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College Basketball Rankings 2016: Projected Week 5 Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

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
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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Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) dribbles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard De
Dec 3, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) dribbles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard De /

Creighton hasn’t been this high in the polls since Doug McDermott was draining threes for the Bluejays and contending for a national player of the year award. Creighton is back in the conversation for top-10 contention this year as it has beaten teams like Wisconsin, Washington State, N.C. State and Ole Miss to improve to 8-0. Will this high ranking hold up? Ask me again in a few weeks.

Indiana took down a tough North Carolina team, which was ranked No. 3 in the nation, at home last week to make up for a huge upset loss against IPFW. This year’s Hoosiers team might be Tom Crean’s most talented with guys like Thomas Bryant, James Blackmon and OG Annoy, but avoiding big upsets will be crucial. Remember, this team is missing its leader from last season, Yogi Ferrell.

North Carolina took its first loss of the season against Indiana, but I still have the Tar Heels ranked ahead of the Hoosiers. You might ask why, but it wasn’t an egregious enough loss on the road to drop them six spots in the polls after proving to be the third-best team in the country through four weeks. Pin Indiana and North Carolina against each other on a neutral floor and you may have a different outcome.

With the biggest victory of the week, the UCLA Bruins improve to 9-0 and look like a team that’s ready to run away with the Pac-12 title. The Bruins took down No. 1 Kentucky on the road, no less. This team might just be the hottest in the country as its averaging 97 points per game with that unbeaten record. Yes, you read that right, 97 points each game. Freshman sensation Lonzo Ball is living up to the hype.

If the Baylor Bears weren’t so red-hot, I would have put UCLA right here, but this team has been just dominating opponents left and right. Baylor has been so good that they even received a first-place vote in the AP poll last week. That was even before the Bears took down No. 7 Xavier this week by 15 points. Johnathan Motley is one of the best big men in the country and this team has arguably the best resume out there.