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College basketball power rankings: Kentucky moves up, Gonzaga holds at No. 1

By Mike Phillips

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 12: Guard Davion Warren #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders signals after making a three-pointer during the second half of the college basketball game against the TCU Horned Frogs at United Supermarkets Arena on February 12, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 12: Guard Davion Warren #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders signals after making a three-pointer during the second half of the college basketball game against the TCU Horned Frogs at United Supermarkets Arena on February 12, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 29: Josiah-Jordan James #30 of the Tennessee Volunteers drives around Dylan Disu #4 of the Texas Longhorns at the Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – JANUARY 29: Josiah-Jordan James #30 of the Tennessee Volunteers drives around Dylan Disu #4 of the Texas Longhorns at the Frank Erwin Center on January 29, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

10. Week 15 College Basketball Rankings: Tennessee Volunteers (NR)

  • Record: 18-6 (9-3 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 72-63 at Mississippi State, Won 73-64 vs. Vanderbilt
  • This Week: Vs. No. 5 Kentucky 2/15, At Arkansas 2/19

Don’t look now but the Volunteers are peaking, winners of seven of eight after getting blown out by Kentucky in mid-January with the lone loss coming by a point at Texas in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Tennessee gets a rematch with Kentucky at home this week that could position them for a stunning run at the SEC’s regular-season title if they can win it.

9. Week 15 College Basketball Rankings: Providence Friars (HM)

  • Record: 21-2 (11-1 in Big East)
  • Last Week: Won 76-73 (OT) vs. DePaul
  • This Week: Vs. No. 15 Villanova 2/15, At Butler 2/20

Ed Cooley is a front-runner for the National Coach of the Year after helping his Friars grind out close games on a regular basis, including a huge second-half surge to survive an upset bid from DePaul on Saturday. The first of two meetings with Villanova is on tap this week and a win would move Providence one step closer to securing its first-ever Big East regular-season title.

8. Week 15 College Basketball Rankings: Purdue Boilermakers (5)

  • Record: 22-4 (11-4 in Big Ten)
  • Last Week: Won 84-68 vs. No. 13 Illinois, Lost 82-58 at Michigan, Won 62-61 vs. Maryland
  • This Week: At Northwestern 2/16, Vs. Rutgers 2/20

A huge win over Illinois may have sapped some energy from the Boilermakers, who got blown out at Michigan on Thursday before struggling to get past a sub-.500 Maryland team that is playing under an interim coach. Purdue has a tricky week on tap with a road game at Northwestern before hosting resurgent Rutgers, which already has beaten the Boilermakers once this season.

7. Week 15 College Basketball Rankings: Duke Blue Devils (7)

  • Record: 21-4 (11-3 in ACC)
  • Last Week: Lost 69-68 vs. Virginia, Won 82-64 at Clemson, Won 72-61 at Boston College
  • This Week: Vs. Wake Forest 2/15, Vs. Florida State 2/19

A buzzer-beating three from Virginia denied the Blue Devils a perfect week but their continuing issues with playing down to subpar competition linger. This week brings two good opponents to Cameron Indoor Stadium with NCAA Tournament bound Wake Forest and Florida State for a revenge game after the Seminoles knocked off Duke in Tallahassee earlier this season.

6. Week 15 College Basketball Rankings: Kansas Jayhawks (6)

  • Record: 20-4 (9-2 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Lost 79-76 at No. 20 Texas, Won 71-69 vs. Oklahoma
  • This Week: Vs. Oklahoma State 2/14, At West Virginia 2/19

Splitting a pair of games in the Big 12 is never a bad thing but it feels disappointing for Kansas, which had plenty of chances to knock off the Longhorns on Monday night before falling late. Matchups with Oklahoma State and West Virginia seem more winnable, which could be the kiss of death if the Jayhawks take either of their opponents for granted.