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College basketball rankings: Week 15 AP Top 25 predictions – Can Duke overtake Tennessee?

By Connor Muldowney

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Duke Blue Devils Forward (1) Zion Williamson gets a break away dunk during a game between the Duke Blue Devils and the University of Virginia Cavaliers at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia on February 9, 2019. (Photo by Justin Cooper/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Duke Blue Devils Forward (1) Zion Williamson gets a break away dunk during a game between the Duke Blue Devils and the University of Virginia Cavaliers at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia on February 9, 2019. (Photo by Justin Cooper/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 01: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at the Kohl Center on February 01, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

This one will be an easy choice for AP voters just one week after being the fourth team outside of the Top 25, receiving 114 votes. It’ll be tough to see them any higher than No. 25 this week, but the Wildcats will definitely be in the rankings after beating Kansas and Baylor to overtake first place in the Big 12 by 1.5 games. Yes, these Wildcats could be the reason Kansas doesn’t keep the Big 12 title streak alive.

Maryland’s season has been full of ups and downs, but Week 14 was a good one for the Terrapins as they beat Nebraska on the road, 60-45. Holding the Cornhuskers to just 45 points on their home court is impressive, but it must be mentioned that they have struggled this season and lost a start to a year-ending injury. This team may not be a Big Ten title favorite, but it has a chance to be a No. 4 seed, or so, in the NCAA Tournament.

Hanging on to a spot in the AP Top 25 despite a conference loss last week, Buffalo got back to business in Week 14 with a 14-point win over a decent Central Michigan team. Mid-majors don’t usually make it to the NCAA Tournament as at-large bids, but Buffalo is looking more and more like a lock for March Madness as weeks go by.

Iowa State went on the road to beat Oklahoma, making a statement that the Cyclones weren’t going anywhere in the Big 12, but they then fumbled an opportunity at home against TCU. For teams looking to contend for conference titles, home losses against beatable opponents are unacceptable. The Cyclones will drop a few spots probably to the 20-22 range.

Ethan Happ’s Big Ten Player of the Year campaign is still running strong, but it took a slight hit with a road loss against Michigan on Saturday afternoon. He didn’t look bad, but Jon Teske had his way with Happ, at times. The senior did help lead the Badgers past Minnesota on the road earlier in the week and despite losing to the Wolverines, they will likely only drop a spot or two — they put up a good fight. Another tough battle faces Wisconsin on Tuesday when Michigan State comes to town.