NCAAB Power Rankings: Gonzaga stays on top while Kansas falters

As we head into the final days of the 2010s, we finally have a team holding steady at the top of our power rankings. Gonzaga holds their top spot, avoiding the musical chairs we have had over the first part of the college basketball season, while the Jayhawks slide just a bit after their loss to Villanova. Let’s get into this week’s Power Rankings, as we enter the final weekend of the non-conference schedule.

1. Gonzaga (13-1)

I had the Bulldogs near the top of the power rankings to start the season, and while their conference schedule will provide little to impress, their non-conference slate was quite stacked. Gonzaga navigated a difficult schedule that included wins over three Pac-12 teams, as well as Power 5 wins over North Carolina and Texas A&M. Their third-ranked scoring offense should roll through conference play.

This week: Detroit Mercy

2. Ohio State (11-1)

A win over Kentucky vaults the Buckeyes back up our list. Ohio State outrebounded the Wildcats 33-25 and went 21-27 from the charity stripe, as they continue their impressive play. They now have wins over Villanova, North Carolina, Kentucky and Penn State, so a win over a ranked West Virginia squad this weekend could see them move into the top spot.

This week: #22 West Virginia

3. Kansas (9-2)

A loss on the road to a ranked Villanova squad is nothing to be ashamed of, especially given Marcus Garrett missed half the game. The Jayhawks have lost only twice this season by a combined three points, with both losses coming to teams in our top 10. A trip to Stanford this weekend will be their second-to-last non-conference tilt (with Tennessee still on the schedule), but conference play will be tough in a very deep Big 12.

This Week: at Stanford

4. Oregon (10-2)

Oregon have already faced five teams that were ranked in the top 15 in the nation at the time of their matchup, with wins in three of those contests. The Ducks are battle-tested, can shoot the lights out, and Payton Pritchard continues to play at an All-American level. N’Faly Dante scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in eleven minutes, as the Ducks held off an upset bid by Texas Southern in his debut last weekend.

This week: Alabama State, at Colorado

5. Baylor (11-1)

The Bears continue to impress, with three wins over teams in the KenPom top 20. However, they’ve only played once in the last two and a half weeks, and have a cupcake to close out their non-conference schedule when they face Jackson State on Monday. Their first three games in conference play will take place in an eight day span, with road games at Texas Tech and Kansas following a tilt against Texas, so we will find out quickly just what this team is made of.

This week: Jackson State

6. Duke (10-1)

Wofford was unable to pull off a pair of upsets, as Duke demolished them 86-57 last week. Now they take on Brown before facing Boston College on New Years’ Eve. The Blue Devils won’t face a tough opponent until they play Louisville in three weeks, but if Tre Jones has to miss significant time, things could get a bit dicey for Coach K’s team.

This week: Brown, Boston College

7. Louisville (11-1)

It’s the week all Louisville fans have been waiting for, as the Cardinals travel down I-64 to face their hated rivals. Kentucky is struggling and the Cardinals will look to get a much-needed win, both for this season and their long-term psychological well-being, as they head into Rupp Arena. They have not looked the same since the Michigan game, so their guard play must improve for them to get a huge win and head into conference play on a high note.

This week: at #19 Kentucky

8. Villanova (9-2)

The Wildcats took down top-ranked Kansas last weekend in a classic, as Jermaine Samuels hit a three pointer with 20 seconds left in the game to win 56-55 at home. It was their first win over a ranked foe in three attempts this season, and gives them a big boost heading into a Big East conference schedule that is tougher than many thought it might be when the season started. It starts with a matchup against Xavier on Monday, where Villanova will look to make it six wins in a row on the year.

This week: Xavier

9. Dayton (9-2)

The Flyers lost last weekend—their second overtime loss of the season--but they will not be punished for an instant-classic against a Power-5 opponent with a 10-2 record. Dayton thought they had the win with a late layup in overtime, but the Buffaloes nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to send the Flyers home with a 78-76 loss. The nation was introduced to Obi Toppin, though, as he scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, including an emphatic one-handed dunk that brought the house down. He followed that up by scoring a career-high 30 over Grambling on Monday in a 28-point win.

This week: North Florida

10. Butler (11-1)

The seventh-ranked team in KenPom makes their first appearance in our rankings, following a win over Purdue last weekend. They held the Boilermakers to just 33.3% shooting from the floor, limiting them to only 10-of-37 from inside the three-point line. Their defense is extremely good, and they look to be the favorite in a very strong Big East conference. They will have two games this week, including their conference opener against St Johns.

This week: Louisiana Monroe, St. John's

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