NCAA Top 25

Due to my personal busyness, I’ve been unable to update my Top 25 as often as I’d like. But better late than never right? Here’s my updated rankings:

Top 25 – 12/8/14

NOTE: Previous ranking in first parenthesis (from 11/17/14).

1. (1) Kentucky Wildcats (9-0)

This team has looked the part in so many ways. They have every component of a championship roster, despite being a little inconsistent shooting the ball. Their wins have matched their talent, and an undefeated season is within reach.

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

This is clearly the second most talented team in the country, and now they have a win that proves it… Winning at Wisconsin is the best win of any team in the country so far this season. We all knew Okafor was good, but I really like Justice Winslow too.

3. (4) Arizona Wildcats (8-0)

The offense isn’t always smooth, but Arizona is a legit championship contender. Their win over a tough Gonzaga squad proved that. As I predicted, Stanley Johnson has been good, but he’ll continue to get better and better.

4. (9) Louisville Cardinals (7-0)

Louisville is big, fast, and athletic. Their defense is suffocating, and they are extremely well coached. Harrell is an All-American for sure too. It’s going to be fun to watch them in the ACC this year…

5. (3) Wisconsin Badgers (8-1)

A rare home loss was a little surprising, but Duke simply played better. This is still a Final Four contending team, and the heavy favorite in the Big Ten.

6. (10) Virginia Cavaliers (9-0)

This is my third team from the ACC, a conference that is very top-heavy. Virginia has been predictably great to start the season. This week, I was very impressed by their fairly straightforward win at Maryland, and their blowout win against VCU.

7. (13) Villanova Wildcats (8-0)

This is a team I’ve been high on all preseason, and they have delivered. Granted, they haven’t played many daunting teams, but they’ve looked great.

8. (12) Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-1)

Just lost their first game in OT vs. Arizona, but this is a very good squad. The guard play and interior play is top notch, and Kyle Wiltjer has really blossomed in his first year with the team.

9. (7) Texas Longhorns (7-1)

In my opinion, this is the best team in the Big 12, despite the fact they just dropped their first game of the season. They took Kentucky to the limit, on the road, and without their starting PG. When Taylor returns, this team can beat anyone.

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

Despite getting throttled by Kentucky, Kansas has played well in the early going. Wins over MSU and Florida were quality, especially for a young team. Selden seems to be turning the corner, and Alexander continues to see the floor more. Good for them.

11. (15) Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1)

All the focus is on the football team right now, but the basketball team is pretty darn good too. Losing at Louisville is their only blemish, and that was expected.

12. (11) Wichita State Shockers (5-1)

This team isn’t as good as last year, and they aren’t clicking on all cylinders yet, but they are still very good and have only lost to a good Utah squad (in OT). Plus, they have one of the best backcourts in the country.

13. (17) Iowa State Cyclones (5-1)

This team can score and get up and down. The way they pounded Arkansas was great to watch. And Niang is another guy that’s sure to be an All-American.

14. (14) Oklahoma Sooners (5-2)

I love Buddy Hield, but he needs to be more aggressive. In both of their losses (to good teams), I kept waiting for him to take over, and he didn’t.

15. (5) North Carolina Tarheels (6-2)

For as bad as they’ve looked at times this year, I’m over-ranking them here. But I see so much talent on the court, it’s hard not too. They’ll get it together and be a force later this year.

16. (NR) Utah Utes (6-1)

I figured Utah would be decent this year, but they’ve outperformed expectations so far. They won’t challenge Arizona in the Pac-12 (nobody will), but they’ll be right there at or near second.

17. (NR) Butler Bulldogs (7-1)

Unlike North Carolina above (whom Butler beat), the Bulldogs are overachieving this season. But they play hard, they have a couple nice shooters, and they continue to get the job done. They have another chance at a key win next week against IU.

18. (21) San Diego State Aztecs (6-2)

This is a great defensive team that just can’t score consistently. Everything went through Thames last year, so it’s hard to adjust now.

19. (19) Iowa Hawkeyes (7-2)

I had Iowa out of my rankings until they beat UNC on the road. That’s downright impressive, even if the Tarheels were ice cold. It was the sort of effort I’ve been waiting on, and they delivered.

20. (NR) Washington Huskies (7-0)

The Huskies were unproven until they took out San Diego State. That put them on the radar and into my rankings. They take on Oklahoma later this month that will be another telling game.

21. (NR) Miami (FL) Hurricanes (8-1)

They have some nice wins already this season, but a weird loss to Green Bay. A lot of teams have had those odd losses this year though, so it didn’t hurt that much.

22. (NR) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-1)

It’s nice to see Jerian Grant back out there as he’s been terrific. He made big plays continuously against MSU in their win.

23. (NR) Maryland Terrapins (8-1)

Could be 9-0 if Dez Wells were healthy (and if he played against Virginia). But they seem to be right in the thick of that second tier Big Ten race.

24. (NR) St. John’s Red Storm (6-1)

A close loss to Gonzaga and a nice win over Syracuse gets them in the rankings (barely). Tough to tell how legit they are though as it’s still early December.

25. (NR) West Virginia Mountaineers (8-1)

Don’t believe this is a Top 25 team for real, but couldn’t think of any logical choices to replace them…

Dropped from Previous Top 25: Florida, VCU, Connecticut, Stanford, Kansas State, Nebraska, Michigan State, SMU

Also Considered: Creighton, Illinois, Northern Iowa, Michigan, Arkansas, Georgetown, Baylor, Seton Hall, TCU, UCLA, Indiana

By: The Sports Guys