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NCAA Basketball: Tennessee rises up, Texas Tech falls in latest top 25 power rankings

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 5, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and forward Uros Plavsic (33) celebrate during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Josiah-Jordan James (30) and forward Uros Plavsic (33) celebrate during the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Illinois Fighting Illini center Kofi Cockburn Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

15. Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers had a high-profile Big Ten matchup against Purdue, with the conference regular-season title on the line. Johnny Davis once again had another good game (16 points and eight rebounds) but Tyler Wahl and Chucky Hepburn combined for 36 points and a game-winning back-shot from deep to come up huge in the 70-67 victory.

Unfortunately, Davis suffered an injury against Nebraska on Sunday, a game in which they actually lost. That takes them out of any conversation for a 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament but more importantly, the status of Davis isn’t clear. The hope is that he isn’t anything long-term because Wisconsin has no hope of winning if he’s out.

14. Saint Mary’s Gaels

The Gaels didn’t play this past week as a reward for getting a top 2 seed in the WCC Tournament, getting a triple-bye all the way to the semifinals. They take on Santa Clara, with the winner taking either Gonzaga or San Francisco Tuesday night in the WCC title game.

Saint Mary’s and the Broncos split their regular-season meetings so this will be the tie-breaker. After beating rival Gonzaga over a week ago, the Gaels are riding on an all-time high. But could nine days off blunt some of that momentum?

13. Illinois Fighting Illini

After close wins over Michigan and Penn State in the past seven days, Illinois found itself within range of potentially getting a share of the Big Ten Regular Season title. But things had to go a certain way, including Wisconsin beating Purdue but then losing to Nebraska on Sunday. That somehow happened, meaning that beating Iowa on the same day would accomplish the feat.

And after trailing by double-digits in the first half, the Illini fought back to take the lead and hold on in the final minute for the 74-72 win. Big Ten Player of the Year candidate Kofi Cockburn had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the way, while Andre Curbelo had 14 points off the bench. Not only is Illinois a Co-Big Ten champion but they’ll be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and gets a double-bye as well.

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