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College basketball power rankings: Can anyone catch Gonzaga?

By Mike Phillips

SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 12: Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts after a three-pointer during the second half of the game against the St. Mary's Gaels at the McCarthey Athletic Center on February 12, 2022 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 12: Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts after a three-pointer during the second half of the game against the St. Mary's Gaels at the McCarthey Athletic Center on February 12, 2022 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 19: Fans reacts after a three-point basket by Joey Baker #13 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game against the Florida State Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 19, 2022, in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 19: Fans reacts after a three-point basket by Joey Baker #13 of the Duke Blue Devils during the first half of their game against the Florida State Seminoles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 19, 2022, in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

10. Week 16 College Basketball Rankings: Villanova Wildcats (HM)

  • Record: 21-6 (14-3 in Big East)
  • Last Week: Won 89-84 at No. 8 Providence, Won 74-66 vs. Georgetown
  • This Week: At No. 24 UCONN 2/22

Any stories about the demise of Villanova were premature as the Wildcats picked up a huge road win against Providence to give themselves a shot to win the Big East’s regular-season title if they can complete a sweep of the Friars next week. First up is a tricky trip to UCONN on Tuesday which is the only game of the week for Jay Wright’s team.

9. Week 16 College Basketball Rankings: Baylor Bears (5)

  • Record: 22-5 (10-4 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Lost 83-73 at No. 11 Texas Tech, Won 72-62 vs. TCU
  • This Week: At Oklahoma State 2/21, Vs. No. 6 Kansas 2/26

The Bears were rewarded with the top No. 2 seed in the Top 16 reveal on the strength of their nine Quadrant 1 wins, which is mostly a result of life in the rugged Big 12. Losing to Texas Tech cost Baylor in these rankings and they really need to find a way to get revenge against the Jayhawks in Waco on Saturday if they want a shot to win the league’s regular-season title.

8. Week 16 College Basketball Rankings: Texas Tech Red Raiders (HM)

  • Record: 21-6 (10-4 in Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 83-73 vs. No. 7 Baylor, Won 61-55 at No. 20 Texas
  • This Week: Vs. Oklahoma 2/22, At TCU 2/26

Picking up wins over a pair of ranked teams is strong work for Mark Adams’ team as the Red Raiders can be a March Madness nightmare for opponents thanks to their tenacious defense. Texas Tech is set to square off with a pair of the Big 12’s bubble teams this week, which can be dangerous since Oklahoma and TCU enter these matchups knowing a win over the Red Raiders can potentially get them into the field.

7. Week 16 College Basketball Rankings: Purdue Boilermakers (8)

  • Record: 24-4 (13-4 in Big Ten)
  • Last Week: Won 70-64 at Northwestern, Won 84-72 vs. Rutgers
  • This Week: At No. 19 Michigan State 2/26

Defense is still an issue for the Boilermakers but Matt Painter’s team gets a lot of credit for cooling off red-hot Rutgers, which had knocked off four straight ranked foes before falling at Mackey Arena on Sunday night. Purdue gets a five-day break before they hit the road on Saturday to take on a desperate Michigan State team eager to snap out of a significant funk.

6. Week 16 College Basketball Rankings: Duke Blue Devils (7)

  • Record: 23-4 (13-3 in ACC)
  • Last Week: Won 76-74 vs. Wake Forest, Won 88-70 vs. Florida State
  • This Week: At Virginia 2/23, At Syracuse 2/26

A 2-0 week highlighted by a controversial finish in a win over Wake Forest has the Blue Devils in position to secure their first outright ACC regular-season title since the 2005-06 season, which is an eternity for the program. A two-game road trip awaits this week with Wednesday’s trip to Virginia offering some revenge potential after the Cavaliers stunned Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on a late Royce Beekman three a few weeks ago.