1. Villanova
Of course. They're still undefeated, and in their only game this week they absolutely slaughtered Temple 87-67. Just when everyone was ready to anoint Mikal Bridges as the best player on this team, Jalen Brunson dropped 31 against his dad's alma mater on the road. That isn't a knock on Bridges or anything, I actually think this is a good sign that Villanova can has 5 different players who can lead them in scoring on any given night.
2. Michigan State
The Spartans played twice this week: Oakland and Houston Baptist. Classic Finals Week games..whatever. Michigan State didn't look super comfortable against Oakland, but the encouraging sign was that Cassius Winston led them in scoring with 19 points. Really since Gary Harris I could argue that Michigan State has never really had a true point guard who could get buckets as well. Winston seems to be the answer to that problem. Miles Bridges hasn't even played to his full potential yet, which is frightening because he had 33 against HBU.
3. Arizona State
Arizona State didn't start very well against Vanderbilt on Sunday (they were losing 13-0), but then they went on some crazy run and actually took a lead into halftime. Call it what you want, but that's gotta count for something. Sure Vanderbilt was 3-6 going into that game, but win's a win right? I still think this team will collapse. By the end of February this team might even be on the bubble. But right now they are a deserving #3.
4. Duke
It's hard to judge a team when they..uh..don't play. The last thing I remember about Duke is their loss to Boston College. At least Arizona State played SOMEONE. So the Blue Devils are 4th.
5. Miami
I am really starting to like Miami. Their perimeter play can carry them far in the NCAAs and the ACC. They just beat an average George Washington team on the road 59-50. I also like how Miami consistently gets 8 players double digit minutes. That depth matters as we progress further into the season. They might not have the strongest body of work in the country, but I can't really fault them for winning.
6. North Carolina
I've been hot and cold with UNC all year, and right now I'm on fire. The Tennessee win was a big one for the Heels. Part of my bias might be that I could never have imagined that Luke Maye would be playing this well, but he is. He's basically averaging 20 and 10, which I'm baffled about. Anyway, if he keeps playing like this, and then you throw in Joel Berry, Kenny Williams, Theo Pinson and Sterling Manley, who says UNC can't win another one?
7. Oklahoma
GIVE. ME. THE SOONERS. They are ranked 17 in the AP Poll..that is a travesty. Oklahoma has one loss (to Arkansas), but they have wins over USC and Wichita State, both basically road games. When has a Wooden winner's team been ranked outside the top 10? Never. So that's why I'll be the first to give Oklahoma the respect it deserves. Trae Young is a star. They literally beat the third best team in the country on their home floor and he had 29 and 10. Just insanity.
8. Texas A&M
A&M didn't lose to a terrible team or anything last week, but Admon Gilder is apparently out for 2-3 weeks with a knee injury. That really hurts their guard depth to have him gone for the start of SEC play. I'm sure the Aggies will find a way (they always seem to), but this sucks for them to have to deal with it. They have to go to Alabama and host Florida for their first two SEC games. This might be hard.
9. Kentucky
The Wildcats make their first Eye Test Power Rankings appearance of the season after their solid win over Virginia Tech. I have not been a fan of this year's batch of Wildcats, but the Virginia Tech game got me going in the right direction. Their next two games are UCLA and Louisville, so I'll know more about them then.
10. Xavier
That was a close one. Xavier was down by 22 to Eastern Tennessee State at home on Saturday before they mounted a furious comeback to win by 2. Xavier has tended to lose focus in some games over the past few seasons, and this was clearly a prime example. Since they won though, they keep their spot in the rankings.
No comments:
Post a Comment