College Basketball Rankings 2015-16: Bleacher Report's Week 16 Top 25

If you're tired of the parity narrative in college basketball this season, it's probably best you tune out until next year.

There are only six teams in our top 25 this week that have a winning streak of at least three games and only four teams with better than a four-game win streak.

It takes a six-game winning streak to win the NCAA tournament. Since conference play started, only 10 teams in the top 25 (Villanova, Kansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Iowa, Arizona, Indiana, Oregon, Texas A&M and SMU) have pulled that off and one of those teams (SMU) is postseason ineligible.

But hey, here's some good news for those who appreciate the best teams playing at a high level: Villanova, Kansas and Michigan State all appear to be playing their best basketball and have started to slightly separate themselves from the pack.

Could they compete with last year's elite three: Kentucky, Wisconsin and Duke? I don't think so, but at least those teams are playing at a high level over several weeks, and all three voters had that trio at the top of their ballots this week. 

Team dropped from last week's rankings: Dayton (15), Wisconsin (23), Stony Brook (24), Texas (25)

Also receiving votes: Utah

Our experts participate in weekly voting for B/R's Top 25. Once a vote is cast for a specific team, it's assigned a value—25 points for the No. 1 team in the rankings, 24 points for the second spot and so on. The point totals are then added up to create the Top 25.

25-21: Texas Tech-Purdue

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Texas Tech's Tubby Smith has entered the National Coach of the Year discussion after leading a struggling program back to relevance.

25. Texas Tech

Record: 17-9 (7-7, Big 12)

Previous rank: Not ranked

Minnesota doesn't look too smart right now for letting Tubby Smith go. The Gophers were a tourney team in Smith's last season (2012-13), and they just picked up their first Big Ten win of the season this past week. Meanwhile, a four-game winning streak that includes three straight against ranked opponents has the Red Raiders on track to get back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007.

24. SMU

Record: 22-4 (10-4, AAC)

Previous rank: 22

The Mustangs are 4-4 since starting the season 18-0, but none of those losses are terrible ones—all four were against the top half of the American. Considering the postseason ban, it's hard to fault SMU for losing some of its momentum once the shot at a perfect season ended.

23. Notre Dame

Record: 18-8 (9-5, ACC)

Previous rank: 17

Notre Dame lost by one at Georgia Tech on Saturday, which doesn't look quite as bad when considering Virginia also lost there earlier this season. What is frustrating for the Irish is they have one of the easier schedules left among ACC title contenders and would have been in good shape with a win at Georgia Tech. They could still win a share of the conference title, but they'll need to win out and get some help.

22. Iowa State

Record: 19-8 (8-6, Big 12)

Previous rank: 17

Iowa State center Jameel McKay was dressed Saturday in the win over TCU but did not play. That's now three of the last five games he has not played, and it's troubling for the Cyclones, who lack depth even when he's in the lineup. He is a senior and needs to get his act together. This team has the talent to go on a run in the tournament, but it's hard to see that happening without a productive McKay.

21. Purdue

Record: 21-7 (9-6, Big Ten)

Previous rank: 20

The Boilermakers have struggled this season against teams that play small and can spread the floor with a stretch 4, with the latest example a loss to Indiana over the weekend. All of Purdue's losses in Big Ten play have come to teams that play that way, except for Maryland, which does have a stretch 4 but isn't exactly small. This team has the talent to go on a deep tourney run, but the potential for a bad matchup is something to watch when the bracket comes out.

20-16: California-Duke

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20. California

Record: 19-8 (9-5, Pac-12)

Previous rank: Not ranked

The Bears are starting to play up to their talent level and have won five straight games. With a big three of Jaylen Brown, Tyrone Wallace and Ivan Rabb—all future pros—no one is going to want to see Cal in their region come tourney time.

19. Texas A&M

Record: 20-7 (9-5, SEC)

Previous rank: Not ranked

The overtime win against Kentucky this weekend was much-needed from a confidence standpoint for the Aggies. They've now won two straight after a four-game losing streak, and they kept their chances at an SEC title alive; they now trail UK by one game. But more than anything else, the win should go a long way toward convincing the Aggies they can beat anyone in the country. And based off their talent, they should feel that way.

18. West Virginia

Record: 20-7 (9-5, Big 12)

Previous rank: 10

The Moutaineers have lost three of four, but that doesn't sound that bad when you consider the circumstances and the opponents. They lost at Kansas, which has the longest active home winning streak in the country, then at Texas (13-2 at home this year) and at home against an angry Oklahoma team that had lost three of four. Such is life in the round-robin Big 12.

17. Baylor

Record: 20-7 (9-5, Big 12)

Previous rank: Not ranked

Speaking of the up-and-down nature of life in the Big 12. Baylor had one of the best weeks in college basketball–an overtime win over Iowa State and then a 14-point win at Texas. The Bears had lost three of four heading into the week, but they now sit in a three-way tie for second place.

16. Duke

Record: 20-7 (9-5, ACC)

Previous rank: 14

It's still a mystery when, or if, Amile Jefferson will return from his foot injury, but it's probably time to quit writing that Duke could be dangerous when he does. The Blue Devils are dangerous right now even with such a short rotation. They earned that designation by winning in Chapel Hill. 

Of course, the Blue Devils cannot afford anymore injuries to their regulars. Good news is that Matt Jones, who missed the Louisville loss with a sprained ankle, appears to be set to return this week, according to Duke beat writer Laura Keeley.

15. Oregon

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Record: 21-6 (10-4, Pac-12)

Previous rank: 16

Oregon is one of those teams that is hard to gauge at this point in the year. The Ducks are good at home—they're undefeated in Eugene—and they're the only team to win at Arizona this year. On some nights, they look like they can beat any team in the country. But they looked average recently in road losses to California (by 20) and Stanford.

The Ducks are essentially the West Coast version of Indiana. They can score by spreading the floor with mismatches, but they're average on the defensive side, and that makes them tough to trust.

14. Maryland

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Record: 23-5 (11-4, Big Ten)

Previous rank: 6

The Maryland Terps are the most disappointing five-loss team in the country. You could make the argument that they have college basketball's most talented starting five—I believe they do—and yet they continually play down to their competition.

Since beating Ohio State by 35 on Jan. 16, they've won only one game by double figures and Sunday's four-point win at home over Michigan ended a two-game losing streak. This wasn't just any two-game losing streak either. Maryland lost at home to Wisconsin—a team that has considerably less talent—and then allowed Minnesota to win its first Big Ten game. The Terps were without Diamond Stone in the Minnesota loss, but that's still a game they should win comfortably.

12. Miami (tie)

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Record: 21-5 (10-4, ACC)

Previous rank: 11

The battle for No. 1 seeds is so wide open that Miami could end up on the top line even after getting smoked by North Carolina by 25 this past weekend.

This is a huge week that could determine how high the Hurricanes get seeded. They welcome Virginia on Big Monday and then play Louisville at home on Saturday. The Canes finish their schedule at Notre Dame and at Virginia Tech. That's an opportunity to pick up three quality victories and win an ACC title. Miami is only one game back of UNC in the ACC standings.

If the Hurricanes win out, they'll likely claim at least a share of the conference title. UNC still has to travel to Virginia and Duke.

12. Indiana (tie)

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Record: 22-6 (12-3, Big Ten)

Previous rank: 21

Indiana had an impressive response this week to getting stomped at Michigan State last weekend, winning home games over Nebraska and Purdue.

Tom Crean and the Hoosiers deserve credit for the way they've bounced back from blowout losses this season. After losing by 20 at Duke, they reeled off 12 straight wins. They also deserve credit for turning a putrid defense into a serviceable one. Indiana still isn't exactly stingy on the defensive end, but IU's made a significant jump from last season, going from being ranked 214th in adjusted defensive efficiency to 77th this year.

11. Kentucky

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Record: 20-7 (10-4, SEC)

Previous rank: 9

Kentucky has played much better since Derek Willis joined the starting lineup. Willis' ability to stretch the floor has opened up the lane for Kentucky's guards.

Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray are UK's best and most irreplaceable players, but Willis is the X-factor who could determine how far the Wildcats go in March.

In the 10 games Willis has started, the team is 5-0 when he scores in double figures and 2-3 when he doesn't—he scored only three points in Saturday's loss to Texas A&M. Also worth noting, in the two wins when he's gone for single-digits (Vanderbilt and South Carolina), Alex Poythress scored 16 against Vandy and Marcus Lee went for 11 points against South Carolina. So any sort of solid scoring contribution from a UK big man usually leads to success, and Willis' jumper makes him the best equipped to be that consistent scorer inside. He injured his ankle on Saturday at A&M. Hopefully for the 'Cats, he's not out for long.

10. Iowa

Matthew Holst/Getty Images

Record: 20-6 (11-3, Big Ten)

Previous rank: 5

Iowa's loss at Penn State last week was a bad look, but it's not all that unusual for good teams to have a bad loss on the resume.

Out of the other nine teams in the top 10, Villanova and Louisville are the only teams without a loss to a team that isn't in the NCAA tournament picture. (The Cards have lost to Clemson, currently living on the bubble.)

Penn State was the Hawkeyes' first bad loss all year, and it was a strange game that featured 46 fouls and not a lot of rhythm. Iowa is still in a good spot to win the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are a half-game back of Indiana—tied in the loss column—and they get Indiana at home on March 1.

9. Louisville

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Record: 21-6 (10-4, ACC)

Previous rank: 19

The Louisville Cardinals lost two of their first three after finding out about the postseason ban, but they've now won two straight, and the suffocating defense is back.

Just ask Grayson Allen and Duke's guards.

Louisville had Allen so frustrated, he left the floor steaming on Saturday, picking up a technical foul after voicing his displeasure following his fifth foul on a questionable charging call. Mike Krzyzewski had also picked up a technical foul earlier in the game.

When the Cardinals are at their best, they make it feel like the floor has shrunk because of their quickness, length and Rick Pitino's schemes. It's exhausting to face and can be hard to officiate as well.

8. Arizona

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Record: 22-5 (10-4, Pac-12)

Previous rank: 13

This is Sean Miller's least talented team in years, but could this be the year Miller finally makes it to the Final Four?

The Arizona Wildcats are one of the country's hottest teams—they've won six straight to leap to the top of the Pac-12 standings—and this group doesn't have any real weaknesses. It's hard to find many other college basketball teams you can write that about.

Arizona is not as stingy on the defensive end as the last few years, but it's still better than most; this is arguably the best offensive team Miller's had in Tucson. When taking just conference games into account, the Wildcats are scoring at a higher efficiency this season (116.5 points per possessions) than any of Miller's past teams.

6. Xavier (tie)

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Record: 24-3 (12-3 Big East)

Previous rank: 12

Xavier gets its rematch against Villanova on Wednesday. The last time the two teams played, the Musketeers lost by 31 and were shaken by Edmond Sumner leaving the floor on a stretcher less than three minutes into the game.

The Musketeers look a lot different with Sumner in the lineup, and the lightning-quick guard has been hot lately. Sumner put up 22 points Saturday in a win at Georgetown, and he's averaging 15 points over his last five games. Villanova is difficult to score against in the half court. Sumner's ability to create space and break down the defense off the dribble will be key to Xavier's chances.

6. North Carolina (tie)

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Record: 22-5 (11-3, ACC)

Previous rank: 7

North Carolina's best basketball last season coincided with Justin Jackson playing his best ball late in the year, and Jackson is once again coming around as the calendar approaches March.

Jackson went for 15 points and eight assists in Saturday's blowout win over Miami, and he's averaging 15.5 points and 4.8 assists over the last four games. Also significant during that stretch is his three-point shooting (7-of-12). It's a small sample size, but it is at least a confidence-builder, as Jackson is shooting only 26.3 percent from deep this year.

In the loss to Duke last week, much was made about not getting the ball to Brice Johnson down the stretch. But UNC's shooters need to be a threat to prevent teams from packing the paint and trying to take away Johnson. That's why it's important Jackson is shooting well enough to demand attention.

5. Oklahoma

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Record: 21-5 (9-5, Big 12)

Previous rank: 3

The Oklahoma Sooners got some of their mojo back with an impressive 14-point win at West Virginia on Saturday.

Buddy Hield once again proved how difficult he is to slow down. The Mountaineers face-guarded him, and he still got up 21 shots and scored a game-high 29 points.

The Sooners' recent struggles—2-3 in their last five games—have been in large part because of struggles from beyond the arc. The country's best three-point shooting team shot 39-of-128 (30.5 percent) from deep during the last five games. Saturday's win was significant because the Sooners won comfortably despite making only eight of 27 threes, proving they can beat a quality opponent without the three-ball.

4. Virginia

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

Record: 21-5 (10-4, ACC)

Previous rank: 7

The Cavaliers have won eight of nine. The one loss during that streak was to Duke at Cameron with Grayson Allen pulling off two travels in one play to bank in the game-winner.

Virginia has a chance this week to put itself in position to win at least a share of the ACC and grab a No. 1 seed. The Cavaliers travel to Miami on Monday and then play North Carolina in Charlottesville on Saturday. The Heels hold a one-game lead over the Cavaliers in the conference standings, but they haven't won at Virginia since 2012.

3. Michigan State

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Record: 22-5 (9-5, Big Ten)

Previous rank: 4

Throwing out record and resume, Michigan State looks like the country's best team right now after spanking both Indiana and Wisconsin.

When the Spartans are cooking this year, they're sharing the ball, and Denzel Valentine's teammates are benefiting from his excellent vision. Michigan State leads the country in percentage of assisted baskets (72.3 percent), and that assist rate is the second-best mark in Ken Pomeroy's database, which goes back to 2002. Belmont had the best mark—72.5 percent—in 2002.

The Spartans would likely be above that number had Valentine not missed four games. In the games Valentine has played, Sparty is assisting on 74.2 percent of made baskets.

2. Villanova

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Record: 24-3 (13-1, Big East)

Previous rank: 2

Villanova is going to be a team many people doubt in the NCAA tournament, simply because Jay Wright's team has been a top-two seed each of the last two years and hasn't made it out of the round of 32.

One reason to buy the Wildcats this year is they have so many guys who can take charge on any given night. During Big East play, six different Wildcats have led the team in scoring. They can beat you up inside with Daniel Ochefu. Josh Hart is one of the country's best slashing wings. And the 'Cats have multiple guys who can get hot from deep, including stretch 4 big man Kris Jenkins, who took over Saturday in a win over Butler.

So take caution in betting against 'Nova simply because of the last two years. This is the most complete team Wright has had during that stretch.

1. Kansas

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Record: 23-4 (11-3, Big 12)

Previous rank: 1

Four weeks ago Monday, Kansas was 5-3 in the Big 12 and had self-destructed on the road at Iowa State. It was the third loss in five games, and there was a lot of "what's the matter with Kansas" being discussed.

The Jayhawks have seemed to figure everything out since then. They've won seven straight games and are close to locking up a 12th straight Big 12 title with a two-game lead on Oklahoma and West Virginia—two of their victims during the current winning streak.

Before, KU's guards couldn't keep the ball in front of them. Now they're playing stellar perimeter defense and rarely getting beat off the dribble. Previously, any sign of trouble led to the Jayhawks putting their heads down and trying to drive through people. Now the ball is moving, and a trust has returned.

Self didn't seem to know who to play at the 5 spot, but now Landen Lucas is playing the best basketball of his life, providing solid defense in the paint while turning into an offensive-rebounding machine on the other end.

The Jayhawks are outscoring opponents by 19.3 points per 100 possessions during this streak, and three of the seven wins have come against ranked teams. All is well again in Lawrence.

Stats are courtesy of KenPom.com, unless noted otherwise.

C.J. Moore covers college basketball for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @CJMooreBR.