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College basketball power rankings: Who’s on top with conference play approaching?

By Mike Phillips

G Tristen Newton, UCONN Huskies. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
G Tristen Newton, UCONN Huskies. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) /
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Kihei Clark, Virginia Cavaliers
G Kihei Clark, Virginia Cavaliers. (Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

10. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Gonzaga Bulldogs

  • Previously: 10th
  • Record: 10-3
  • Last Week: Won 85-75 Vs. Montana
  • This Week: Vs. Eastern Oregon 12/28, Vs. Pepperdine 12/31

Things were a little dicier than necessary against Montana but the Bulldogs did enough to escape the game with a double-digit win. This week sees Gonzaga begin conference play on Saturday with a home date against Pepperdine.

9. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Texas Longhorns

  • Previously: 9th
  • Record: 10-1
  • Last Week: Won 100-72 Vs. Louisiana
  • This Week: Vs. Texas A&M-Commerce 12/27, At Oklahoma 12/31

The Longhorns continued to take care of business while Chris Beard’s status remains in limbo by pummeling a good Louisiana team at home. There is one more non-conference tuneup on tap before Texas begins its Big 12 schedule with a trip to Norman to take on Oklahoma.

8. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Virginia Cavaliers

  • Previously: 5th
  • Record: 8-2 (1-1 in ACC)
  • Last Week: Lost 66-64 At No. 22 Miami
  • This Week: Vs. Albany 12/28, At Georgia Tech 12/31

In a week where most teams took care of business, Virginia lost by a bucket on the road to a good Miami team, which was their second loss in a row and sees them tumble out of the Top 5 in the power rankings. The Cavaliers should snap the skid against Albany on Wednesday before resuming ACC play with a winnable road game at Georgia Tech on Saturday.

7. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – UCLA Bruins

  • Previously: 8th
  • Record: 11-2 (2-0 in Pac-12)
  • Last Week: Won 81-54 Vs. UC Davis
  • This Week: At Washington State 12/30, At Washington 1/1

Pummeling UC Davis was exactly the doctor ordered for the Bruins to maintain their momentum after a successful swing out East. UCLA is back on the road as they make the Washington road trip in two games they really should handle if they want to stay in the Top 10 a week from now.

6. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Kansas Jayhawks

  • Previously: 4th
  • Record: 11-1
  • Last Week: Won 68-54 Vs. Harvard
  • This Week: Vs. Oklahoma State 12/31

Winning and dropping two spots isn’t ideal but Kansas was a bit shakier in its win over Harvard than some of the teams that leapfrogged them. Bill Self’s team could regain a spot in the Top 5 next week if they showcase a dominant effort against Oklahoma State at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday.