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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 12, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Kevin Johnson (25) and guard Jacob Evans (1) and forward Kyle Washington (24) and guard Troy Caupain (10) walk off the court during a time out in the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Kevin Johnson (25) and guard Jacob Evans (1) and forward Kyle Washington (24) and guard Troy Caupain (10) walk off the court during a time out in the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Moody Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
19

Cincinnati Bearcats

Last week: 21-2. 10-0 AAC
Last rank: 13

One loss to a good SMU team doesn’t tank the Bearcats resume, but there are a few red flags here given Cincinnati’s performance over the past two weeks.

The Bearcats held off Central Florida in a 60-50 slugfest on Wednesday night at home, a better win than many around the country might realize. Cincinnati was then dominated in the second half of a 60-51 loss at Moody Coliseum, falling into a tie for first place in the AAC with the Mustangs.

Troy Caupain shot 0-for-7 from the field and Kyle Washington was inefficient as well, causing the Bearcats offense to completely shut down. While this still looks like Mick Cronin’s best team on that end overall, ugly recent performances against Tulsa and SMU gives some pause heading into the stretch run.

Cincinnati is 11th in adjusted defense per KenPom and is certainly capable of playing better offense, but will need to avoid those kinds of extended slumps in the second or third round of the tournament. While a big part of the loss was SMU’s terrific defense, the Bearcats will want to avoid taking 32 3-point shots to just 17 inside the arc next time around.

The Bearcats should have an easy win at South Florida on Wednesday and will look to play much better against Tulsa this time around over the weekend.