Let's get right down to it. Got an awesome week of college basketball coming up, with some must-see games. Now that football is all done it's time to start researching your picks for March Madness! UNC-Duke is this week for those who get a boner for that sort of thing. Kansas killed Texas last night, and the score is not indicative of the game. It was worse than that. 'Nova and 'Cuse both look to stake claim to the top ranking. Here's the breakdown...Jesus Cristo style.
AP Top 25 (#1 votes, record, points accumulated, previous ranking)
1. Kansas (55) 22-1 1,613 1
This Week: Def. Texas 80-68 (2/8), 2/13 vs. Iowa State (13-10)
Kansas again, sits atop the NCAA basketball world after successfully disposing of Nebraska and Colorado last week. They followed that up with a nice win over Texas on the road last night and will battle Iowa State on their home floor later this week.
2. Syracuse (8) 23-1 1,553 3
This Week: 2/10 vs. Connecticut (14-9), 2/14 vs. Louisville (15-8)
Syracuse has been rolling of late and looks to keep that going this week with two tough home games against a struggling, but talented, UConn team, and Louisville. It is doubtful that even two wins would supplant Kansas as #1 unless Kansas should lose against Iowa State. Don't bet on that.
3. Kentucky (2) 22-1 1,514 4
This Week: 2/9 vs. Alabama (13-10), 2/13 vs. Tennessee (18-4)
Kentucky faces Alabama and Tennessee at home. Look for the Vols to put up a fight, but I don't expect Kentucky to falter. DeMarcus Cousins is looking like a hell of a player lately, and Eric Bledsoe has been balling as well, in the shadow of John Wall.
4. Villanova 20-2 1,366 2
This Week: Def. West Virginia 82-75 (2/8), 2/13 vs. Providence (12-11)
Villanova defeated West Virginia last night in what should have been the first game of a tremendous Monday night double-header. Then Texas went and laid a stinker against Kansas and ruined the whole night! Anyway...good win for 'Nova, and they'll take on Big East foe, Providence later this week. More on Providence in a second.
5. West Virginia 19-3 1,361 6
This Week: Lost to Villanova 82-75 (2/8), 2/12 at Pittsburgh (18-6)
This could be a tough week for Huggy Bear and the Mountaineers. After their home-crowd was chastised for their behavior last week against L'ville and Pittsburgh they seemed a little timid last night, and lacked that awesome atmosphere. Look for the Pitt Zoo crew or whatever to be laying on thick when WVU visits Pitt this week.
6. Purdue 19-3 1,301 8
This Week: 2/9 at Michigan State (19-5), 2/13 vs. Iowa (8-16)
Michigan State may be without star guard Kalin Lucas so Purdue should be able to take that one, and Iowa...who cares. Purdue could move into the top 5 next week, if some things go their way.
7. Georgetown 17-5 1,211 7
This Week: 2/9 at Providence (12-11), 2/14 at Rutgers (11-12)
G'town lost to South Florida in a classic example of oversight, looking forward to the big Villanova game. They did manage a nice home win against 'Nova so the USF loss didn't hurt too bad in the rankings anyway.
Here's my upset pick of the week...definitely going out on a limb here, but I predict PC will beat Georgetown. Providence always pulls off a big home upset over a highly ranked Big East opponent, and my pick is Georgetown. The Dunk is usually rockin' pretty good when they get a big team in there and G'town certainly qualifies. PC has not had a great season, but they do have some talent. I hope I'm wrong, because they are like the Yankees to me...but we shall see tonight.
8. Duke 19-4 1,142 10
This Week: 2/10 at North Carolina (13-10), 2/13 vs. Maryland (16-6)
College basketball's "greatest rivalry" gets going again this week when Duke takes on an underachieving UNC squad at Chapel Hill. Records don't really matter when these two get together and the Dean Dome will be boppin' on Wednesday night. I hope UNC kills them, even though I hate UNC and Roy Williams. I hate Duke more. That's right...Jesus hates Duke!
9. Kansas State 19-4 1,139 10
This Week: 2/13 vs. Colorado (11-12)
One game...Colorado at home. Should win.
10. Michigan State 19-5 968 5
This Week: 2/9 vs. Purdue (19-3), 2/13 at Penn State (8-15)
Following two Big10 losses last week, they'll look to rebound against Purdue and Penn State.
11. Wisconsin 18-5 871 16
This Week: 2/9 vs. Illinois (16-8), 2/13 vs. Indiana (9-13)
Swept the Michigan schools last week, which is always a feat, and take on the Illini and Hoosiers, both having down years. Wisconsin may very well crack the top 10 if a couple teams above slip up.
12. Tennessee 18-4 850 14
This Week: 2/9 at Vanderbilt (17-5), 2/13 at Kentucky (22-1)
How are the Vols this high??? It's good. To Be. A Tenn-ess-ee Vol.
They'll have to prove worthy with a couple tough games this week. Don't expect a repeat of the previous Kentucky game. I suspect the Wildcats will lay a beat down.
13. Ohio State 18-6 845 13
This Week: 2/10 at Indiana (9-13), 2/14 at Illinois (16-8)
*Snoring* Who cares?
14. Texas 19-4 789 9
This Week: Lost to Kansas 80-68 (2/8), 2/13 vs. Nebraska (13-10)
This team is struggling and needs about a 40 point blowout over Nebraska to get back on track. Pittman needs to play more. I think they may be lacking a true PG with play making abilities. Or maybe Sherron Collins just makes everyone else look awful.
15. New Mexico 21-3 725 15
This Week: 2/10 at UNLV (19-4), 2/13 at Utah (10-12)
UNLV is a pretty tough game for the Lobos this week. I actually saw a UNLV/UNM battle once. It was a pretty heated battle, and The Pit at UNM is one of the coolest arenas in NCAAB. That said. I don't care.
16. Gonzaga 19-4 693 17
This Week: 2/11 vs. Saint Mary's (21-3), 2/13 vs. San Diego (9-16)
St. Mary's is always a heated battle as they are usually the one team in conference to challenge Gonzaga consistently. San Diego is a nice campus...not such a nice basketball team.
17. Brigham Young 22-3 532 12
This Week: 2/13 vs. Air Force (9-13)
Mormons. Ballin'. Jesus does not like BYU either. Though they'll prove a tough out in March.
18. Butler 20-4 422 23
This Week: Def. Loyola (IL) 62-47 (2/8), 2/11 at Youngstown State (8-15), 2/13 at Cleveland State (12-12)
Don't even get me started with these next two teams. You can't tell me that Butler is really a top 20 team. Who have they beaten lately? I hope they get waxed in the first rd this year.
19. Northern Iowa 21-2 298 24
This Week: 2/10 at Drake (11-14), 2/13 at Bradley (12-11)
Are we still going with this shit? Top 20 now?! C'mon man. Big deal...two losses. They haven't played anyone.
20. Georgia Tech 17-6 269 21
This Week: 2/10 at Miami (FL) (16-7), 2/13 at Wake Forest (16-5)
This team is kinda scary. They can be very excellent when they're on, but kinda disappointing when they're off their game and prone to a bad loss. Two tough road games this week. Might be dropping out of top 25 come next Monday.
21. Temple 19-5 223 19
This Week: 2/13 vs. Rhode Island (19-3)
Only one game this week, which spells trouble for URI. Lots of time to practice and game-plan. Still haven't seen them play in person, but I hear they're quite good. I still have my doubts.
22. Vanderbilt 17-5 222 18
This Week: 2/9 vs. Tennessee (18-4), 2/13 vs. LSU (9-14)
Loss to UG is not good, but a nice win over TENN could erase some doubts about Vandy. Two home games on that weird court where coaches are on the baseline. WTF?!
23. UNLV 19-4 209 NR
This Week: 2/10 vs. New Mexico (21-3), 2/13 at San Diego State (16-7)
Whatever. Not interesting.
24. Baylor 17-5 202 20
This Week: 2/10 at Nebraska (13-10), 2/13 vs. Missouri (17-6)
Baylor is really Top 25? Ok. Should beat NEB if that's the case and they get the Tigers at home. We'll see next week. I bet they drop out.
25. Pittsburgh 17-6 149 22
This Week: Def. Robert Morris 77-53 (2/8), 2/12 vs. West Virginia (19-4)
Lost last week to Mountaineers and got shit thrown at them from the stands. They play them again this week in a can't-miss-rematch of two good Big East teams.
Others Receiving Votes
Texas A&M 115, Cornell 114, Wake Forest 109, Maryland 69, Charlotte 48, UTEP 33, Mississippi 30, Rhode Island 30, Saint Mary's 18, Siena 18, Illinois 16, Florida State 15, Virginia Tech 11, Marquette 10, UAB 7, Wichita State 5, Richmond 5, Missouri 3, South Florida 2.
Dropped From Rankings
Mississippi 25.
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