College Basketball Rankings 2014-15: Bleacher Report's Week 4 Top 25

You won't find any changes in the top five of Bleacher Report's latest Top 25 poll. A week from now, though, things could look different.

The most exciting week of the college basketball season to date is upon us, with Wednesday's tilt between No. 2 Wisconsin and No. 3 Duke in Madison serving as the headliner.

In other words, colleagues C.J. Moore and Kerry Miller and I will have a better feel for these teams when we compile these rankings a week from now.   

Also on the docket this week is No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 6 Texas and No. 10 Wichita State vs. No. 22 Utah. It should be a fun seven days. But for now, here's our latest look at the best teams in the country.

Also considered: North Carolina State, Baylor, Colorado, Colorado State, VCU, Texas A&M, UCLA

No. 25-21: Maryland-Arkansas

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

25. Maryland 7-0 (Previous Rank: NR. 4 points)

With five players (including three starters) transferring during the offseason, things didn't look good for the Terrapins entering the 2014-15 campaign. Maryland, though, refused to mope and will now enter December without a loss on its resume.

The most impressive victory for Mark Turgeon's squad came in the title game of last week's CBE Classic, when the Terrapins upset then-No. 8 Iowa State in Kansas City. Maryland, though, may have difficulty sustaining its success, as leading scorer Dez Wells (16.2 points) is out for the next four weeks because of a broken wrist suffered in the win over the Cyclones.

24. Northern Iowa 7-0 (Previous Rank: NR. 6 points)

Could this Panthers squad be as good as the one that upset No. 1 seed Kansas in the 2010 NCAA tournament? Heck, who knows, but this is definitely a salty bunch. Northern Iowa has already defeated Stephen F. Austin, Virginia Tech, Northwestern and Richmond.

A huge game against previously ranked VCU looms on Dec. 13. Seth Tuttle averages a team-high 16.3 points. Maybe Wichita State will be challenged in the Missouri Valley Conference after all.

23. Illinois 6-0 (Previous Rank: NR. 8 points)

The Illini came from behind to defeat previously unbeaten Baylor 62-54 in the championship game of the Las Vegas Invitational on Friday. Even though Baylor was without its top player (point guard Kenny Chery), it was still an impressive win. Rayvonte Rice and Malcolm Hill are averaging a combined 32 points and 13.6 rebounds. Big tests against Miami (Tuesday) and Villanova (Dec. 9) are on the horizon.

22. Utah 5-1 (Previous Rank: NR. 10 points)

The Utes are back in the rankings after winning three games last week by an average of 35 points. Utah's only loss came in a road setback against then-No. 15  San Diego State. Certainly no shame in that.

But this week it will face an even stiffer test against No. 10 Wichita State on Wednesday in Salt Lake City. And after that comes games against BYU (Dec. 10) and Kansas (Dec. 13). In other words, we'll learn a lot about the Utes in the next few weeks.

21. Arkansas 6-0 (Previous Rank: 24. 12 points)

Credit Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown as a believer in the Razorbacks. "They have everything," Brown told reporters after Arkansas whipped his SMU Mustangs 78-72 in Dallas last week. Forward Bobby Portis averages team highs in points (15.2) and rebounds (5.6) for a squad that will have a tough test against No. 17 Iowa State on Thursday in Ames before traveling to Clemson on Sunday.

No. 20-16: West Virginia-Oklahoma

Ricardo Arduengo/Associated Press

20. West Virginia 7-0 (Previous Rank: 25. 19 points)

The Mountaineers haven't shown any signs of slowing down since upsetting defending national champion Connecticut last week in Puerto Rico. Bob Huggins' squad demolished VMI (103-72) and College of Charleston (86-57) last week and should be full of momentum entering a home tilt against a talented LSU team on Thursday. Juwan Staten leads West Virginia in points (15.1) and assists (4.3).

19. Ohio State 5-0 (Previous Rank: 18. 24 points)

The Buckeyes are a little tough to judge because they've yet to play a prominent team, unless you count Marquette, which is in a down year following the departure of coach Buzz Williams to Virginia Tech. Luckily things will change Tuesday when Ohio State hits the road for a game against No. 8 Louisville.

Thad Matta's squad has shown some positive signs offensively, as Ohio State ranks 12th in the country with 87.2 points per game. Shannon Scott averages 10.4 assists. Aaron Craft who?

18. Miami 7-0 (Previous Rank: 20. 25 points)

The transfer market has been kind to the Hurricanes, as former Big 12 stars Sheldon McClellan (Texas) and Angel Rodriguez (Kansas State) are averaging a combined 31.6 points and 7.4 assists. Miami's top wins are against Florida and Akron, and it'll get another test Tuesday when it hosts unbeaten Illinois.

17. Iowa State 3-1 (Previous Rank: 8 (tie). 26 points)

The Cyclones suffered a rather surprising upset when they fell to Maryland in the championship game of the CBE Classic last week in Kansas City. Iowa State shot just 29.7 percent in the defeat, while also getting out-rebounded. The Arkansas squad that will visit Ames on Thursday is much better than Maryland. Fred Hoiberg's team better be ready.

16. Oklahoma 4-2 (Previous Rank: 17. 30 points)

The Sooners bounced back from a head-scratching loss at Creighton—they blew an 18-point second-half lead—to reach the title game of the Battle 4 Atlantis, where they fell to Wisconsin. Standout guard Buddy Hield struggled during the tournament's final two games, going a combined 4-of-21 from the field while scoring 14 points.

No. 15-11: Michigan State-Virginia

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

15. Michigan State 5-2 (Previous Rank: 15. 33 points)

They may be toting a pair of losses to Duke and Kansas, but the Spartans have been impressive—especially considering how much this team lost from last season.

Tom Izzo's squad doesn't feature any marquee names other than Branden Dawson, but Michigan State was in the game until the final minutes against Duke. And it probably would've defeated Kansas if not for a handful of missed layups. Izzo again is proving why he's one of college basketball's best coaches.

14. Michigan 5-1 (Previous Rank: 16. 34 points)

The Wolverines staved off pesky Oregon last week before falling 60-55 to Villanova in one of the best games of the season to date. Sophomore Zak Irvin has been a stud for Michigan, averaging a team-high 17.7 points, while shooting 45.2 percent from beyond the arc and 48.7 percent overall.

13. San Diego State 5-1 (Previous Rank: 15. 37 points)

Losing Xavier Thames and Josh Davis to graduation hasn't slowed down the Aztecs, who own victories over Utah, BYU and Pittsburgh. San Diego State's only loss came against Arizona in the championship game of the Maui Invitational, and the 61-59 setback wasn't decided until the game's final play.

This is a balanced squad, with five players averaging between 8.7 and 11.8 points. Sunday's game at Washington should be entertaining.

12. North Carolina 5-1 (Previous Rank: 6. 43 points)

The Tar Heels suffered an inexplicable loss to Butler in the Battle 4 Atlantis but then bounced back with double-digit wins over UCLA and Florida. Is this going to be like last season, where Roy Williams' squad would beat a top-flight opponent one night and then lose to a mid-level team the next? Williams certainly hopes not.

11. Virginia 7-0 (Previous Rank: 11. 44 points)

Opponents are averaging just 43.6 points against the Cavaliers. That includes Rutgers (26 points) and Tennessee State (36). Tony Bennett's team has yet to beat anyone significant, but that could change this week when Virginia travels to Maryland (which is without Dez Wells) and VCU.

No. 10: Wichita State Shockers

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Record: 4-0 (46 points)

Previous rank: 10

Results since last poll: vs. Tulsa (75-55)

Games this week: at Utah, vs. Saint Louis

The toughest game on the Wichita State Shockers' regular-season schedule will occur Wednesday when Gregg Marshall's team travels to Salt Lake City to face Utah.

Win or lose, playing a top-25-caliber opponent in an unfriendly environment will be good for Wichita State, which won't be challenged often once Missouri Valley Conference play begins next month. Guard Ron Baker is averaging a team-high 18.5 points, while shooting 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.

No. 9: Kansas Jayhawks

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Record: 5-1 (53 points)

Previous rank: 14

Results since last poll: vs. Rider (87-60), vs. Rhode Island (76-60), vs. Tennessee (82-67), vs. Michigan State (61-56)

Games this week: vs. Florida

Bill Self has done an outstanding job of regrouping his team following that embarrassing 32-point loss to Kentucky in the Champions Classic. The Kansas Jayhawks are moving the ball and getting quality shots on offense, while taking pride in their play on the defensive end.

Perry Ellis is developing into a star in the paint, while highly touted freshman forward Cliff Alexander is becoming more and more confident. The Jayhawks need more offense from guard Wayne Selden, who missed all 10 of his field-goal attempts Sunday against Michigan State.

No. 8: Louisville Cardinals

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Record: 5-0 (54 points)

Previous rank: 7

Results since last poll: vs. Savannah State (87-26), vs. Cleveland State (45-33)

Games this week: vs. Ohio State, vs. Florida International

After eclipsing the 80-point barrier in each of their first four games, the Louisville Cardinals struggled to score in a 45-33 win over Cleveland State on Wednesday. The victory was the 700th in the career of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, who knows his squad must play better in Tuesday's home tilt against Ohio State. Montrezl Harrell leads Louisville with 17.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

No. 7: Villanova Wildcats

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Record: 6-0 (57 points)

Previous rank: 12

Results since last poll: vs. VCU (77-53), vs. Michigan (60-55), vs. Delaware (78-47)

Games this week: at La Salle, vs. St. Joseph's

Who had a better week than the Villanova Wildcats, who curb-stomped then-No. 14 VCU before making some key plays down the stretch against Michigan in the championship game of the Legends Classic in Brooklyn. Junior guard Dylan Ennis is averaging 13.0 points after scoring just 5.1 per game last season. Daniel Ochefu (8.2 rebounds) is also vastly improved.

No. 6: Texas Longhorns

Jessica Hill/Associated Press

Record: 6-0 (58 points)

Previous rank: 8

Results since last poll: vs. St. Francis 78-46, at Connecticut 55-54

Games this week: vs. UT-Arlington, at Kentucky

The Texas Longhorns topped defending national champion Connecticut on Sunday when Jonathan Holmes swished a three-pointer from the corner in the final seconds. Making the win even more impressive is that it occurred without the services of standout point guard Isaiah Taylor, who is out indefinitely with a wrist injury. Texas will be hard-pressed to beat No. 1-ranked Kentucky in Lexington on Friday without Taylor.

No. 5: Arizona Wildcats

Eugene Tanner/Associated Press

Record: 6-0 (63 points)

Previous rank: 5

Results since last poll: vs. Missouri 72-53, vs. Kansas State 72-68, vs. San Diego State 61-59

Games this week: vs. Gardner Webb, vs. Gonzaga

The Arizona Wildcats may not be flashy, but they're as mentally tough as any team in the country. That's one of the main reasons Sean Miller's team was able to stave off San Diego State in the championship game of last week's Maui Invitational, and it will also be a key in Saturday's highly anticipated showdown against Gonzaga.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson are averaging 27.3 points and 12.5 rebounds combined.

No. 4: Gonzaga Bulldogs

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Record: 6-0 (65 points)

Previous rank: 4

Results since last poll: vs. Georgia 88-76, vs. St. John's 73-66

Games this week: vs. Southeast Louisiana, at Arizona

After winning their first four games by an average of 42 points, the Gonzaga Bulldogs were finally challenged in the Preseason NIT in New York last week.

Playing relatively close games against Georgia and St. John's should come in handy when Gonzaga faces No. 5 Arizona in Tucson this week. Transfers Kyle Wiltjer (Kentucky) and Byron Wesley (USC) have been big for Gonzaga, which also touts one of the nation's top backcourts in seniors Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr.

No. 3: Duke Blue Devils

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Record: 7-0 (69 points)

Previous rank: 3

Results since last poll: vs. Furman 93-54, vs. Army 93-73

Games this week: at Wisconsin

Scoring hasn't been a problem for the well-balanced Duke Blue Devils, who average 90.4 points per game. But Mike Krzyzewski's squad—which features three freshmen starters—will have to step it up a notch defensively if it hopes to beat a veteran Wisconsin squad Wednesday in Madison.

Forward Jahlil Okafor, the likely No. 1 pick in next summer's NBA draft, has scored a combined 45 points in his last two games, while going 20-of-28 overall from the field.

No. 2: Wisconsin Badgers

Andy Manis/Associated Press

Record: 7-0 (71 points)

Previous rank: 2

Results since last poll: vs. Alabama-Birmingham (72-43), vs. Georgetown (68-65), vs. Oklahoma (69-56)

Games this week: vs. Duke, at Marquette

The Wisconsin Badgers took first-place honors in last week's Battle 4 Atlantis, one of the premier nonconference tournaments in college basketball. But the competition they faced in the Bahamas isn't anything close to what they'll face in Wednesday's home showdown with Duke. Emerging forward Nigel Hayes will have his hands full with Duke's Jahlil Okafor in the paint. Staying out of foul trouble will be key.

No. 1: Kentucky Wildcats

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Record: 7-0 (75 points)

Previous rank: 1

Results since last poll: vs. Texas-Arlington 92-44, vs. Providence 58-38

Games this week: vs. Texas, vs. Eastern Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats have four days to prepare for a Texas team that could give them problems. In Jonathan Holmes, Myles Turner and Cameron Ridley, the Longhorns boast one of the few frontcourts that could at least challenge Kentucky down low.

Still, if the Wildcats bring their A-game like they did against Kansas, this should be a double-digit win. Ten Kentucky players average between 15 and 22 minutes per game.