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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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NCAA Basketball Jaden Ivey Purdue Boilermakers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Jaden Ivey Purdue Boilermakers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

8. Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue has one of the tougher tasks in Big Ten play on Sunday, taking on a red-hot Rutgers squad at home. It turned into one of the best offensive performances of the season, with Jaden Ivey scoring a game-high 25 points in the 84-72 victory, one of five players in double figures.

But the offense had its struggles against Michigan State on the road, never getting into a real rhythm. Ivey had 16 points and big man Zach Edey had 25 but as a team, the Boilermakers had 17 turnovers compared to 12 assists and fell short at the end falling to the Spartans, 68-65.

Purdue still has a chance to win the Big Ten regular-season title but needs to beat Wisconsin on the road this week, as well as get some help from others. When this team is on offensively, they can make a Final Four. But the defense and ball-handling issues are things that need plenty of work.

7. Kentucky Wildcats

Without either TyTy Washington or Sahvir Wheeler, Kentucky took on LSU and its top-notch defense to start out the week. After being down double-digits in the first half, they were able to make a big run late to pull out the 71-66 victory. National Player of the Year candidate Oscar Tshiebwe had 17 points and 16 rebounds, while three other players had 13 points each.

But Tshiebwe had an even better performance this weekend, going for 30 points and 18 rebounds on the road at Arkansas, and was the only real the Wildcats were even in the game, to begin with. Once the supporting cast got it going, this team had a real chance to win at the end but Kentucky fell, 75-73.

The good news is that both Wheeler and Washington made it back for this game, combining for 24 points and eight assists off the bench. Their return to the team is as good as any win and they’re set to make some potential noise in March. They have Ole Miss and Florida next week before the SEC Tournament and will have to get the rotation back in order beforehand.

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