Fansided

College basketball power rankings: Kansas cruising, Florida State heating up, Big Ten flexing depth

By Connor Muldowney

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks shouts instructions during the first half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - MARCH 07: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks shouts instructions during the first half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Center Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Center Udoka Azubuike #35 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks the ball during the first half of the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on March 07, 2020 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Kansas is still the No. 1 team in the college basketball rankings while Florida State continues to move up and the Big Ten flexes its depth.

Although the Big East had arguably the most confusing week, the Big Ten had one that proved that it’s as deep as any conference in America.

The Big East saw teams like Seton Hall lose twice and Marquette drop yet again while Creighton improved its NCAA Tournament stock along with Villanova.

As for the Big Ten, it had Wisconsin winning a piece of that Big Ten regular-season title and Rutgers proving it belonged in the NCAA Tournament with a huge win over No. 9 Maryland.

The Big Ten could have 10 NCAA Tournament bids but what will it contribute to the Top 25 in the regular season’s final week?

College basketball rankings for Week 19

25. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (28-3)

Not many teams in college basketball are playing as well as Stephen F. Austin right now and the Lumberjacks finished the regular season 19-1 in the Southland Conference. If you’re a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament, seeing SFA in your region would be a nightmare.

24. Houston Cougars (23-8)

Houston should hold on to a spot in the AP Top 25 this week despite losing to UConn on the road because it picked up a nice win over Memphis and too many teams from the 20-25 range also lost. The Cougars should benefit from a shaky week at the bottom of the rankings.

23. Illinois Fighting Illini (21-10)

This may be bold, but I see Illinois staying in that No. 23 spot this week despite a loss at Ohio State. The Illini toppled No. 18 Iowa to close the week thanks to a clutch shot from Ayo Dosunmu with about 30 seconds left. Brad Underwood deserves all the praise for this program’s turnaround.

22. Butler Bulldogs (22-9)

Not many teams who will likely be ranked in Week 19 have had multiple losing streaks this season, but Butler has had two three-game droughts which is almost unheard of. The Bulldogs have since rebounded from a three-game spell by winning games over DePaul, St. John’s and Xavier to likely climb back into the rankings.

21. West Virginia Mountaineers (21-10)

West Virginia had one of the worst February performances of any team ranked at the beginning of the month, but the Mountaineers are making a push back into the AP Top 25. They should find their way back in after beat Iowa State on the road and then No. 4 Baylor.