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College basketball power rankings: Kentucky takes a tumble

By Mike Phillips

Nov 20, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Cason Wallace (22) shoots the ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) in the second half at Spokane Arena. Gonzaga won 88-72. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2022; Spokane, Washington, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Cason Wallace (22) shoots the ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) in the second half at Spokane Arena. Gonzaga won 88-72. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois basketball, Virginia basketball
Illinois basketball, Virginia basketball (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

10. Week 3 College Basketball Power Rankings – Baylor Bears (Last Week: 6)

  • Record: 4-1
  • Last Week: Won 95-62 vs. Northern Colorado, Lost 86-79 vs. No. 16 Virginia, Won 80-75 vs. No. 8 UCLA
  • This Week: Vs. McNeese 11/23

A 2-1 week is disappointing for the Bears but they did run into an emotional buzzsaw as Virginia came out inspired after the tragedy on their campus this week. Bouncing back with a win over UCLA on Sunday was a good sign as it allowed Baylor to leave Las Vegas with a stable spot inside the Top 10 ahead of Thanksgiving.

9. Week 3 College Basketball Power Rankings – Virginia Cavaliers (LW: Not Ranked)

  • Record: 4-0
  • Last Week: Won 86-79 vs. No. 5 Baylor, Won 70-61 vs. No. 19 Illinois
  • This Week: Vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore 11/25

It was an emotional week for the Cavaliers, who canceled their game on Monday against Northern Iowa after the tragic shooting incident that saw three members of the football team get killed.

The fact that Virginia was able to not only play two games in Las Vegas this weekend but beat two quality basketball teams in the process says a lot about the character of this team and its potential ceiling.

8. Week 3 College Basketball Power Rankings – Texas Longhorns (LW: Honorable Mention)

  • Record: 3-0
  • Last Week: Won 93-74 vs. No. 2 Gonzaga
  • This Week: Vs. Northern Arizona 11/21 in Leon Black Classic

Texas made a huge statement last week by decimating Gonzaga in Austin, getting revenge for last season’s loss in Spokane. Beating the Bulldogs by nearly 20 points is a positive sign for Chris Beard’s team as they head into the holiday with a neutral site tilt against Northern Arizona on Monday.

7. Week 3 College Basketball Power Rankings – Duke Blue Devils (LW: 5)

  • Record: 3-1
  • Last Week: Lost 69-64 vs. No. 6 Kansas, Won 92-58 vs. Delaware
  • This Week: Vs. Bellarmine 11/21, Vs. Oregon State 11/24 in Phil Knight Legacy Tournament

Jon Scheyer’s first test against a power program was a failure as Duke narrowly lost to Kansas in the Champions Classic in Chicago. Beating up on bad teams is always good, which the Blue Devils did to Delaware after the loss, but they will be tested again at the Phil Knight Legacy Tournament.

Thursday’s first-round game against Oregon State should be a win but the rest of the field offers quality opponents such as Florida or Xavier (who would be Duke’s next opponent), Gonzaga, West Virginia and Purdue.

6. Week 3 College Basketball Power Rankings – Arkansas Razorbacks

  • Record: 3-0
  • Last Week: Won 71-56 vs. South Dakota State
  • This Week: Vs. Louisville 11/21 in Maui Invitational

Arkansas took care of business in its lone game last week and is off to Hawaii to participate in the Maui Invitational. Drawing Louisville in the first round is a net negative since the Cardinals are 0-3 with three buy game losses so far but a win there would ensure the Razorbacks get to advance in a quality field that also has Creighton, San Diego State, and Arizona in it among others.