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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 15

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 11, 2017; Moraga, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) drives the ball against St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) during the second half of the game at McKeon Pavilion. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the St. Mary's Gaels with a score of 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Moraga, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) drives the ball against St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) during the second half of the game at McKeon Pavilion. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the St. Mary's Gaels with a score of 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari during the second half against Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 67-58. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari during the second half against Alabama Crimson Tide at Coleman Coliseum. The Wildcats defeated the Crimson Tide 67-58. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
16

Kentucky Wildcats

Last week: 18-5, 8-2 SEC
Last rank: 17

A pair of wins this week at least somewhat righted the ship for an unhappy John Calipari, although there are still some major issues for the Wildcats to address in the coming weeks.

Kentucky raced out to a big lead over LSU at Rupp Arena on Wednesday night before holding on for an eventual 92-85 win. Saturday’s 67-58 win at Alabama wasn’t the best game for the Kentucky offense, but a road victory over a top 75 team at least counts for something.

While the two victories helped the Wildcats get back into a three-way tie for first place in the SEC, their defense still needs to improve if they are to make a deep run in March. LSU, which is 9-14 on the year with the No. 104 offense on KenPom, scored 58 points in the second half and had a 57.8 effective field goal percentage for the game.

Despite some inconsistent shooting from the outside, the Wildcats own the No. 9 adjusted offense themselves, and Malik Monk could single-handily carry them on a deep tournament run with a hot stretch. Still, this is the worst interior defense of the Calipari era by far, as better offenses like Kansas, North Carolina and UCLA have had little trouble with Kentucky.

The Wildcats will get a chance to avenge the Jan. 14 loss at Tennessee on Wednesday before heading to Georgia over the weekend.