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College basketball power rankings: Making the case for Houston

By Mike Phillips

F J'Wan Roberts, Houston Cougars. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
F J'Wan Roberts, Houston Cougars. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Kerr Kriisa, Arizona Wildcats.
G Kerr Kriisa, Arizona Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Week 16 College Basketball Power Rankings – Marquette Golden Eagles

  • Previously: Honorable Mention
  • Record: 21-6 (13-3 In Big East)
  • Last Week: Won 69-68 Vs. No. 16 Xavier
  • This Week: At No. 18 Creighton 2/21, Vs. DePaul 2/25

Securing a season split against Xavier with a one-point win gives the Golden Eagles the inside track on closing out the Big East’s regular season title. Three of Marquette’s last four games are manageable but Tuesday’s trip to Creighton is a dangerous one.

9. Week 16 College Basketball Power Rankings – Baylor Bears

  • Previously: 9th
  • Record: 20-7 (9-5 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 79-67 Vs. West Virginia, Lost 87-71 At No. 5 Kansas
  • This Week: At No. 12 Kansas State 2/21, Vs. No. 6 Texas 2/25

Scott Drew has to be kicking himself after the Bears squandered a golden opportunity to complete a rare sweep of Kansas after the Jayhawks blitzed Baylor in the second half, outscoring them 55-26 to turn a 13-point deficit into a 16-point win. Things won’t get easier this week as the Big 12 serves up a road trip to Kansas State before a home date against Texas on Saturday.

8. Week 16 College Basketball Power Rankings – Arizona Wildcats

  • Previously: 8th
  • Record: 24-4 (13-4 In Pac-12)
  • Last Week: Won 88-62 Vs. Utah, Won 78-68 Vs. Colorado
  • This Week: Vs. Arizona State 2/25

We’re in a holding pattern with Arizona, which did what it needed to by sweeping Utah and Colorado at home, but neither win was over a strong enough opponent to warrant upward momentum in the rankings. The Wildcats last three games come against NCAA Tournament-caliber competition, beginning on Saturday as Arizona State comes to Tucson to try and ruin Senior Day.

7. Week 16 College Basketball Power Rankings – Texas Longhorns

  • Previously: 5th
  • Record: 21-6 (10-4 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Lost 74-67 At Texas Tech, Won 85-83 (OT) Vs. Oklahoma
  • This Week: Vs. No. 19 Iowa State 2/21, At No. 9 Baylor 2/25

This was a very shaky week for Texas, which lost a game and nearly got swept by the two worst teams in the Big 12. While any Big 12 split is commendable this season, it represents a major missed opportunity for the Longhorns to build a bigger cushion in the conference since their last four games come against ranked opponents.

6. Week 16 College Basketball Power Rankings – Purdue Boilermakers

  • Previously: 6th
  • Record: 24-4 (13-4 In Big Ten)
  • Last Week: Lost 68-54 At Maryland, Won 82-55 Vs. Oklahoma State
  • This Week: Vs. No. 14 Indiana 2/25

The Boilermakers aren’t playing their best basketball right now and got sucked into the XFINITY Center vortex against Maryland, which has gone undefeated at home in league play, but pummeling Ohio State on Sunday had to feel good for Matt Painter’s team. Having the middle of the week off should allow Purdue to refocus ahead of Saturday’s revenge opportunity against Indiana.