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

1. Auburn (20-1)

Every week brings new challenges but Auburn just keeps meeting those challenges. Bruce Pearl just signed a long contract extension and the Tigers look not only like the best team in the SEC, but one of the true contenders to cut the nets in April. Their performance in another spotless week only continues that train towards the NCAA Tournament.

Playing for the first time with that #1 ranking, they held on for a tough 55-54 win at Missouri back on Tuesday. K. D. Johnson had 17 points despite major offensive struggles for the team as a whole. The weekend was much better, as Auburn took down Oklahoma 86-68, securing their 17th straight win in the process. Jabari Smith (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Walker Kessler (21 points, 9 rebounds) both played like the stars they are.

You won’t find a hotter team in college basketball; you won’t find a better backcourt duo, and you won’t find a team in better position as the calendar nears February. Their loss to UConn in the Bahamas is a distant dream, and this team has won their first 8 SEC contests, putting themselves in shape to win the league. Next week, they get a rematch at home with Alabama and a very winnable road game at Georgia over the weekend.

We have finally finished our rundown on the top 25 teams in the nation; which of these do you think will stand out in the next seven days?