NCAA Basketball: North Carolina, Gonzaga tumble on latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
![Dec 2, 2022; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA; Baylor Bears forward Caleb Lohner (33) drives on Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) in the first half at Sanford Pentagon. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports Dec 2, 2022; Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA; Baylor Bears forward Caleb Lohner (33) drives on Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) in the first half at Sanford Pentagon. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/72b724a1bdc73c997daa89414e901a8f84adb7e1aeea3dc1bf8ab4c88f51dce9.jpg)
1. Houston (8-0)
The Cougars have been the team to beat to this point in the season. They haven’t played the world’s most challenging schedule but they’ve handled the teams they’ve played and have been the early contender who’s looked the best. Houston brought a ton of talent back this season after recent success and Kelvin Sampson’s squad just kept on winning this week.
On Tuesday, they got an easy win with a 100-52 advantage over Norfolk State. Marcus Sasser starred with 25 points while Jamal Shead added 12 points and 11 assists in an easy win. Their game on Saturday night needed a bit more effort, but the Cougars held on for a 53-48 win against Saint Mary’s in Fort Worth. J’Wan Roberts had 15 points and 8 rebounds while Sasser added 13 points of his own.
Houston continues to prove that they belong at the top and have the answers on offense and defense. They can score bundles of points when needed and they play elite defense, allowing no more than 56 points in each of their first six games. Tougher games are on the horizon, with a date with Alabama looming this upcoming Saturday before a trickier road test at Virginia just two weeks away.
Next. Latest takeaways of the week. dark
We’re finished with our rundown on this week’s top 25 rankings; which teams do you think were ranked too high and which ones do you think we underrated?