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College basketball power rankings: Should we be worried about Purdue?

By Mike Phillips

G Fletcher Loyer, Purdue Boilermakers. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
G Fletcher Loyer, Purdue Boilermakers. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga Bulldogs. (Photo by Robert Johnson/Getty Images) /

10. Week 17 College Basketball Power Rankings – Gonzaga Bulldogs

  • Previously: Honorable Mention
  • Record: 25-5 (14-2 In WCC)
  • Last Week: Won 97-72 Vs. San Diego, Won 77-68 Vs. No. 15 Saint Mary’s
  • This Week: Vs. Chicago State 3/1

This may not be a vintage Gonzaga team but the Bulldogs have played well down the stretch, securing a share of the WCC’s conference titles by avenging an earlier loss to Saint Mary’s on Saturday night. With the double-bye keeping Gonzaga out of action until next week in the WCC Tournament, Mark Few scheduled a home non-conference date against independent Chicago State to keep his team sharp.

9. Week 17 College Basketball Power Rankings – Purdue Boilermakers

  • Previously: 6th
  • Record: 24-5 (13-5 In Big Ten)
  • Last Week: Lost 79-71 Vs. No. 17 Indiana
  • This Week: At Wisconsin 3/2, Vs. Illinois 3/5

The four losses that Purdue has suffered in its past six games are understandable in a vacuum, but adding them together has put the Boilermakers’ spot on the top line in jeopardy. The Boilermakers really need to right the ship this week with a sweep of Wisconsin and Illinois to put concerns over another late-season swoon to rest.

8. Week 17 College Basketball Power Rankings – Baylor Bears

  • Previously: 9th
  • Record: 21-8 (10-6 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Lost 75-65 At No. 14 Kansas State, Won 81-72 Vs. No. 8 Texas
  • This Week: At Oklahoma State 2/27, Vs. No. 23 Iowa State 3/4

The Bears had a very tough slate on tap in Week 16 and did a good job to split their games with K-State and Texas. Monday’s trip to Oklahoma State may actually be the more difficult task for Baylor since the Cowboys desperately need that win to improve their NCAA Tournament resume.

7. Week 17 College Basketball Power Rankings – Kansas State Wildcats

  • Previously: Honorable Mention
  • Record: 22-7 (10-6 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 75-65 Vs. No. 9 Baylor, Won 73-68 At Oklahoma State
  • This Week: Vs. Oklahoma 3/1, At West Virginia 3/4

Going 2-0 in a week in the 2022-23 Big 12 is excellent and the Wildcats did very good work to extend their winning streak to three games. Kansas State is fighting to improve its seeding this week against Oklahoma and West Virginia, with the road trip to Morgantown holding significant importance to the bubbly Mountaineers.

6. Week 17 College Basketball Power Rankings – Texas Longhorns

  • Previously: 7th
  • Record: 22-7 (11-5 In Big 12)
  • Last Week: Won 72-54 Vs. No. 23 Iowa State, Lost 81-72 At No. 9 Baylor
  • This Week: At No. 24 TCU 3/1, Vs. No. 3 Kansas 3/4

Saturday’s loss at Baylor was respectable in a vacuum but cost Texas complete control of the Big 12 race as they fell behind Kansas in the conference standings. Winning both games this week, including earning a win over the Jayhawks on Senior Day, would guarantee at least a share of the regular-season title.