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College basketball rankings: Week 12 AP Top 25 predictions

By Connor Muldowney

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 19: Tennessee Volunteers forward Grant Williams (2) and guard Jordan Bowden (23) walk up the court during a college basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide on January 19, 2019, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 19: Tennessee Volunteers forward Grant Williams (2) and guard Jordan Bowden (23) walk up the court during a college basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide on January 19, 2019, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Life without Udoka Azubuike has been rough on Kansas, but the Jayhawks have been staying afloat in his absence. Unfortunately, the Jayhawks were unable to overcome a tough road atmosphere at West Virginia, losing by one in the final minute. The Mountaineers started the season ranked but have struggled in recent months but this is the type of win that can get them back on track.

One of the most confusing teams in college basketball had a positive week with wins over Notre Dame and at Miami, improving to 14-4 on the season. Luke Maye and the Tar Heels take on a ranked Virginia Tech team Monday and it could be another chance for North Carolina to prove itself as an ACC contender. The Tar Heels will likely sneak back into the top-10 this week.

Right when you think Kentucky is nothing more than a slightly above average SEC team, the Wildcats beat Georgia by 20 points and then beat Auburn on the road by two. The win over the Tigers was a huge resume and confidence-builder and could help lead to an SEC title — but Tennessee is going to be a tough team to beat but they won’t see the Vols until mid-February. Kentucky faces Kansas in Week 12, though.

Nevada was one of just four teams in the top-10 that didn’t lose a game in Week 11. The Wolf Pack may not have the tough schedule of the rest of the top-tier teams, but they have all the pressure of winning of mid major conference comfortably. The target on this team’s back is growing after sneaking by Boise State and Air Force.

There may not be a hotter team in college basketball than Michigan State. The Spartans have won 11 straight games and are coming off a big road win over Nebraska, but we can expect to see them remain at No. 6 because the craziness in the top five will likely leave those teams the same, but just in different order. Things may change soon as the Spartans will face a top-15 Maryland team in Week 12. Tom Izzo may have his most cohesive team in years.