College Basketball Power 10: Duke Rises, North Carolina Falls

Dec 3, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) is introduced as one of the Duke Blue Devils starting five before the start of their game against the Maine Black Bears at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This was the first game Tatum has played in this season. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Kentucky (9-1)

Kentucky stays at No. 9 despite an impressive 24-point win over Valparaiso and beating Hofstra by 23 on Sunday. Although, with no teams ahead of them losing or playing poorly enough to drop below them, the Wildcats stay at No. 9 for another week.

Even though Kentucky didn’t play great competition this week, their ability to show up and dominate two mid-majors says a lot about their potential.

They didn’t dwell on their first loss of the season, but rather went right back to work and played angry by jumping out to a 25-4 lead over Valparaiso to start the game.

The Wildcats can score, rebound and block shots as well as any team in the nation, but the also only average 0.8 years of experience per player, according to Sports Reference.

That inexperience cost them against UCLA, but their final two non-conference games against North Carolina and Louisville will test it.

Kentucky can have 10 highlight dunks and blocks per game, but they need to prove they can beat good teams. All nine of their wins have come by at least 20 points, but they also only own the 47th-toughest schedule up to this point, per ESPN.

Kentucky has electric freshmen and some key upperclassmen sprinkled in, but this is a huge week for them to show they’re a legitimate top-10 team right now.

Kentucky will play North Carolina in Las Vegas on Saturday.