Saturday, February 18, 2012

Top Ten Power Rankings


1. Kentucky I'll give the Wildcats the edge over Syraucuse here I guess. They've found a nice stroke but the SEC won't give up trying to knock them down. With the slick combo of Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague they should secure a number one seed.
2. Syracuse The Orange have been flawless except for the loss to Notre Dame but I think this team will get beat up down the stretch. Games against Louisville, UConn and a tricky South Florida team still remain not mentioning the Big East tournament.
3. Missouri The Missouri Tigers started off hot but as some have done they haven't cooled down. Headed by a balanced attack of guards like Michael Dixon, Kim English, Marcus Denmon and the Pressey brothers they'll be a tough opponent in the Big Dance.
4. Duke Thanks to leadership and skill the Blue Devils once more look like a contender for a championship. If Austin Rivers keeps on playing at the level he is and the Plumlees keep dominating down low, Duke will dance to the Final Four.
5. UNC Though the Heels haven't been as dominant as expected they are still a very good team. I think they can beat Virginia and Duke in their final few games and have a comfortable seed in the tournament.
6. Kansas Thomas Robinson is a beast. And hes a big reason the Jayhawks are playing at the level they are playing at. I'm still nervous about how this team will play later on but right now Kansas looks like a Big 12 champ.
7. Baylor I don't know what the deal is with Baylor. They have a strong record but their losses have been blowouts. More consistency needs to happen if they want to make the Elite Eight.
8. Michigan State Tom Izzo has proved time and time again that you can never give up on the Spartans. Now the expectation is a deep tournament run which Izzo always seems to manage. If that is to happen Draymond Green has to keep chugging along. When hes on he is a double-double machine. I think the rest of the team is good enough to do damage down the stretch.
9. Ohio State Jared Sullinger is dominant and gets all the press. But the Buckeyes aren't just Sullinger. Aaron Craft is efficient and can shoot and William Buford showed he can hang after a dominant showing at Minnesota. With an effective bench Thad Matta's team shouldn't wash out in the Sweet 16 this year.
10. Georgetown The Hoyas have turned it on this season which wasn't expecting considering they lost leaders Austin Freeman and Chris Wright. But Jason Clark has taken over as a strong scorer and Otto Porter and Hollis Thompson are effective anywhere on the court.