NCAA Basketball: Michigan, West Virginia rises in latest top-25 power rankings
Although it has felt that nothing has been normal in this 2020-21 NCAA Basketball season, the very top of the rankings has been consistent. At least in the No. 1 and 2 spots of the AP and almost everyone else’s respective power rankings. Gonzaga and Baylor were dubbed the preseason top-2 teams and have held on this whole time, with neither losing a game.
However, that came to an end on Saturday after Baylor fell on the road at Kansas. The Bears were coming off a covid-pause and were never in rhythm but that’s been what everyone has been dealing with too.
But could some be considering keeping Baylor at No. 2? Or could Michigan have finally slide up to take their spot? That was something each of Busting Brackets participants had to answer in this week’s power rankings, along with finding out who else made the top-25. Here are this week’s writers involved with the rankings, along with the honorable mentions that just missed out.
*Results came before Sunday’s action
Tristan Freeman – @hoopsnut351
Andrew Tineo – @D_Tineo4
Benjamin Zacher – @beezacher
Karl Heiser – @karlheiser17
Jacob Zinkula – @1Perfectbracket
Joe Casey – @Joe-Casey1
Joey Loose – @jloose123
Chris Thedinga – @CTheDinga
Dave Mullen – @dmull37
Nick Diamantis – @ngdiamantis 29
Teams who received votes outside of the top-25 include: BYU, Colorado, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Oregon, UConn, Clemson, Wichita State, and St. Bonaventure
25. UCLA Bruins (17-6, 13-4)
The Bruins had to deal with both Utah and Colorado on the road, which is always a tough task. It ended up being a split, beating Utah and falling to Colorado, which evens out on their resume. In the victory over the Utes, Jules Bernard and Johhny Juzang combined for 37 points to lead the way.
UCLA has a tough way to end the regular season, taking on Oregon on the road before USC at home. These are the top three teams in the Pac-12 and are only separated by one game in the standings. What the Bruins do this upcoming week will ultimately determine where everyone stands heading into the conference tournament.