NCAA Top 25

The first part of the season is now basically finished (non-conference play). If you are a fan of college basketball, you can’t be happier now that the conference season is starting. Here is our last poll of 2012 with the rankings as we enter the beefy part of each team’s schedule:

Top 25 – December 31, 2012

NOTE: Previous ranking in parenthesis (from two weeks ago). Current record noted next to each team.

1. (1) Duke Blue Devils: 12-0

Miles Plumlee is seemingly everyone’s POY at this point, and everyone else on the team is playing at a high level. Duke enters conference play as the massive favorite to win the ACC once again.

2. (2) Michigan Wolverines: 13-0

Michigan made it through an average non-conference schedule unscathed and looked great in the process. They begin with some easy games before the Big Ten schedule heats up in mid-January. They should remain unbeaten till then.

3. (4) Arizona Wildcats: 12-0

The Wildcats proved they are legit by knocking off Florida a couple weeks ago, but they have backed that up by taking out Miami and San Diego State recently. Even though UCLA is coming on, Arizona is clearly the team to beat out west.

4. (5) Louisville Cardinals: 12-1

Dieng is back and they are coming off a win over Kentucky. That’s exactly what you would want if you’re Rick Pitino. But winning the Big East is never easy and that will be the case again this year.

5. (6) Indiana Hoosiers: 12-1

Indiana will finally take on some better competition now that the Big Ten season is starting. They begin with a dangerous Iowa team on the road today.

6. (10) Kansas Jayhawks: 11-1

Didn’t quite know how to judge this team until they went to Ohio State and took it to them. That proves they are a Final Four threat and clear favorite to win the Big 12 once again. Jeff Withey is a bad man…

7. (3) Syracuse Orangemen: 11-1

Congratulations to Jim Boeheim on winning over 900 games now in his career. He is one of the all-time bests.

8. (12) Minnesota Golden Gophers: 12-1

Minnesota has gotten better and better as the year has gone on. They have a potent offense, capable bench, and a lot of confidence. They will be in the Big Ten mix all year long.

9. (7) Ohio State Buckeyes: 10-2

It is evident that the Buckeyes struggle to score against the elite teams, outside of Thomas of course. In their two losses (Duke and Kansas), they went through stretches of brutal offensive play that ultimately cost them the game.

10. (15) Georgetown Hoyas: 10-1

Excited to see how this team stacks up in the Big East. They are capable of beating anyone when they play well, but they are known for some stinkers also.

11. (11) Illinois Fighting Illini: 13-1

The surprise team of the non-conference season finally lost a game (Missouri), but they still have to be thrilled by what they’ve accomplished over the first couple months of the season.

12. (13) Gonzaga Bulldogs: 12-1

Loved how Gonzaga constructed their non-conference schedule. They played a lot of good teams that included recent wins over Kansas State and Baylor. They play Oklahoma State today before heading into conference play.

13. (8) Florida Gators: 9-2

Florida will be the slight favorite over Missouri in the SEC. If Kenny Boynton ever starts producing like he is capable, they can easily jump back into the top 10, and can dance all the way to Atlanta.

14. (14) Missouri Tigers: 10-2

They handed Illinois their first loss of the season, but lost a heartbreaker at UCLA in a game they had won. Jabari Brown has been a nice addition to the team this month, but I think they are underutilizing Oriakhi.

15. (17) Oklahoma State Cowboys: 10-1

Haven’t been tested recently but they play Gonzaga today which will show us a lot. I have enjoyed watching the Nash and Smart combination.

16. (16) New Mexico Lobos: 13-1

They did drop their first contest but bounced back to beat Cincinnati. If they can find consistency past Snell and Williams, they will be a team to fear come March.

17. (9) Cincinnati Bearcats: 12-1

Losing their first game to New Mexico wasn’t the end of the world, but it did expose them a little bit. They’ve been smashing teams on their cupcake schedule all year but lost as soon as they played a ranked opponent. Their offense went stagnant in that game and that’s what they will see all year in the Big East.

18. (19) Butler Bulldogs: 10-2

Will enter the conference season as the favorites to win the A-10 in my opinion. It won’t be easy though, as the conference is as good and deep as I can ever remember.

19. (21) North Carolina State Wolfpack: 10-2

They have steadied the ship and are finally playing like the elite team we thought they were. When they play their best, they have a crazy high ceiling.

20. (22) Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 12-1

Notre Dame is as consistent a team as you’ll find. They don’t do a ton of fancy things, but do most things extremely well. That equals a lot of wins.

21. (24) Maryland Terrapins: 11-1

Now have won 11 in a row after their opening loss to Kentucky. It’s amazing to me how they are still under the radar across the country. Alex Len and company are legit people!

22. (25) Creighton Bluejays: 12-1

They already began conference play with a win. McDermott is right behind Plumlee as the National POY in my opinion. It will be them or Wichita State winning the Missouri Valley but he makes me think it will be the Bluejays.

23. (NR) Michigan State Spartans: 11-2

I’m still waiting for Gary Harris to break out for this squad. When that happens they will rejoin the top 15. If that never happens, they will be right behind that mark all season long.

24. (NR) Pittsburgh Panthers: 12-1

Only non-conference loss was to Michigan but that was honestly the only good team they played. They will begin conference play today against Cincinnati so they can prove their critics wrong with a win.

25. (NR) Wyoming Cowboys: 12-0

One of four unbeatens left in college basketball. They only have two decent wins though so they need to perform well in this loaded Mountain West.

Dropped from Rankings: UNLV, San Diego State, North Carolina

Other Notables: UCLA, Kansas State, Wichita State, Connecticut, Oregon, VCU, Temple, Bucknell, Iowa, Memphis, Kentucky, Tennessee, Colorado, Colorado State, Utah State, Iowa State

By: The Sports Guys