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College Basketball Rankings 2016: Projected Week 8 Top 25

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 21, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Deng Adel (22) reacts after time expired in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Kentucky 73-70. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Deng Adel (22) reacts after time expired in the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Kentucky 73-70. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) stands on the court in the second half against the Elon Phoenix at Greensboro Coliseum. Duke defeated Elon 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) stands on the court in the second half against the Elon Phoenix at Greensboro Coliseum. Duke defeated Elon 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Duke had the whole Grayson Allen controversy clouding its Week 7 action. Although the Blue Devils only played Tennessee State and Elon, both wins, they still added on to their impressive record, but at a price. Allen has been suspended by Coach K and he might not be back within the next week or two. People have been criticizing the junior guard and it’s time for him to turn his career around.

Baylor might have one of the most impressive resumes in college basketball, but a win over Texas Southern doesn’t do anything to help it. Other than the fact the Bears improved to 12-0 on the season, there’s nothing new to report on this team. Johnathan Motley might just be the best big man in the country and he’s playing at an incredible level.

Staying at No. 3 after an 18-point win over UNLV is Kansas. The Jayhawks are seemingly always in the top five at this point in the season and it’s usually after this that they make a run at a Big 12 title, making it look routine. Frank Mason III is having a breakout season and freshman sensation Josh Jackson is steadily improving throughout his first two months of college basketball.

Despite being No. 2 in the rankings, UCLA is the hottest team in the country. How did the Bruins jump this high in the polls after starting the season in the teens? Posting a 13-0 record with 11 double-digit wins and a road victory over Kentucky will do the trick. This team is on fire and Steve Alford is getting the most out of his guys, especially freshman Lonzo Ball.

I mean, how can Villanova not be No. 1 in the country right now? The defending national champs have yet to lose a game this season and they’re rolling through opponents with relative ease. You know what they say, they’re the champions until they’re the champions no more. This team needs to be beaten, for once, to knock it off the pedestal.