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NCAA Basketball: Michigan, West Virginia rises in latest top-25 power rankings

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 27, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Marcus Garrett (0) shoots against Baylor Bears guard Adam Flagler (10) in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2021; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Marcus Garrett (0) shoots against Baylor Bears guard Adam Flagler (10) in the first half at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Houston Cougars Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Houston Cougars Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Houston Cougars (19-3, 12-3)

After easily beating Cincinnati last Sunday by 28 points, the Cougars took on a dangerous mid-major foe in Western Kentucky, a game that was scheduled just a few days beforehand. The bubble team fought Houston hard for the first 20 minutes but proved to be no match in the second half. Houston outscored them by 23 points to get the 81-57 victory. Quentin Grimes went off for a career-high 33 points in the win.

The Cougars finish off the regular season with a home game against South Florida on Sunday, before taking on Memphis on the road next Saturday. That game could decide whether or not the ACC gets multiple at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament or not.

8. Alabama Crimson Tide (19-6, 14-2)

The Tide suffered their second loss in SEC play, never able to get in any kind of rhythm against Arkansas due to fouls being called all around. Alabama would fall by 15 points in the end. They were able to rebound on Saturday against Mississippi State, led by 19 points off the bench from Jahvon Quinerly.

The SEC regular-season champs will finish the slate with games against both Auburn and Georgia, two teams that have been playing well and can score lots of points. Alabama will have to avoid sleepwalking to get both wins and stay in the 2 seed conversation for the NCAA Tournament.

7. West Virginia Mountaineers (17-6, 10-4)

Compared to the rest of the Big 12, the Mountaineers had a rather easy overall slate. They took on the 8th and 9th placed teams in the conference in TCU and Kansas State and took care of them rather easily. Taz Sherman had 23 points off the bench in the win over the Horned Frogs, while Derek Culver had 18 points and 14 rebounds.

West Virginia will be at home in the final three regular-season games, taking on Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers are a projected 2 seed and can solidify that with two wins, but beating Baylor on Tuesday could give them a shot at sliding up to a 1 seed.

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