Jordan Cornette’s Power 12 College Basketball Rankings, Week 17

    Jordan Cornette's Power 12 College Basketball Rankings for Week 17 of the 2015-16 season.


    The Kansas Jayhawks keep on rolling this week in the Power 12. With another Big 12 title clinched, it’s time for the Jayhawks to start looking towards bigger things, like a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

    I’m not going to say I told you so, but I told you so: Xavier is the class of the Big East. The Muskies proved so in a win over then-No. 1 Villanova. Sure, they tripped up in the following game, but don’t look to deep into that contest.

    Below are my Power 12 College Basketball Rankings for Week 17.

    Week 17 Power 12 College Basketball Rankings

    1) Kansas

    The Jayhawks have clinched the Big 12 for a 12th consecutive time. Only John Wooden knows what such a feat feels like. This is one of the most impressive streaks in the history of college hoops.

    2) Michigan State

    The gold standard in the Big Ten. The Spartans have all the ingredients of a Final Four team. Experience, best passing team in the nation, arguably the best player in the game in Denzel Valentine, they play a physical brand of basketball, they defend and beat you up on boards.

    3) Virginia

    At this point the Cavaliers look to be the best team in the ACC. A huge home win over UNC solidifies this belief. They can shut you down defensively, and Malcolm Brogdon has that “put the team on his back” mentality.

    4) Xavier

    Sometimes you are the dog, sometimes you are the hydrant. On Sunday, the Muskies were the hydrant. I will not put too much stock in the ugly loss at Seton Hall, not until I see how they respond in a week at home vs. Creighton.

    5) Villanova

    Still the second best team in the Big East. Love how these guys guard. They have the dynamic athletes to turn the water off on you. When they are hitting from distance they are as tough an out as any in the nation.

    6) Miami

    Explosive backcourt with Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez. Great length and athleticism on this deep Miami team. They are a matchup nightmare for most.

    7) UNC

    Despite the loss to UVA, these Tar Heels have proven they are elite. So many weapons offensively and they have the best player in the ACC – Brice Johnson.

    8) West Virginia

    The Mountaineers play a lot of guys and they play at a relentless pace, These guys can and will wear out their opponent over a 40 minute contest. They impose their will and have the ability to overwhelm.

    9) Oklahoma

    Sooners are struggling, having lost three of their last four. Shooting, which has carried OU throughout most of the season, has dipped in this underwhelming stretch of play. The Sooners’ lack of interior toughness is becoming an issue.

    10) Utah

    The win vs. Arizona over the weekend made me officially take notice of these Utes. Brandon Taylor and Jordan Loveridge have been playing with great confidence during Utah’s 6-game winning streak. The Utes possess an endangered species, a skilled big man who plays on the low block, Pac-12 Player of the Year candidate Jakob Poeltl.

    11) Oregon

    The Ducks are a streaky team. Long and athletic bunch with guys who can explode on any given night with big-time scoring outputs. Can’t quite figure this team out fully, but Oregon is capable of going on a deep run in March behind guys like Elgin Cook and Dillon Brooks.

    12) Kentucky

    The Wildcats may have the best backcourt in the nation. Tyler Ulis has been magnificent as of late.

    MORE: Projecting No. 1 NCAA Tournament Seeds

    DOWNLOAD THE APP

    Have the full Stadium experience

    Watch with friends

    Get rewards

    Join the discussion