Rob Stack's Top Ten
Well, we're down to three weeks until the kickoff of Big East play, and you know what that means. That's right, it's time for the first set of Top Ten Rankings of the season! Okay, so maybe you didn't know that, but I'll give you a break since these are the first ever. I'm starting now because I don't like preseason rankings and I like to be in full swing by the time conference play begins. From now on I will update these every Monday in the late morning or early afternoon until the beginning of the NCAA tournament in mid-March. So without further ado, let's start ranking!
1. UCLA 8-0
The Bruins have looked good thus far, winning the Maui Invitational with wins over Kentucky and Georgia Tech. Despite having lost Jordan Farmar to the NBA, most of the Final Four team from a year ago has returned, and right now they are good enough to earn the innagural top spot.
2. Pittsburgh 10-0
They may not have played an overly tough schedule thus far, but they have won all ten of their games and have looked good doing it. True, they've beaten teams they are supposed to beat, but they are beating them easily. If they were having a little trouble with them I might have the Panthers a little lower. They go to Wisconsin on Saturday, and I think they will show just what they are made of.
3. Witchita State 7-0
Maybe this seems a bit high for a team from the Missouri Valley Conference, but they are third in the RPI, have beaten Syracuse, Louisiana State and last year's Final Four darling George Mason on the road, and they are undefeated with the 17th hardest schedule in the nation. Why shouldn't they be this high?
4. North Caroling 7-1
The first team to make this list with a loss, the Tar Heels have played well despite not having an especially easy schedule. Their one loss is to an always difficult Gonzaga team, and they have beaten Kentucky, Tennesee and Ohio State without Greg Oden, which is still pretty good. The Heels are good enough to run away with the ACC crown if Duke's young players don't mature quickly.
5. Oklahoma State 11-0
The Cowboys may not have many flashy wins, but they won at Syracuse and they're undefeated. They get some credit for that.
6. Arizona 7-1
The Wildcats are currently 1st in the RPI and have the toughest schedule in the nation. They lost a little bit by losing their opener at Virginia, but have beaten Illinois at home and Louisville on a neutral court. This team could easily move up - or down - in the coming weeks.
7. Ohio State 8-1
These Buckeyes might not be in the national championship game like their football counterparts quite yet, but it wouldn't be surprising if they are there in April. They went 6-1 without Greg Oden, with their only loss coming at North Carolina. Since coming back, Oden has averaged 15 points and 7 boards, which is impressive for a freshman who still can't completely use his right hand. Is there anyone in Chicago right now who doesn't want the Knicks to lose every game so the Bulls can get the first pick and take Oden?
8. Duke 9-1
Their only loss came on a neutral court to Marquette, a top 15 team in the AP at the time. They also beat Georgetown to avenge their only non-conference loss last season. This team is young, but they have a lot of talent.
9. Wisconsin 9-1
The Badgers are coming off of a road win at Marquette, where they controlled the game more that the four point margin would indicate. Alando Tucker is a prime time player.
10. Florida 8-2
The only two-loss team to make the Top Ten. Their first loss was a tough one by two points against Kansas, a team that looked real strong until their loss at DePaul last week. The Gators are the defending national champs, and I think they are still one of the top teams in the nation.
Close, but not quite there yet:
Alabama, Kansas, UCONN, Butler
1. UCLA 8-0
The Bruins have looked good thus far, winning the Maui Invitational with wins over Kentucky and Georgia Tech. Despite having lost Jordan Farmar to the NBA, most of the Final Four team from a year ago has returned, and right now they are good enough to earn the innagural top spot.
2. Pittsburgh 10-0
They may not have played an overly tough schedule thus far, but they have won all ten of their games and have looked good doing it. True, they've beaten teams they are supposed to beat, but they are beating them easily. If they were having a little trouble with them I might have the Panthers a little lower. They go to Wisconsin on Saturday, and I think they will show just what they are made of.
3. Witchita State 7-0
Maybe this seems a bit high for a team from the Missouri Valley Conference, but they are third in the RPI, have beaten Syracuse, Louisiana State and last year's Final Four darling George Mason on the road, and they are undefeated with the 17th hardest schedule in the nation. Why shouldn't they be this high?
4. North Caroling 7-1
The first team to make this list with a loss, the Tar Heels have played well despite not having an especially easy schedule. Their one loss is to an always difficult Gonzaga team, and they have beaten Kentucky, Tennesee and Ohio State without Greg Oden, which is still pretty good. The Heels are good enough to run away with the ACC crown if Duke's young players don't mature quickly.
5. Oklahoma State 11-0
The Cowboys may not have many flashy wins, but they won at Syracuse and they're undefeated. They get some credit for that.
6. Arizona 7-1
The Wildcats are currently 1st in the RPI and have the toughest schedule in the nation. They lost a little bit by losing their opener at Virginia, but have beaten Illinois at home and Louisville on a neutral court. This team could easily move up - or down - in the coming weeks.
7. Ohio State 8-1
These Buckeyes might not be in the national championship game like their football counterparts quite yet, but it wouldn't be surprising if they are there in April. They went 6-1 without Greg Oden, with their only loss coming at North Carolina. Since coming back, Oden has averaged 15 points and 7 boards, which is impressive for a freshman who still can't completely use his right hand. Is there anyone in Chicago right now who doesn't want the Knicks to lose every game so the Bulls can get the first pick and take Oden?
8. Duke 9-1
Their only loss came on a neutral court to Marquette, a top 15 team in the AP at the time. They also beat Georgetown to avenge their only non-conference loss last season. This team is young, but they have a lot of talent.
9. Wisconsin 9-1
The Badgers are coming off of a road win at Marquette, where they controlled the game more that the four point margin would indicate. Alando Tucker is a prime time player.
10. Florida 8-2
The only two-loss team to make the Top Ten. Their first loss was a tough one by two points against Kansas, a team that looked real strong until their loss at DePaul last week. The Gators are the defending national champs, and I think they are still one of the top teams in the nation.
Close, but not quite there yet:
Alabama, Kansas, UCONN, Butler
posted by Rob Stack @ 1:20 PM
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