LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It’s a challenge to come up with a fresh introduction to my weekly Associated Press men’s college basketball Top 25 ballot.
This is what I settled on this week: Chances are higher than usual that we’re going to have a coach who wins his first men’s national title.
There are six active coaches with national titles. Three lead teams not in the top 25 — Scott Drew of Baylor, John Calipari of Arkansas and Danny Hurley of UConn.
Three made my ballot — Rick Pitino of St. John’s, Tom Izzo of Michigan State and Bill Self of Kansas. Self and Pitino saw their teams listed as four-seeds when the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee did its mid-season reveal of the top 16 teams Saturday. It’s unlikely either coach can lift his squad above a three seed.
So look for the national championship coaches club to add a member.
1. Auburn (23-2) — Keep stockpiling toilet paper for Toomer’s Corner, Auburn fans. After winning at Alabama, the Tigers get three straight home games.
2. Duke (22-3) — After visiting Virginia Monday night, the Cooper Flagg show heads to Madison Square Garden to play Illinois Saturday.
3. Alabama (21-4) — Before the Crimson Tide host Kentucky Saturday, they visit Missouri Wednesday.
4. Florida (22-3) — Oklahoma and LSU? That’s a bye week in the SEC, Gators.
5. Houston (21-4) — The Cougars host Iowa State in the Game of the Year in the Big 12 Saturday.
6. Texas A&M (20-5) — Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star endorsed Buzz Williams for the Indiana job.
7. Texas Tech (20-5) — The Red Raiders have taken the lead as the most overlooked team in the country.
8. Wisconsin (20-5) — The Badgers have won five Big Ten road games and just scored 94 points at Purdue
9. Tennessee (21-5) — I rated the Vols lower than any other voter last week and after watching them get swept by Kentucky I don’t feel bad about it.
10. St. John’s (22-4) — Yes, the Red Storm gave one to Villanova. They still lead the Big East by two games.
11. Michigan (20-5) — The Wolverines have a one-game edge on Michigan State in the Big Ten— and host the Spartans Friday night.
12. Iowa State (20-5) — The Cyclones bounced back from a three-game losing streak by winning three in a row against the underbelly of the Big 12.
13. Clemson (21-5) — The Tigers clobbered North Carolina and Florida State last week.
14. Michigan State (20-5) — Tom Izzo overtook Bob Knight for the most Big Ten conference wins — but could not beat Indiana. Weird.
15. Purdue (19-7) — Opposing teams are making nearly 55% of their two-point shots, which explains the seven defeats for Matt Painter’s team.
16. Arizona (17-8) — The Wildcats couldn’t win at Kansas State and could not hold off Houston at home.
17. Missouri (19-6) — By beating Oklahoma and Georgia, the Tigers eased into fifth place in the SEC.
18. New Mexico (22-4) — After beating Utah State for the second time on Sunday, Richard Pitino’s team opened a 2-game lead in the Mountain West.
19. Kansas (17-8) — Utah isn’t very good — and the Jayhawks could not beat them.
20. Kentucky (17-8) — Getting healthy is what matters for the Wildcats.
21. Maryland (20-6) — The Terps blistered Iowa for 54 points in the second half Sunday.
22. Marquette (19-6) — The Golden Eagles will be tested at Villanova Friday.
23. Louisville (20-6) — With four of their last five games at home, the Cards are set up for a big finish.
24. Saint Mary’s (23-4) — The Gaels, not Gonzaga, rule the West Coast Conference this season.
25. UCLA (19-7) — Changing three time zone isn’t easy. The Bruins pushed Illinois and took down Indiana in Eastern time last week.
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