SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 23: Johnathan Williams #3 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs attempts a shot against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at SAP Center on March 23, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
With the top three programs in the country losing at least once last week, it would be fair to assume that there would be a fair amount of shake-up at the top. However, we all know the saying concerning assumptions. As several programs at the middle and near the bottom of the rankings succumbed to lesser opponents last week, this allowed both Villanova (dropped from 1st to 3rd) and Virginia (move up one spot from 2nd 1st) to remain near the top of the AP Poll in spite of losing. To be fair, both of the aforementioned programs have played at a high level this season and arguably should still be considered top-tier programs even with their surprising lapses last week. Aside from the slight movements at the top, the Xavier Musketeers are continuing to rise through the rankings as their prolific offense is keeping them in contention for a Big East title with Villanova being the only program standing in the way of them attaining that goal.
Top 25 College Basketball Rankings 2018: Week 15
Losing twice last week, the Sooners barely remained in the rankings as they dropped from 17th to 23rd in the AP Poll. Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma struggles have been the result of playing dreadful defense while their predictable offense has been easily stifled in recent weeks by opportunistic defensive programs. With a contest against Texas Tech coming up next, the Sooners are in serious danger of not only losing that particular matchup but could very well drop out of the rankings altogether to become one of many teams that had the potential to be great yet simply fell short because they failed to make late-season adjustments. However, the Sooners can redeem themselves and possibly save their season with a win over the Red Raiders, a victory that would do wonders for their immediate and long term confidence.
| Ranking | Team (1st place votes) |
| 1 | Virginia (30) |
| 2 | Michigan State (21) |
| 3 | Villanova (9) |
| 4 | Xavier (5) |
| 5 | Cincinnati |
| 6 | Purdue |
| 7 | Texas Tech |
| 8 | Ohio State |
| 9 | Gonzaga |
| 10 | Auburn |
| 11 | Clemson |
| 12 | Duke |
| 13 | Kansas |
| 14 | North Carolina |
| 15 | Saint Mary’s |
| 16 | Rhode Island |
| 17 | Arizona |
| 18 | Tennessee |
| 19 | Wichita State |
| 20 | West Virginia |
| 21 | Texas A&M |
| 22 | Michigan |
| 23 | Oklahoma |
| 24 | Nevada |
| 25 | Arizona State |
Despite losing to Virginia Tech on Saturday, Virginia was able to supersede Villanova for the top spot in the rankings this week. Being ranked number one in the AP Poll for the first time in 35 years, the Cavaliers should feel immensely proud of their accomplishments this season in a conference that is notoriously known for being insanely competitive. However, the Cavaliers should not rest on their laurels as they were somewhat exposed in their most recent loss for having an anemic offense, something that they need to improve if they hope to compete for a National Title.
Dropped from rankings: Kentucky 24, Miami 25
Others receiving votes that did not make the poll: New Mexico State 66, Florida 48, Creighton 44, Butler 43, Virginia Tech 29, Middle Tennessee 26, Alabama 22, Houston 16, Nebraska 15, Missouri 14, Miami 10, Kentucky 8, TCU 8, East Tennessee State 5, Oklahoma State 4, St. Bonaventure 3, Louisville 2, Florida State 1, Vermont 1
