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

5. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Arizona Wildcats

• Previously: 7th
• Record: 12-1 (1-1 in Pac-12)
• Last Week: Won 85-64 Vs. Montana State, Won 93-68 Vs. Morgan State
• This Week: At No. 25 Arizona State 12/31

The Wildcats didn’t take it easy for the holidays, playing two games last week and hammering a pair of mid-majors at home to improve to 12-1 on the year. Tommy Lloyd gave his team a nice holiday break before they square off with Arizona State on Saturday.

4. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Alabama Crimson Tide

• Previously: 6th
• Record: 10-2
• Last Week: Won 84-64 Vs. Jackson State
• This Week: At No. 15 Mississippi State 12/28

It was nice to see Alabama bounce back from a tough loss against Gonzaga with a dominant effort against Jackson State prior to the holiday break. SEC play kicks off for the Crimson Tide with a tricky road trip to Mississippi State, which will be looking to get back on track after losing to Drake last week.

3. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Houston Cougars

• Previously: 3rd
• Record: 12-1
• Last Week: Won 83-44 vs. McNeese
• This Week: At Tulsa 12/28, Vs. UCF 12/31

The best team with at least one loss in the country is Houston, which is back to demolishing opponents after wiping out McNeese 83-44 in the Cougars’ non-conference finale. Kelvin Sampson’s team will now look to stack up wins in their final run through the American before moving to the Big 12 next season.

2. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – UCONN Huskies

• Previously: 2nd
• Record: 13-0 (2-0 in Big East)
• Last Week: Won 84-73 Vs. Georgetown
• This Week: Vs. Villanova 12/28, At Xavier 12/31

Georgetown was feisty but the Huskies maintained their unbeaten season by knocking off the Hoyas at home to improve to 13-0. The new top dogs in the Big East will be challenged this week by Villanova on Wednesday before heading to Cincinnati to take on Xavier on New Year’s Eve.

1. Week 8 College Basketball Power Rankings – Purdue Boilermakers

• Previously: 1st
• Record: 12-0 (2-0 in Big Ten)
• Last Week: Won 74-53 Vs. New Orleans
• This Week: Vs. Florida A&M 12/29

Another week, another win for Purdue as they remain atop the power rankings as one of just three unbeaten teams left in Division I. That perfect run should continue this week as the Boilermakers wrap up non-conference play against Florida A&M at home.