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NCAA Basketball: UVA drops, Kansas reappears in latest top-25 power rankings

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 31, 2020; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) and guard Franz Wagner (21) react during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wass/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2020; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan center Hunter Dickinson (1) and guard Franz Wagner (21) react during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Maryland, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wass/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Arkansas Razorbacks (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

18. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (19-4, 14-2)

After a bunch of blowouts, the Ramblers found themselves in a pair of nailbiters this past week. On Sunday, they failed to get the sweep over Drake, falling 51-5 in overtime to have the same number of losses in MVC play, with Loyola having two extra wins. Then on Wednesday, Valpo came to their place and led most of the game, before a late comeback by the Ramblers allowed them to win, 54-52. Keith Clemons had 16 points to give them enough of a boost to survive.

Loyola-Chicago will remain at home for the last two games of the regular season, both against Southern Illinois. The Salukis are 10-10 overall on the season, and 4-10 in league play. If the Ramblers can sweep these two games, they’ll win the regular-season title and get the No. 1 seed for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

17. Arkansas Razorbacks (17-5, 9-4)

The game against Texas A&M on Saturday was called off due to covid issues on the other side. That leaves just the Florida game to judge on, which went the Razorbacks way in a 75-64 victory. Four players were in double figures, led by freshman Davonte Davis with 18 points. Justin Smith was the MVP though, producing a statline of 15 points on 7/9 shooting, along with six rebounds, four assists, and five steals.

Up next is a battle of the top teams in the SEC standings, with the Alabama Crimson Tide coming to town. The regular-season title is all but Bama’s but a win by Arkansas would at least keep them alive mathematically. Afterwards in an intriguing battle at home on Saturday against LSU.

16. Texas Tech Red Raiders (14-7, 6-6)

After the game against TCU was cancelled due to weather issues, the Red Raiders focused on getting the season sweep against Kansas. It didn’t work out that way, with Texas Tech falling, 67-61. Kevin McClullar and Marcus Santos-Silva each had 12 points to lead the team in scoring but Mac McClung struggled, going 4-13 for 11 points.

Among all the teams playing three games this upcoming week in the Big 12, Texas Tech arguably has the toughest slate. They take Kansas and Oklahoma State on the road, before ending up with Texas at home. After a strong start in league play, the Red Raiders are now hoping to enter the conference tournament with a winning record against Big 12 opponents.

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