Eye Test Power Rankings Week 16

This hasn't been that crazy of a week on the court as it has been off of it. The news came swirling earlier this morning about all the names involved in the FBI investigation, and that has rightfully dominated the college basketball news scene. The ETPW still moves forward, though, so here are this week's rankings.

1. Virginia
The Wahoos have still only lost two games all year and look to be in the driver's seat for that #1 overall seed in the tournament. A win tomorrow against the lowly Pittsburgh clinches the outright ACC regular season title.

2. Michigan State
I was almost super pissed that Michigan State was about to crap the bed against Northwestern last Saturday. (I was at the game and wanted to see Michigan State play well.) The Spartans were down 27 at one point in the first half, but they somehow turned it around and won by 5 points, only allowing 11 second half points. It's cool to see this team rolling and to have seen the largest comeback in Big Ten history live.

3. Villanova
Just when everyone thought Nova was going to lose the throne of the Big East to Xavier, they did only what Villanova could do: they dominated Xavier on the road to reclaim control of the conference. Villanova has this quality to them where whenever they are a heavy underdog (like against Xavier) they find a way to win. It's also good that Phil Booth came back against DePaul on Wednesday, so now the Cats are at full strength.

4. Duke
Duke is coming off a really strong stretch after that loss to North Carolina. What might be the most important aspect of this run is that Duke has been playing without Marvin Bagley. In Bagley's absence, Grayson Allen has really stepped up, averaging 23.8 ppg and leading his team in scoring in each of the four games. The defense has improved as well. Some are attributing that to Bagley's absence, but let's not get carried away here. Duke is better with Marvin Bagley.

5. Kansas
Yep. I've fallen into Kansas's trap once again. The Jayhawks are good. They flat out abused Oklahoma on Monday, winning 104-74. If Kansas shoots half as well as they did on Monday into the tournament, then they might actually be a lowkey favorite to win this thing. They have a huge game against Texas Tech tomorrow in Lubbock. That game will decide if Kansas wins the Big 12 outright for the 14th straight year. My money's on the Jayhawks.

6. Xavier
It seems foolish and maybe unfair to punish Xavier for losing to Villanova, but the Musketeers have yet to get over the hump in the Big East, and this year was the time to do it. They had it all laid out on a platter for them--Villanova was unhealthy, on the road and on the ropes--and they couldn't close the deal. This team is still a threat in March, but damn that loss has to sting.

7. Gonzaga
Gonzaga survived a close one yesterday against San Diego, but that happens from time to time. I'm still really confident in the Zags this year, and I believe they are a legitimate Final Four threat. Tomorrow is kind of a prove-it game for the Zags, as they get BYU on the road, a team that should be their second-most difficult opponent in the WCC.

8. Purdue
Purdue is still recovering from its 3-game losing streak, as it had two close calls against Penn State and Illinois. While they won both games, Purdue still has some questions to answer regarding their performance against the big dogs. I really need to see them take down either Ohio State or Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament next week in order for me to consider them a Final Four team.

9. North Carolina
UNC has quietly stuck around in the upper echelon of the college hoops scene. They've won six straight and are in the 2-seed discussion for the NCAA Tournament. Joel Berry and Luke Maye are being heralded as one of the best duos in basketball and finally there are programs that people are more suspicious of than them. All is bright in Chapel Hill.

10. Texas Tech
Texas Tech literally had one job: Don't lose to Oklahoma State Before the Biggest Game in Program History. And they didn't execute. The Red Raiders had a chance to knock the Jayhawks a game back in the Big 12, but now they are fighting just for a share of the Big 12 title on Saturday. There is cosmic conspiracy to keep the Jayhawk streak alive. I'm sure of it.