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College basketball power rankings: Houston sets an early tone

By Mike Phillips

ANNAPOLIS, MD - NOVEMBER 11: Tramon Mark #12 of the Houston Cougars jumps to the basket over Ejike Obinna #50 of the Saint Joseph's Hawks during the Veterans Classic college basketball game at Alumni Hall on November 11, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD - NOVEMBER 11: Tramon Mark #12 of the Houston Cougars jumps to the basket over Ejike Obinna #50 of the Saint Joseph's Hawks during the Veterans Classic college basketball game at Alumni Hall on November 11, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 11: Jaylen Clark #0 of the UCLA Bruins dribbles during a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Long Beach State 49ers at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on November 11, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. The UCLA Bruins won 93-69. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 11: Jaylen Clark #0 of the UCLA Bruins dribbles during a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Long Beach State 49ers at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on November 11, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. The UCLA Bruins won 93-69. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

10. Week 2 College Basketball Rankings – Arkansas Razorbacks

  • Record: 2-0
  • Last Week: Won 76-58 vs. North Dakota State, Won 74-48 vs. Fordham
  • This Week: Vs. South Dakota State 11/16

The Razorbacks look like Kentucky’s biggest challenger in the SEC and got off to a hot start with two convincing home wins over North Dakota State and a Fordham team coming off a solid year in the A-10. This week’s home date against South Dakota State should help Arkansas cruise to 3-0.

9. Week 2 College Basketball Rankings – UCLA Bruins

  • Record: 2-0
  • Last Week: Won 76-50 vs. Sacramento State, Won 93-69 vs. Long Beach State
  • This Week: Vs. Norfolk State 11/14, Vs. No. 23 Illinois 11/18

Two home dates equaled two easy wins for the Bruins, who are trying to integrate some new pieces after key NBA departures in the offseason. Friday’s neutral-site clash with Illinois at the Continental Tire Main Event in Las Vegas will be a good test for UCLA.

8. Week 2 College Basketball Rankings – Creighton Bluejays

  • Record: 2-0
  • Last Week: Won 72-60 vs. St. Thomas (MN), Won 96-61 vs. North Dakota
  • This Week: Vs. Holy Cross 11/14, Vs. UC Riverside 11/17

Style points matter early in the rankings and Creighton takes a hit for only beating St. Thomas by 12 points. The 96-61 beatdown of North Dakota is more fitting of a team with Final Four potential and the Bluejays will look to build on it with two more home games this week.

7. Week 2 College Basketball Rankings – Kansas Jayhawks

  • Record: 2-0
  • Last Week: Won 89-64 vs. Omaha, Won 82-59 vs. North Dakota State
  • This Week: Vs. No. 5 Duke 11/15, Vs. Southern Utah 11/18

The defending national champs kicked off their season in style with two blowout wins at Allen Fieldhouse. Tuesday brings the annual Champions Classic showdown as the Jayhawks are set to tangle with Duke in Indianapolis in the event’s marquee game.

6. Week 2 College Basketball Rankings – Baylor Bears

  • Record: 2-0
  • Last Week: Won 117-53 vs. Mississippi Valley State, Won 87-70 vs. Norfolk State
  • This Week: Vs. Northern Colorado 11/14, Vs. No. 18 Virginia 11/18

Poor Mississippi Valley State never stood a chance against Baylor, whose point total in both halves was more than the Delta Devils could muster in the entire game. The Bears have another tune-up on tap for Monday before a big showdown with Virginia in Las Vegas as part of a stacked Continental Tire Main Event.