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College basketball power rankings: Is Baylor better than last year’s title-winning team?

By Mike Phillips

WACO, TX - DECEMBER 12: James Akinjo #11 and Adam Flagler #10 of the Baylor Bears celebrate a basket against the Villanova Wildcats in the first half at the Ferrell Center on December 12, 2021 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - DECEMBER 12: James Akinjo #11 and Adam Flagler #10 of the Baylor Bears celebrate a basket against the Villanova Wildcats in the first half at the Ferrell Center on December 12, 2021 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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Dec 11, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard JD Davison (3) reacts after making the go-ahead point against Houston Cougars during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard JD Davison (3) reacts after making the go-ahead point against Houston Cougars during the second half at Coleman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

10. College basketball rankings: Texas Longhorns (8)

  • Record: 6-2
  • Last Week: Lost 64-60 at No. 23 Seton Hall
  • This Week: Vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 12/14, Vs. Stanford 12/19

Texas drops two spots from last week’s rankings after a disappointing showing in a road loss against a good Seton Hall team. The concern here is that the Longhorns haven’t scheduled aggressively enough to get themselves ready for their trip through the rugged Big 12 as they have lost both of their games against quality competition so far. Dates with Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Stanford won’t help much in that regard.

9. College basketball rankings: Villanova Wildcats (6)

  • Record: 7-3
  • Last Week: Won 67-53 vs. Syracuse, Lost 57-36 at No. 2 Baylor
  • This Week: At Creighton 12/17

Villanova has done the exact opposite of Texas in terms of scheduling, challenging themselves with games against UCLA, Tennessee, Purdue and Baylor in the non-conference schedule. Losing three of those games is a bit concerning, especially when Sunday’s blowout in Waco showcases how far the Wildcats have to go to become legitimate title contenders.

8. College basketball rankings: Arizona Wildcats (N/A)

  • Record: 9-0
  • Last Week: Won 94-65 vs. Wyoming, Won 83-79 at Illinois
  • This Week: Vs. Northern Colorado 12/15, Vs. California Baptist 12/18

Arizona didn’t even make the honorable mentions last week but put together the types of impressive performances this week to merit inclusion inside the Top 10. Demolishing an unbeaten Wyoming team by 29 points was a great start to the week for Tommy Noble’s club but following it up with an impressive road win against a very good Illinois team shows that these Wildcats have staying power.

7. College basketball rankings: Alabama Crimson Tide (10)

  • Record: 8-1
  • Last Week: Won 83-82 vs. No. 14 Houston
  • This Week: At Memphis 12/14, Vs. Jacksonville State 12/18

There may be controversy over whether or not Houston was robbed of a goaltending call on the game’s final possession but Alabama deserves a ton of credit for winning a monster game against the Cougars. The Crimson Tide have a fascinating game on Tuesday as they hit the road to take on an underachieving Memphis team that is far more talented than its record would indicate.

6. College basketball rankings: Gonzaga Bulldogs (7)

  • Record: 8-2
  • Last Week: Won 80-55 vs. Merrimack
  • This Week: Vs. Texas Tech 12/18

Seeing the Bulldogs bounce back with a dominant win over Merrimack was a good sign but it was unfortunate that their game against Washington was canceled due to COVID issues within the Huskies’ program. That cancelation will leave Gonzaga with an eight-day layoff ahead of Saturday’s marquee neutral-site tilt against Texas Tech, which is not ideal, to say the least.