College basketball’s non-conference schedule established that the blue bloods are back, the freshman class is loaded, and the race for the national championship should feature contenders from all over the country. With Christmas behind us, it’s finally time for conference play.
NCAA basketball rankings 2016: Villanova is at No. 1 again as UCLA-Oregon showdown looms
Villanova is No. 1 for the fourth straight week on the final poll before conference play.
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Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
The opening week is packed with some outstanding matchups.
Villanova remains at No. 1 for the fourth straight week, followed by UCLA, Kansas, Baylor, and Duke. Kentucky fell from No. 6 to No. 8 after losing to Louisville, while the Cards jumped from No. 10 to No. 6.
This week is highlighted by some big-time matchups in the ACC, Pac-12, and Big Ten. Louisville will be tested again against No. 12 Virginia on Wednesday, while UCLA gets its toughest challenger in the Pac-12 in No. 21 Oregon. Iowa gets No. 15 Purdue to open Big Ten play while No. 16 Indiana faces Nebraska.
Here’s a full look at the last poll before conference play kicks off in full:
- Villanova
- UCLA
- Kansas
- Baylor
- Duke
- Louisville
- Gonzaga
- Kentucky
- North Carolina
- Creighton
- West Virginia
- Virginia
- Butler
- Wisconsin
- Purdue
- Indiana
- Xavier
- Arizona
- St. Mary’s
- Florida State
- Oregon
- USC
- Cincinnati
- Notre Dame
- Florida
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