NCAA Basketball: Illinois, Ohio State rises in latest top-25 power rankings

Feb 4, 2021; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Eugene Brown III (3) and guard CJ Walker (13) and Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. (4) react after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

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NCAA Basketball Virginia Cavaliers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

12. Texas Longhorns (11-5, 5-4)

There were moments on Tuesday when Texas looked like they could be the team to knock off Baylor. But after 30 minutes, the Bears were able to pull away to win, 83-69. The Longhorns went from arguably the best team to arguably the best player in Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State. The game went into two overtimes but it was essentially 50 minutes of bricks, with the Longhorns shooting just 25% from the field overall and going 5/35 from three-point range. They lost the game, 75-67.

Facing a three-game losing streak, Texas will look to get back on track with games against the bottom of the league in Kansas State and TCU this week. But a loss against either team will create questions as to whether the Longhorns were being overhyped earlier in the season.

11. Virginia Cavaliers (13-3, 9-1)

Although the final scores will suggest a closer game, Virginia was safely in command against both NC State and Pittsburgh this week. Sam Hauser had a combined 41 points to lead the way in both wins, showing why he’s on the shortlist for ACC Player of the Year.

The next pair of opponents will be a bit tougher for Virginia, as they take on both Georgia Tech and North Carolina. Each of them is squarely on the bubble and a game against the Cavaliers will be one of their last opportunities at a resume-building victory.

10. Oklahoma Sooners (12-5, 7-4)

At some point, not having leading scorer and passer Austin Reaves was going to haunt them in a game. That’s what happened on Monday against Texas Tech, but the Sooners still put up a hard fight in a 57-52 defeat. But he did come back this weekend to take on Iowa State, where Reaves produced 16 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists to win, 79-72.

Reaves is back at the right time, as Oklahoma faces its two toughest opponents left in the regular season in West Virginia on the road, before taking on Texas at home on the weekend. The loss to Texas Tech didn’t concern the voters, as the rest of the roster have stepped up their games in Reaves’ absence.

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