NCAA Top 25

November is over and what a month it was in college basketball. The early season tournaments and the inter-conference challenges are always a great way to begin the season. Now that we’re in December, we have a short month until conference play begins. It’s going to be exciting. Here is how we see the rankings at this point:

Top 25 – December 3, 2012

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

1. (1) Indiana Hoosiers: 8-0

The Hoosiers remain in the top spot after winning a tournament in Brooklyn and then dismantling UNC in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Going by the eye test, they are clearly the best team in the land at this point. They play at such a fast pace and high level on both ends of the floor. Also, within weeks they will gain the services of three more inside players all of which will be factors. Scary…

2. (5) Duke Blue Devils: 8-0

Indiana may have the ranking, but Duke has the best resume in the country. After beating Ohio State this week, they now have three wins over top five teams (Kentucky and Louisville also). I love how seniors Mason Plumlee and Seth Curry have played early on in the season.

3. (3) Michigan Wolverines: 7-0

Trey Burke’s team has become a lot more than just Trey Burke. Hardaway and the freshmen class have been great also and this is now a deep and dynamic team. I can’t wait until we see them take on Indiana in the conference season. There will be talent everywhere.

4. (6) Florida Gators: 6-0

With Missouri losing Michael Dixon and Kentucky losing game after game, Florida is now the class of the SEC. The Gator offense has been grooving lately and Kenny Boynton isn’t in a position where he feels the need to jack up pointless shots. As long as they stay that way, they will be an elite team all season.

5. (9) Syracuse Orangemen: 5-0

It seems like Syracuse can lose talent each and every year yet they restock so quickly. This year it is guys like James Southerland and Michael Carter-Williams who are leading the team effectively. Although I like how this team is playing, I’m waiting for another signature victory.

6. (2) Louisville Cardinals: 6-1

The Cardinals main concern at this point isn’t their sole loss to Duke, but it is the loss of Gorgui Dieng and how long it will take him to get back. They have depth to make up for him in the short term, but he is a major factor that is needed to compete at a high level. Russ Smith has become their most important player this year though.

7. (4) Ohio State Buckeyes: 5-1

After outplaying Duke for over 30 minutes on the road, they fizzled and suffered their first loss this past week. It is evident though watching them that they lack an inside scoring presence. It will hold them back all season.

8. (12) Arizona Wildcats: 5-0

While there aren’t a lot of good things to say about the Pac-12 again this year, Arizona has been a bright spot. Their talented newcomers have lived up to the billing and the team is gelling nicely.

9. (15) Gonzaga Bulldogs: 8-0

I have been continually impressed with Mark Few’s squad this season. In fact, I’ll go as far as to say I think it is his best team ever. They have a huge month ahead of them with some marquee matchups, but I have loved watching them thus far.

10. (24) Cincinnati Bearcats: 7-0

Can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this good about a Cincinnati team. Kilpatrick is a legit star and the return of Cashmere Wright has done wonders for Cronin’s crew.

11. (20) Kansas Jayhawks: 6-1

Kansas is really starting to come together. After some up and down play to start the year, they have discovered who they are and what roles each will play. I believe they will continue to get better throughout the year and will likely end up winning yet another Big 12 title.

12. (NR) Illinois Fighting Illini: 8-0

Since our last poll, Illinois made a splash by winning the Maui Invitational. They have since remained perfect and are playing some great basketball under new coach John Groce. They have had terrific guard play and Griffey has emerged inside.

13. (22) Minnesota Golden Gophers: 8-1

Minnesota has only lost one game this season and it was to Duke. They have plenty of solid wins, they have played great team basketball, and they should only get better as Mbakwe gets up to speed. This is by far Tubby’s best team in Minnesota.

14. (7) Missouri Tigers: 6-1

Missouri has tons of talent, but we’ve been expecting them to add back in Michael Dixon. That now won’t happen as he plans to leave the program. That really hurts them but they have played fairly well so far without him…

15. (NR) Virginia Tech Hokies: 7-0

When they started 5-0 I wasn’t sure if this team was for real. But after beating Iowa and Oklahoma State fairly easily this week, I am a believer.

16. (NR) Georgetown Hoyas: 5-1

The Hoyas have size and a very underrated player named Otto Porter. They took down UCLA in Brooklyn and took Indiana to OT before losing. The bad news though is that in a win against Tennessee this week, they looked bad only scoring 37 points. Better offense please!

17. (NR) New Mexico Lobos: 8-0

The Mountain West all of a sudden seems loaded and New Mexico is on top right now. Alford’s team plays great team basketball and I’m a big fan of Kendall Williams.

18. (NR) Wichita State Shockers: 8-0

The Shockers have quietly gone about their business and have jumped out to a great early season start. Remember that this was a team seeded fifth in the NCAA tourney a year ago. Their players and coaching staff know how to win.

19. (13) Oklahoma State Cowboys: 5-1

They lost to a surprisingly good Virginia Tech team, but they have started out well behind Nash and Smart. If they find consistent production behind those two, this team can hang around the top 20 all year.

20. (NR) San Diego State Aztecs: 5-1

Jamaal Franklin and company has been great after losing their opener to Syracuse. Franklin in particular seems to be the real deal and he showed it against UCLA this past week.

21. (16) UNLV Running Rebels: 5-1

They are still waiting on Khem Birch to be cleared but one of their newcomers, (Bennett) has been as good as they could have wished. This is another Mountain West team that will get better and better throughout the year.

22. (14) North Carolina State Wolfpack: 4-2

This team continues to show flashes of excellence followed by confusing underachieving moments. The good news for them is that the end of the season is all that matters.

23. (10) North Carolina Tarheels: 6-2

This team is great against any team not from Indiana. They struggled against Butler and the Hoosiers. McAdoo must demand the ball even more than he does.

24. (NR) Maryland Terrapins: 6-1

I will make this statement now: Look out for this team in March. As they continue to come together and Alex Len continues to improve, this team is as dangerous as they come. Len will make a case for ACC Player of the Year.

25. (NR) Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 7-1

Notre Dame returns to the poll after dismissing Kentucky by double digits. Their veterans continue to lead the way and Jack Cooley is becoming more of a household name for college basketball fans.

Dropped from Rankings: UCLA, Kentucky, Creighton, Connecticut, Michigan State, Memphis, Colorado, Baylor

Other Notables: Ole Miss, LSU, Alabama, Wyoming, Colorado State, Miami, Pittsburgh, Temple, Kansas State, Baylor, Oregon, Oklahoma, Charlotte, Xavier, Boise State, Butler, Murray State, St. Joe’s, Iowa State, Arizona State, California, Bucknell

By: The Sports Guys