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College basketball rankings: Week 7 AP Top 25 predictions

By Connor Muldowney

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates with teammates after making a three-point shot against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 15, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 103-90. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 15: Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates with teammates after making a three-point shot against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 15, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 103-90. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 15: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Utah Runnin’ Utes at Rupp Arena on December 15, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 15: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against the Utah Runnin’ Utes at Rupp Arena on December 15, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Marquette has bounced back-and-forth in the rankings, but the Golden Eagles will rest easy knowing that they are a lock to remain in the AP Top 25 this week with no games on the schedule. This team is fresh off a big win over Wisconsin which brought them back from unranked territory and they’ll get another chance to move up this week with a matchup against Buffalo.

Finding itself down by 14 at the half against Georgia on the road, Arizona State needed some big second-half performances from its stars in Luguentz Dort, Remy Martin and Romello White to make a comeback. It didn’t seem likely, but the Sun Devils pulled off the huge comeback, beating the Bulldogs 76-74 in Athens. Georgia won’t be contending for any conference crowns any time soon, but coming back to win on the road against a Power Five foe isn’t easy.

Should we believe in Kentucky just yet? The Wildcats lost to Seton Hall at home last week in overtime but beat Utah by 27 points in their lone contest of Week 6. John Calipari’s team doesn’t have as many superstars as it’s had in the past, but there is plenty of talent on this team. Unfortunately, it seems as if the youth is playing a major factor in this team’s inconsistency.

Since losing to Arizona State a few weeks ago, Mississippi State has looked like a completely different team, winning six straight games — five of which were by double figures. The latest win for the Bulldogs was an impressive one against Cincinnati, winning by 11 and holding the Bearcats to just 59 points. During this recent win streak, the Bulldogs have beaten Dayton, Clemson and now Cincinnati.

Wisconsin jumped as high as No. 12 last week but a loss to in-state foe Marquette dropped the Badgers slightly. Still, this is a team that could contend for a Big Ten title this season, just one year after finishing with a losing record. With Ethan Happ playing well and D’Mitrik Trice looking like an All-Big Ten guard, the Badgers will be tough to beat. They bounced back with a 41-point win over Savannah State.