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NCAA Basketball top 25 power rankings: UCLA and Kentucky rise, Kansas falls

By Joey Loose

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 29: TyTy Washington Jr. #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives the ball against Kansas Jayhawks defense in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 29, 2022 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 29: TyTy Washington Jr. #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives the ball against Kansas Jayhawks defense in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 29, 2022 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Johnny Juzang UCLA Bruins Dalen Terry Arizona Wildcats (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Johnny Juzang UCLA Bruins Dalen Terry Arizona Wildcats (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

4. UCLA (16-2)

Last season, UCLA lost in the Final Four on a buzzer-beater by Gonzaga. This season, they brought back most of that talent and have looked like a national contender at times, especially as they’ve played better in recent weeks. The first goal is clearly to win the Pac-12, and the Bruins made great strides on that front this past week.

The Bruins made those strides on Tuesday, looking amazing in a 75-59 win over Arizona, getting 15 points apiece from Jules Bernard and Johnny Juzang. The Bruins followed up that performance with two easier opponents, first scoring an 81-57 win over California on Thursday night. Then, UCLA put together their best defensive effort of the year, silencing Stanford 66-43, winning big despite a terrible night from long-range.

UCLA is looking a lot more like the Final Four team from last year, now winners of six straight games. The Bruins are up to 8-1 in the Pac-12 and in great position to win the conference if they can keep up this hot streak. Unfortunately, they get thrown right back into the fire, with a tough road rematch at Arizona on the docket next week. If they play as they did back on Tuesday, then they should be able to get their biggest road win of the season.

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