NCAA Top 25

The first weekend was exciting, yet fairly predictable. In fact, none of my teams ranked in the Top 25 lost. Harvard was the only team in the AP that lost. This week will be interesting though, especially with Duke and MSU facing off.

Top 25 – 11/17/14

NOTE: Previous ranking in first parenthesis (from my Preseason Top 25).

1. (1) Kentucky Wildcats (2-0)

The Wildcats weren’t great against Buffalo in their second game, but they responded well in the second half. As I told my friends before the season, Trey Lyles could be their best player. He should start!

2. (2) Duke Blue Devils (2-0)

Okafor has looked great, but the fellow freshmen have been equally as good. Coach K has quite the team this year. They’ve been more impressive to me than Kentucky.

3. (3) Wisconsin Badgers (2-0)

They have played without one of their key bench players, but that doesn’t matter. Wisconsin is already in mid-season form.

4. (4) Arizona Wildcats (2-0)

Brandon Ashley has been very good upon return. I figured he’d start slow, but he hasn’t. Hollis-Jefferson has also been very impressive.

5. (5) North Carolina Tarheels (2-0)

Despite the great young players they have, the returners have been the best so far. Meeks is in fact averaging a double-double.

6. (6) Kansas Jayhawks (1-0)

All the talk preseason was about Cliff Alexander being a Julius Randle type player. He’s not, and he doesn’t even start. Perry Ellis is the big man everyone should rave about, even though he isn’t a freshman.

7. (7) Texas Longhorns (2-0)

This team has played together well, and has been fairly stingy on defense. On Thursday they face Iowa though, which will be very telling for both teams.

8. (8) Florida Gators (1-0)

We’ll see how long Finney-Smith will be out. If he’s out for a while, that’s a huge loss!

9. (9) Louisville Cardinals (1-0)

Most impressive win of the opening weekend belonged to Louisville, as they dismantled Minnesota, who some people thought would be a tough game.

10. (10) Virginia Cavaliers (2-0)

11. (11) Wichita State Shockers (1-0)

They are undefeated, look out!

12. (12) Gonzaga Bulldogs (1-0)

Looked great in their first game, but they take on SMU tonight. This will show us how good they really are.

13. (13) Villanova Wildcats (1-0)

14. (14) Oklahoma Sooners (1-0)

Great transfer news this week as TaShawn Thomas was declared eligible immediately. Who needs Cameron Clark now.

15. (15) Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

I raved about Russell this offseason, so it’s fitting that he led them in scoring in their opener.

16. (16) VCU Rams (1-0)

17. (17) Iowa State Cyclones (1-0)

High scoring but no defense. That’s how it will be this season.

18. (18) Connecticut Huskies (1-0)

Boatright showed that he is capable of stepping it up with Napier. In fact, his stat line reminded me of Shabazz: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and a block.

19. (19) Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0)

20. (20) Stanford Cardinal (2-0)

I was higher on Stanford than most, but they are proving me right so far.

21. (21) San Diego State Aztecs (1-0)

22. (22) Kansas State Wildcats (1-0)

23. (23) Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)

24. (24) Michigan State Spartans (1-0)

Take on Duke this week, but could be without a starter (Ellis).

25. (25) SMU Mustangs (1-0)

Big week for SMU, as they take on Gonzaga and IU.

Dropped from Previous Top 25: None

Also Considered: Michigan, Colorado, UCLA, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Dayton, Notre Dame, Utah, Memphis, Arkansas, Indiana, BYU

By: The Sports Guys