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We're in the middle of December and the non-conference schedule is winding down. Most teams have played seven or eight games by now and we have a good idea about where the teams stand. If you're an Eastern Michigan fan you're super pumped, while Ohio and Toledo fans are still looking for their teams to come around.
Here's your week 5 power rankings:
| Rank | Team | Previously | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Michigan | 3 | W - Michigan (!!!) |
| 2 | Akron | 1 | L - Middle Tennessee |
| 3 | Toledo | 4 | W - Arkansas State |
| 4 | Western Michigan | 2 | W - Pacific |
| 5 | Bowling Green | 6 | L - Dayton, W - Cleveland State |
| 6 | Buffalo | 5 | Did not play |
| 7 | Central Michigan | 7 | Did not play |
| 8 | Ohio | 8 | W - Alcorn State |
| 9 | Kent State | 9 | W - Arkansas-Little Rock |
| 10 | Northern Illinois | 10 | L - Eastern Illinois |
| 11 | Ball State | 11 | L - Valparaiso |
| 12 | Miami | 12 | L - Wright State |
So yeah, beating Michigan in Crisler definitely helps things. The Eagles catapult to number 1 after beating a Michigan team in a bit of an identity crisis. Akron falls after losing a heartbreaker to Middle Tennessee and Western Michigan fell mostly because of the rise of Eastern.
The middle third of the table was switched around just a little, as Buffalo and Bowling Green traded positions. The Falcons have been playing their best basketball as of late, narrowly losing at Dayton and then coming back to beat Cleveland State at home. Ohio looked shaky again against Alcorn State, but held on for the win.
Kent State continues to be the best team at the bottom. While the level of competition hasn't been the greatest, the Flashes have been winning the games they are supposed to. Sitting at 6-2 and tied for the lead in the Eastern Division, the Flashes will get tested next Sunday against North Dakota State in a tournament in El Paso, Texas.
So did we come close to how you have them ranked? Should Eastern Michigan be number one? Should Ohio be higher? Let us know what you think.