College Basketball Rankings: Projected Top 25 for Week 17

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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ANN ARBOR, MI – FEBRUARY 18: Michigan Wolverines guard Jordan Poole (2) celebrates an offensive play during a regular season Big 10 Conference basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines on February 18, 2018 at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Just like Tennessee, Auburn has been a major surprise in the SEC this season and Bruce Pearl has done a magnificent job of turning this program around. When you think of Auburn, you don’t usually think of elite basketball, but the Tigers are on the verge of winning an SEC title. All the Tigers need is one more regular season win to lock up at least a share and two to win the SEC outright. Unfortunately, their hopes took a hit with a loss at Florida in Week 16.

Although Ohio State was looking like the favorite to win the Big Ten just a few short weeks ago, the Buckeyes have since dropped to the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament, finishing in a second-place tie with Purdue. Ohio State is still a strong team which is about a year or two ahead of schedule under first-year head coach Chris Holtmann. The Buckeyes earned win No. 23 against Rutgers in Week 16.

Texas Tech had its chance to stay in the Big 12 title race, but blew it with a home loss to Kansas in Week 16. The Red Raiders weren’t able to hold off Kansas as it won the conference crown yet again, asserting its dominance in the Big 12. That shouldn’t take away from the season Texas Tech has had, though, as no one saw this type of contention from the Red Raiders. Two losses in Week 16 will drop them a decent amount, though.

If there’s one team in the Big Ten that has been playing exceedingly well lately, it’s Michigan. John Beilein has the Wolverines playing at a high level at the end of the season yet again and that could result in a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines won on the road against a sneaky-good Penn State team and then dismantled Maryland to end the regular season. They’ll likely get another shot at Michigan State in the conference tourney after beating them during the regular season.

Wichita State is another team getting hot at the right time and after beating Cincinnati last week, the Shockers look like the best team in the American Athletic Conference. They’ll get another shot at the Bearcats, at home, in Week 17, and another win could catapult the Shockers into the top-10. Also, beating Cincinnati would ensure at least a share for the conference title in Wichita State’s first season as an AAC member.