NCAA Top 25

We finally see a change at the top. After IU’s shocking loss to in-state foe Butler, Duke now claims the top spot, matching their top resume. With that win, Butler moves back into the top 25 themselves. Arizona is a new addition to the top 5 after taking out Florida on Saturday. Here is how it all turned out:

Top 25 – December 17, 2012

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

1. (2) Duke Blue Devils: 9-0

For a few weeks now we’ve discussed their nation best resume but have kept them behind Indiana in the rankings. No longer. Indiana lost, but Duke did add another nice win against Temple. I see Duke closing out the non-conference undefeated and entering conference play with this ranking.

2. (3) Michigan Wolverines: 11-0

Michigan not only moves into the top two nationally, but they become the top ranked team from the Big Ten for the first time this year. Trey Burke has played great basketball and their freshmen have made a case for the best class this season.

3. (5) Syracuse Orangemen: 9-0

Syracuse still hasn’t beaten anyone since their opener against SD State, but they have been impressive in every contest. Michael Carter-Williams has emerged as a POY candidate not only in their conference but nationally. In fact, he cements them as a team capable of winning it all this year.

4. (8) Arizona Wildcats: 8-0

Up to this point it has been tough to judge the Wildcats due to their brand new roster and the fact that they haven’t been tested. But by defeated the Gators on Saturday, they finally proved that they are legit.

5. (6) Louisville Cardinals: 9-1

Still have only lost to Duke, and also still playing without Dieng. The good news is that they have started to find production in other areas, and have a nice win at Memphis now.

6. (1) Indiana Hoosiers: 9-1

Got caught up in a classic Butler game where they got outworked, outhustled, outmuscled, and outcoached. And maybe I’m overreacting to one game, but there are some issues I see now with this team. Cody Zeller needs to play bigger and better, and Watford needs to quit disappearing during games. In three games away from home, they have struggled (close win over Georgia, OT win over Georgetown, now OT loss to Butler).

7. (7) Ohio State Buckeyes: 8-1

Still unblemished, and unchallenged, outside of the Duke loss. Thomas continues to be a scoring machine but I think he needs more help in big games.

8. (4) Florida Gators: 7-1

Lost a heartbreaker at Arizona but they gave up a big lead a few times in that game. Finding a closer will be important for them in close games.

9. (10) Cincinnati Bearcats: 10-0

The Bearcats continue to win but remain without a key victory. I mean, ISU, Oregon, and Alabama were all decent wins, but none of those teams are ranked. On Wednesday they play Xavier, which is another decent game, but it won’t be until the end of the month where they will face a ranked foe (New Mexico).

10. (11) Kansas Jayhawks: 8-1

Kansas is basically a lock based on their play to win the Big 12 this year. In fact, I don’t see them getting challenged at all.

11. (12) Illinois Fighting Illini: 12-0

After winning at Gonzaga they proved to be a legit team. That Butler is looking a lot better now too. Brandon Paul is making a case for the All-American team.

12. (13) Minnesota Golden Gophers: 11-1

Just like their Big Ten counterpart Ohio State, their only loss is to Duke. This is the most explosive Minnesota team I’ve seen in a long time, and they also have better depth than I expected this year.

13. (9) Gonzaga Bulldogs: 10-1

Although many people love Creighton, I believe Mark Few’s squad is the best mid-major. They didn’t play well in their loss to Illinois, but have taken care of business in every other game.

14. (14) Missouri Tigers: 8-1

Two weeks ago we discussed how losing Michael Dixon will hurt this team going forward. Well they are about to gain Jabari Brown’s services after sitting out till this point. That could cancel Dixon’s departure out.

15. (16) Georgetown Hoyas: 9-1

Georgetown continues to play up and down on offense, but their defense is generally solid and they have the potential to light it up. That statement also describes the Big East favorite, Louisville, so don’t sleep on these guys either.

16. (17) New Mexico Lobos: 11-0

New Mexico continues to get the job done. Two more decent wins they recently added were USC and Valpo, but they get Cincinnati in ten days to really prove themselves.

17. (19) Oklahoma State Cowboys: 8-1

Marcus Smart continues to impress but it isn’t just stats, it’s through his leadership and impact on the rest of the team. He possesses some uncanny traits for a freshmen.

18. (20) San Diego State Aztecs: 8-1

The Aztecs have been cruising along now to the tune of eight straight wins. And looking at their schedule, they shouldn’t lose again until conference play.

19. (NR) Butler Bulldogs: 8-2

Now wins neutral court wins over North Carolina and Indiana, there aren’t many teams that can match that. They win by hustle and heart, but also great coaching with Brad Stevens. This team is looking a lot like the Butler teams that made the title game a few years back.

20. (21) UNLV Running Rebels: 8-1

Losing Mike Moser hurts them a lot, but getting Khem Birch onto the court finally could help offset the loss. Anthony Bennett has been their best player anyways, so I see them performing well regardless.

21. (22) North Carolina State Wolfpack: 7-2

This is a team that seems to have weathered the early storm. As the freshmen and veterans find their rhythm together, this is still an extremely dangerous team.

22. (25) Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 9-1

Jack Cooley and company won’t sneak up on the Big East this year. They way they have played over the last few weeks is putting a target on their back.

23. (23) North Carolina Tarheels: 8-2

The Tarheels still haven’t found great consistency. They barely escaped a home game vs. East Carolina. Ugly.

24. (24) Maryland Terrapins: 9-1

Same as what I said two weeks ago: 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) Creighton Bluejays: 10-1

After their weird loss to Boise State, they have now bounced back with nice wins over St. Joe’s at home, at Nebraska, and at Cal. McDermott is back to his elite playing ways and this is a team that could rise very quickly once again up the standings.

Dropped from Rankings: Virginia Tech, Wichita State

Other Notables: Wyoming, Pittsburgh, Oregon, Miami, Murray State, Kentucky, Connecticut, Michigan State, UIC, Temple, Bucknell, Charlotte, Iowa, Kansas State

By: The Sports Guys