College basketball power rankings: Nebraska jumps to No. 2; Michigan slips

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The number of undefeated teams in college basketball dropped in the last week from six to three as Michigan, Iowa State and Vanderbilt — and in that order — all suffered their first losses of the season in a five-day span. In some ways that complicates the Power Rankings this week because of the emphasis I place on recent results, but in other ways it simplifies how the rankings shake out. The most obvious example of the latter is this: Arizona and Nebraska — two of the three remaining unbeaten teams — are 1-2 in this week’s rankings.

Arizona simply retained its spot at No. 1 after supplanting Michigan last week. But Nebraska moved from No. 6 to No. 2 after the chaotic week. The other unbeaten team, Miami (Ohio), moved up to its highest ranking of the season after its Tuesday win over Central Michigan advanced it to a perfect 18-0 entering the weekend. 

I punished the newly-imperfect teams in this week’s Power Rankings but only marginally because, despite the emphasis on recent results, it’s hard to justify putting Michigan, Vanderbilt or Iowa State outside the top-10. Because of my rankings criteria I do occasionally overcorrect. Not so this week.

Let’s get to the rankings.

Week 1: Purdue | Week 2: Arizona | Week 3: Michigan | Week 4: Michigan | Week 5: Michigan | Week 6: Michigan | Week 7: Michigan | Week 8: Arizona

College Basketball Power Rankings