NCAA Basketball top 25 power rankings: Villanova rises, Houston and Duke fall

Every passing week gets us closer to the end of the regular season and the start of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. At this point, there’s still about a month’s worth of action left, though now midway through February it’s certainly getting really close. There have been injuries, illnesses, dangerous weather, and everything in between affecting this season. Still, with limited cancellations in recent weeks, we are trending towards another fantastic March Madness just a few weeks from now.

It’s important this week; perhaps more important than ever, to take care of your business and win the important games. In leagues like the Big 12 and Big Ten, every game is a challenge and every win is currency for the Selection Committee, especially for teams on the Tournament bubble.

For some of these mid-major teams, every win is a must, especially if some of these teams falter in their conference tournaments. Regardless, looking good and picking up wins is key, especially as time runs out on the regular season.

There may be 358 teams in the college basketball world, but only 68 make the NCAA Tournament. Even more exclusive are the teams on this week’s edition of the top 25 rankings. As per usual, there’s a great number of teams challenging to make our rankings, though this week is a little different.

With this article coming out a day later than usual, I’ve actually considered and commented on the last eight day’s worth of games. Many teams have looked like top 25 teams this season, but clearly they couldn’t all make it this week. Without further ado, let’s get right into the rundown on those teams.