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College basketball rankings: AP Top 25 Poll predictions – Virginia makes case to be No. 1

By Connor Muldowney

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 09: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers calls a play in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on March 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 09: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers calls a play in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on March 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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MANHATTAN, KS – MARCH 09: Kansas State Wildcats guard Kamau Stokes (3) in the first half of a Big 12 game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Kansas State Wildcats on March 9, 2019 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS – MARCH 09: Kansas State Wildcats guard Kamau Stokes (3) in the first half of a Big 12 game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Kansas State Wildcats on March 9, 2019 at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that Kansas State would be taking home a share of the Big 12 title and the co-champion wouldn’t be Kansas, I would have called you a liar. But that’s exactly what has taken place as the Wildcats shocked the conference with a title, sharing with Texas Tech and even beating Kansas in the process. This is a step in the right direction for Bruce Weber.

Nevada dipped in the rankings last weekend after losing to a red-hot Utah State team but the Wolf Pack will rise a bit after beating Air Force and San Diego State. The Wolf Pack are 28-3 after another solid week and should pick up some momentum in the conference tournament and head into the Big Dance with some momentum. I’d be shocked to see anyone else win the Mountain West tourney.

Purdue had a chance to win the Big Ten regular season outright, but it stumbled on Tuesday at Minnesota to set up a co-share opportunity for Michigan or Michigan State. They had the conference title in the bag but wanted an outright title, so Matt Painter has to be disappointed in that, but this team has far exceeded all expectations. They may not be as talented as they were last season, but the Boilermakers could be a threat in March.

Though they may not have won the ACC title, the Seminoles still have to feel fortunate to have turned things around after a rough patch which started with a Duke loss earlier this season. Florida State became one of the most consistent teams in the conference and finished with a 25-6 record. The Seminoles beat a solid Virginia Tech team and Wake Forest to close out the regular season and will approach the top 10.

Yes, Houston fans, it’s March and that probably brings back bad memories of last season’s heart-breaking loss to Michigan, but this year’s squad seems to be much more prepared for a deep run. The Cougars beat SMU and won at Cincinnati to end the regular season with a conference title and this team may be the scariest No. 3 seed when the selection committee makes its seeding decision.