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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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EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 09: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts at the conclusion of the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – MARCH 09: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts at the conclusion of the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Breslin Center on March 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan had an opportunity to ruin rival Michigan State’s Senior Day by beating the Spartans for a share of the Big Ten title, but it couldn’t take advantage of the six days off to prepare. The Wolverines lost their only game of the week which resulted in a season sweep by the Spartans — obviously not ideal. Still, this Michigan team began the season unranked and has been one of the most feared teams in college basketball with national title aspirations.

Sorry, Tennessee, you just couldn’t hold on to that regular season SEC title, but there’s still something to cheer for as the Volunteers will be in line to earn a No. 1 seed if they can win the SEC Tournament next week. This team has lost a few crucial games since being ranked No. 1 in the country but it has all the talent to compete for a national title. It did lose at Auburn to end the season poorly.

Not having Zion Williamson is starting to cause major problems for the Blue Devils. Sure, they hung with North Carolina on the road on Saturday night, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a season sweep against the hated rival. Coach K has a plan for everything so he knows how to right the ship, but this team is clearly not the same without its National Player of the Year candidate.

LSU had a rough week as head coach Will Wade has been suspended indefinitely after an FBI wiretap caught him violating NCAA rules. Will he be fired? Who knows, but what we do know is that LSU is the SEC champion and it has exceeded all expectations this season. Still, the Tigers might see a jump into the top 10 after beating Florida and Vanderbilt, but they lost their head coach and are in hot water which is a major loss.

Beating Michigan is tops on Michigan State’s checklist, along with winning a Big Ten title, every year. On Saturday, it accomplished both. The Spartans beat the Wolverines for a share of the conference title on Senior Day, sending Kenny Goins and Matt McQuaid out on a high note. Tom Izzo proved that he hasn’t lost his touch and turned a team that lost two lottery picks and two starters to injury into Big Ten champs and a potential No. 2 or No. 1 seed.