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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 Collin Gillespie Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Collin Gillespie Villanova Wildcats (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

9. Villanova Wildcats

Although they weren’t the Big East regular-season champions thanks to Providence, the Wildcats could exact some revenge by beating them again last week to give them the season sweep. It was a 76-74 victory, led by 20 points off the bench by Caleb Daniels and 14 points and five assists from Collin Gillespie. And as expected, the matchup with Butler wasn’t much of a competition, with Villanova winning by 19 points, with five players in double figures.

The Wildcats aren’t the 1 seed in the Big East Tournament but expect them to be the odds-on betting favorite. Unless they see Marquette, who they lost to both times in the regular season. But on the bright side, they’re in great position to be in the East Region and play in Philadelphia in the Second Weekend of the Big Dance.

8. Duke Blue Devils

After beating Pittsburgh on the road by 30 points to clinch the program’s first ACC regular-season title in a decade, Duke went back home for an emotional home matchup against rival North Carolina in Coach K’s last game at home. But despite being heavily favored, the Blue Devils gave up a whopping 94 points in a shocking home upset loss.

After being the highest-ranked team not to lose last Saturday, Duke fell a week later and effectively cost itself any chance at a 1 seed, even if they go on to win the ACC Tournament. The team now needs to regroup and get ready for the Big Dance, where the next loss could be the very last for Coach K.

7. Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks had two straight games against bubble team TCU this week, who needed to get at least one to make the NCAA Tournament. Kansas lost the first game on Tuesday but rebounded to get a 4-point win a couple of days later. And then they were able to beat Texas on the road in overtime, with David McCormack, Jalen Wilson, and Christian Braun all producing double-doubles.

Kansas is now the 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and an outside shot at getting a 1 seed in the Big Dance. The best path is to win their own tournament and hope that Kentucky loses at some point in the SEC Tournament, considering that the Jayhawks were blown off the floor by the Wildcats over a month ago.

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