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College basketball power rankings: What does Saturday’s chaos mean for the Top 10?

By Mike Phillips

Feb 26, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears forward Jeremy Sochan (top) scores a layup against Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormack (33) during the second half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears forward Jeremy Sochan (top) scores a layup against Kansas Jayhawks forward David McCormack (33) during the second half at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (2) celebrates a three-point shot during a basketball game between Tennessee and Auburn at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Tennessee defeated Auburn 67-62.Volsauburn0226 1601
Tennessee forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (2) celebrates a three-point shot during a basketball game between Tennessee and Auburn at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Tennessee defeated Auburn 67-62.Volsauburn0226 1601 /

10. Week 17 College Basketball Rankings: Providence Friars (HM)

  • Record: 24-3 (14-2 in Big East)
  • Last Week: Won 99-92 (3OT) vs. Xavier, Won 72-51 vs. Creighton
  • This Week: At No. 8 Villanova 3/1

A hearty congratulations goes out to Providence, which swept the week to earn its first-ever Big East regular-season title after being one of the conference’s founding members in 1979. The Friars only have one game on tap this week when they travel to Philadelphia to take on Villanova in their last tune-up ahead of the conference tournament.

9. Week 17 College Basketball Rankings: Tennessee Volunteers (HM)

  • Record: 21-7 (12-4 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 80-61 at Missouri, Won 67-62 vs. No. 3 Auburn
  • This Week: At Georgia 3/1, Vs. No. 18 Arkansas 3/5

The Volunteers have been lethal at Thompson-Boling Arena, toppling Auburn at home to improve to 15-0 in Knoxville. That record has helped Tennessee close to within one game of the SEC’s regular-season title, which would be an impressive feat for a team that has never felt like the league’s best at any point.

8. Week 17 College Basketball Rankings: Purdue Boilermakers (7)

  • Record: 24-5 (13-5 in Big Ten)
  • Last Week: Lost 68-65 at Michigan State
  • This Week: At No. 13 Wisconsin 3/1, Vs. Indiana 3/5

Of all the Top 10 teams that lost on Saturday, Purdue was the most disappointing since they had a week to prepare for a Michigan State team that entered the contest losers in five of their past six games. Winning at the Breslin Center is never easy but the fact that the Boilermakers lost this game is disappointing since it made their path to locking up the Big Ten’s regular-season title harder.

7. Week 17 College Basketball Rankings: Kentucky Wildcats (5)

  • Record: 23-6 (12-4 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 71-66 vs. LSU, Lost 75-73 at No. 18 Arkansas
  • This Week: Vs. Ole Miss 3/1, At Florida 3/5

The Wildcats knew they had a tricky week ahead of them and securing a split of the home LSU/road Arkansas games is a perfectly acceptable result in the rugged SEC. Finishing the season strong with wins over Ole Miss and at a desperate Florida team could give Kentucky a shot to claim the league’s regular-season title.

6. Week 17 College Basketball Rankings: Auburn Tigers (6)

  • Record: 25-4 (13-3 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 77-64 vs. Ole Miss, Lost 67-62 at No. 17 Tennessee
  • This Week: At Mississippi State 3/2, Vs. South Carolina 3/5

Another split week for Auburn with the loss coming on the road raises questions about whether the Tigers peaked too early. Bruce Pearl’s team will look to right the ship by wrapping up the SEC’s regular-season crown by sweeping Mississippi State and South Carolina this week, with the first game coming on the road.