College basketball power rankings: How good is Tennessee?

5. Week 13 College Basketball Power Rankings – Virginia Cavaliers

• Previously: 8th
• Record: 16-3 (8-2 In ACC)
• Last Week: Won 76-57 Vs. Boston College
• This Week: At Syracuse 1/30, At Virginia Tech 2/4

Saturday’s win over Boston College was a workman-like effort from Virginia, which smothered the Eagles with their Pack Line defense and shot over 50 percent from the field. This weekend’s trip to Virginia Tech is dangerous since the Hokies are capable of winning the game and will be desperate to add a huge victory to their resume for at-large purposes.

4. Week 13 College Basketball Power Rankings – Alabama Crimson Tide

• Previously: 1st
• Record: 18-3 (8-0 In SEC)
• Last Week: Won 66-63 Vs. Mississippi State, Lost 93-69 At Oklahoma
• This Week: Vs. Vanderbilt 1/31, At LSU 2/4

Few results were more confusing last week than Alabama getting demolished at Oklahoma, a bubble outfit from the Big 12 that was playing decently entering the game. Given the Crimson Tide’s track record, we’ll write the performance off as a mulligan but it will be important to see Alabama bounce back with a strong week.

3. Week 13 College Basketball Power Rankings – Tennessee Volunteers

• Previously: 5th
• Record: 18-3 (7-1 In SEC)
• Last Week: Won 70-41 Vs. Georgia, Won 82-71 Vs. No. 10 Texas
• This Week: At Florida 2/1, Vs. No. 15 Auburn 2/4

We’ve finally hit the Volunteers, who have to be feeling good about themselves after a solid win at home against the Longhorns that will add another impressive notch to their resume. Saturday’s home date against Auburn is massive but Barnes will need to make sure that Tennessee doesn’t fall into a trap on the road at Florida on Tuesday.

2. Week 13 College Basketball Power Rankings – Houston Cougars

• Previously: 4th
• Record: 20-2 (8-1 In American)
• Last Week: Won 82-71 At UCF, Won 75-69 Vs. Cincinnati
• This Week: At Wichita State 2/2, At Temple 2/5

The Cougars did good work to sweep their week after a shocking home loss against Temple on Jan. 22. Two league road games are on tap this week, including a rematch with the Owls on Sunday, and losing either would send Houston tumbling down the polls.

1. Week 13 College Basketball Power Rankings – Purdue Boilermakers

• Previously: 2nd
• Record: 21-1 (10-1 In Big Ten)
• Last Week: Won 75-70 At Michigan, Won 77-61 Vs. Michigan State
• This Week: Vs. Penn State 2/1, At Indiana 2/4

It may not always be pretty but Purdue keeps chugging along with just one loss and the cleanest claim to the title of the nation’s best team. A down Big Ten has certainly played into the hands of the Boilermakers, who have to navigate one of their toughest road games left when they head to Assembly Hall on Sunday to take on the Hoosiers.