With Syracuse losing their first games of the year this past week, the Gators could take the jump from No. 2 to No.1. Led by seniors Casey Prather and guard Scottie Wilbekin, Florida has the talent to roll through the extremely weak SEC.
2. Wichita State 29-0
It is time to start giving the Shockers the respect they deserve, considering they are the final undefeated in the entire nation. They have two games left, at Bradley and a home meeting with Missouri State, both should be wins.
3. Syracuse 25-2
Syracuse's luck finally caught up to them as the Orange dropped two close games this week, a stunning one to Boston College and a tough one on the road in a rematch with Duke. They still should continue to get great production from Tyler Ennis (5.7 assists per game) and versatile forward C.J. Fair.
4. Arizona 25-2
The Wildcats responded with two terrible games, a loss to Arizona State and a close victory over Utah with a thumping of Colorado. Junior guard Nick Johnson is still a Wooden Award candidate, averaging 16 points per game and although inconsistent, Aaron Gordon has really improved offensively.
5. Duke 22-6
Rodney Hood |
6. Kansas 21-6
No performance was more convincing this Saturday than the Jayhawks' resounding win over Texas by 31, thanks in large part to Andrew Wiggins who had 21. If Wiggins continues to play to his potential and sophomore Perry Ellis also contributes the Jayhawks should be in serious conversation for a No. 1 seed.
7. Villanova 24-3
'Nova continues to roll through the Big East, dominating the average teams inside the conference. Though, it is still disturbing the Wildcats lost to Creighton twice by 20 plus and they are still yet to convince they are the best team inside the Big East.
8. San Diego State 23-3
The Aztecs had a disappointing loss to New Mexico, the only other real threat inside the Mountain West. San Diego State only managed 44 points and it shows the Aztecs may need another scoring threat outside of Xavier Thames and Winston Shepard.
9. St. Louis 25-2
The Billikens had a fantastic week, beating George Mason and bubble squad George Washington as they continue to fly under the radar. They have now won 17 straight but have perhaps their toughest stretch of the season coming up with meetings with VCU, UMass and Dayton coming up in early March.
10. Louisville 23-4
Ever since a close loss to Cincinnati on January 30th, the Cardinals have been fantastic winning six straight and getting vengeance against the Bearcats, hanging on to beat them on the road. Sophomore Montrezl Harrell has certainly picked up the slack for the dismissed Chane Behanan, averaging 13 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
11. Cincinnati 24-4
Even with another great game from senior Sean Kilpatrick, the Bearcats fell just short against Louisville. Things won't get any easier with a three game stretch that includes UConn, Memphis and an upset-minded Rutgers team.
12. Creighton 22-4
The Bluejays responded from a tough loss to St. John's with wins over Villanova, Butler and Marquette and is in perfect position to win the Big East, which would be amazing considering it is their first year removed from the considerably weaker Missouri Valley.
13. Virginia 23-5
With Syracuse losing this past week twice, it was Virginia who benefited a lot, moving into first in the ACC. The Cavaliers have managed to go 14-1 inside the ACC without a very flashy team that just finds ways to win. If they can beat the Orange on March 1st they should secure the ACC's regular season title.
14. Michigan State 22-5
The Spartans have a huge Big Ten match up today with Michigan, as they hope to avenge a rivalry loss to the Wolverines in late January. Sophomore Gary Harris, the only Spartan who has managed to most of the year without injuries, has been great and the Spartans are really biding time until Adreian Payne, Keith Appling and Branden Dawson are full healthy.
15. Wisconsin 22-5
Bo Ryan's squad is starting to play like themselves again, winning three huge Big Ten battles over Michigan State, Michigan and Iowa yesterday. The Badgers are starting to find their offense again, putting up 70+ the last three, thanks in large part to the play of forward Frank Kamisky.
16. Iowa State 21-5
The Cyclones continue to be a pretty massive mystery winning big games one week and then responding with a bad loss. After losing by 25 and surrendering 102 to average West Virginia, the Cyclones have responded by beating Texas Tech, Texas and TCU. This Wednesday, they hope to get revenge against West Virginia at home.
17. Kentucky 21-6
It took all they could handle but Kentucky managed to sneak off with a victory over LSU yesterday with a game-winner from fabulous freshman Julius Randle. The 'Cats have an important game coming up with an Arkansas rematch, who beat them in the closing seconds of overtime with a putback slam.
18. Iowa 19-7
The Hawkeyes suffered a rough home loss to Wisconsin and now has an interesting stretch of Big Ten games upcoming. They get Minnesota, a team desperately needing impressive wins to get off the bubble and two teams they should beat in Indiana and Purdue.
19. Michigan 18-7
They may be cooling down, but the Wolverines still appear to be in good position in the Big Ten if they can come away with a win against Michigan State. Much like Iowa, the Wolverines next couple games are against teams they should beat which should help them gain momentum entering the Big Ten tourney.
20. UConn 21-5
The AAC's first year has been all about Louisville and Cincinnati but the Huskies are putting together an impressive year, getting fantastic years from senior guard Shabazz Napier (17.9 points per game and 5.5 assists) and junior DeAndre Daniels, 13.2 points per game and 5.4 rebounds.
21. Memphis 21-6
The Tigers had a pretty easy week with games against Rutgers and Temple, both wins. Senior guard Joe Jackson and sophomore forward Shaq Goodwin will help lead Memphis as they enter a brutal stretch with Cincinnati, Louisville and SMU upcoming.
22. Ohio State 22-6
It has been a tumultuous year for the Buckeyes but they could end the year on a high. The Buckeyes have won three straight and get two beatable teams in Penn State and Indiana before a huge match up with Michigan State.
23. UNC 20-7
No team has turned around their year like the Tar Heels have, who have won 9 straight since a 1-4 start inside the ACC. Sophomore point guard Marcus Paige has turned into a dangerous scorer off the dribble and UNC's bench has proven to be deeper than originally thought.
24. Texas 20-7
The Longhorns were putting together quite the season before a rough week this past week, losing to Iowa State and getting blown out by Kansas. Isaiah Taylor is having a great year and sophomore Cameron Ridley has turned into a monster in the post.
25. New Mexico 21-5
Quietly, the Steve Alford-less Lobos are putting together another strong season and are 21-5 and first in the Mountain West after a huge victory over San Diego State. Senior forward Cameron Bairstow is having a huge year, putting up 20.5 points per game while knocking down 56% of his shots.
The Tigers had a pretty easy week with games against Rutgers and Temple, both wins. Senior guard Joe Jackson and sophomore forward Shaq Goodwin will help lead Memphis as they enter a brutal stretch with Cincinnati, Louisville and SMU upcoming.
22. Ohio State 22-6
It has been a tumultuous year for the Buckeyes but they could end the year on a high. The Buckeyes have won three straight and get two beatable teams in Penn State and Indiana before a huge match up with Michigan State.
23. UNC 20-7
No team has turned around their year like the Tar Heels have, who have won 9 straight since a 1-4 start inside the ACC. Sophomore point guard Marcus Paige has turned into a dangerous scorer off the dribble and UNC's bench has proven to be deeper than originally thought.
24. Texas 20-7
The Longhorns were putting together quite the season before a rough week this past week, losing to Iowa State and getting blown out by Kansas. Isaiah Taylor is having a great year and sophomore Cameron Ridley has turned into a monster in the post.
25. New Mexico 21-5
Quietly, the Steve Alford-less Lobos are putting together another strong season and are 21-5 and first in the Mountain West after a huge victory over San Diego State. Senior forward Cameron Bairstow is having a huge year, putting up 20.5 points per game while knocking down 56% of his shots.
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