NCAA Top 25

It’s been a brutal week or two stretch for the top teams in America. Conference play brings out the best in teams, which means that all opponents are dangerous, especially if they are playing at home. Just ask Duke who got throttled by 30 at Miami, or look at Villanova who hosted and beat two top five teams this week, or look at Minnesota who have now dropped a number of Big Ten games in a row, including one at Northwestern! Below are the rankings as of now, but if we have learned anything, we’ve learned that these will change a lot by the end of the year!

Top 25 – January 28, 2013

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

1. (4) Michigan Wolverines: 19-1

They are tied atop the Big Ten standings and are playing more consistent than any team in the country. Trey Burke is the runaway winner for National POY at this point, and they have better depth than nearly anyone. I am pumped for their showdown at Indiana this weekend. #CollegeGameday

2. (5) Kansas Jayhawks: 18-1

Kansas may be playing better than any team in the country right now when you consider how well they bring on both ends of the floor. McLemore continues his amazing season on the offensive end, and Withey is doing the same thing on the defensive end.

3. (2) Indiana Hoosiers: 18-2

Since losing a home game to Wisconsin, they won their third Big Ten road game and took out first place MSU yesterday. This week they play their rivals (Purdue) on the road and then they host Michigan on Saturday. Can’t wait!

4. (10) Florida Gators: 16-2

With so many top teams falling this week, the Gators continue to roll their opponents and are on an 8 game winning streak. Their two losses in December were by a combined 7 points, so they are that close to being perfect.

5. (6) Syracuse Orangemen: 18-2

They lost a game at Villanova, but still lead the Big East at this moment. They are still playing without Sutherland so they have room to improve if he returns. That would be scary for the rest of the league.

6. (3) Duke Blue Devils: 17-2

Ryan Kelly’s injury has shockingly made this team look ordinary. I still can’t get the bad taste out of my mouth from their 30-point loss at Miami. Coach K teams just don’t play like that… ever.

7. (24) Oregon Ducks: 18-2

It’s about time this website gives Oregon some credit for what they have done this year. Led by two freshmen guards, they have taken out everyone so far in the Pac-12, including Arizona and UCLA, and stand at 7-0 in conference play. Combine that with a decent non-conference resume (win over UNLV) and they are sitting pretty.

8. (9) Arizona Wildcats: 17-2

Despite their great record before January, they have struggled a bit of late losing to both Oregon and UCLA. They still possess a ton of talent and are capable of beating any opponent, but they are behind the mark in the conference race.

9. (8) Gonzaga Bulldogs: 19-2

If not for losing at Butler on a last second floater, Gonzaga would be ranked in the top 5. They are the best “mid-major” team and have stars all over their roster. I truly believe this is Mark Few’s best team he’s ever had.

10. (11) Butler Bulldogs: 17-3

The A-10 leaders pulled off another improbable victory last week when they hit a buzzer beater to beat Gonzaga. They responded in their next game by losing to La Salle. The good news though is that the loss was without Rotnei Clarke and he has since returned. They will be at full strength moving forward.

11. (NR) Miami Hurricanes: 14-3

If we were doing weekly rankings, Miami would have jumped in last week for sure. But now they are really on the rise after beating Duke by about 30 on Wednesday. They are 5-0 in the conference and two games up on anyone else in the ACC.

12. (17) Michigan State Spartans: 17-4

The Spartans were briefly on top of the Big Ten, which isn’t that surprising actually. They recently beat Ohio State, won at Wisconsin, and pushed Indiana at Assembly Hall. Gary Harris is becoming the player everyone knew he could be, and the team is finally gelling like all Izzo teams do.

13. (1) Louisville Cardinals: 16-4

The Cardinals began falling last week, but now over the course of two weeks they have lost three straight games. They need to find someone outside of Russ Smith to make plays on the offensive end. After this past week, they are way behind Syracuse in the Big East.

14. (12) North Carolina State Wolfpack: 16-4

The preseason ACC favorite took out both their rivals from down the street (Duke and UNC) and showed us why they can be so good. Between those games though they lost at Maryland and Wake Forest. Even though it was by a combined 3 points, they need to find consistency. They need it this week, as they take on Miami.

15. (14) Ohio State Buckeyes: 15-4

Ohio State still might not have consistent scoring options behind Thomas, but in most games they don’t need one because he has been so good. They can be happy with a 5-2 start in the Big Ten, but the schedule gets tougher over the next two weeks (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana).

16. (13) Creighton Bluejays: 18-3

Doug McDermott continues to produce, but they have dropped a couple of conference games already. They were both on the road, and it seems teams across the nation can’t win conference road games, but losses in the Missouri Valley will hurt their postseason ranking.

17. (NR) Wichita State Shockers: 19-2

Wichita State took out Creighton and currently leads the conference at 8-1. The win though was at home and somewhat expected. Winning on the road will really show me something.

18. (NR) Ole Miss Rebels: 17-2

The Rebels are shockingly on top of the SEC along with Florida. Are they for real? Games against Kentucky and Florida this week will prove their legitimacy.

19. (18) Marquette Golden Eagles: 14-4

Marquette is tied atop the Big East in the loss column, and their only loss came in OT at Cincinnati. This is yet another team that most didn’t see coming. But with Buzz Williams in charge, is this really that surprising?

20. (7) Minnesota Golden Gophers: 15-5

Minnesota has suddenly fallen on hard times. I know the Big Ten is rough but they have lost 4 in a row. Nebraska and Iowa are on tap this week so they have the chance to get back on track.

21. (15) Kansas State Wildcats: 15-4

The Wildcats lost against rival Kansas, and then fell at Iowa State. In order to truly be relevant again in the Big 12, these are the big games they need to win.

22. (16) San Diego State Aztecs: 16-4

They are right behind New Mexico in the tight Mountain West standings, but they just beat them by about 20. I think this team is on the verge of taking off.

23. (21) New Mexico Lobos: 17-3

The Lobos are coming off a bad showing against SD State, but they do lead the conference with a 4-1 record. I love how they bring it defensively each night, but they need to improve offensively before the postseason begins.

24. (23) Cincinnati Bearcats: 16-4

The Big East is even more congested than the Mountain West I just talked about, and the Bearcats are right in the thick of things. They have been playing well of late and have a number of winnable games ahead of them.

25. (NR) Pittsburgh Panthers: 17-4

The Panthers have rebounded from their sluggish conference start and have now won four in a row. Dates with Louisville and Syracuse are on tap this week, which will make or break their chances of winning the conference.

Dropped from Rankings: Illinois, Connecticut, Notre Dame, UCLA

Other Notables: Georgetown, Missouri, Wisconsin, VCU, UNLV, Baylor, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Memphis, Virginia, Louisiana Tech

By: The Sports Guys