College Basketball Rankings 2016: Projected Week 5 Top 25

Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Javin DeLaurier (12) reacts with forward Amile Jefferson (21) after Jefferson was fouled by against the Maine Black Bears in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

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The Week 5 college basketball rankings will be released Monday afternoon and here are our Top 25 projections.

The college basketball rankings are currently taking a backseat to College Football Playoff rankings each week, but that will soon change. This is the final week for the playoff poll and the next month will be filled with football fans watching basketball to pass time until the national title.

Still, loyal college basketball fans know just how important it is to get a jumpstart on the AP rankings. Although being outside of the AP Top 25 this early in the season doesn’t mean much, it could definitely go a long way in deciding the type of momentum teams bring into conference action.

Some programs have already fallen out of the rankings — like Michigan State and Connecticut — but it’s early enough that there’s a good chance at least one of them will get back in. The Spartans, for example, have lost to four ranked teams which have all been the in the top 10 at some point this year. Tom Izzo will have them back. Connecticut, well, it has just struggled.

This week’s rankings will have a obvious new look as the No. 1 team in the nation fell on Saturday afternoon. Kentucky lost, at home, to No. 11 UCLA in upset fashion, but the Bruins continue to show why they’re the real deal.

A couple of top-five teams fell, opening the door for some mid-majors to climb. Will a team like Gonzaga or Butler take advantage of the Goliaths losing?

Here’s what our projected AP Top 25 looks like.