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College basketball power rankings: Don’t forget about UCLA

By Mike Phillips

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Johnny Juzang #3 of the UCLA Bruins shoot a basket as he is guarded by Christian Koloko #35, Kerr Kriisa #25 and Justin Kier #5 of the Arizona Wildcats during the game at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on January 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Johnny Juzang #3 of the UCLA Bruins shoot a basket as he is guarded by Christian Koloko #35, Kerr Kriisa #25 and Justin Kier #5 of the Arizona Wildcats during the game at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on January 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KS – JANUARY 29: Davion Mintz #10 of the Kentucky Wildcats draws a foul by Joseph Yesufu #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 29, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS – JANUARY 29: Davion Mintz #10 of the Kentucky Wildcats draws a foul by Joseph Yesufu #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 29, 2022, in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) /

10. Week 13 College Basketball Rankings: Kansas Jayhawks (4)

  • Record: 17-3 (6-1 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 94-91 (2OT) vs. No. 13 Texas Tech, Lost 80-62 vs. No. 12 Kentucky
  • This Week: At No. 23 Iowa State 2/1, Vs. No. 4 Baylor 2/5

The Jayhawks are a title contender but getting dominated at Allen Fieldhouse by Kentucky was alarming since it came just days after Kansas needed double overtime to get past Texas Tech. The Big 12 meatgrinder brings the Jayhawks to Iowa State on Tuesday before a huge showdown with Baylor on Saturday.

9. Week 13 College Basketball Rankings: Houston Cougars (10)

  • Record: 18-2 (7-0 in American)
  • Last Week: Won 63-49 at UCF
  • This Week: Vs. Tulane 2/2, At Cincinnati 2/6

The Cougars won their only game of the week but a weak American does raise questions about how good Houston is at this point. The only thing Kelvin Sampson’s team can do is keep winning with a trip to Cincinnati on Sunday being the trickier game of the week.

8. Week 13 College Basketball Rankings: Duke Blue Devils (7)

  • Record: 17-3 (7-2 in ACC)
  • Last Week: Won 71-69 vs. Clemson, Won 74-65 at Louisville
  • This Week: At Notre Dame 1/31, At North Carolina 2/5

Duke fans will be upset that their team dropped despite a pair of wins but the Blue Devils have displayed a troubling propensity for playing down to their subpar ACC competition this season. A pair of road games this week offer challenges for Duke, which is going to get the best shot of every ACC bubble team which thinks a win over the Blue Devils is its meal ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

7. Week 13 College Basketball Rankings: Kentucky Wildcats (HM)

  • Record: 17-4 (6-2 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 82-74 (OT) vs. Mississippi State, Won 80-62 at No. 5 Kansas
  • This Week: Vs. Vanderbilt 2/2, At Alabama 2/5

This week’s biggest riser is Kentucky, which put together an eye-opening 18-point road win at a Top-5 Kansas team in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. John Calipari’s team is gelling before our eyes and is flashing championship potential in a rugged conference.

6. Week 13 College Basketball Rankings: Baylor Bears (5)

  • Record: 18-3 (6-2 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 74-49 vs. Kansas State, Lost 87-78 at Alabama
  • This Week: Vs. West Virginia 1/31, At No. 5 Kansas 2/5

Baylor did exactly what they were supposed to at home against Kansas State before struggling early against an inconsistent Alabama team to suffer a non-conference loss. All eyes for the Bears this week will be on Saturday’s trip to Kansas but the loss to the Crimson Tide should ensure Scott Drew’s team doesn’t overlook West Virginia on Monday night.