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College basketball power rankings: Is Auburn better than Gonzaga?

By Mike Phillips

Jan 20, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Andrew Nembhard (3) celebrates a three-pointer against the San Francisco Dons in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 78-62. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Andrew Nembhard (3) celebrates a three-pointer against the San Francisco Dons in the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won 78-62. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: LJ Cryer #4 of the Baylor Bears takes a shot over Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first half during a college basketball game at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022, in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA – JANUARY 18: LJ Cryer #4 of the Baylor Bears takes a shot over Taz Sherman #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first half during a college basketball game at the WVU Coliseum on January 18, 2022, in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

5. Week 12 College Basketball Rankings: Baylor Bears (8)

  • Record: 17-2 (5-2 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 77-68 at West Virginia, Won 65-51 at Oklahoma
  • This Week: Vs. Kansas State 1/25, At Alabama 1/29

After last week’s tumble, it was very encouraging to see Baylor pick up two road wins in convincing fashion. The Big 12/SEC Challenge this weekend brings a huge trip to Tuscaloosa to take on an Alabama team that is capable of beating anyone if their threes are falling, providing a huge test for the Bears.

4. Week 12 College Basketball Rankings: Kansas Jayhawks (4)

  • Record: 16-2 (5-1 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 67-64 at Oklahoma, Won 78-75 at Kansas State
  • This Week: Vs. Texas Tech 1/24, Vs. Kentucky 1/29

The Jayhawks took care of business last week in a pair of tough road environments, which is extremely impressive in the rugged Big 12, which can argue that all nine of its eligible postseason teams deserve a spot in the NCAA Tournament. This week is a huge one for Kansas, which will look to avenge its lone conference loss to Texas Tech on Monday before welcoming Kentucky to town for the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

3. Week 12 College Basketball Rankings: Arizona Wildcats (3)

  • Record: 16-1 (6-0 in Pac-12)
  • Last Week: Won 85-57 at Stanford, Won 96-71 at California
  • This Week: At UCLA 1/25, Vs. Arizona State 1/29

Dominating two road games is good business for Arizona, which kicks off its week with a trip to Pauley Pavilion to take on UCLA with first place in the Pac-12 on the line. This contest, originally scheduled for Dec. 30 before COVID issues within the Bruins’ program led to a postponement, is the first of two meetings between the conference superpowers in a nine-day span.

2. Week 12 College Basketball Rankings: Gonzaga Bulldogs (1)

  • Record: 15-2 (4-0 in WCC)
  • Last Week: Won 78-62 vs. San Francisco
  • This Week: Vs. Loyola Marymount 1/27, Vs. Portland 1/29

It is going to be a nip and tuck affair between Gonzaga and Auburn right now but the Bulldogs were narrowly edged despite a quality win over San Francisco on Thursday night. This week’s home dates with Loyola Marymount and Portland should be easy victories for the Zags.

1. Week 12 College Basketball Rankings: Auburn Tigers (2)

  • Record: 18-1 (7-0 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 83-60 vs. Georgia, Won 80-71 Vs. No. 12 Kentucky
  • This Week: At Missouri 1/25, Vs. Oklahoma 1/29

Kentucky gave Auburn everything they could handle early but the Tigers proceeded to dominate the rest of the way, improving to a perfect 7-0 in an extremely difficult SEC. National title upside exists with Auburn, whose lone loss came in double-overtime to UCONN in a thriller in the Battle 4 Atlantis, and their collection of wins is superior to what Gonzaga has to offer at this point.

Next. 15 best home-court advantages. dark

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