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College Basketball Rankings 2016: Projected Week 6 Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Marques Bolden (20) congratulates center Chase Jeter (2) near the end of a game against the UNLV Runnin
Dec 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Marques Bolden (20) congratulates center Chase Jeter (2) near the end of a game against the UNLV Runnin /
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Dec 6, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) celebrates after scoring against the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 79-57. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) celebrates after scoring against the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second half at McKale Center. Arizona won 79-57. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon had quite the scare against a much-improved Alabama team at home on Sunday evening, but the Ducks found a way to hold on despite blowing a 14-point lead. Dillon Brooks needs to get back into his groove back on a consistent basis if this team plans on making the NCAA Tournament as a top seed yet again. This team seems to be struggling a big lately.

Butler was slowly climbing the rankings through the first five weeks of play, but the Bulldogs knew it wouldn’t be easy to get into the top 10 while being a mid-major. Losing their first game of the season against Indiana State by a single point was a definite shock at home, but the Bulldogs responded by defeating No. 22 Cincinnati by 10 points. They drop, but not too far.

Xavier was looking like a serious contender to jump into the top five just a couple of weeks ago, but the Musketeers dropped two straight games. The first came against a red-hot Baylor team in Week 4 and the second was a two-point defeat at Colorado this past week. Xavier will correct some things and get back to its winning ways like it did against Utah.

South Carolina is one of the most underrated teams in college basketball this year and they got a week off to prepare for a Monday evening matchup with Seton Hall. If you don’t know much about the Gamecocks, just know that Frank Martin is the head coach and he’s done a fantastic job in his short time. South Carolina remains undefeated after a bye week and the resume is relatively strong early on.

I think Arizona will pass the South Carolina Gamecocks this week because of the bye week and Arizona’s strong performances against UC-Irvine and Missouri, winning by double digits in both. The Wildcats continue to play without Allonzo Trier, but Rawle Alkins, Lauri Markannen and Kobi Simmons have been playing very well. This team will be a force to be reckoned with.