Fansided

College basketball power rankings: Auburn surges into the Top 10

By Mike Phillips

Dec 29, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Walker Kessler (13) dunks the ball as LSU Tigers guard Justice Williams (11) defends during the second half Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers forward Walker Kessler (13) dunks the ball as LSU Tigers guard Justice Williams (11) defends during the second half Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 01: Courtney Ramey #3 of the Texas Longhorns drives around Jamel King #4 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at the Frank Erwin Center on January 01, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 01: Courtney Ramey #3 of the Texas Longhorns drives around Jamel King #4 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at the Frank Erwin Center on January 01, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

10. Week 9 College Basketball Rankings: Texas Longhorns (8)

  • Record: 11-2 (1-0 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 78-33 vs. Incarnate Word, Won 74-59 vs. West Virginia
  • This Week: At Kansas State 1/4, At Oklahoma State 1/8

The Longhorns won two games but dropped two spots in the rankings mostly due to the fact that West Virginia was down several key players due to COVID-19 protocols. The wins are solid, however, and Texas has a winnable two-game road trip on tap this week to Kansas State and Oklahoma State.

9. Week 9 College Basketball Rankings: Iowa State Cyclones (7)

  • Record: 12-1 (0-1 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Lost 77-72 vs. No. 1 Baylor
  • This Week: Vs. Texas Tech 1/5, At Oklahoma 1/8

Any questions about the legitimacy of Iowa State were answered as they gave Baylor everything they could handle in a five-point loss. The danger of the Big 12 is that losses can pile up quickly, a fate the Cyclones will look to avoid against Texas Tech and Oklahoma this week in a pair of games that could go either way.

8. Week 9 College Basketball Rankings: Michigan State Spartans (9)

  • Record: 12-2 (3-0 in Big Ten)
  • Last Week: Won 81-68 vs. High Point, Won 73-67 at Northwestern
  • This Week: Vs. Nebraska 1/5, At Michigan 1/8

The Spartans had to play through some COVID issues and came up with a 2-0 week, an impressive result considering the second game was a tricky road affair at Northwestern. Better health should be an asset for Michigan State as they get ready for their huge rivalry matchup with struggling Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

7. Week 9 College Basketball Rankings: Auburn Tigers (HM)

  • Record: 12-1 (1-0 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 70-55 vs. No. 16 LSU
  • This Week: At South Carolina 1/4, Vs. Florida 1/8

The only loss on Auburn’s resume this season is a wild double-overtime contest against UCONN in the Battle 4 Atlantis and the Tigers have the talent to win a loaded SEC. Taking care of business this week should set Auburn up nicely for a huge matchup against Alabama next week.

6. Week 9 College Basketball Rankings: UCLA Bruins (6)

  • Record: 8-1 (1-0 in Pac-12)
  • Last Week: Postponed matchups vs. Arizona, Arizona State
  • This Week: Vs. Arizona State 1/5, At Cal 1/8

The COVID pause continued for UCLA, which had to postpone both of its matchups last week and has played just once since Dec. 2. The good news is the Bruins should resume their season on Wednesday against Arizona State, rescheduling that game after Stanford had to go on pause with their own COVID issues.