NCAA Basketball: Texas Tech, Virginia rises in latest top- 25 power rankings

13. Virginia Cavaliers (9-2, 5-0)

With the addition of Marquette transfer Sam Hauser, the hope was that Virginia’s offense would improve to validate the preseason top-5 ranking the team had. But outside of the 89 points scored in the season-opening win against Towson. But they haven’t reached 80 points since then.

That was until this past week, where the Cavaliers managed 80 and 85 points in big wins over Notre Dame and Clemson. Considering how great the Tigers’ defense was coming into the game, that was one of the more surprising results of the season.

Virginia now stands alone on top of the ACC without a league loss. And they can expand on their lead this upcoming week with home matchups against NC State and Georgia Tech, although both teams are currently dealing with covid issues. But seeing how hot the offense is playing right now, I’m assuming that the Cavaliers want to stay on the court.

12. Kansas Jayhawks (10-3, 4-2)

With the Iowa State game canceled, we only have Monday’s road loss at Oklahoma State to judge for the Jayhawks. They were down big at first but did manage to come back and even take the lead late in the second half. And one positive to take away from that game is the continued development of big man David McCormack, who went for 24 points and 12 rebounds.

Kansas now has to focus on one of the biggest games of the season, a road matchup at No. 2 Baylor. There are plenty of implications for this game but most importantly, the Jayhawks would be down three games in the loss column to the Bears if they lose this game. Expect a major fight in the Big 12 with arguably the best team on the schedule left for Baylor to play.

11. Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-4, 4-3)

No team had a harder week than Texas Tech, having faced two teams ranked in the top-5 overall. But they presented themselves well, beating Texas on the road to start things out, led by 22 points and a game-winning three-pointer from Mac McClung. The Red Raiders fought hard against the Baylor Bears on Saturday but couldn’t hold on despite 24 more from McClung.

The schedule will be much easier on paper for Texas Tech this week, taking on both TCU and Iowa State. The resume is looking good for them to get one of the top-tier seeds but they can’t afford to slip up against one of these two opponents.