College Basketball Rankings: Projected Top 25 for Week 17
Cincinnati Bearcats
25-4, Last Week: 15
Cincinnati is one of those teams that could really surprise the rest of college basketball with a Final Four run. The Bearcats have flown under the radar for most of the season because of the conference they play in, but they’ve dominated just about everyone but fellow AAC title contender SMU. However, the Bearcats lost a tough road game against UCF on Sunday afternoon two regular season games left. Will SMU lose one this week to give Cincinnati a chance to tie for the regular season title?
Saint Mary's Gaels
26-4, Last Week: 20
Not much is known about Saint Mary’s. The Gaels have been one of the most under-the-radar four-loss teams in recent memory and it’s because of the conference they play in. The only other team worthy of mention in the WCC is Gonzaga, but the Gaels lost both of their matchups with the Bulldogs this season. Saint Mary’s did close out the regular season with blowout wins over Pepperdine and Santa Clara.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
22-7, Last Week: 21
Notre Dame is making a statement in the ACC this season and it’s hard to believe the Fighting Irish were overlooked in preseason polls. Mike Brey’s team found itself outside the Top 25, but the Fighting Irish have played themselves in the top-four seed conversation. Notre Dame is two games out of first place in the conference standings with two games left after Sunday evening’s win over Georgia Tech. Can this team make some noise in the NCAA Tournament?
Duke Blue Devils
22-7, Last Week: 10
One step forward, two steps back. The Blue Devils were red-hot before Week 16’s two-loss performance, but Syracuse’s buzzer-beater at the Carrier Dome and a tough road loss against Miami brought them back down to earth. Mike Krzyzewski still has to feel good about his team’s ability to rebound after a rocky stretch in the middle of ACC play. Duke will still take a major dip in this week’s rankings after the losses.
Butler Bulldogs
23-6, Last Week: 22
Butler had one of the best weeks of any team in the Top 25 last week and it might just lead to a much-improved seeding come NCAA Tournament time. Butler took down the conference leader, Villanova, on the road and then went to Xavier and toughed out another victory, 88-79. This team is much stronger than its ranking shows and the Bulldogs are playing themselves into a No. 4 seed, or higher. The Bulldogs have now won four straight games and are peaking at the right time.