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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; Rosemont, IL, USA; Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott directs his team against DePaul during the second half at Allstate Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Rosemont, IL, USA; Creighton Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott directs his team against DePaul during the second half at Allstate Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
23

Creighton Bluejays

Last week: 20-4, 7-4 Big East
Last rank: NR

Creighton is slowly but surely adjusting to life without Mo Watson, giving Bluejays fans some hope that a run to the second weekend might still be possible.

The Bluejays crushed DePaul 93-58 on Wednesday night in their lone game of the week to move into the power rankings for the first time since right after Watson was hurt. While beating the Blue Demons doesn’t count for that much, other teams around Creighton have continued to drop games, and it is sneakily tied for second place in the Big East at 8-4.

Crieghton has now won three out of its last four games with a two-point loss to Xavier as the lone defeat. After the Bluejays lost at home to Marquette and were blown out 71-51 by Georgetown in their first two games without Watson, that’s a welcome trend for Greg McDermott and company.

While Creighton’s overall season metrics must be taken with a grain of salt, it has managed to hold on to the nation’s No. 14 adjusted offense per KenPom despite the injury. Marcus Foster and Justin Patton can still fill it up, so the Bluejays will be a factor in the tournament even if they no longer have a Final Four ceiling.

The Bluejays will travel to Seton Hall on Wednesday before getting a chance at revenge on the Hoyas over the weekend in Omaha.