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College Basketball AP Poll Week 15: Winners and losers

By Connor Muldowney

Feb 11, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) reacts after scoring against the Clemson Tigers in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Luke Kennard (5) reacts after scoring against the Clemson Tigers in the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) and guard Jevon Carter (2) celebrate during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers forward Esa Ahmad (23) and guard Jevon Carter (2) celebrate during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: West Virginia Mountaineers (No. 13 up to No. 9)

West Virginia bounced back from an Oklahoma State loss a couple of weeks ago to beat both Oklahoma and Kansas State by double digits. However, the Mountaineers have a tough week ahead, kicking it off with a road game against No. 3 Kansas which is crucial if they want to stay in the hunt for the Big 12 title.

A loss against Kansas this week would likely eliminate them from Big 12 title contention, knocking them down to three games out of first place, but a win would bring them within one.

The Mountaineers have improved to 20-5 on the season and 8-4 in the Big 12 and they know that they have what it takes to defeat Kansas. The Jayhawks have been shaky all season long at home, it seems, despite previously having the longest home winning streak in the country — it has since been snapped. West Virginia took down the Jayhawks in Morgantown earlier this season.

Next: 5 best CBB games of the week

While West Virginia jumped in this week’s rankings thanks to a slew of losses from teams ranked No. 4 through No. 12, it could rise even more with a perfect Week 15 against Kansas on the road and Texas Tech.

If this team goes 2-0 this week, expect it to be one of the winners once again in the Week 16 AP Poll.