NCAA Top 25

The regular season is over. After a very entertaining last weekend (thanks to IU and Michigan), we are ready for some postseason ball. This will be the last addition of our top 25 until after the tourney is complete. Take a look:

Top 25 – March 11, 2013

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

1. (3) Duke Blue Devils: 27-4

Ryan Kelly is back and he isn’t missing a beat (36 points last week against Miami). They are undefeated without him in the lineup this year so that means they are likely the NCAA favorites.

2. (1) Indiana Hoosiers: 26-5

They have gone 2-2 since the last rankings, but their win at Michigan may have been their best victory yet. Winning the Big Ten outright is an incredible achievement, especially considering how bad they were just two seasons ago.

3. (2) Gonzaga Bulldogs: 30-2

They haven’t lost a game since that epic contest at Butler, but they dropped a spot nonetheless. Why? Duke got Ryan Kelly back and IU won the Big Ten outright. They can’t top that.

4. (10) Louisville Cardinals: 26-5

They caught Georgetown this week and will share the Big East title with them (and Marquette). They are one of the hottest teams in the nation though and a legit threat in the tourney.

5. (5) Kansas Jayhawks: 26-5

Despite getting blown out on Saturday at Baylor, Kansas won yet another Big 12 title. Bill Self continues to get it done and has cemented himself as one of the best coaches in college basketball.

6. (8) Georgetown Hoyas: 24-5

Georgetown came one strong over the last month to win a share of the Big East. They are lead by a dynamic defense (held Syracuse to 39 points on Saturday) and a POY candidate in Otto Porter.

7. (15) Ohio State Buckeyes: 23-7

The Buckeyes are playing their best basketball of the season thanks to a balanced scoring attack and a suffocating defense. Their win at Indiana was incredible thanks to Craft and Scott in the second half.

8. (4) Michigan Wolverines: 25-6

One roll of the ball is the difference in winning the Big Ten title (split four ways) and finishing two games back. They proved that even in a loss to Indiana, they have the talent to compete at the highest level.

8. (9) Michigan State Spartans: 24-7

I have them tied with their in-state foes even though they finished ahead of them in the Big Ten standings. They are every bit as good defensively as Michigan is offensively.

10. (6) Florida Gators: 24-6

Despite getting healthy once again, Florida is not playing as well as they were a month ago. In Donovan I trust however, especially in March.

11. (7) Miami Hurricanes: 24-6

Congrats to Miami on winning the ACC outright, but they didn’t close the season well at all. They may get a good seed in the tourney, but I don’t really like their chances near as well as the ten teams above.

12. (12) Kansas State Wildcats: 25-6

Bruce Weber got a Big 12 Championship in his first season. Impressive! He started out well at Illinois though before tanking as the years went on. So maybe not that impressive afterall.

13. (17) Oklahoma State Cowboys: 23-7

This will be a fun team to watch in the NCAA’s. They have some extremely talented guys, but they are very inexperienced.

14. (14) New Mexico Lobos: 26-5

Loved their accomplishment of winning the impressive Mountain West. Some may hate on them and the conference, but it was clearly a top 5 conference in my estimation this year, and a 5 bid league.

15. (16) Wisconsin Badgers: 21-10

Earned the 4-seed in the Big Ten. That gives them a bye before likely playing Michigan. What a reward! That’s life in this conference though I guess.

16. (NR) Marquette Golden Eagles: 23-7

They fell out of my top 25 two weeks ago but immediately get back in. They shocked all (including me) by winning a share of the Big East title.

17. (NR) Pittsburgh Panthers: 24-7

Just like the team above, they bounced back after some shaky play and have earned their right in the top 20 again. This week’s conference tourney will reveal how good they truly are.

18. (18) St. Louis Billikens: 24-6

They did drop a game but still managed to win the competitive A-10. This is a mid-major that nobody wants to play this month.

19. (19) Memphis Tigers: 27-4

See St. Louis (except the competitive conference part).

20. (NR) UCLA Bruins: 23-8

After a tumultuous year, UCLA has won the Pac-12. Congratulations! On a sour note, Shabazz Muhammed needs to grow up. He didn’t celebrate a teammate’s game winning shot (likely cause he didn’t do it), and in 28 games this year, he has a total of 24 assists. That defines selfishness.

21. (13) Syracuse Orangemen: 23-8

They continue to slide and it seems as if they are disinterested. They are certainly headed in the wrong directions at the most important time of the year.

22. (23) St. Mary’s Gaels: 27-5

A solid two weeks solidified their at-large hopes. Barring a dumb loss in the conference tourney, they can earn a birth even if they lose to Gonzaga.

23. (NR) Creighton Bluejays: 27-7

Back in the rankings after winning the MVC Championship and the automatic birth yesterday. McDermott struggled in that game, but he torched Wichita State for 41 not too long ago. Makes up for it I guess.

24. (11) Arizona Wildcats: 24-6

How they managed to choke the conference away after an incredible non-conference I’ll never know.

25. (24) North Carolina Tarheels: 22-9

They didn’t look good against Duke, but they had been playing great before that. IU lost on Senior Night as well, so did Michigan, so we can’t fault everyone for losing to a great team.

Dropped from Rankings: Notre Dame, Butler, VCU, UNLV

Other Notables: Missouri, Colorado State, SD State, NC State, Temple, Belmont, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota, Wichita State, California, Colorado, Kentucky

By: The Sports Guys