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College basketball power rankings: How far will UNC slide?

By Mike Phillips

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 24: R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Pilots at Moda Center on November 24, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 24: R.J. Davis #4 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Pilots at Moda Center on November 24, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Zach Eddy, Purdue Boilermakers
C Zach Edey, Purdue Boilermakers (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /

10. Week 4 College Basketball Power Rankings – Alabama Crimson Tide (LW: NR)

  • Record: 6-1
  • Last Week: Won 81-70 vs. No. 12 Michigan State, Lost 82-67 vs. No. 20 UCONN, Won 103-101 (4OT) vs. No. 1 North Carolina
  • This Week: Vs. South Dakota State 12/3

Few teams made bigger gains for their resume at an MTE than Alabama, which played three ranked teams and won two games, including a four-overtime heartstopper against North Carolina. These kinds of games are what Nate Oats loves to see his team experience as they aim to get ready for a deep run in March.

9. Week 4 College Basketball Power Rankings – Gonzaga Bulldogs (LW: 4)

  • Record: 5-2
  • Last Week: Won 102-78 vs. Portland State, Lost 84-66 vs. No. 24 Purdue, Won 88-84 vs. Xavier
  • This Week: Vs. No. 7 Baylor 12/2

It was certainly a mixed bag for Gonzaga, which smacked Portland State at the Phil Knight Legacy but got crushed by Zach Edey and Purdue in the semifinals. Sunday’s four-point win over Xavier didn’t do much to assuage concerns about the Bulldogs, who are staring at a neutral-site tilt against Baylor on Friday they might lose if they don’t play more crisp basketball.

8. Week 4 College Basketball Power Rankings – Purdue Boilermakers (LW: NR)

  • Record: 6-0
  • Last Week: Won 80-68 vs. West Virginia, Won 84-66 vs. No. 6 Gonzaga, Won 75-56 vs. No. 8 Duke
  • This Week: At Florida State 11/30, Vs. Minnesota 12/4

The Boilermakers made a massive statement in Oregon by picking up three double-digit wins over power conference foes in the Phil Knight Legacy, including routs of Gonzaga and Duke on their way to the title. Zach Edey has been a monster down low, averaging 21.8 points per game and 12 rebounds a night for Purdue, which is now a certifiable threat for the Big Ten title.

7. Week 4 College Basketball Power Rankings – Baylor Bears (LW: 10)

  • Record: 5-1
  • Last Week: Won 89-60 vs. McNeese
  • This Week: At Marquette 11/29, Vs. Gonzaga 12/2

It was a quiet week for Baylor, which hammered McNeese at home in its only game of the week, but a result good enough to climb three spots in the power rankings. This week will bring stiffer tests for the Bears, who have a tricky road tilt at Marquette ahead of Friday’s huge showdown with Gonzaga at the Sanford Pentagon.

6. Week 4 College Basketball Power Rankings – Kansas Jayhawks (LW: 3)

  • Record: 6-1
  • Last Week: Won 80-74 vs. NC State, Won 69-68 (OT) vs. Wisconsin, Lost 64-50 vs. No. 22 Tennessee
  • This Week: Vs. Texas Southern 11/28, Vs. Seton Hall 12/1

The Battle 4 Atlantis raised some red flags with the defending national champs as Kansas had to fight tooth and nail to win two games against teams they are far superior to before getting drilled by Tennessee in the final. The Volunteers were tougher than the Jayhawks in that game, which is not a good sign for a team that will have to win games in the rugged Big 12.