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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 18

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Villanova Wildcats huddle against the Georgetown Hoyas during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Villanova Wildcats huddle against the Georgetown Hoyas during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Villanova Wildcats

Last week: 27-3. 14-3 Big East
Last rank: 3

Villanova kept rolling along this week with another easy victory, helping the Wildcats close in on a No. 1 seed.

Jay Wright’s team crushed Georgetown in an 81-55 blowout at the Verizon Center on Saturday in its lone game of the week. After the Hoyas started hot from the field, Villanova’s defense went into lockdown mode, allowing Georgetown to shoot just 36.2 percent for the game.

Four Villanova starters finished the game with at least 12 points, including another terrific performance from Player of the Year candidate Josh Hart. The Wildcats finish the regular season with just three losses, two of which are to Butler, and beat some strong teams like Purdue and Notre Dame back in nonconference play.

All the hallmarks of a national champion are there, as Villanova ranks second in KenPom’s overall adjusted efficiency and shoots nearly 50 percent from the field. The No. 16 adjusted defense is just slightly worse than last year’s squad and the Wildcats have played through a lack of depth all season, but it hasn’t made an impact on the court so far.

Villanova won its fourth straight Big East title and will take on the winner of Saint John’s and Georgetown in Thursday’s quarterfinal.