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College Basketball Rankings: Projected Top 25 for Week 17

By Connor Muldowney

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 21: Devon Hall #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives past Brandon Alston #4 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 21, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 65-54. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 21: Devon Hall #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives past Brandon Alston #4 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 21, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 65-54. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Sean Miller talks with Rawle Alkins #1 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells Fargo Arena on February 15, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Sun Devils 77-70.(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Sean Miller talks with Rawle Alkins #1 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the college basketball game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells Fargo Arena on February 15, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Wildcats beat the Sun Devils 77-70.(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

The Big 12 title has already been won, yet again, by the Kansas Jayhawks, but the West Virginia Mountaineers have bounced back from a mid-season slide. After losing 5-of-6 games a few weeks ago, the Mountaineers have bounced back to win 5-of-7. Bob Huggins’ team is talented and could make some noise in the conference tourney.

The ACC has been the toughest conference in the country this season, but the Clemson Tigers have fared well. Clemson wasn’t expected to be much of a contender in the ACC, but the Tigers have exceeded expectations, but could be staring at a 5-seed, or lower, if they don’t make a deep run in the conference tournament. Virginia Tech beat the Tigers in Week 16 and they responded to end the week wit ha Georgia Tech victory.

Rhode Island won’t see much of a jump this week, if any, after beating La Salle in overtime. One, it wasn’t an impressive win and two, it should never take overtime to beat a weak opponent like that if you want to separate yourself from the cupcake schedule you play. The Rams may jump Arizona, but chances are they will stay put this week.

It’s been a headache of a week for Arizona. First, a report came out about Sean Miller’s potential involvement in paying Deandre Ayton $100,000. Next, he decides not to coach the Wildcats’ game against Oregon on Saturday. Oh yeah, and the Wildcats lost Allonzo Trier who tested positive for a banned substance earlier in the week. Arizona lost to Oregon in upset fashion, just days after beating Oregon State in overtime.

Rick Barnes deserves SEC Coach of the Year recognition for what he did with the Tennessee Volunteers this season. Tennessee beat a tough Florida team and won at Ole Miss in Week 16 and the Volunteers are within one game of first place in the SEC with two games remaining. If Auburn loses once and Tennessee wins out, there will be a tie for the conference title. This week, we could see Tennessee approaching the top-15.