LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — After another week of turmoil across the Associated Press Top 25 (a dozen ranked teams lost, several twice), the only thing I’m comfortable saying is this:
Connecticut and Houston are the two best teams in the country. They’re separating from the muck.
(But check back next week.)
1. UConn (24-2) — The Huskies might be better than last season. Ask Shaka Smart.
2. Houston (22-3) — The transition to the Big 12 has not been a problem for Kelvin Sampson.
3. Arizona (20-5) — The Wildcats won their rivalry game against Bobby Hurley and Arizona State by 45. No wonder people are saying Hurley is interested in the DePaul job.
4. Duke (20-5) — The Blue Devils have a tricky road game at Wake Forest next Saturday.
5. Tennessee (19-6) — The Vols are in the Top 15 in offensive and defensive efficiency.
6. Purdue (23-3) — I’ll say it again, there’s nothing for the Boilermakers to prove until March.
7. Iowa State (20-5) — The Cyclones get their shot at greatness Monday night at Houston.
8. Marquette (19-6) — We’ll find out if the Golden Eagles can bounce back from taking a 28-point punch from UConn.
9. North Carolina (20-6) — Losing to Syracuse was nearly as alarming as losing to Georgia Tech.
10. Creighton (19-7) — Let’s see what the Bluejays have when UConn visits Omaha Tuesday night.
11. Kansas (20-6) — For the record, the Jayhawks are 5-4 in their last nine with losses to Texas Tech and West Virginia. Yuck.
12. Illinois (19-6) — The less I say about the Illini the better.
13. Alabama (18-7) — It’s Bama, not Tennessee, that leads the Southeastern Conference.
14. Baylor (19-6) — The Bears are a terrific offensive team but just OK on defense.
15. Saint Mary’s (21-6) — The Gaels are four games away (three at home) from going unbeaten in the West Coast Conference. Sorry, Gonzaga.
16. Auburn (20-6) — The Tigers have split their last 8 SEC games. No wonder Bruce Pearl was steamed Saturday.
17. Dayton (21-4) — The Flyers are tied with Loyola (Chicago) atop the Atlantic 10.
18. South Carolina (21-5) — Auburn and LSU slowed the Feel Good Gamecocks’ story.
19. Florida (18-7) — Interchangeable with Kentucky.
20. Kentucky (18-7) — See above.
21. Virginia (20-6) — I’m aware the Cavaliers got handled by Pittsburgh. This is the Pick a Questionable Team area of the ballot.
22. Washington State (20-6) — The streaking Cougars have moved into second place in the Pac-12 but must visit Arizona Thursday.
23. Michigan State (17-9) — The Spartans are in the Top 15 in the Ken Pomeroy and Bart Torvik rankings.
24. San Diego State (20-6) — My weekly representative from the Mountain West Conference.
25. Grand Canyon (24-2) — There are probably 25 teams you think belong ahead of Bryce Drew’s team. You might be right. But you could also be wrong.
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