NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Creighton, Penn State soaring

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - JANUARY 29: Lamar Stevens #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is introduced before during a college basketball game against the Indiana Hoosiers at the Bryce Joyce Center on January 29, 2020 in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 30: Mannion of the Wildcats reacts. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

25. Rhode Island Rams

Rhode Island dropped a road game to Dayton during this past week but still managed to squeeze into the end of my rankings. Although the Rams do not play in one of the top conferences in the country, it’s impossible to ignore that they are taking care of business almost every single night out. The loss to Dayton was just their first defeat since the opening week of January and they are rolling towards the Big Dance. Rhody is a team to watch as one that is hitting its stride at the right time.

24. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona swept its road trip during this past week with wins over California and Stanford. This pushed the Wildcats to 18-7 (8-4 P12) on the season. I am yet to be completely sold on this team due to its tricky resume, but efficiency metrics love the squad. Arizona started this season 0-4 in true road games but has proceeded to win its last four in recent weeks. The Wildcats will finish with four of their last six at home while looking to move up the rankings.

23. Colorado Buffaloes

Colorado dropped its first game of the week at Oregon but responded with a road win over Oregon State (by 22) just a couple of days later. This week moved the Buffaloes to 20-6 (9-4 P12) on the season and they soared up efficiency metrics thanks to their domination of the Beavers. Colorado has largely lived up to the hype of being a Pac-12 contender this season as it resides in my Top 25 with just under a month left in the season. This is a quality squad that can compete for a deep run.

22. Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa went on a two-game road trip during this past week and performed relatively well. The Hawkeyes first suffered a loss to Indiana but I am not too worried about that. The Hoosiers are playing like a desperate team right now and taking a victory in Assembly Hall would have been very difficult. It is also important to mention that Iowa then responded and took down Minnesota in its second game of the week. The Hawkeyes will finish their regular-season schedule with three of five at home.

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