This has probably been the most difficult version of the ETPW of the season because everyone keeps losing. My top 4 is clear, but the rest are total crap shoots. This is a weird year because there seems to be a revolving door of elite teams in that no one seems to last at the top for more than a week or so. Anyways, here are the rankings.
1. Villanova
The clear #1 after the shellackings they gave Xavier and Georgetown this week. Collin Gillespie is also back for the Wildcats which adds to their guard depth. Donte Divincenzo is starting to really heat up from 3 as well. Villanova is the only team in the country where I expect every shot to go in. Their offensive efficiency is off the charts, and their defense is improving as well.
2. Purdue
I'm really buying Purdue this year. The 28-point won over Wisconsin sealed the deal for me. Sure Wisconsin is bad this year, but the way Purdue just destroyed the will of Wisconsin really stood out to me. This year is different for the Boilermakers. They have the defense and shot-making to win the Big Ten and get to a Final Four.
3. Virginia
Virginia's defense held Omer Yurtseven to six points in a win over NC State. That has been Virgnia's M.O. all year though. They just know how to shut down star players on opposing teams. They've done that with Ethan Happ and Luke Maye this year as well. As long as their offense continues its methodical efficiency, Virginia is once again sitting pretty at the top of the ACC.
4. Duke
Not far behind in the ACC race, though, is Duke. Duke looked really good in a road win over Miami. What impressed me most was that their two biggest stars (Marvin Bagley III and Grayson Allen) were held in check, but Duke still won behind the shooting of Gary Trent Jr. Duke is so dangerous because they have so many guys who can kill you. We saw this firsthand last Tuesday.
5. Kansas
I'm giving Kansas the title of "Best in the Big 12" this week. The Jayhawks have quietly won four in a row, including road wins at TCU and West Virginia. Considering some of Bill Self's best teams did not win in Morgantown, that win was huge for a team many (including myself) have had doubts about. This Jayhawk squad isn't perfect, but they are starting to click.
6. West Virginia
West Virginia hasn't looked that impressive in their last two games, but I'm giving them a pass because of the level of opponent they faced. In both games against Texas Tech and Kansas, West Virginia had several opportunities to win, but they couldn't close either game out. Is that worrisome? Yeah. But when every other team looks like dog crap too, a team like West Virginia benefits.
7. Texas Tech
Texas Tech has wins over Kansas and West Virginia, but the loss to Texas yesterday has them ranked 7th. I still don't know what to think of the Red Raiders. I know Keenan Evans is a fantastic player and Chris Beard a terrific coach, but I still can't wrap my mind around Texas Tech being good at basketball. II have to watch them more closely this week.
8. Michigan State
Michigan State has been putrid in their last three games. They got blown out at Ohio State, almost lost to Rutgers at home, and did lose to Michigan at home. Michigan State just doesn't seem to have the fire this year. That can certainly be changed before March, but it's still a cause for concern. No one denies the Spartans' talent, but everyone questions how it's clicking.
9. Xavier
I know Xavier got bulldozed by Villanova a week ago, but what many failed to realize was that they followed that game up with a dominant win against Creighton and a tough win against St John's. Xavier went through what Michigan State is going through now, but they managed to rebound and regroup faster. A lot of people ruled this team out after the Providence loss, but I still have stock in the Musketeers.
10. North Carolina
North Carolina has won four straight, and while not all of those have been convincing, a win is a win, and that should be noticed. UNC's win against Clemson on Tuesday was big. Many thought Clemson was going to knock them of at the Dean Dome, but North Carolina didn't let that happen. Also, Cameroon Johnson had his best game as a Tar Heel. If he starts contributing more consistently, a whole other layer is added to this team.
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