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College Basketball Rankings: Projected Top 25 for Week 15

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: The Michigan State Spartans celebrate guard Miles Bridges' (22) game winner during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game between 4th-ranked Michigan State and 3rd-ranked Purdue on February 10, 2018, at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, MI.(Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: The Michigan State Spartans celebrate guard Miles Bridges' (22) game winner during a Big Ten Conference college basketball game between 4th-ranked Michigan State and 3rd-ranked Purdue on February 10, 2018, at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, MI.(Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop (33) reacts after a play in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Iowa Hawkeyes on February 10, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH. The Buckeyes won 82-64. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop (33) reacts after a play in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Iowa Hawkeyes on February 10, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH. The Buckeyes won 82-64. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Texas A&M was able to do what no other team in the SEC has this season, and that’s win in Auburn. The Aggies took down the Tigers in upset fashion, beating Auburn 81-80 to help their NCAA Tournament hopes. The Tigers swung back to do what the football team couldn’t and that was beat the Georgia Bulldogs. Bruce Pearl has done a heck of a job with this team and it will likely remain in the top-10.

Ohio State is in firm control of the Big Ten title race after beating Purdue earlier in the week and winning in West Lafayette is a next to impossible task. The Buckeyes have been the conference’s biggest surprise this season and they have Chris Holtmann, the first-year head coach from Butler, and Keita Bates-Diop, the potential Big Ten Player of the Year, to thank for that.

A few weeks ago, Gonzaga was unable to make a statement and beat a tough Saint Mary’s team at home. On Saturday night, the Bulldogs made up for that previous home loss and beat the Gaels on the road. That win was a big one for NCAA Tournament seeding, but the committee didn’t list the Bulldogs anywhere in the top-16. Gonzaga may not lose another game during the regular season, but meeting up with Saint Mary’s in the conference tourney is a must.

Purdue had a rough week but won’t drop far. The Boilermakers had a chance to take complete control of the Big Ten with wins over Ohio State at home and then Michigan State on the road, but lost by a slim margin in both. The Boilermakers won’t fall far in the rankings, likely to No. 7 or No. 8, but this team is as talented as any in the rankings.

Since losing 3-of-4 games, the Red Raiders have reeled off six straight games and have taken control in the Big 12 standings. In fact, Texas Tech has a one-game lead over Kansas in the conference title race with six games remaining — three of which come against ranked foes. This team has far exceeded expectations this season and a No. 1 seed is possible.