NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Duke, Michigan vie for the top spot

RENO, NV - DECEMBER 15: Cody Martin #11 of the Nevada Wolf Pack and brother Caleb Martin #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack talk to head coach Eric Musselman of the Nevada Wolf Pack during the game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Lawlor Events Center on December 15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 15: Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

24. Kentucky Wildcats

Record: 9-2 (0-0 SEC)

Last Week: Not Ranked

Kentucky basketball is seemingly starting to hit its stride at this point in the year. After getting obliterated by Duke to begin the season and then suffering a disappointing loss to Seton Hall a weeks later, many started to lose hope in the Wildcats. Yet, after an impressive performance in handling North Carolina for all 40 minutes this past weekend, it is time to start believing in Coach Calipari’s squad.

Perhaps most importantly, freshman guard Ashton Hagans has emerged a legitimate defensive-stopper. He also started to show flashes of what made him such an exciting prospect. Hagans has played 28.0 minutes per game over the past four games and is averaging 4.3 assists and 3.0 steals per game during that stretch. Additionally, frontcourt stars P.J. Washington and Reid Travis are developing some excellent chemistry on both ends of the floor.

And before you jump into my Twitter mentions complaining about how Kentucky should be much higher than No. 24 in these rankings, it is important to mention that I did not have the team ranked last week. Thanks to their victory over UNC, the Wildcats jumped significantly in my rankings despite the idea that it might not seem that way. This is a team that has a crazy amount of potential for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

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