over the past week. The Blue Devils only threat of falling is the impressive performances of those around them.

4. Iowa State (Last Week: 4)

Iowa State started the week with a rivalry win against Iowa, backing up their big win from last week. The Cyclones have also handled business in other non-conference matchups to this point, including a mid-major win to cap the weekend.

5. UConn (Last Week 5)

UConn continues to string together high-major victories to bolster the non-conference resume with two SEC opponents this week. The Huskies took down Florida on a neutral floor before a home win against Texas wrapped up their slate.

6. Purdue (Last Week: 6)

Purdue responded after their first loss of the season, picking up a pair of convincing wins to steady their position in the Top 25. The Boilermakers won against Minnesota and Marquette over the past seven days.

7. Houston (Last Week: 7)

Houston continued its strong start to the season with two low-major games which resulted in easy wins. The Cougars still hold a strong non-conference resume, and now look to add more marquee wins to make it pop.

8. Gonzaga (Last Week: 8)

Gonzaga added another ranked win to its resume this week, taking care of business against UCLA on a neutral floor. With a win in the only matchup of the week, they look primed to hold onto their spot within the Top 25 if not rise.

9. Michigan State (Last Week: 9)

Michigan State responded to its first loss of the season well, picking up a close win over Penn State in the only matchup of the week. The Spartans will now round out their non-conference schedule before facing more Big Ten foes.

10. BYU (Last Week: 10)

BYU continues its strong start to the season with a comeback win over Clemson on a neutral floor. The Cougars carried over that comeback with a blowout win against lesser competition on the weekend.

Predicting 11-25

11. Louisville (Last Week: 11)

12. North Carolina (Last Week: 14)

13. Vanderbilt (Last Week: 15)

14. Arkansas (Last Week: 17)

15. Alabama (Last Week: 12)

16. Illinois (Last Week: 13)

17. Kansas (Last Week: 19)

18. Nebraska (Last Week: 23)

19. Tennessee (Last Week: 20)

20. Texas Tech (Last Week: 16)

21. Florida (Last Week: 18)

22. Auburn (Last Week: 21)

23. St. John’s (Last Week: 22)

24. Virginia (Last Week: 24)

25. USC (Last Week: NR)

Projected to drop out: UCLA (Last Week: 25)