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College basketball power rankings: How far will UConn slide?

By Mike Phillips

Head coach Dan Hurley, UCONN Huskies. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Head coach Dan Hurley, UCONN Huskies. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Rasir Bolton, Gonzaga Bulldogs
G Rasir Bolton, Gonzaga Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Week 9 College Basketball Power Rankings – Tennessee Volunteers

  • Previously: Honorable Mention
  • Record: 11-2 (1-0 in SEC)
  • Last Week: Won 63-59 At Ole Miss
  • This Week: Vs. No. 21 Mississippi State 1/3, At South Carolina 1/7

The Volunteers took care of business in a conference road game, which is good enough to help them get back into the Top 10 on a week where plenty of teams struggled in that department. This week features a tricky visit from Mississippi State on Tuesday before Saturday’s trip to South Carolina.

9. Week 9 College Basketball Power Rankings – UCLA Bruins

  • Previously: 7th
  • Record: 12-2 (3-0 in Pac-12)
  • Last Week: Won 67-66 At Washington State, Won 74-49 At Washington
  • This Week: Vs. USC 1/5

Friday night’s sloppy performance at Washington State, where the Bruins needed a late goaltending call to avoid getting upset, costs the Bruins two slots in the power rankings. Bouncing back with a blowout of Washington was important and sets up Thursday’s rivalry game with USC in a nice way.

8. Week 9 College Basketball Power Rankings – Virginia Cavaliers

  • Previously: 8th
  • Record: 10-2 (2-1 In ACC)
  • Last Week: Won 66-46 Vs. Albany, Won 74-56 At Georgia Tech
  • This Week: At Pittsburgh 1/3, Vs. Syracuse 1/7

Week 8 was a much better one for the Cavaliers, who dominated both Albany and Georgia Tech with their smothering Pack Line defense. Virginia will be on high alert against Pittsburgh on Tuesday after the Panthers upset North Carolina last week.

7. Week 9 College Basketball Power Rankings – Gonzaga Bulldogs

  • Previously: 10th
  • Record: 12-3 (1-0 In WCC)
  • Last Week: Won 120-42 Vs. Eastern Oregon, Won 111-88 Vs. Pepperdine
  • This Week: At San Francisco 1/5, At Santa Clara 1/7

Critics of Gonzaga often point to their smaller conference as a reason to doubt the Bulldogs but Mark Few’s team kicked off conference play with a dominant win over Pepperdine on Saturday. This week’s road trip to San Francisco and Santa Clara is much more difficult than it would appear on the surface so the Bulldogs would show a lot if they can sweep the pair.

6. Week 9 College Basketball Power Rankings – Kansas Jayhawks

  • Previously: 6th
  • Record: 12-1 (1-0 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 69-67 Vs. Oklahoma State
  • This Week: At Texas Tech 1/3, At No. 24 West Virginia 1/7

Big 12 play started off relatively poorly for the Jayhawks, who trailed Oklahoma State by 15 at home at the half before rallying to win by a bucket. Kansas will need a much sharper effort if they want to win tough road games at Texas Tech and West Virginia this week.