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College Basketball Rankings: Projected Top 25 for Week 3

By Connor Muldowney

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval (1) during the 1st half of the Southern University Jaguars versus Duke Blue Devils on November 17, 2017, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Duke Blue Devils guard Trevon Duval (1) during the 1st half of the Southern University Jaguars versus Duke Blue Devils on November 17, 2017, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 16: Xavier Musketeer guard Trevon Bluiett (5) looks to push the offense up the floor durning an college basketball game between Xavier Musketeers and the Wisconsin Badgers on November 16th, 2017 at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. Xavier defeats Wisconsin 80-70. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 16: Xavier Musketeer guard Trevon Bluiett (5) looks to push the offense up the floor durning an college basketball game between Xavier Musketeers and the Wisconsin Badgers on November 16th, 2017 at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. Xavier defeats Wisconsin 80-70. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
15
Minnesota Golden Gophers
4-0 Last Week: 14

Is this Richard Pitino’s best team since taking over at Minnesota? Most likely, yes. The Golden Gophers are deep and have to be one of the best teams in the Big Ten, probably the biggest threat to dethrone preseason-anointed conference champion, Michigan State. The Gophers are now 4-0, led by Nate Mason, with wins over Providence, Niagara and Western Carolina in Week 2. It’s tough to play three games in seven days, but Minnesota made it look easy.

14
Xavier Musketeers
3-0 Last Week: 15

Not many teams can go to Wisconsin and come away with a win over the Badgers, but Xavier was able to do that last week, which is why I have the Musketeers jumping Minnesota in this week’s poll because of that victory and a 26-point thrashing of Rider. The Musketeers are now 3-0 on the year and they’re looking to avoid a drop-off like they had last season.

13
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
3-0 Last Week: 13

Does Mike Brey have his best Notre Dame team since his tenure began? The 2017-18 Fighting Irish seem to be playing at a higher level than most ACC teams and they will soon get a test from Michigan State in the annual ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Not only are the Fighting Irish 3-0 on the year, but they also are making inferior opponents look silly. Bonzie Colson also might be a top player of the year candidate.

12
Cincinnati Bearcats
3-0 Last Week: 12

Is there a better offensive team in college basketball right now? The Bearcats have been on fire on the offensive side of things, averaging a scorching 102 points per game. They dropped 102 points on Western Carolina and 97 on Coppin State in Week 2 and there are six players who currently average in double figures. Shooting 50 percent from the floor and 38 percent from deep doesn’t hurt, either.

11
Miami Hurricanes
3-0 Last Week: 11

With all the attention surrounding Miami’s football team, the basketball program is quietly sneaking closer to the top 10. The Hurricanes had just one game in Week 2, taking down Florida A&M, 90-59. Miami looks like one of those ACC teams that could surprise some people this year and the youth is starting to look like a top-notch offensive team, but a 50 percent free throw rate through three games is not pretty — nor will it win them the big games.