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NCAA Basketball: Duke rises in latest top 25 power rankings after crazy Saturday

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 26, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels center Mitchell Saxen (10) celebrates with Gaels guard Tommy Kuhse (12) after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Saint Mary's Gaels center Mitchell Saxen (10) celebrates with Gaels guard Tommy Kuhse (12) after the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee players NCAA Basketball Volsauburn0226 1936
Tennessee players NCAA Basketball Volsauburn0226 1936 /

March Madness, like Christmas for many of us NCAA Basketball fans, came early. On Saturday, the top-6 teams in the AP poll all lost on the same day for the first time in history. And oddly enough, none of them were true surprises. No. 1 Gonzaga fell at rival Saint Mary’s, Arizona became the latest victim of the roughest road trip in the sport, and the others suffered road defeats at ranked opponents.

In some ways, not much changed since so many teams took losses, including in Bracketology. But for teams such as Duke and Baylor who didn’t fall in the top 10, where should they be placed at? The good news is that with conference tournaments set to begin, seeding for the NCAA Tournament is more important than who is where in the top 25. However, it’s still the regular season so we still have to put out a list.

Here’s who I would rank the top 25.

*Note: rankings were compiled as of Saturday night on February 26th

25. Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns got the news with the departure of Tre Mitchell, potentially not returning for the rest of the season. But they didn’t need them this week, starting off with a 75-66 victory over TCU. Andrew Jones led all scorers with 21 points, along with 19 from Marcus Carr and 17 from Timmy Allen.

Allen was needed again this weekend against West Virginia on the road, a game that turned into an unexpected shootout in the second half. Texas was able to survive with an 82-81 win, led by 26 from Allen, along with 15 points on a perfect 6/6 shooting night from Carr. Jase Febres was an unsung hero off the bench with 14 points.

The Longhorns now end the regular season with the hardest pair of games as possible, taking on both Kansas and Baylor. So in a way, Texas could decide the Big 12 regular-season title. And if things go really well, they can overtake Texas Tech for the 3rd seed in the conference tournament.

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