As the holiday season and college basketball merge, the slate of games remained strong this week. Many top teams have now done the heavy lifting in setting their non-conference resume, leaving a few more matchups to play before flipping the calendar.
A loaded weekend slate saw Texas Tech upset Duke and reshape the outlook for the upcoming polls, while Houston lifted its resume with a win over Arkansas. Elsewhere, the Top 25 had a strong week which should keep a majority of the teams in the same range.
After the seventh week of the college basketball season wraps up, it is time to look at how the results could impact the upcoming rankings. Here is an early projection of what Monday’s AP Poll could look like after the latest set of games.
Predicted AP Poll Top 25
1. Arizona (Last Week: 1)
Arizona remains unbeaten and looks likely to hold onto the No. 1 spot in the update AP Poll once again. The Wildcats have looked the part all season, blazing through a tough non-conference schedule.
2. Michigan (Last Week: 2)
Michigan continues to cement itself as one of the best teams in college basketball, solidifying a high place in the updated Top 25 with an undefeated record. The Wolverines have strung together plenty big results already this season.
3. Iowa State (Last Week: 4)
Iowa State is primed to slide up after seeing Duke take its first loss of the season. The Cyclones remain undefeated so far, putting themselves in the mix at the top of the Big 12 as teams prepare for conference play.
4. UConn (Last Week 5)
UConn continues its surge up the rankings, stringing together big results throughout the non-conference schedule. The Huskies have plenty on their resume, with a solid case as the top team in the Big East.
5. Purdue (Last Week: 6)
Purdue looks to start its climb back up the AP Poll Top 25 after suffering its first loss earlier this month. The Boilermakers remain the highest ranked Big Ten team and hold a solid non-conference resume.
6. Duke (Last Week: 3)
Duke suffered its first loss of the season against Texas Tech, setting up a slide down the AP Poll behind the undefeateds and somewhere in the mix of one-loss powerhouses. The Blue Devils will not fall too far given the strength of their record.
7. Houston (Last Week: 8)
Houston slid down one spot last week despite winning, but could reverse the result this week after defeating Arkansas. The Cougars will have plenty more opportunities in Big 12 play to rise up the AP Poll further.
8. Gonzaga (Last Week: 7)
Gonzaga was on the other side of the position swap with Houston last week, based on a stronger win. They could see the other side this week despite adding another win to the resume.
9. Michigan State (Last Week: 9)
Michigan State added two more wins to the non-conference schedule this week, helping solidify their spot in the rankings once again. Perhaps more importantly, Tom Izzo debuted a stylish Christmas sweater.
10. BYU (Last Week: 10)
BYU picked up another pair of wins which should help keep them inside the Top 10 of the AP Poll as conference play approaches. The Cougars will face plenty more challenges throughout the Big 12.
Predicting 11-25
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
11. Louisville (Last Week: 11)
12. North Carolina (Last Week: 12)
13. Vanderbilt (Last Week: 13)
14. Nebraska (Last Week: 15)
15. Texas Tech (Last Week: 19)
16. Alabama (Last Week: 16)
17. Arkansas (Last Week: 14)
18. Kansas (Last Week: 17)
19. Illinois (Last Week: 18)
20. Tennessee (Last Week: 20)
21. Florida (Last Week: 23)
22. Virginia (Last Week: 23)
23. Auburn (Last Week: 21)
24. Georgia (Last Week: 25)
25. USC (Last Week: NR)
Projected to drop out: St. John’s (Last Week: 22)