NCAA Top 25 (7)

As I said last time, conference play has showcased some teams and exposed others. Due to the fact I do a poll every other week, there is lots of movement. I also included 26 teams (tie for 25^th) because many are deserving at this stage. Take a look:

NCAA Top 25 – 1/27/14

NOTE: Previous ranking in first parenthesis.

1. (1) Arizona Wildcats (20-0, 7-0)

It’s the Wildcats once again on top. Honestly, I don’t see it changing anytime soon. They have a decent chance of finishing the regular season unbeaten, which would be extremely impressive.

2. (2) Syracuse Orangemen (19-0, 6-0)

Syracuse is making mincemeat of their new conference; the ACC. Of course, they haven’t played Duke yet, which they will on Saturday. Boy, that’s going to be fun.

3. (6) Florida Gators (17-2, 6-0)

Florida continues to gel as a team and is now rolling through the SEC. Can’t wait until their matchup with Kentucky, but it’s still weeks away.

4. (5) Wichita State Shockers (21-0, 8-0)

The Shockers are the third unbeaten team in the country and they too could finish the regular season unbeaten. For them, the key is focus; as they are the only team in the conference capable of beat them (i.e.: beating themselves).

5. (11) Kansas Jayhawks (15-4, 6-0)

I’m fully on board with Kansas now. They’ve gotten past their non-conference struggles and now look great. They’ve beaten the best Big 12 teams already, and they will still just get better and better. They are a lock for the Final Four in my opinion right now.

6. (NR) Michigan Wolverines (15-4, 7-0)

This is an example of how two weeks can change things. Last rankings I had them just out of the rankings. But in the last two weeks they’ve gone 4-0, which included wins at Wisconsin and Michigan State, along with a home win against Iowa. They are for real and deserving of a high ranking. They haven’t lost since losing McGary.

7. (4) Michigan State Spartans (18-2, 7-1)

MSU is this low for one reason only: injuries! Payne and Dawson are now both out, which hurts short term. But they’ve remained fairly consistent, even without them. If both are fully healthy in the NCAA Tourney, a Final Four is well within reach. Oh, and Gary Harris is a stud.

8. (10) San Diego State Aztecs (18-1, 7-0)

Still haven’t lost since that Arizona game. The question is now, will they lose again before the tourney?

9. (7) Villanova Wildcats (17-2, 6-1)

They lost to Creighton, but who could have beaten them with 21 made 3’s? So I won’t penalize them too much. They still have a great resume and are a threat moving forward.

10. (14) Iowa Hawkeyes (16-4, 5-2)

The last two weeks have brought two nice wins vs. one loss. The loss was at Michigan in a very close game, so that’s why I’m not penalizing them at all for it. They have a terrific offense and are so deep. I really think this team is built for the tourney.

11. (18) Duke Blue Devils (16-4, 5-2)

They are back. Four nice wins over the last two weeks and they have that swagger in them again. Will it help at Syracuse on Saturday? We’ll see.

12. (13) Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-3, 4-2)

Nearly took out Kansas (lost by two), but handled their other two games recently. It seems they are making due without Cobbins inside, but they have a tough stretch upcoming (at Oklahoma, Baylor, Iowa State). How good are they now?

13. (3) Wisconsin Badgers (17-3, 4-3)

Three straight losses occurred before getting back on track. A bad stretch is bound to happen in the Big Ten, but it’s still shocking to see a Bo Ryan team do that. They need to pick it up on defense, which again is odd for a Badger team.

14. (19) Louisville Cardinals (17-3, 6-1)

The Cardinals finally won a big game (at UCONN) and seem to be starting to click. They did have some new pieces this year, so it makes sense that they started the season iffy. They are chasing Cincinnati still in the AAC however.

15. (24) Creighton Bluejays (17-3, 7-1)

Currently in first place in the Big East, despite a weird loss to Providence. Their blowout win at Villanova was one of the most impressive performance of any team to date.

16. (12) Kentucky Wildcats (15-4, 5-1)

The SEC doesn’t offer too many marquee matchups, so they get dinged for losing to Arkansas despite three other wins. Really I can’t judge this team again until the Florida game, as they are the only great teams in the conference.

17. (8) Ohio State Buckeyes (16-4, 3-4)

Their losing streak went to four games before righting the ship vs. Illinois. Coming up in the next two weeks are games at Wisconsin and Iowa. It’s rough in the Big Ten. Offense needs to pick it up.

18. (9) Iowa State Cyclones (15-3, 3-3)

The losing streak for ISU was three games before getting past Kansas State. They too face a tough stretch though with Kansas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State (two on the road). Will they even be ranked in two weeks?

19. (15) Memphis Tigers (15-4, 5-2)

The Tigers are two losses behind the AAC leader (Cincy), but I still ranked them ahead of Cincy. They simply have better wins.

20. (21) Virginia Cavaliers (15-5, 6-1)

So close to winning at Duke, but they’ve rolled since then. Virginia is playing some great basketball and I think is a threat to Syracuse in the ACC. This is what I expected from them at the start of the year.

21. (22) Cincinnati Bearcats (19-2, 8-0)

Four more wins, but they were against nobodies. They’ll get tested this week at Louisville. If they win this, I’ll rank them much higher than I currently do.

22. (23) Pittsburgh Panthers (18-2, 6-1)

Pitt is looking good in their new conference. They lost a close game to Syracuse, but have won every other game in the ACC. Should be fun to see how they fair against the other top teams.

23. (17) Massachusetts Minutemen (17-2, 4-1)

As good as they’ve been this season, they are trailing St. Louis in the A-10. I still have them ranked higher however because of the total body of work.

24. (25) St. Louis Billikens (18-2, 5-0)

Only time they play UMASS this season is the last game of the year. Interesting how that works out. Will they lose before then?

25. (NR) Texas Longhorns and (NR) Oklahoma Sooners (Both 16-4, 5-2)

Starting with Texas, they proved to me how legit they are. Last four games were wins at WVU, home vs. ISU, home vs. KSU, and at Baylor. That got them in the rankings for sure. Oklahoma has been in this area of the rankings for a while. I am impressed watching them with their versatile players like Clark and Hield.

Dropped from Previous Top 25: Baylor Bears, Colorado Buffaloes

Also Considered: UCLA, Kansas State, George Washington, Connecticut, New Mexico, VCU, Ole Miss, Missouri, Providence, Xavier, SMU, Minnesota

By: The Sports Guys