A terrific Kansas-Missouri game on Saturday night provided a springboard into “Rivalry Week,” which features a number of intriguing matchups.

Before that tips off though, here are this week’s power rankings.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Kentucky (23-1, Previous Ranking: 1)

Freshman sensation Anthony Davis had a phenomenal week with 40 points (on 15-of-17 shooting from the field), 16 rebounds, and 15 blocks in wins over Tennessee and South Carolina, as the Wildcats won by a combined 59 points.

Kentucky’s schedule finally starts to get challenging this week as they host Florida on Tuesday and head to Vanderbilt on Saturday.

2. Ohio State (20-3, Previous Ranking: 2)

The Buckeyes got just seven points from players not named Jared Sullinger, Deshaun Thomas, or William Buford against Wisconsin, but that trio combined for 51 points and led OSU to a terrific road win at the Kohl Center.  Sullinger scored 24 points and grabbed 10 boards, including five on the offensive glass, to pace the Buckeyes, who are now alone in first place in the Big Ten.

They welcome Purdue and second-place Michigan State to Columbus this week.

3. Syracuse (23-1, Previous Ranking: 3)

So maybe Fab Melo was more important to this team than everyone realized.  After a loss and two other close games, Melo returned from his academic issues to score 14 points in a 25-point route of St. John’s.

The Orange face Georgetown and UConn at home this week, and the matchup with the Hoyas will be their first game against a ranked team in over a month.

4. Missouri (21-2, Previous Ranking: 6)

With the Tigers down eight points with just over two minutes left against Kansas, senior guard Marcus Denmon put the team on his back.  He scored nine of his 29 points during an 11-0 run to finish the game, which gave Mizzou the three-point victory.  Earlier in the week, Michael Dixon hit the game-winner with 30 seconds left to win at Texas.

The Tigers are now in a three-way tie for first place in the Big 12, and Monday they head to Oklahoma before a home date with Baylor next Saturday.

5. North Carolina (20-3, Previous Ranking: 4)

The Heels picked up a pair of road wins this week, although they trailed for a while against Maryland.  Tyler Zeller continued his solid play with 40 points and 25 rebounds in the two victories, while Kendall Marshall dished out 16 assists against the Terps.

UNC has a pair of huge home games this week with arch rival Duke visiting the Dean Dome on Wednesday and Virginia coming to town on Saturday.

6. Baylor (21-2, Previous Ranking: 7)

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Bears picked up road wins over Texas A&M and Oklahoma State by a total of just seven points.  Perry Jones III had 31 points and 16 rebounds during the week, while Pierre Jackson tallied 30 points.

This week Baylor gets a chance to avenge both of their losses when they host Kansas on Wednesday before traveling to Missouri on Saturday.

7. Kansas (18-5, Previous Ranking: 5)

The Jayhawks were mere minutes away from picking up a huge road win against Missouri, and many will cite a pair of questionable charging calls down the stretch as one of the reasons their lead slipped away.  Thomas Robinson was phenomenal in the second half and finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds against the Tigers after posting 20 points and 17 boards earlier in the week against Oklahoma.

Kansas heads to Baylor on Wednesday before a winnable home game against Oklahoma State next weekend.

8. Michigan State (18-5, Previous Ranking: 9)

Sparty lost an ugly game against Illinois early in the week, and they also feared they had lost Draymond Green who suffered a knee injury in the second half.  Green returned Sunday against Michigan and posted 14 points, 16 boards, and four assists in a 10-point victory.

Michigan State is a game behind Ohio State in the Big Ten race, but they get their first shot at the Buckeyes in Columbus next weekend after they host Penn State on Wednesday.

9. Georgetown (18-4, Previous Ranking: 12)

The Hoyas won home games against Connecticut and South Florida by a combined 44 points to get back on track.  Henry Sims scored 13 points in each game and had a strong all-around game against USF with nine rebounds and five assists.

Georgetown hits the road for three of their next four games, starting in Syracuse on Wednesday.

10. Florida (19-4, Previous Ranking: 17)

Saturday’s home win over Vanderbilt was Florida’s seventh straight victory, and the Gators are finally looking like the team many people ranked in the Top 10 before the season.  Freshman Brad Beal continued his solid play with 33 points, 18 rebounds, and one massive dunk over the course of the week.

Tuesday’s road trip to Rupp Arena will be Florida’s biggest test of the season, while Saturday gives them a chance for revenge against Tennessee.

11. Duke (19-4, Previous Ranking: 8)

The Blue Devils won at Virginia Tech early in the week behind 18 points from Austin Rivers, but they were outplayed at home by Miami on Sunday when they lost in overtime after coming back from a large second half deficit.

Getting back on track won’t be easy with their next game coming on Wednesday at North Carolina.  Duke follows up that rivalry game by hosting Maryland next weekend.

12. Murray State (23-0, Previous Ranking: 14)

Isaiah Canaan went off for six threes and 32 points in a comeback win over Southeast Missouri State, and the Racers followed that up with a seven-point victory against Tennessee-Martin.

Home games against Austin Peay and Tennessee State await this week, but the big one for Murray State comes on February 18th when Saint Mary’s comes to town as part of the BracketBusters.

13. Creighton (21-3, Previous Ranking: 11)

The Bluejays saw their 11-game win streak snapped when Northern Iowa’s Anthony James hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to win it for the Panthers. Earlier in the week, Creighton hung 102 points on Illinois State behind 25 from Player of the Year candidate Doug McDermott.

They head to Evansville on Tuesday before hosting MVC co-leader Wichita State on Saturday, which should be an outstanding matchup.

14. San Diego State (20-3, Previous Ranking: 16)

Wins over Boise State and TCU have the Aztecs at 6-1 through the first half of the Mountain West season.  Guard Jamaal Franklin led the way in both games with a total of 40 points and 19 rebounds during the week.

San Diego State’s only game this week comes Saturday at UNLV with first place in the MWC on the line.

15. UNLV (21-4, Previous Ranking: 10)

The Rebels made just 3-of-14 from beyond the arc in Saturday’s loss at Wyoming, but they blew out Colorado State by 19 points earlier in the week.  Chace Stanback has been up and down of late, and that continued this week with 16 points against the Rams but just two versus the Cowboys.

Like SDSU, the Rebels have the week off before they welcome the Aztecs in a revenge game for first place in the league.

16. Florida State (16-6, Previous Ranking: 18)

Things keep on rolling for the Noles, who knocked off Georgia Tech and Virginia at home this week.  They have now won seven straight games and are tied atop the ACC with North Carolina.  Michael Snaer continued his strong play with five three-pointers and 21 points against the Jackets, while the team relied on a more balanced attack versus UVA.

This week, the Noles head to Boston College before hosting an improving Miami squad next weekend.

17. Michigan (17-7, Previous Ranking: 15)

The Wolverines have now alternated wins and losses over their last eight games after beating Indiana at home during the week before falling at Michigan State on Sunday.  Tim Hardaway Jr. went just 5-of-25 during the week, while senior Zack Novak stepped up with 27 points and six threes.

Michigan heads to Nebraska this week before welcoming Illinois to Ann Arbor on Sunday.

18. Marquette (19-5, Previous Ranking: 13)

Marquette ran into a buzzsaw when they lost to Notre Dame on Saturday, which snapped their seven-game winning streak.  It was an up and down week for Jae Crowder, who had 20 points and 12 boards against Seton Hall but managed just four against the Irish.

The Golden Eagles travel to DePaul on Monday for a winnable road game, and then Cincinnati comes to Milwaukee next weekend.

19. Wisconsin (18-6, Previous Ranking: 19)

After winning at Penn State and losing at home to Ohio State, there’s no change for the Badgers this week.  Wisconsin’s struggles from long range crept up again versus OSU, as they hit just 5-of-27 from deep.

With their six-game win streak snapped, the Badgers hit the road for four of their next five games, starting with this week’s trip to Minnesota.

20. Saint Mary’s (22-2, Previous Ranking: 22)

The Gaels extended their winning streak to 12 games by beating San Diego, but their biggest headline came when they were announced as Murray State’s opponent in the BracketBusters.  Rob Jones went off for 28 points against the Toreros, and Stephen Holt chipped in with 23 of his own.

Saint Mary’s has a challenging road date with Gonzaga on Thursday as part of Rivalry Week, which gives us yet another “mid-major” game to look forward to this week.

21. Mississippi State (18-5, Previous Ranking: 23)

In their only game of the week, the Bulldogs won by just three against Auburn.  Forwards Arnett Moultrie and Renardo Sidney led the way with a combined 38 points, while Dee Bost and Brian Bryant combined for 16 assists.

MSU needs to take care of business at home this week against Mississippi and Georgia before playing four of their final six games on the road.

22. Indiana (18-6, Previous Ranking: 20)

The Hoosiers dug themselves a 20-point hole early against Michigan as their road woes continued, but they bounced back to win by 17 points at Mackey Arena against arch rival Purdue.  Victor Oladipo and Remy Abell keyed the victory against the Boilers thanks to their aggressiveness, and they will look to build on those performances against Illinois this week.

IU plays five of their final seven games at home to close out the regular season.

23. Virginia (18-4, Previous Ranking: 21)

A late rally against Florida State came up just short on Saturday, but Mike Scott had another fantastic week for the Cavaliers.  He had a pair of double-doubles and finished with 39 points and 21 boards while hitting 14-of-19 from the field.  Still, Virginia has just one Top 50 win and that came back in November.

After hosting Wake on Wednesday, the Cavs will get a chance to pick up another one when they travel to North Carolina next weekend.

24. Notre Dame (15-8, Previous Ranking: N/A)

I’m not sure if there is a hotter team in the country right how, as the Irish have ripped off four straight wins, three of which have come against ranked opponents and all of which have come against tournament teams.

Without Tim Abromaitis, the Irish have been getting contributions from a number of different players.  Eric Atkins combined for 31 points in last week’s wins, while Pat Connaughton came through with 23 points and 11 boards versus Marquette on Sunday.

Notre Dame heads to West Virginia in search of their fourth Big East road win before hosting DePaul on Saturday.

25. Southern Mississippi (20-3, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Golden Eagles are overrated as a Top 10 team in the RPI, but this is a solid basketball teamwithout a doubt.  They beat Memphis at home this week to break a lengthy losing streak against the Tigers and take sole possession of first place in Conference USA.  Kentucky transfer Darnell Dodson is playing really well right now, and Larry Eustachy has seven players averaging at least 7.0 points.

This week USM has a road trip to UAB followed by a home date against a solid Central Florida team.

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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

The great news is that in a mere six weeks, we’ll have a bracket in our hands with March Madness just days away.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Kentucky (21-1, Previous Ranking: 1)

The Wildcats won road games against Georgia and LSU by a combined 37 points, with Darius Miller leading the way with 19 against the Bulldogs and Terrence Jones going off for 27 against the Tigers.

Kentucky has now won 13 straight, but for those waiting to see them against the SEC’s best, they’ll have to wait another week.  The Wildcats are home against Tennessee on Tuesday before a road trip to South Carolina.

2. Ohio State (19-3, Previous Ranking: 2)

It was Lenzelle Smith Jr., not Jared Sullinger, who posted a double-double against Michigan, as the OSU sophomore had 17 points and 12 rebounds in a 15-point victory.  The Buckeyes crushed Penn State at home earlier in the week behind 20 points and 13 boards from Sullinger.

Ohio State is idle until next Saturday when they head to the Kohl Center for a matchup with the resurgent Badgers.

3. Syracuse (22-1, Previous Ranking: 4)

It wasn’t exactly pretty from the Orange this week, but they managed to beat Cincinnati and West Virginia.

Against the Bearcats, ‘Cuse made just 5-of-15 free throws, shot 25% from beyond the arc, and allowed 13 offensive rebounds, which is not exactly the typical recipe for a win.  They were nearly doubled up on the glass by West Virginia and benefited from a late no-call on a clear goaltend to win by two points.

Fab Melo’s status is still uncertain due to academic issues, and the Orange haven’t been quite the same without him.  Their only game this week is at St. John’s on Saturday.

4. North Carolina (18-3, Previous Ranking: 6)

The Heels took care of business at home this week against North Carolina State and Georgia Tech.  Tyler Zeller had 21 points and 17 rebounds against the Wolfpack, and Harrison Barnes poured in 23 against the Jackets.

UNC hits the road this week for a pair of winnable road games against Wake Forest and Maryland, but they need to make sure not to look ahead to the Duke game the following week.

5. Kansas (17-4, Previous Ranking: 5)

The Jayhawks suffered their first Big 12 loss at Iowa State on Saturday, as the Cyclones limited Thomas Robinson to 13 points and seven rebounds.  KU also put the Cyclones on the line 34 times and got almost no production from their bench.

The Jayhawks will look to bounce back when Oklahoma comes to Lawrence on Wednesday before they head to Mizzou for what should be a terrific game on Saturday.

For now, I gave the Jayhawks the slight edge over Missouri since their loss this week was more “forgiveable.”  I also couldn’t rank Baylor ahead of KU based on their margin of defeat in Lawrence.

6. Missouri (19-2, Previous Ranking: 3)

On the heels of their impressive road win at Baylor, the Tigers dropped a game at Oklahoma State, as they allowed their second-highest point total of the season and shot poorly from the outside.  They bounced back to beat Texas Tech at home behind 22 points from Kim English and 12 assists from Flip Pressey.

Mizzou starts a tough four-game stretch with a road trip to Texas on Monday before the Jayhawks visit Columbia on Saturday.

7. Baylor (19-2, Previous Ranking: 7)

The Bears pulled away late to pick up a road win at Oklahoma then held on to defeat Texas by five at home.  Perry Jones III had a huge week with 43 points and 26 rebounds in the team’s two wins.

Based on their overall body of work, Baylor is likely to be a one seed in my next set of bracket projections, but they can’t afford to slip up this week in road games against Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.

8. Duke (18-3, Previous Ranking: 6)

Mason Plumlee came up big for the Blue Devils this week with 23 points and 12 boards in a road win at Maryland, and he followed that up with 15 points and 17 rebounds against St. John’s.

Outside of a three-point home win against Virginia, Duke hasn’t beaten a tournament-caliber team since late November, which makes it hard to truly assess them.  This week features a road trip to Virginia Tech and a home game with Miami leading into a February 8th matchup against North Carolina.

9. Michigan State (17-4, Previous Ranking: 9)

Tom Izzo won his 400th game in MSU’s lone outing this week, a 16-point win over Minnesota at the Breslin Center.  Draymond Green was fantastic with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting, 14 rebounds, and six assists.

The Spartans have a pair of tough games this week when they head to Illinois on Tuesday and host Michigan on Sunday.  They need to win both to stay tied in the loss column with Ohio State.

10. UNLV (20-3, Previous Ranking: 11)

The Rebels needed overtime to knock off both Boise State and Air Force on the road this week, but they managed to escape with a pair of wins.  Mike Moser was simply ridiculous, as he had 18 points and 21 (yes, 21) rebounds against the Broncos followed by 27 points and a mere 12 boards versus the Falcons.

UNLV hosts Colorado State this week before a weekend trip to Wyoming.

11. Creighton (20-2, Previous Ranking: 12)

With wins over Drake and Bradley, the Bluejays extended their winning streak to 10 games.  To the surprise of no one, Doug McDermott tallied 54 points in the victories, making 10-of-14 shots in each contest.

Creighton has just eight regular season games left, starting with a home game against Illinois State on Wednesday and a road trip to Northern Iowa on Saturday.

12. Georgetown (16-4, Previous Ranking: 10)

The Hoyas lost their only game of the week against an improving Pittsburgh team after allowing the Panthers to shoot 52.1 percent from the field while they struggled to get anything going offensively.

Senior guard Jason Clark was held to just nine points in the loss, but Georgetown can’t afford to get down on themselves with UConn coming to D.C. on Wednesday.

13. Marquette (18-4, Previous Ranking: 18)

Marquette continues to fall behind early in games, but they rallied from an 18-point first half deficit to win at Villanova on Saturday.  They also blasted South Florida by 20 points earlier in the week.  Seniors Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder combined for 46 points, 17 rebounds, nine assists, and four steals to key the victory over the Wildcats.

The Golden Eagles have now won six straight heading into a home game against reeling Seton Hall before a road trip to surging Notre Dame.

14. Murray State (21-0, Previous Ranking: 14)

The Racers won easily over Eastern Illinois in their only game of the week.  They got 18 points each from Isaiah Canaan and Donte Poole, but perhaps most importantly, forward Ivan Aska returned after missing the last six games with a hand injury.

Murray State shouldn’t have much trouble with Southeast Missouri State or Tennessee-Martin, but the biggest part of their week comes on Monday when the BracketBusters matchups are announced.

15. Michigan (16-6, Previous Ranking: 15)

After starting the week with a hard-fought road win against Purdue, the Wolverines lost by 15 at Ohio State on Sunday.  Tim Hardaway Jr. led the way in both games with a total of 34 points, but the team has now alternated wins and losses over the last six games.

The tough stretch of their schedule continues when Indiana comes to Ann Arbor on Wednesday before they head to East Lansing on Sunday.

16. San Diego State (18-3, Previous Ranking: 13)

I mentioned that road games at Wyoming and Colorado State might be tougher than people think, and that turned out to be the case when the Aztecs lost by 17 to the Rams on Saturday.  SDSU made just 3-of-21 from beyond the arc against Colorado State and shot only 31.3 percent from the field.

Home games with Boise State and TCU this week should allow them to get back on track and remain atop the MWC standings.

17. Florida (17-4, Previous Ranking: 19)

The Gators picked up a pair of solid victories this week, winning by four at Mississippi and knocking off a ranked Mississippi State team by 12 points.  A number of different players contributed for Florida, with Patric Young scoring 15 against the Rebels and freshman Brad Beal going for 19 versus the Bulldogs.

Thursday’s home game against South Carolina is one they should win handily, while a Saturday matchup with Vanderbilt gives Florida another chance to prove themselves.

18. Florida State (14-6, Previous Ranking: 20)

The red hot Noles extended their winning streak to five games with a 23-point win at Wake Forest last week.  Michael Snaer continued his strong play with 18 points in the victory, while the team turned in a solid all-around effort on both ends of the floor.

They shouldn’t have any issues with Georgia Tech on Wednesday, but Saturday’s date with Virginia will help settle the argument about who the ACC’s third-best team really is.

19. Wisconsin (17-5, Previous Ranking: 25)

After holding off Indiana on Thursday, the Badgers have now won five straight after a 1-3 start in Big Ten play.  Four players scored in double figures for Wisconsin, and Ryan Evans grabbed nine rebounds, including a few key offensive boards late.

The Badgers head to Penn State this week before a huge home date with Ohio State on Saturday.

20. Indiana (17-5, Previous Ranking: 16)

The Hoosiers had a chance to win in Madison but struggled down the stretch and lost by seven.  On Sunday, they bounced back to take advantage of a poor Iowa defense to the tune of 103 points.  Freshman Cody Zeller struggled against the Badgers but scored a career-high 26 points against the Hawkeyes.

The Hoosiers also changed up their starting lineup for the first time this season, as Will Sheehey started in place of fellow soph Victor Oladipo.

IU hits the road this week for games against Michigan and Purdue.

21. Virginia (17-3, Previous Ranking: 21)

ACC Player of the Year candidate Mike Scott scored 18 points against both Boston College and North Carolina State, as the Cavs won both games to move to 4-2 in the conference.

A winnable home game with Clemson awaits this week before a Saturday trip to Tallahassee.  The reality is that Virginia has a solid record, but only one of those victories has come at the expense of a Top 50 team.

22. Saint Mary’s (21-2, Previous Ranking: 23)

The Gaels beat Loyola Marymount and BYU on the road to move to 10-0 in the WCC.  Brad Waldow continued his solid play with 19 points and eight rebounds against the Cougars, and Saint Mary’s was able to win comfortably despite an uncharacteristic 11 turnovers during the week from Matthew Dellavedova.

Their only game this week is at home against San Diego, but they are also anxiously awaiting their BracketBusters fate.

23. Mississippi State (17-5, Previous Ranking: 22)

Arnett Moultrie extended his streak of double-doubles to five games, but the Bulldogs went 1-1 during the week, beating LSU at home and falling to Florida on the road.

MSU plays their next three games at home, starting with Saturday’s home date with Auburn.  They need to hold serve in those games with four of their final six on the road.

24. Kansas State (15-5, Previous Ranking: 17)

After losing to Oklahoma for the second time this year, the Wildcats nearly dropped out of the Top 25.  Rodney McGruder had a solid game against the Sooners with 19 points, but the team struggled offensively with 41.2 percent shooting and 20 turnovers.

This week they head to Ames to take on a confident Cyclones team followed by a home game against Texas A&M.

25. West Virginia (15-7, Previous Ranking: 24)

The Mountaineers played poorly in a road loss to St. John’s, but they bounced back to give Syracuse everything they could handle at the Carrier Dome.  Had referees not missed a clear goaltend near the end of regulation, West Virginia would have had a shot to pick up a huge road in overtime.

Kevin Jones continues to be phenomenal and has now scored at least 20 points in seven straight games, including four double-doubles.

The Mountaineers play three of their next four games at home, starting with Pitt on Monday.

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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

And as usual, that led to plenty of shakeups in this week’s Top 25.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Kentucky (19-1, Previous Ranking: 2)

The Wildcats picked up a pair of home wins last week, crushing Arkansas by 23 and beating Alabama by six.  Anthony Davis was phenomenal against the Hogs with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks, and he has already broken the UK single-season record for rejections.

Image source: Andy Lyons/Getty Images via B/R

Terrence Jones tallied 28 points, 15 boards, and seven blocks of his own in the two victories, which is a good sign for Kentucky fans.  They shouldn’t be tested until a February 7th home date with Florida.

2. Ohio State (17-3, Previous Ranking: 4)

William Buford led the way with 15 points in the Buckeyes’ lone game of the week, a 34-point drubbing of Nebraska.  Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas chipped in with 14 points each in OSU’s second road win in league play.

The Buckeyes play four of their next five games in Columbus, starting with this week’s matchups against Penn State and Michigan.

3. Missouri (18-1, Previous Ranking: 6)

After taking care of business at home against Texas A&M, the undersized Tigers picked up a huge road win at Baylor, outrebounding the much taller Bears in the process.  Ricardo Ratliffe grabbed six of Mizzou’s 12 offensive boards and scored 27 points in the victory.  Point guard Flip Pressey was fantastic with 18 points, seven assists, six steals, and five rebounds.

The Tigers have a pair of winnable games this week as they travel to Oklahoma State and host Texas Tech.

4. Syracuse (20-1, Previous Ranking: 1)

The Orange never led against Notre Dame and suffered their first loss of the year on Saturday night.  They were playing without center Fab Melo, who is out with academic issues of some kind.  Without him, the Irish dominated the glass and shot 50 percent from the field, while the Syracuse offense struggled throughout the game and shot just 34 percent.

The Orange beat Pitt by eight in their first game of the week, and this week brings a tough road test at Cincinnati on Monday followed by a home date with West Virginia.

5. Kansas (16-3, Previous Ranking: 9)

After outplaying Baylor and squeaking out a win at Texas, the Jayhawks have now won nine straight and 13 of their last 14 contests.  Tyshawn Taylor and Thomas Robinson continue to lead the way for KU, with Taylor posting 78 points over the last three games and Robinson going for 44 points and 23 boards in two games this week.

Next up for the Jayhawks is a home game against reeling Texas A&M and a road trip to Ames to face an Iowa State team desparate for a signature win.

6. North Carolina (16-3, Previous Ranking: 8)

For about a half, the Heels didn’t appear to have responded well to getting drubbed by Florida State, but a 19-0 run during the second half propelled them to a 14-point win at Virginia Tech in their only game this week.  Harrison Barnes scored 27 points and attempted a season-high 12 free throws, while John Henson and Tyler Zeller combined for 30 points and 27 rebounds.

UNC has four winnable games coming up before Duke comes to the Dean Dome in early February.

7. Baylor (17-2, Previous Ranking: 3)

The Bears lost their first two games of the season last week, losing by 18 at Kansas and by one at home to Missouri.  In both games, Baylor was outrebounded and allowed far too many second chance points for a team with so much height.

In the end, questions about the team’s toughness and Scott Drew’s ability to make adjustments remain following their two losses.  However, the Bears still have a number of quality wins, but they need to stop their skid with wins at Oklahoma and at home versus Texas this week.

8. Duke (16-3, Previous Ranking: 5)

A Michael Snaer buzzer-beater ended Duke’s 45-game home winning streak and gave the Devils their first conference loss.  Freshman Austin Rivers led the team in scoring with 19 points after not starting the Wake Forest game, but Duke shot under 40 percent from the field in a losing effort.

The Devils head to Maryland on Wednesday before a non-conference matchup with St. John’s next weekend.

9. Michigan State (16-4, Previous Ranking: 7)

It was another strange week for the Spartans.  Despite doubling up the Wolverines on the boards and shooting 46.7 percent from deep, they lost at Michigan before bouncing back to crush Purdue at home on Saturday.  Big man Derrick Nix played well in both games, totaling 25 points in just 41 minutes of action.

MSU plays just once this week with Minnesota visiting East Lansing on Wednesday.

10. Georgetown (16-3, Previous Ranking: 10)

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Hoyas won both of their games this week against DePaul and Rutgers.  Center Henry Sims posted a double-double against the Scarlet Knights and had 16 points and seven boards versus DePaul.

One potential concern is that Hollis Thompson has a pulled thigh muscle that limited him on Saturday, but the Hoyas don’t play again until next weekend when they visit Pittsburgh.

11. UNLV (18-3, Previous Ranking: 12)

The Rebels bounced back from a road loss to San Diego State to win a pair of home games this week versus TCU and New Mexico by a combined 40 points.  Mike Moser tallied 30 points and 25 boards while posting two double-doubles, and UNLV now faces winnable road games this week against Boise State and Air Force.

12. Creighton (18-2, Previous Ranking: 12)

Despite getting ”just” 27 points from star Doug McDermott in their two games last week, the Bluejays continue to pile up wins.  First they avenged one of their two defeats by winning at Missouri State, and then they crushed Indiana State on Saturday.

Creighton takes an eight-game winning streak into games at Drake and home against Bradley this week.

13. San Diego State (17-2, Previous Ranking: 15)

The Aztecs followed up their big home win against UNLV by going into The Pit to beat New Mexico behind 22 points from Xavier Thames.  Guard Jamaal Franklin had 14 points and 10 boards in Saturday’s game against Air Force, putting SDSU in sole possession of first place in the Mountain West.

Road games against Wyoming and Colorado State this week will be tougher than you might think.

14. Murray State (20-0, Previous Ranking: 20)

At some point you just have to give the Racers credit, because they just keep rolling along in a year when Top 25 losses are becoming the norm.  They got a scare from Morehead State this week, but guards Isaiah Canaan and Donte Poole combined for 35 points to lead the comeback.  Those same two players combined for 35 again on Saturday night to remain the lone unbeaten team in college hoops.

Murray State is idle until a Saturday home game against Eastern Illinois.

15. Michigan (15-5, Previous Ranking: 16)

The Wolverines continue to be inconsistent, and this week was no exception.  They picked up a hard-fought one-point win over Michigan but fell behind by as many as 20 points against Arkansas in a non-conference road game on Saturday.  A furious comeback came up just short, as a potential game-winning three-pointer by Trey Burke rimmed out at the buzzer.  Tim Hardaway Jr. continues to struggle with just 28 points in his last three games on 8-of-30 shooting.

A tough week awaits with road games at Purdue and Ohio State.

16. Indiana (16-4, Previous Ranking: 13)

After blowing a double-digit lead on the road against Nebraska, the Hoosiers stopped the bleeding with a home victory over Penn State.  Cody Zeller continued his strong play with 18 points in each game, but defense and turnovers continue to be a concern for Indiana.

This week they head to Madison to take on a resurgent Wisconsin squad before a home game with Iowa on Sunday.

17. Kansas State (14-4, Previous Ranking: 21)

Behind 33 points from Rodney McGruder, the Wildcats beat Texas at home early in the week.  They followed that up with a road win against Oklahoma State to even their Big 12 record at 3-3.

K-State has a pair of winnable games this week when they travel to Texas Tech before returning to The Octagon for a game against Oklahoma.

18. Marquette (16-4, Previous Ranking: 22)

The Golden Eagles dug themselves a huge early hole but stormed back to beat Louisville on Monday, then picked up a road win at Providence on Saturday.  Not surprisingly, they were led by seniors Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder, who combined for 69 points in the two victories.

Marquette hosts South Florida on Tuesday before traveling to Villanova on Saturday.

19. Florida (15-4, Previous Ranking: 19)

I have a hard time moving the Gators up any further in the rankings until they actually beat someone.  Five Florida players scored in double figures in a 12-point win over LSU this week, led by 15 from Erik Murphy.

On Thursday, they have a road date with Mississippi, and then turn around to host Mississippi State on Saturday.  Those games should tell us a bit more about the Gators.

20. Florida State (13-6, Previous Ranking: N/A)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a hotter team than the Seminoles right now.  In their last three games, they have blown out North Carolina, knocked off an improving Maryland squad, and pulled out a road win at Duke.  In addition to hitting the game-winner, Michael Snaer has really stepped up offensively with 50 points in those three victories.

The Noles travel to Wake Forest for their only game this week.

21. Virginia (15-3, Previous Ranking: 14)

The Cavaliers destroyed Georgia Tech on Thursday but slipped up at home against rival Virginia Tech Sunday night.  Against the Hokies, UVA hit just 1-of-14 from long range, and Mike Scott was held to just 10 points, which is not exactly a recipe for victory.  At this point, they have a number of good – but not great – wins on their profile with a pair of losses to teams who wouldn’t make the tournament if it started today.

The Cavaliers face Boston College at home on Thursday before heading to Raleigh for a matchup with North Carolina State.

22. Mississippi State (16-4, Previous Ranking: 18)

The Bulldogs stumbled on the road against Ole Miss but hung on for an overtime win at Vanderbilt on Saturday night to salvage their week.  Dee Bost and Arnett Moultrie combined for 45 points against the Commodores, while Jalen Steele drained five three-pointers.

LSU visits Starkville on Wednesday in a game MSU should win, but Saturday’s game at Florida will be a huge test.

23. Saint Mary’s (19-2, Previous Ranking: 24)

After beating Pepperdine and Santa Clara, the Gaels reached the halfway point of the WCC season with a perfect 8-0 record.  Matthew Dellavedova had 39 points and 12 assists in the two victories, and Saint Mary’s has now won nine straight and 17 of their last 18.

Five of their final eight league games are on the road, starting this week with trips to Loyola Marymount and BYU.

24. West Virginia (15-5, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Mountaineers picked up a couple solid wins last week over Marshall and Cincinnati, and forward Kevin Jones continued his campaign for Big East Player of the Year with 51 points and 20 rebounds in those contests.  He now has at least 22 points in five straight games and 13 double-doubles for the season.

West Virginia hits the road this week for games against St. John’s and Syracuse.

25. Wisconsin (16-5, Previous Ranking: N/A)

A road win at Illinois extended Wisconsin’s winning streak to four games, and after a disastrous start to Big Ten play, they are now 5-3 in the league.  Jordan Taylor is starting to heat up with 53 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists over the last three games.

The Badgers return to the Kohl Center to take on Indiana this Thursday in their lone game of the week.

**********

Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

The middle of the list has proven to be a complete mess, but since road wins have been so tough to come by, there are some teams that actually stayed put or even moved up despite losing.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Syracuse (19-0, Previous Ranking: 1)

The Orange won their two games this week by a combined 36 points and are the only Big East team without a loss.  I am dying to see this team be challenged, but with games at home against a reeling Pitt squad and on the road at Notre Dame, I don’t see that happening this week.

2. Kentucky (17-1, Previous Ranking: 2)

With road victories against Auburn and Tennessee last week, the Wildcats have already equaled their SEC road win total from last season.  Freshmen Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist continue to lead the way for Kentucky, while fellow frosh Marquis Teague could stand to cut back on his shooting given his efficiency numbers.  Kentucky has home games against Arkansas and Alabama this week.

3. Baylor (17-0, Previous Ranking: 5)

The Bears picked up arguably the biggest road win in college hoops last week by knocking off K-State in the Octagon before dumptrucking Oklahoma State over the weekend.  Monday’s game with Kansas is the marquee matchup of the week, but win or lose, Baylor has proven they should be considered among the nation’s elite teams.  Saturday’s game against Missouri closes out a brutal week for the Bears.

4. Ohio State (16-3, Previous Ranking: 4)

Brandon Paul almost singlehandedly beat the Buckeyes on Tuesday with 43 points, but they returned to form against Indiana on Sunday and had the look of a Final Four team in that game.  Lenzelle Smith Jr. gave them a huge spark with 28 points against the Hoosiers, and if he can become a consistent contributor, it takes OSU to another level.  Their lone game this week is at Nebraska on Saturday.

5. Duke (15-2, Previous Ranking: 8)

The ACC doesn’t provide many chances for quality wins this year, but the Blue Devils picked up one on Thursday by knocking off Virginia at home.  They followed that up with a road win at Clemson and are currently the only team undefeated in ACC play.  A pair of home games await this week, with Wake Forest coming to Cameron on Thursday and surging Florida State visiting on Saturday.

6. Missouri (16-1, Previous Ranking: 9)

The Tigers rebounded from a loss to Kansas State to win by 10 points at Iowa State and by 11 at home versus Texas.  Flip Pressey tallied 30 points and 15 assists in the two victories, while Ricardo Ratliffe scored 21 against the Longhorns and is now shooting 77.4 percent from the field.  Mizzou has a winnable home game against A&M on Monday before a showdown at Baylor on Saturday.

7. Michigan State (15-3, Previous Ranking: 6)

It was an uneven week for the Spartans, who dismantled Iowa in their first game but lost at Northwestern on Saturday.  Draymond Green and Keith Appling continue to pace the MSU offensive attack, but turnovers were the team’s undoing against the Wildcats and their 1-3-1 zone.  An intra-state battle at Michigan awaits Sparty on Tuesday before they return home to take on Purdue next weekend.

8. North Carolina (15-3, Previous Ranking: 3)

It’s hard to put into words how disappointing UNC’s performance was on Sunday as they allowed Florida State to jump out to a large lead and eventually rolled over and got blown out.  As I mentioned with Duke, there aren’t many chance to pick up resume-enhancing wins in the ACC, which magnifies the importance of any unexpected losses.  UNC’s only game this week comes Thursday at Virginia Tech.

9. Kansas (14-3, Previous Ranking: 11)

Tyshawn Taylor had a fantastic game to lead the Jayhawks to a comeback win over Iowa State on Saturday, scoring 28 points and dishing out six assists.  Thomas Robinson posted two more double-doubles, and his play will be critical against Baylor’s talented frontline on Monday.  Kansas follows up that terrific matchup with a trip to Texas over the weekend.

10. Georgetown (14-3, Previous Ranking: 9)

Turnovers led to a disappointing home loss to Cincinnati, but the Hoyas bounced back to win at St. John’s on Sunday.  Senior Jason Clark had a solid all-around game against the Red Storm with 15 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.  With games against DePaul and Rutgers this week, Georgetown has a good chance to move to 16-3.

11. UNLV (16-3, Previous Ranking: 12)

The Rebels lost a hard-fought game against rival San Diego State on a last-second shot in their only game of the week.  Anthony Marshall paced the UNLV attack with 26 points while Chace Stanback, Mike Moser, and Oscar Bellfield combined to go 7-of-32 from the field.  They have a pair of home games this week, the second of which comes against a red hot New Mexico squad.

12. Creighton (16-2, Previous Ranking: 15)

While many teams had a hard time winning two games this week, the Bluejays won three MVC games, knocking off Northern Iowa, Illinois State, and Southern Illinois.  Player of the Year candidate Doug McDermott posted 59 points and 28 boards in the three games.  This week Creighton heads to Missouri State to try to avenge an earlier loss before hosting Indiana State over the weekend.

13. Indiana (15-3, Previous Ranking: 7)

It was a disappointing week for the Hoosiers, who dropped a winnable game at home against Minnesota on Thursday before losing by 17 at Ohio State on Sunday.  Defense continues to be a concern with IU allowing the most points per possession of any team in Big Ten play.  Games against Nebraska and Penn State give them the opportunity to get back on track.

14. Virginia (14-2, Previous Ranking: 16)

The Cavaliers had a pair of last-second shots that could have sent their game against Duke into overtime.  Mike Scott was fantastic once again with 23 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort.  The Cavs have established themselves as the clear-cut third best team in the ACC, which means they should be able to win at Georgia Tech and at home against Virginia Tech this week.

15. San Diego State (15-2, Previous Ranking: 22)

After beating UNLV at home, the Aztecs validated their hot start after having played virtually no one for a month.  Jamaal Franklin led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds, including the game winner with just 0.3 seconds left.  James Rahon was also on fire and poured in 22 points for the Aztecs.  Another tough tests awaits when they head to The Pit this week to face New Mexico.

16. Michigan (14-4, Previous Ranking: 13)

The Wolverines needed overtime to take care of Northwestern and followed that up with a 16-point loss at Iowa.  Tim Hardaway Jr.’s inconsistent shooting continued, and Michigan made just 8-of-31 from three-point range against the Hawkeyes.  They need significantly more production from their frontline with Michigan State coming to town this week.  On Saturday, the Wolverines head to Arkansas for a non-conference matchup of contrasting styles.

17. Connecticut (14-3, Previous Ranking: 20)

The Huskies picked up a much-needed win against West Virginia and played one of their best games of the season at Notre Dame on Saturday.  Freshman Andre Drummond had two more double-doubles to extend his streak to three, but fellow frosh Ryan Boatright’s eligibility is in question again.  Wednesday’s game against Cincinnati is a big one for both teams, and a non-conference matchup at Tennessee will be challenging as well based on how the Vols are playing.

18. Mississippi State (15-3, Previous Ranking: 24)

After losing to Arkansas last weekend, Mississippi State bounced back to beat Tennessee and Alabama at home.  Arnett Moultrie had a huge night against the Tide with 25 points and 13 boards, while Dee Bost had 30 points in the two wins.  The Bulldogs, who are just 1-1 in true away games, hit the road this week to take on Mississippi and Vanderbilt.

19. Florida (14-4, Previous Ranking: 19)

The Gators won two games they should have won this week, with Kenny Boynton leading the way with 32 points in victories over Georgia and South Carolina.  Florida still doesn’t really have a signature win this year, although the 18-point drubbing of Florida State looks better now.  Their only game this week comes on Saturday when a struggling LSU squad comes to Gainesville.

20. Murray State (18-0, Previous Ranking: 23)

Things just keep on rolling for the Racers even with second-leading scorer Ivan Aska out with an injury.  Donte Poole had a huge week for Murray State, scoring 21 points against Jacksonville State before pouring in a career-high 28 versus Tennessee Tech.    A pair of road games await the Racers this week, but I don’t expect them to lose either one.

21. Kansas State (12-4, Previous Ranking: 14)

The Wildcats lost a hard-fought game to Baylor on Tuesday, so there’s no shame in that.  However, they played poorly in a road loss to an Oklahoma team that had struggled in conference play.  K-State’s first three league games were as tough as they come, so things should start to even out for them from a scheduling standpoint.  This week they welcome Texas to the Ocatgon before heading to Oklahoma State.

22. Marquette (14-4, Previous Ranking: 25)

The Golden Eagles took care of business at home against St. John’s and Pitt thanks to seniors Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder.  DJO scored 38 points in the two wins while Crowder went for 30.  This week they face Louisville at home on Monday before a winnable road game at Providence on Saturday.

23. Illinois (15-3, Previous Ranking: N/A)

Brandon Paul’s 43-point outburst against Ohio State was one of the best individual performances this season, particularly given his subpar efficiency numbers heading into that game.  The Illini are now 4-1 in Big Ten play, and after a lengthy layoff, they head to Happy Valley this week for a date with Penn State before hosting Wisconsin on Sunday.

24. Saint Mary’s (17-2, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Gaels already had a handful of decent wins, but they played arguably their best game of the season in a 21-point blowout of Gonzaga on Thursday.  Matthew Dellavedova was fantastic against the Zags with 26 points and six assists and is one of the more underrated guards in the country.  Saint Mary’s has a pair of winnable games this week as they look to stay alone atop the WCC.

25. Seton Hall (14-2, Previous Ranking: 17)

Blowing a late lead and losing at South Florida on Friday night put an end to the Pirates’ win streak, but I’m not prepared to write off wins over West Virginia and UConn as a fluke just yet.  However, they need to avoid a road loss against a struggling Villanova team in their only game this week to stay in the Top 25.

Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Syracuse (17-0, Previous Ranking: 1)

The Orange picked up a road win against Providence and held off a late Marquette rally on Saturday to remain unbeaten.  They continue to get contributions from a number of different players, with Brandon Triche stepping up this week to score 16 points in each game.

With struggling Villanova and another game with Providence on tap this week, ‘Cuse should be able to keep their perfect record intact.

2. Kentucky (15-1, Previous Ranking: 2)

Freshman sensation Anthony Davis had a big week, totaling 34 points, 26 rebounds, and 10 blocks in two comfortable wins.  Perhaps more importantly Terrence Jones scored 20 against South Carolina.  If he can develop some consistency, it takes the Cats to another level.

They have their second and third road games of the season this week against Auburn and Tennessee.

3. North Carolina (14-2, Previous Ranking: 3)

The Heels beat an overmatched Boston College squad in their only game of the week.  Harrison Barnes scored 25 points for UNC, who has been a bit under the radar since losing at Kentucky.

The ACC is clearly a two-horse race, and the Heels won’t face another ranked team until February.

4. Ohio State (15-2, Previous Ranking: 4)

After losing to IU on New Year’s Eve, the Buckeyes bounced back to beat Nebraska and Iowa by a combined 60 points this week.  Player of the Year candidate Jared Sullinger led the way with 28 against the Hawkeyes and a double-double against the Huskers.

OSU heads to Illinois on Tuesday and gets a chance for revenge against the Hoosiers on Sunday.

5. Baylor (15-0, Previous Ranking: 6)

Baylor won two more games this week, but things start to get more difficult starting with Tuesday’s trip to Kansas State.  They also have dates with Kansas and Missouri over the next couple weeks, which will be their three toughest games of the season.  We’ll know a lot more about how good this team is following that stretch.

Image source: Ballin Is a Habit

6. Michigan State (14-2, Previous Ranking: 10)

The Spartans picked up their second Big Ten road win at Wisconsin to extend their winning streak to 14 games.  Draymond Green posted 18 points and 14 boards in the overtime victory, while Keith Appling added 16 points and was the MSU offense at various points down the stretch.

With games against Northwestern and Iowa this week, Tom Izzo’s club should be able to keep their win streak alive.

7. Indiana (15-1, Previous Ranking: 11)

IU picked up another big victory in Assembly Hall this week by beating Michigan, led by Christian Watford with 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. While the frontcourt fueled the victory over the Wolverines, the backcourt stepped up in a road win at Penn State.  Jordan Hulls had a career-high 28 points, and Matt Roth came off the bench to hit five triples and a number of key free throws for the Hoosiers, who went 16-of-24 from beyond the arc.

Minnesota visits Bloomington this week before IU hits the road to face Ohio State.

8. Duke (13-2, Previous Ranking: 5)

The Blue Devils started the week by losing to Temple on the road, and they nearly fell to 0-3 in true road games against Georgia Tech on Saturday.  Ryan Kelly hit all 14 of his free throw attempts en route to 21 points, but there are still question marks about this team’s defense.

Unfortunately given the lack of depth in the ACC, they won’t have many chances to prove themselves.  One of those chances comes Thursday when Virginia comes to Cameron Indoor.

9. Missouri (14-1, Previous Ranking: 8)

The undersized Tigers got pounded on the boards against Kansas State and lost their first game of the season on Saturday.  It will be interesting to see how they respond with a road game against an improving Iowa State team followed by a home date with Texas this week.

Following the transfer of Kadeem Green, Mizzou has just seven scholarship players and just two guys over 6-foot-6, which should make it tough for them against the top teams in the league.

10. Georgetown (13-2, Previous Ranking: 9)

After staging a furious comeback to beat Marquette, Georgetown fell on the road against West Virginia to break an 11-game winning streak.  Hollis Thompson continued his solid play, hitting the game-winner against Marquette and scoring 20 points against the Mountaineers.

The Hoyas have a favorable schedule for the remainder of the month before facing UConn on February 1st.

11. Kansas (12-3, Previous Ranking: 15)

Junior guard Travis Releford came up big for the Jayhawks this week, posting a double-double in an 18-point win over Kansas State and pouring in 28 points on the road against Oklahoma.

Kansas isn’t going to end their reign as Big 12 champs without a fight, and they should be 14-3 when Baylor comes to Lawrence on January 16th.

12. UNLV (16-2, Previous Ranking: 13)

With just eight teams in the Mountain West, the Rebels have yet to play a conference game and played just once last week.  Mike Moser posted yet another double-double in a win over Cal State Bakersfield, but a road date at San Diego State this Saturday will make for an exciting MWC opener for both teams.

13. Michigan (13-3, Previous Ranking: 18)

The Wolverines bounced back from a close loss to Indiana by throttling Wisconsin at home on Sunday.  Tim Hardaway Jr. led the team in scoring in both games while Trey Burke continues to excel at the point and extended his double-digit scoring streak to 10 games.

They face Northwestern at home this week before traveling to a resurgent Iowa squad this weekend.

14. Kansas State (12-2, Previous Ranking: 24)

It was an interesting week for the Wildcats, who lost by 18 to rival Kansas but bounced back to beat Missouri by 16 points on Saturday.  The backcourt duo of Rodney McGruder and Will Spradling combined for 34 points against the Tigers, but the schedule doesn’t get much easier with Baylor coming to town on Tuesday.

15. Creighton (13-2, Previous Ranking: 21)

Doug McDermott went off for 44 points on 18-of-23 shooting against Bradley on Saturday, and I strongly suggest you find a way to see him play if you haven’t already.  The Bluejays have three games with week as they face Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois at home with a trip to Illinois State in between.

16. Virginia (14-1, Previous Ranking: 25)

To a certain extent, the Cavaliers took advantage of the losses by other Top 25 teams to move up, but they did pick up a solid road win at LSU and beat a tough Miami (FL) squad in their ACC opener.  Mike Scott should be receiving serious consideration for ACC Player of the Year.  He scored a total of 35 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in the two wins, and he remains one of the most efficient players in the country.

17. Seton Hall (14-2, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Pirates picked up a huge win over UConn at home this week and followed it up by beating Providence on the road.  Seton Hall’s only losses have come against Northwestern on a neutral floor and at Syracuse, but they have solid wins over West Virginia, Dayton, VCU, and Saint Joseph’s.

Kevin Willard has the Pirates playing well defensively, and point guard Jordan Theodore has been outstanding, posting 51 points and 28 assists in the last three games.

18. Louisville (13-3, Previous Ranking: 12)

After losing in double overtime to Notre Dame, the Cardinals have now dropped three of their last four games.  They continue to struggle offensively, but they should be able to bounce back against Providence and DePaul this week.

Louisville needs more from Peyton Siva, who has just 23 points and 13 assists to go with 12 fouls and 11 turnovers over the last three games.

19. Florida (12-4, Previous Ranking: 14)

The Gators shot just 35.7 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from beyond the arc in a loss to Tennessee, which was the second bad loss for Florida in their last four games.  They are now 0-4 in true road games this season and don’t have a signature win.  That said, the Gators should be able to take care of Georgia and South Carolina this week.

20. Connecticut (12-3, Previous Ranking: 7)

UConn is searching for answers after a pair of road losses last week.  They now sit at just 2-2 in the Big East with a tough test coming on Monday against West Virginia.  The Huskies clearly have the talent, but leadership is another matter without Kemba Walker.  Freshman Andre Drummond continues to be inconsistent, and Alex Oriahki continues to struggle.

21. Gonzaga (13-2, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Zags have now won eight straight heading into Thursday’s game with rival Saint Mary’s.  Big man Sam Dower is playing well off the bench, and the freshman backcourt of Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell is really starting to gel.

22. San Diego State (13-2, Previous Ranking: 22)

The Aztecs haven’t played anyone decent since early December, but their first two MWC games are against UNLV and New Mexico, both of which will tell us a lot about SDSU.  Chase Tapley leads four players averaging in double figures for Steve Fisher’s club.

23. Murray State (16-0, Previous Ranking: 23)

Isaiah Canaan was on fire Saturday night against Austin Peay, hitting seven three-pointers and scoring 27 points in the first half.  He finished with 35 to keep the Racers unbeaten.  Look for them to stay that way with Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech coming to town this week.

24. Mississippi State (13-3, Previous Ranking: 16)

The Bulldogs played just their second true road game of the season on Saturday, losing by 10 points to Arkansas.  Foul trouble limited Arnett Moultrie and Renardo Sidney, and MSU managed to lose despite shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from deep.  Tennessee and Alabama both come to Starkville this week.

25. Marquette (12-4, Previous Ranking: 19)

It’s tough to penalize the Golden Eagles for losing at Georgetown and Syracuse, but they have now lost four of their last six games after starting 10-0.  They need to right the ship with their next three games at home, starting this week with St. John’s and Pitt.

Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Syracuse (15-0, Previous Ranking: 1)

Depth continues to be the calling card for the Orange with 10 players logging at least 11 minutes per game and seven of them averaging at least 7.1 points.  Outside of a home game against Florida, you could argue the schedule hasn’t been very challenging, and the Orange play just one ranked team (Marquette on January 7th) between now and February 8th.

2. Kentucky (13-1, Previous Ranking: 3)

I tweeted a month ago that freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was Kentucky’s most important player, and with 24 points and 19 boards against Louisville, he made me look pretty smart.  You would be hard-pressed to find a more fierce competitor, and he’s quickly becoming one of my favorite players to watch.

3. North Carolina (13-2, Previous Ranking: 4)

The Heels have won seven straight since falling to Kentucky, and Duke appears to be the only challenger in the ACC, meaning UNC should be able to reel off quite a few more wins before the Blue Devils visit the Dean Dome on February 8th.

4. Ohio State (13-2, Previous Ranking: 2)

It’s tough to penalize the Buckeyes too much for losing at IU, and I still believe they’re one of the four best teams in the country.  Three-point shooting continues to be a struggle (33.8% this season), but they are tough defensively and have a favorable schedule over the next few weeks, which should allow them to get back on track.  And oh yeah, they have that Sullinger guy who is pretty good.

5. Duke (12-1, Previous Ranking: 6)

Duke has played just five games since the end of November, and as I mentioned above, it’s the Devils, Heels, and everyone else in the ACC.  They also don’t have to play either Miami or Virginia on the road during conference play, so don’t look for them to fall out of the Top Five anytime soon.  That said, I couldn’t rank Duke above an OSU team that beat them by 22 in November.

6. Baylor (13-0, Previous Ranking: 7)

The Bears have had close calls in their last two games, going to overtime against West Virginia and winning on a last-second layup against Mississippi State.  Pierre Jackson has come up big in both games, scoring 23 points against the Mountaineers and making the game-winner against the Bulldogs.  Road trips to Kansas and Kansas State in the next two weeks will test them even more.

7. Connecticut (12-1, Previous Ranking: 8)

Freshman big man Andre Drummond is averaging 14.4 points, 7.8 boards, and 2.0 blocks over the last five games, and the Huskies have won seven straight.  They head to Seton Hall and Rutgers this week for their second and third road games of the season.  They only beat South Florida by three in their first.

8. Missouri (13-0, Previous Ranking: 9)

The Tigers got all they could handle from Old Dominion in their first true road game last week.  They ranked first in effective field goal percentage and second in turnover rate, but just one of their wins has come against a team ranked better than 50th in the Pomeroy Ratings.  Saturday’s game at Kansas State should be a good one.

9. Georgetown (12-1, Previous Ranking: 12)

Since losing to Kansas in their Maui opener, the Hoyas have ripped off 10 straight wins, including a home win over Memphis and a road victory over Louisville in the last couple weeks.  Markel Starks (20 points) and Otto Porter (14 points, 14 rebounds) led the way against the Cardinals and give Georgetown additional weapons on offense.

10. Michigan State (13-2, Previous Ranking: 20)

You could argue the Spartans are playing the best basketball of anyone in the Big Ten right now, and they’ve now won 13 in a row since losing to UNC and Duke to start the season.  Keith Appling was phenomenal against Indiana with 25 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and disruptive defense against Jordan Hulls and the Hoosiers.  This has the look of a classic Izzo team that locks you down defensively and owns the glass.

Al Goldis, AP via The Only Colors

11. Indiana (13-1, Previous Ranking: 18)

The Hoosiers bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat Ohio State on New Year’s Eve.  Perhaps even more impressive is that they did it without Will Sheehey who has been sidelined recently with an ankle injury.  They have another tough game on Thursday when Michigan comes to town, but the win over OSU proved the Kentucky game was no fluke.  This team is legit.

12. Louisville (12-2, Previous Ranking: 5)

After winning their first 12 games, the Cardinals have lost two straight, albeit against tough competition.  The good news is they’re starting to get healthy and have four winnable Big East games up next on the schedule.  The bad news is their offensive efficiency numbers are pretty ugly so far.

13. UNLV (15-2, Previous Ranking: 22)

Their only two losses have come on the road in tough environments against Wisconsin and Wichita State, and the Rebels have beaten North Carolina, Cal, and Illinois by double-digits.  They look like the favorites in a top-heavy Mountain West thanks to solid three-point shooting, the duo of Mike Moser and Chace Stanback, and nine players averaging at least 5.3 points.

14. Florida (11-3, Previous Ranking: 11)

The Gators lost in double overtime to Rutgers, and some of the team’s guards might need to be re-introduced to big man Patric Young.  The talented sophomore is shooting 62.0 percent from the field, yet there are stretches where he only touches the ball after getting an offensive rebound.  Instead, Florida is taking nearly 44 percent of their field goal attempts from beyond the arc.

15. Kansas (10-3, Previous Ranking: 15)

I recognize that the Jayhawks were only playing North Dakota, but that doesn’t make Thomas Robinson’s 30-point, 21-rebound effort any less impressive.  He’s now averaging 17.7 points and 12.2 boards on the season.  Depth is the main concern entering Big 12 play, which Kansas opens against K-State this week.

16. Mississippi State (13-2, Previous Ranking: 16)

The Bulldogs acquitted themselves well against Baylor, but they failed to get a good shot on the game’s final possession.  Arnett Moultrie continues to impress, and freshman Rodney Hood is one of the nation’s most underrated newcomers.  He’s second on the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg), third in scoring (12.3 ppg) and assists (2.1 apg), and shoots 44.4 percent from deep.

17. Harvard (12-1, Previous Ranking: 19)

Harvard’s comeback win over Saint Joseph’s is better than many people realize.  Forwards Keith Wright and Kyle Casey combined for 42 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks against the Hawks.

18. Michigan (12-2, Previous Ranking: 21)

With just one win against Pomeroy’s Top 45 and none against the Top 30, it’s hard to get a read on just how good the Wolverines are, but with their next two games against Indiana and Wisconsin, they will have a chance to prove themselves.  Freshman Trey Burke came up big on Sunday with 27 points in a win over Minnesota.

19. Marquette (12-2, Previous Ranking: 13)

The Golden Eagles looked awful in a home loss to Vanderbilt, which was their second loss in three games after winning their first ten.  They bounced back to beat Villanova, but things don’t get any easier with road games against Georgetown and Syracuse up next on the docket.  Shooting woes (particularly from three-point range) and struggles on the defensive glass have plagued them recently.

20. Wisconsin (12-3, Previous Ranking: 17)

After losing just one game at the Kohl Center over the past two seasons, the Badgers have already lost there twice this season, including Saturday’s stunning loss to Iowa.  They went just 3-of-28 from beyond the arc against the Hawkeyes, which compounds their troubles  getting to the free throw line and grabbing offensive rebounds.

21. Creighton (11-2, Previous Ranking: 23)

The Bluejays lost their conference opener at home to Missouri State but bounced back to win a tough road game against Wichita State on Saturday.  It looks like we are in for another hard-fought season in the Missouri Valley.

22. San Diego State (12-2, Previous Ranking: 25)

The Aztecs have been feasting on cupcakes since beating Cal in early December.  That all changes when they open MWC play at home against UNLV and on the road against New Mexico, but that doesn’t start until January 14th.

23. Murray State (14-0, Previous Ranking: 24)

Even though the Racers should keep on winning, their competition won’t do much to move the dial on people’s impressions of them.  A lot will ride on who they face in the BracketBusters in February.

24. Kansas State (11-1, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Wildcats knocked off a talented Long Beach State squad to win the Diamond Head Classic, but things only get tougher for K-State with their first three Big 12 games against Kansas, Missouri, and Baylor.  Frank Martin’s team has been tough defensively and has four players scoring in double figures on offense.

25. Virginia (12-1, Previous Ranking: N/A)

After a disappointing loss to TCU in the Paradise Jam, the Cavs have won 10 straight.  However, outside of a home win over Michigan, they really haven’t played anyone.  Upcoming games against LSU, Miami, and Duke will give a better idea of just how good this team can be.

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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Syracuse (12-0, Last Week: 1)

The Orange passed their first road test with a 16-point win at North Carolina State led by another big game from Dion Waiters, who scored 22 points off the bench.  Few (if any) teams in the nation can rival their depth, and they have ratcheted up the defensive intensity, as evidenced by the third best turnover rate and top-ranked steal percentage in the country.

2. Ohio State (11-1, Last Week: 2)

Jared Sullinger suffered a foot injury against South Carolina, but DeShaun Thomas came to the rescue with a career-high 30 points.  He now has 89 points over his last four games, hitting 36-of-57 (63.2%) from the field and 10-of-21 (47.6%) from three-point range during that span.

Image credit:  Jim Davidson the-Ozone.net

Sullinger returned for OSU’s game against Lamar, but the Buckeyes’ next big test won’t come until a New Year’s Eve trip to Bloomington.

3. Kentucky (10-1, Last Week: 3)

The Wildcats blew out Chattanooga and Samford in their first games since losing to Indiana, but forward Terrence Jones dislocated his pinky and missed the Samford contest.  Doron Lamb tallied 50 points in the two victories, but they’ll need Jones on New Year’s Eve when they host Louisville.

4. North Carolina (10-2, Last Week: 4)

Appalachian State and Nicholls State were sacrifical lambs for the Heels during the last week, with Tyler Zeller going off for 31 points against the Mountaineers.  UNC takes on Texas on Wednesday but should enter ACC play at 13-2 based on their remaining non-conference schedule.

5. Louisville (11-0, Last Week: 5)

The Cardinals won a track meet against Memphis and came used a late flurry against College of Charleston to move to 11-0.  Against the Tigers, seven Louisville players scored in double figures, led by Russ Smith with 24 and Gorgui Dieng with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks.  Kyle Kuric was the hero against the Cougars, as his play in the middle of the Charleston zone was the difference in the game.  Freshman Kevin Ware has joined the squad, and the team is getting closer to being at full strength, which is good news with games against Georgetown and Kentucky before the end of the month.

6. Duke (10-1, Last Week: 6)

After crushing UNC Greensboro, the Blue Devils are off until a December 30th date with Western Michigan.  Mason Plumlee posted 15 points and 13 boards in the victory, which was his fifth straight game in double figures and his third double-double over that span.

7. Baylor (10-0, Last Week: 7)

The Bears picked up a huge road win at BYU on Saturday.  Perry Jones III was dominant with 28 points and eight boards, while Brady Heslip canned six three-pointers and 5-foot-10 Pierre Jackson secured the win with a huge block in the closing seconds.  Their remaining non-conference schedule is relatively tough with upcoming games against Saint Mary’s, West Virginia, and Mississippi State.

8. Connecticut (9-1, Last Week: 9)

If Andre Drummond’s performance against Holy Cross is a sign of things to come, look out.  The freshman big man went 11-of-12 from the field for 24 points to go with eight boards and five blocks.  Obviously you have to consider the level of competition, but he has started to show signs of the ability that made him such a highly regarded recruit in recent weeks.  As it stands, he’s already in the Top 15 in offensive rebounding and block percentage.

9. Missouri (11-0, Last Week: 11)

The Tigers won their last two games by a combined 75 points and continue to fire on all cylinders offensively.  They boast the top effective field goal percentage in the country as well as the nation’s lowest turnover rate.  Guard Marcus Denmon is one of the most underrated players in college hoops and is having a phenomenal season so far.

10. Xavier (8-1, Last Week: 8)

Without the suspended Tu Holloway, Mark Lyons, and Dez Wells, the Musketeers were beaten soundly by Oral Roberts.  It’s tough to hold this against them given the fact that they were playing short-handed, but I decided to penalize them two spots.  I, too, can dole out questionable punishments.

11. Florida (9-2, Last Week: 13)

The Gators got off to a hot start and hung 50 points on Texas A&M in the first half.  Kenny Boynton led the way with six three-pointers, and the backcourt trio of Boynton, Erving Walker, and Brad Beal combined for 54 points.  Still, the fact Patric Young got just two shots is concerning.

12. Georgetown (9-1, Last Week: 14)

After averaging just 3.6 points last season, center Henry Sims is playing like an All-Conference performer.  The 6-foot-10 senior is leading the team with 3.9 assists per game to go with 12.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks.  The Hoyas will need him to continue his improved play with games coming up against Memphis and Louisville.

13. Marquette (10-1, Last Week: 10)

The Golden Eagles were unable to knock down long-range shots against LSU and lost to the Tigers on the road.  After serving a one-game suspension, Darius Johnson-Odom returned to score 16 points while Jae Crowder continued his recent scoring binge with 22.  Crowder is averaging 20 points over the last four contests.

14. Pittsburgh (11-1, Last Week: 15)

Freshman big man Khem Birch has decided to transfer, but the Panthers won two more games to extend their winning streak to nine.  Dante Taylor grabbed six offensive boards and scored 14 points against St. Francis (PA), and Pitt will need more of the same from him as Big East play begins.  Lamar Patterson is also becoming a consistent contributor for the Panthers with three straight double-digit scoring efforts.

15. Kansas (7-3, Last Week: 12)

The Jayhawks followed up their win over Ohio State by shooting poorly in a loss to Davidson.  Thomas Robinson had 21 points and 18 rebounds for KU but struggled to get consistent touches down the stretch.  Tyshawn Taylor returned from knee surgery to score 15 points, but he also had five turnovers.  Bench play remains a concern as the Jayhawks approach the conference season.

16. Mississippi State (11-1, Last Week: 16)

The Bulldogs picked up a solid road win at Detroit last weekend led by 17 points and 13 boards from Arnett Moultrie.  He and Renardo Sidney are learning to play well together, with Sidney tallying 44 points over the last three games.  Next Wednesday’s matchup with Baylor will be a measuring stick game for MSU.

17. Wisconsin (10-2, Last Week: 17)

After another defensive clinic against Savannah State, the Badgers are now the top-rated team in the Pomeroy Ratings.  They still need preseason All-American Jordan Taylor to find his shooting stroke, but given their schedule, they should be 13-2 when Sparty comes to town in early January.

18. Indiana (11-0, Last Week: 18)

The Hoosiers won an ugly game with Notre Dame before dismantling Howard early this week.  They now lead the nation in three-point shooting and are 11-0 for the first time since their undefeated season in 1975-76.  Cody Zeller has been phenomenal and boasts Top 50 rankings in effective field goal percentage, true shooting percentage, steal percentage, and overall offensive rating.

19. Harvard (9-1, Last Week: 19)

Tommy Amaker’s squad took the week off, but they should be favored in every game left on their schedule.  That sounds great on the surface, but it also means virtually any loss will hurt their seed come March.

20. Michigan State (10-2, Last Week: 22)

Make it 10 straight wins for the Spartans, who are starting to get things figured out offensively.  They have scored at least 1.04 points per possession over their last seven contests, and they continue to be one of the top defensive teams in the country.  Their next test will come when Indiana visits the Breslin Center next week.

21. Michigan (9-2, Last Week: 21)

Forward Evan Smotrycz has 53 points, 28 boards, and eight steals over the last three games, which is huge for a team looking for reliable frontcourt production.  Their recent level of competition hasn’t been great, so we won’t find out more about the Wolverines until Big Ten play tips off.

22. UNLV (12-2, Last Week: 24)

Even with Chace Stanback scoring just two points, the Rebels won handily against Illinois led by 17 points and 11 board from Mike Moser.  Quintrell Thomas had a big game as well with 13 points and seven rebounds in just 19 minutes of action.  Friday’s game against Cal gives them another chance at a solid non-conference win.

23. Creighton (9-1, Last Week: 25)

Doug McDermott poured in 35 points in a road win against Tulsa and now ranks second in the nation in scoring at 25.2 points per game.  Defense continues to be a potential concern for the Bluejays, and a visit from Northwestern this week should challenge them in that regard with John Shurna and Drew Crawford both playing well.

24. Murray State (12-0, Last Week: Not Rated)

The Racers lost their coach and two of their top three scorers, so naturally they are undefeated.  Remember the name Isaiah Canaan, who is leading Murray State with 19.3 points per game and shooting 48.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Image credit: Jacobsohn/Getty Image via Bleacher Report

Like Harvard, the Racers will be favored in all of their remaining regular season games, which should be a fun storyline to follow as the season progresses.

25. San Diego State (10-2, Last Week: Not Rated)

SDSU’s only losses have come on the road at Baylor and by two points at home against Creighton.  Guard Chase Tapley is averaging 17.7 points and 2.3 steals while knocking down a ridiculous 52.4 percent from long range.  With four very winnable games up next on the schedule, the Aztecs should be 14-2 when they open conference play against UNLV.

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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Syracuse (10-0, Previous Ranking: 3)

The Orange held on to beat a tough Marshall squad and steamrolled George Washington last week, and thanks to losses by Kentucky and Ohio State, they move into the top spot.  Dion Waiters continues to excel off the bench with 19 points, six steals, five rebounds, and four assists in just 21 minutes against GW.

2. Ohio State (9-1, Previous Ranking: 2)

It’s hard to penalize the Buckeyes for losing at Kansas without Jared Sullinger, so I didn’t.  The sophomore big man returned in a comfortable win over USC Upstate, and quite frankly the Buckeyes probably don’t need him to win their remaining non-conference games.

3. Kentucky (8-1, Previous Ranking: 1)

After losing their first road test to the Hoosiers, Kentucky has four winnable games before a New Year’s Eve date with Louisville.  Terrence Jones continues to be an enigma after his no-show against the Hoosiers, but the good news is that the light seemed to come on for Marquis Teague during the second half with 15 points and no turnovers against IU.

4. North Carolina (8-2, Previous Ranking: 4)

The Heels routed Evansville early in the week and then trailed at the half before coming back to beat Long Beach State on Saturday.  Against the 49ers, Kendall Marshall dished out 16 assists, while John Henson posted another double-double and Reggie Bullock came off the bench to score 15 points.  Based on their schedule, don’t expect UNC to lose again in 2011.

5. Louisville (9-0, Previous Ranking: 5)

Surprisingly the Cardinals made it a week without anyone getting hurt, and they even got Rakeem Buckles back against IUPUI, although he didn’t play against Fairleigh Dickinson.  The schedule gets tougher in the coming weeks with home games against Memphis and Georgetown as well as a trip to Rupp Arena remaining in December.

6. Duke (9-1, Previous Ranking: 6)

After knocking off Washington at Madison Square Garden, the Blue Devils have just two games over the last 16 days of the month, both of which they should win handily.  Austin Rivers has continued to build on his solid performance against Ohio State with 35 points in last week’s two wins, while backcourt mate Andre Dawkins posted 32 in those victories.

7. Baylor (8-0, Previous Ranking: 7)

The Bears had the week off before pounding Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday, but their remaining non-conference schedule has some challenging matchups with games coming up at BYU, at home against Saint Mary’s and West Virginia, and in Dallas against Mississippi State.

8. Xavier (8-0, Previous Ranking: 8)

What a difference a week makes.  Last time around I was raving about X’s wins over Vanderbilt and Purdue, and even though the Musketeers dominated Cincinnati in the Crosstown Shootout, the late-game brawl dominated the headlines.  With three starters suspended, Sunday’s game against Oral Roberts will be a challenge.

9. Connecticut (8-1, Previous Ranking: 9)

Led by 18 points from Jeremy Lamb and another double-digit effort from Ryan Boatright, the Huskies took care of Harvard at home last week.  Two non-conference games remain for UConn, then Big East play (and Jim Calhoun’s suspension) begins.

10. Marquette (9-0, Previous Ranking: 10)

A last-second three-pointer from Jae Crowder gave the Golden Eagles a neutral court win against Washington and led me to profess my love for them on Run the Floor.  Big man Chris Otule sustained a knee injury in the win over the Huskies, but even though they were short-handed, Marquette took care of Green Bay to remain unbeaten.

11. Missouri (9-0, Previous Ranking: 11)

Following wins over Vanderbilt and Navy, the Tigers are still undefeated and boast one of the nation’s most efficient offenses.  A pair of winnable games stand between Mizzou and a date with unbeaten Illinois for their annual Braggin’ Rights tilt.

12. Kansas (7-2, Previous Ranking: 13)

The Jayhawks took advantage of Sullinger’s absence to pick up a big win at home.  Guard Tyshawn Taylor dished out 13 assists while playing with a torn meniscus, and he’s expected to miss up to three weeks after undergoing surgery earlier this week.  Even though Kansas doesn’t have a ton of depth, the schedule is manageable without him.

13. Florida (7-2, Previous Ranking: 12)

After blowing a late lead against Arizona, the Gators bounced back to win in overtime.  However, with Patric Young dominating inside, the guard-heavy attack failed to force feed him the ball, which was a concern for me heading into this season.  Upcoming games against Texas A&M and Florida State will be solid tests before SEC play begins.

14. Georgetown (8-1, Previous Ranking: 16)

The Hoyas won their lone game of the week against Howard, but the schedule starts to get tougher with a home game against Memphis and a road trip to Louisville among their next three contests.

15. Pittsburgh (9-1, Previous Ranking: 17)

Wins over VMI and Oklahoma State extended Pitt’s win streak to seven games.  Even with Tray Woodall sidelined, that streak should continue to grow with winnable games remaining in the non-conference and four manageable games to start Big East play.

16. Mississippi State (10-1, Previous Ranking: 18)

Despite playing without starters Arnett Moultrie (knee tendinitis) and Brian Bryant (suspension), the Bulldogs hung on to beat Florida Atlantic on Tuesday.  Freshman Rodney Hood continues to impress with 19 points and 10 boards while playing all 40 minutes against FAU.  They have now won nine straight games since losing to Akron with a trip to Detroit looming this weekend.

17. Wisconsin (9-2, Previous Ranking: 20)

Even though Jordan Taylor continues to struggle with his shooting, the Badgers beat UNLV by 11 last weekend and picked up a road win against a solid Milwaukee team on Tuesday.  Other players have picked up the slack though, with Ben Brust going off for 25 against the Rebels and Jared Berggren and Ryan Evans combining for 33 against Milwaukee.

18. Indiana (9-0, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Hoosiers’ win over Kentucky vaults them into the Top 20, and a 12-0 non-conference record is within reach if they can avoid a post-big win hangover against Notre Dame on Saturday.  IU will need plenty of confidence when they open Big Ten play with games against Michigan State, Ohio State, and Michigan, but Christian Watford has been a different player since the second half of the NC State game.

19. Harvard (9-1, Previous Ranking: 19)

There’s no shame in losing on the road at UConn, so I’m leaving the Crimson here.  I\Even though it was their last chance to pick up another marquee win, this is still a Top 20 team.

20. Illinois (10-0, Previous Ranking: 21)

The Illini remained unbeaten after grinding out a win over St. Bonaventure, and they hit 10 three-pointers against Coppin State to keep their perfect record intact.  They will need more production from their bench with games against UNLV and Missouri on the horizon, but both of those matchups will be good measuring stick games for the surprising Illini.

21. Michigan (8-2, Previous Ranking: 24)

Sophomore Evan Smotrycz tallied 36 points in wins over Oakland and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and his continued development gives the Wolverines another threat on the offensive end.  Michigan has two winnable non-conference games remaining before opening the Big Ten season.

22. Michigan State (8-2, Previous Ranking: N/A)

The Spartans have now reeled off eight straight victories after losing their first two games.  Senior Draymond Green went off for 34 of Sparty’s 74 points in a road win at Gonzaga last Saturday, and MSU should be 11-2 before starting conference play against Indiana on December 28th.

23. Alabama (8-2, Previous Ranking: 14)

Their offensive woes were on display in a surprising double-digit loss to Dayton, but the Tide bounced back to beat Detroit over the weekend.  Freshman Nick Jacobs made his first start again the Titans and acquitted himself well with 13 points.  He gives Alabama another frontcourt option, but they really need a consistent outside threat to improve on their 25.3 percent three-point shooting.

24. UNLV (10-2, Previous Ranking: 22)

The Rebels’ road loss to Wisconsin was their second defeat in three games, but upcoming games against Illinois and Cal will help to determine whether UNLV’s big win over North Carolina was a fluke or not.  For now, I’m still a believer.

25. Creighton (7-1, Previous Ranking: 15)

A road loss to Saint Joseph’s was disappointing, and while the Bluejays can score with just about anyone, their defense and rebounding need some work.  Creighton closes out non-conference play against Northwestern next week in what should be an interesting game.

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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

Putting these together is my attempt at balancing how teams are playing as well as who they are playing (and ideally beating) to rank the top teams in the nation.  So before you get bent out of shape and call me an idiot for having North Carolina at number four, make an argument that they aren’t among the four best teams in the country based on how they played against Kentucky.

That’s what I thought.

College Basketball Power Rankings

1. Kentucky (8-0)

It’s easy to focus on the wealth of offensive riches for the Wildcats, but they also boast the 3rd-ranked defense according to Ken Pomeroy.  Freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist may not be UK’s most talented player, but he just might be their most important.

2. Ohio State (8-0)

The Buckeyes own a pair of marquee wins over Florida and Duke, the latter of which they won in convincing fashion.  Keep an eye on Jared Sullinger’s recovery from a back injury, particularly with Saturday’s matchup against Kansas on the horizon.

3. Syracuse (8-0)

With the Bernie Fine scandal dominating the headlines, Syracuse’s play on the court has taken a back seat.  The Orange have a ton of depth and lead the nation in offensive rebounding percentage.  Sophomores Fab Melo and Dion Waiters have both made huge strides.

4. North Carolina (6-2)

The Heels played poorly in a loss to UNLV but bounced back to knock off Wisconsin and had a legitimate chance to win at Rupp.  Despite their struggles, this is still one of the top teams in the country.  Keep an eye on freshman P.J. Hairston, who has been impressive early on.

5. Louisville (7-0)

Despite a rash of injuries, the Cardinals are undefeated after an overtime win against Vanderbilt.  For now, they’re getting it done with defense, but the best is yet to come once Pitino’s squad gets healthy.

6. Duke (7-1)

The Blue Devils have played one of the toughest schedules in the nation and ran the table in Maui before getting steamrolled by Ohio State.  Perimeter defense remains a concern, but Austin Rivers played his best game against the Buckeyes and will continue to assert himself.

7. Baylor (7-0)

Sunday’s 28-point blowout at Northwestern was Baylor’s best performance of the season.  Freshman Quincy Miller has been terrific, and Pierre Jackson looks like the answer at the point guard.  Their frontline is as deep and athletic as they come.

8. Xavier (6-0)

Star guard Tu Holloway was phenomenal in comeback wins over Vanderbilt and Purdue last week.  They need more out of their frontcourt, but Holloway and backcourt mate Mark Lyons will lead them through a treacherous non-conference schedule.

9. Connecticut (7-1)

The Huskies laid an egg against Central Florida in the Battle 4 Atlantis, but the addition of Ryan Boatright has paid dividends already.  No signs of a sophomore slump for Jeremy Lamb or Shabazz Napier either.

10. Marquette (7-0)

Name a better road win than Marquette’s victory at the Kohl Center over the weekend.  The Golden Eagles were the aggressor on both ends of the floor and have the look of a top three team in the Big East.  Buzz Williams is getting great leadership from Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder, but there is a ton of depth on this roster.

11. Missouri (7-0)

So far, so good for the Frank Haith era at Mizzou.  The offense has been extremely efficient thanks to phenomenal shooting and a stunning lack of turnovers.  Their 39-point demolition of Cal was one of the best performances of the early season.

12. Florida (5-2)

The guard-heavy Gators have stumbled in their only two tests of the season, but they do own the most efficient offense according to Pomeroy.  Kenny Boynton has been on fire from beyond the arc, and freshman Brad Beal is the real deal.  Erik Murphy’s impending return from a knee injury should bolster the front line.

13. Kansas (5-2)

The Jayhawks aren’t deep, but they have a talented nucleus led by Thomas Robinson.  Elijah Johnson and Jeff Withey have been pleasant surprises as well, so it looks like KU’s reign atop the Big 12 won’t end easily.

14. Alabama (7-1)

If not for a last second loss to Georgetown, the Tide might be in the Top 10.  The frontcourt duo of JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell is among the best in the country, and point guard Trevor Releford continues to improve.  Their freshmen are being asked to play major minutes and will only get better.

15. Creighton (7-0)

The Bluejays boast the highest effective field goal percentage in the nation, led by sophomore Doug McDermott whose efficiency numbers are off the charts.  They also picked up an impressive road win at San Diego State last week to maintain their perfect record.

16. Georgetown (7-1)

Even before Hollis Thompson’s three-pointer to beat Alabama, the Hoyas were one of the biggest surprises this season.  Thompson has been fantastic, and Henry Sims has been a revelation inside.

17. Pittsburgh (7-1)

Surprisingly, Pitt’s struggles have been on the defensive end of the floor, but their offense is among the most efficient in the country.  The short-term loss of Tray Woodall hurts, but they’re starting to get more consistent contributions from some of their frontcourt players as Jamie Dixon gets his rotation worked out.

18. Mississippi State (8-1)

The Bulldogs rebounded from a disappointing home loss to Akron, but the fact that they didn’t allow things to snowball shows – dare I say it – maturity from MSU.  Arnett Moultrie has been a monster on the glass, and freshman Rodney Hood is off to a hot start.

19. Harvard (8-0)

A vastly improved defense has helped the Crimson to offset their early season struggles from beyond the arc.  Keith Wright and Kyle Casey form a terrific frontcourt, and their toughest test awaits as Harvard travels to UConn on Thursday.

20. Wisconsin (6-2)

Even after a disappointing week, the Badgers have one of the most efficient defenses around.  A few guys have stepped up in an effort to support Jordan Taylor, but Wisconsin has become almost completely reliant on the three-point shot offensively.

21. Illinois (8-0)

Bradley transfer Sam Maniscalco has provided much-needed leadership, and big man Meyers Leonard has come up big on both ends of the floor in his sophomore season.  Saturday’s win over Gonzaga was their best game of the season.

22. UNLV (8-1)

The Rebels made headlines by shooting their way past North Carolina, and they picked up a solid road win at UC-Santa Barbara before losing at Wichita State.  UCLA transfer Mike Moser has done a little of everything for this team, and his effort and relentless attitude is infectious for his teammates.

23. Gonzaga (5-1)

Coach Mark Few knew what to expect from big men Robert Sacre and Elias Harris, but freshman Kevin Pangos has bolstered the backcourt with a sweet stroke from beyond the arc.

24. Michigan (6-2)

Freshman Trey Burke has helped ease the blow of losing point guard Darius Morris, and star Tim Hardaway Jr. has at least 19 points in four of his last five games.

25. San Diego State (8-2)

Despite losing a ton of production from last season’s Top 10 team, the Aztecs have been impressive in the early going.  Led by guards Chase Tapley and Jamaal Franklin, SDSU has wins over Cal, Long Beach State, and UCSB and will be a factor in the MWC race.

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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

I’m too old to stay up for the whole thing, but for those of you wishing to check it out, I can offer you two things: 1) a link to the complete schedule of the games and commentators and 2) my thoughts and predictions for each contest.

Washington State at #23 Gonzaga – 12:00 AM EST (ESPN)

The Zags had to come back from a second-half deficit to beat Eastern Washington in their opener.  Gonzaga’s big men were the difference with Robert Sacre and Elias Harris combining for 38 points and 18 rebounds, and both should give the Cougars fits inside.

Gonzaga still needs someone to emerge at the point (see 11 assists and 17 turnovers in the opener), while the backcourt duo of Reggie Moore and Faisal Aden forms the strength of Wazzu. Both players are a little banged up already, so it’s difficult to predict how effective they might be.  The Cougars are picked to finish toward the bottom of the Pac-12, and it’s going to take time for them to find their stride without Klay Thompson around to pace the offense.

• Gonzaga-Washington State Pick: Gonzaga

Northern Iowa at Saint Mary’s – 2:00 AM EST (ESPN)

Both teams come in 1-0, and Northern Iowa’s win at Old Dominion was an impressive way to get their season started.  In fact, the MVC had a few solid performances over the weekend, with Missouri State winning by 23 at Nevada and Evansville knocking off Butler in OT.  The Panthers hit nearly 40 percent from deep but got to the free throw line just seven times.

Meanwhile, the Gaels beat Fresno Pacific by 40, led by a career-high 25 from Rob Jones.  Eight players scored at least six points, and the team tallied 25 assists on 35 made field goals.  Jones will likely lead the team in scoring, but the player to watch is Matthew Dellavedova, one of the nation’s most underrated guards. 

• Northern Iowa-Saint Mary’s Pick: Saint Mary’s

Cal State Northridge at Hawaii – 4:00 AM EST (ESPN)

Cal State Northridge lost their opener to USC and is expected to finish toward the bottom of the Big West, while Hawaii is breaking in a number of new players but is a potential sleeper team in the WAC.  The Rainbow Warriors have a solid frontcourt tandem with Vander Joaquim and Josten Thomas, but guard Zane Johnson should lead them in scoring after averaging nearly 16 points last year and knocking down over 40 percent from deep. 

• Cal State Northride-Hawaii Pick: Hawaii

Drexel at Rider – 6:00 AM EST (ESPN)

The Dragons are one of the preseason favorites to win the Colonial, while Rider got blown out by Robert Morris in their opener before surprisingly testing Pitt in their second contest.  But when the game starts at 6:00 AM, you can throw out the records.

It’s hard to believe this will be Bruiser Flint’s 11th year at the helm for Drexel, and it’s easily one of his most talented teams.  Forward Samme Givens averaged a double-double last season and is a monster on the offensive glass despite his 6-foot-5 frame.  Look for Givens, guard Chris Fouch, and a tenacious Drexel defense to be the difference here.

It’s also worth noting that Andy Katz and Doug Gottlieb will be calling this game.  Here’s hoping Katz makes it through the marathon in a bit better shape than he did a couple years ago, when it looked and sounded like he had been drug behind a truck for its duration. 

• Drexel-Rider Pick: Drexel

Morehead State at College of Charleston – 8:00 AM EST (ESPN)

No offense to this year’s squads, but this game is a year too late now that Kenneth Faried and Andrew Goudelock are gone.  Morehead State got blown out by NC State on Sunday, which means a quick turnaround for this early morning tilt.  Charleston beat Holy Cross by nine in their opener and placed four guys in double figures, led by 18 points from Antwaine Wiggins and a double-double from Trent Wiedeman.

One guy to watch here is freshman Adjehi Baru, who posted 11 points and eight boards in his debut, but 17 turnovers compared to nine assists is a potential red flag.  Perhaps most importantly this is a rare opportunity to inject some Stephen Bardo into your morning routine.  I’ll let you decide whether that is a good thing or not. 

• Morehead State-College of Charleston Pick: College of Charleston

Kent State at West Virginia – 10:00 AM EST (ESPN)

West Virginia held off a tough Oral Roberts team in their opener, but they were thoroughly outrebounded and had 21 turnovers in the process.  Kevin Jones got his senior year off to a good start with 20 points and eight boards, and the Mountaineers got some nice contributions from their freshmen with Aaron Brown, Gary Browne, and Jabarie Hinds combining for 28 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, and six steals.

Kent State watched rival Akron knock off Mississippi State in the opening week but has yet to play a game of their own.  The Zips bring back four starters from a team that won 25 games last season, led by MAC Player of the Year Justin Greene.  They also boast the reigning Defensive POY and Sixth Man and add Juco All-American Chris Evans to the mix.  The Flashes have players who can pressure the ball and give West Virginia fits on the glass, which makes this my upset special.

Bill Raftery is calling this one, so it’s a great chance for some “early onions!”

• Kent State-West Virginia Pick: Kent State

Belmont at #9 Memphis – 12:00 PM EST (ESPN)

The Bruins nearly pulled off a road win at Duke, but in the process they showed why so many people (including yours truly) are high on them this year.  Their second road trip is a shorter one and gives them another shot to pick up a signature win.

This will be Memphis’ first game of the season, and it will be interesting to see the strides their heralded sophomore class made in the offseason as well as highly-touted freshman Adonis Thomas.  Among a number of matchups to watch here is a point guard showdown between Belmont’s Kerron Johnson and Memphis’ Joe Jackson and a battle inside featuring BU’s Mick Hedgepeth and Scott Saunders and Memphis soph Tarik Black.

Belmont clearly isn’t intimidated to play major programs away from home, and just to show I am firmly on the bandwagon, they’re upset number two.

In other good news, it’s way too early for Jimmy Dykes to pull out any kind of Jimmy’s Jet graphic while calling the game.  Thank God. 

• Belmont-Memphis Pick: Belmont

San Diego State at #12 Baylor – 2:00 PM EST (ESPN)

The Aztecs are in rebuilding mode after losing a ton from last year’s Top Five squad, but they are off to a 3-0 start.  They are led by guards Chase Tapley and Jamaal Franklin, who scored a career-high 31 points off the bench on Sunday.

Baylor is without top returnee Perry Jones as he serves a suspension for improper benefits, but freshman Quincy Miller has stepped up in his absence with 17 points in each of his first two games.  The Bears are absolutely loaded up front, while they are continuing to sort out their backcourt rotation before they get into the meat of their schedule.  Expect at least a couple highlight reel dunks from athletic forward Quincy Acy. 

• San Diego State-Baylor Pick: Baylor

Rhode Island at Texas – 4:00 PM EST (ESPN)

The Rams lost their opener in an overtime shootout with George Mason and are picked to finish in the lower half of the Atlantic 10.  Guard Jamal Wilson went off for 38 points in 41 minutes after scoring just 172 points over his first three seasons at URI, but what will he do for an encore?

The Longhorns blew out Boston in their first game, led by 28 points and eight assists from J’Covan Brown, one of the team’s only returning players.  A couple Texas freshmen to watch are point guard Myck Kabongo, who had seven dimes in his debut, and backcourt mate Julien Lewis, who poured in 18 points in the season-opening victory. 

• Rhode Island-Texas Pick: Texas

Florida International/George Mason at Virginia Tech – 6:00 PM EST (ESPNU)

GMU will be the likely opponent in this matchup and should provide a great test for the Hokies as part of the preseason NIT.  The Patriots have a terrific player in Ryan Pearson, who totaled 28 points and 12 boards in the opener, as well as guards Vertrail Vaughns and Sherrod Wright, both of whom scored 17 points.

Virginia Tech beat ETSU by 11 in their first game, although they played without top guard Errick Green, who sat out with an Achilles injury.  He said he hoped to miss only one game, and the Hokies will need him in this one.  Freshman Dorian Finney-Smith had an impressive debut for the VT with 10 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks, so keep an eye on him.  Injuries have limited depth on a team that lost a lot from last season, and Va Tech shot poorly in the opener.  This should be one of the better games of the day.

• FIU/George Mason-Virginia Tech Pick: George Mason

#6 Duke vs. Michigan State – 7:00 PM EST (ESPN)

After facing North Carolina and Duke in their first two games, Michigan State might be looking for a new approach to scheduling.

It’s hard to know how many conclusions can be drawn from Sparty’s opener given the uniqueness of the venue, but I was certainly impressed with their effort on the glass, a staple of some of Tom Izzo’s best teams over the years.  While Draymond Green grabbed 18 rebounds, he also missed 13 shots and had five turnovers, so the Spartans need more from him offensively.  The same can be said of their backcourt tandem of Keith Appling and Brandon Wood, who combined for just 12 points and one assist.

Duke got quite a scare from Belmont before boatracing Presbyterian, which enabled Coach K to tie Bob Knight for the most all-time wins.  Through two games, the signs point toward Mason Plumlee becoming a reliable contributor, and freshman phenom Austin Rivers is already leading the team in scoring.  Seth Curry has been decent at the point, and Ryan Kelly has turned in a couple double-digit scoring efforts.  I’m still not sold on Duke from a defensive standpoint on the outside, but I’m also not sure Michigan State will be able to take full advantage of that.

I think the Spartans can keep it close with toughness and rebounding, but I just don’t see enough reliable scorers from them at this stage of the season. 

• Duke-Michigan State Pick: Duke

Albany/Brown at Syracuse – 7:00 PM EST (ESPN3)

In the interest of space, I’m going to breeze through some of these ESPN3 tilts.  The Orange played nine guys at least 16 minutes in the opener and should win handily over either opponent.  I’m interested to see if soph Dion Waiters can keep up his hot streak after pouring in 14 in the opener.

• Albany/Brown-Syracuse Pick: Syracuse

Rutgers at Miami (FL) – 7:00 PM EST (ESPN3)

I love the intensity of Rutgers coach Mike Rice, but they are relying heavily on younger players, particularly in the backcourt.  The Hurricanes are essentially the exact opposite with a number of talented guards but virtually no one inside thanks in large part to injury.  Consequently, I think Rutgers soph Gilvydas Biruta could give them some trouble inside, but the veteran backcourt of Miami should be the difference. 

• Rutgers-Miami Pick: Miami (FL)

LaSalle at Villanova – 7:00 PM EST (ESPN3)

After going off for 27 points in the opener, I want to see what guard Dominic Cheek does for an encore.  Look for another big game from big man Mouphtaou Yarou as Nova rolls.

• LaSalle-Villanova Pick: Villanova

#10 Florida at #3 Ohio State – 8:00 PM EST (ESPN2)

These two teams won by a combined 71 points in their openers, but there were a few things to take away from those blowouts.

Florida’s quartet of guards was as advertised, scoring 62 points (including 11 made three-pointers) with 12 assists and just one turnover.  Patric Young logged a double-double inside to complement their strong outside game, but he will obviously have his hands full with Jared Sullinger.

Sullinger picked up right where he left off with 19 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.  He made 10 free throws and even knocked down a three-pointer.  William Buford, Aaron Craft, and DeShaun Thomas were solid as expected, but Lenzelle Smith also played well.  He posted eight points, seven rebounds, and two steals in just 20 minutes, so I am interested to see if he can replicate that against tougher competition.

This should be one of the day’s most competitive games and your first chance to catch Dan Dakich on the mic this season. 

• Florida-Ohio State Pick: Ohio State

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Oklahoma State – 8:00 PM EST (ESPN3)

Let’s be honest, with the other games here you probably aren’t tuning in to this one.  But if you do, be sure to check out Oklahoma State’s LeBryan Nash, who scored 13 points in his debut and should be one of the nation’s top freshmen. 

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff-Oklahoma State Pick: Oklahoma State

#2 Kentucky vs. #13 Kansas – 9:00 PM EST (ESPN)

This will be the first chance to get a look at this year’s crop of Kentucky freshmen on national TV.

The Cats beat Marist by 50 in their first game, and first-year phenom Anthony Davis got his college career off to an impressive start with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks.  The other three UK freshmen all scored at least 14 points, and soph Doron Lamb dished out eight assists.  I didn’t even mention preseason SEC Player of the Year Terrence Jones, who along with Davis will be charged with defending Kansas forward Thomas Robinson, who posted a double-double in KU’s opener.

The Jayhawks assisted on 30 of 41 made baskets, and deft passing will be critical if Kansas wants to bridge the talent and depth gap between these teams.  I’ll also be watching the leadership of Tyshawn Taylor and whether Travis Releford can continue his emergence after spending his first few seasons on the bench.

Brace yourself for Dickie V in this one, although is anyone else surprised he isn’t calling the game in which Coach K can earn his record-breaking win? 

• Kentucky-Kansas Pick: Kentucky

Austin Peay at #24 California – 10:00 PM EST (ESPN2)

The Governors come in 0-1 after losing by nine to Middle Tennessee State.  The guy to watch for them is TyShwan Edmondson who went for 20 points in the opener and averaged over 17 points a year ago.

The Bears feature a terrific backcourt duo in Allen Crabbe and Jorge Gutierrez.  Through two games, Crabbe has 45 points and has drained 9-of-17 from deep.  He’s one of the nation’s best emerging scorers, and he may well battle it out with Gutierrez for Pac-12 Player of the Year honors.  Gutierrez is one of my favorite players to watch and does a little of everything for this team, as evidenced by his 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists in the two Cal victories.  The combination of Crabbe and Gutierrez might be enough in this game, but the Bears really need other players to step up and be consistent contributors if they intend to challenge for the Pac-12 title.

Dave Flemming and Shawn Farnham will be calling their second game of the marathon after having called the Northern Iowa-Saint Mary’s tilt earlier in the day. 

• Austin Peay-California Pick: Cal

Colorado State/SMU at Stanford – 11:00 PM EST (ESPNU)

The Cardinal blew out Central Arkansas in their opener and should win handily over Fresno State on Monday.  Freshman Chasson Randle got his career off to a good start with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while fellow guard Aaron Bright hit four out of five from deep.  Stanford also has Josh Owens inside, which should be enough to get past either potential opponent.  If SMU can beat Colorado State though, Owens may have his hands full inside with Robert Nyakundi.

• Colorado State/SMU-Stanford Pick: Stanford

Enjoy the games everyone.  College hoops is officially back!

**********

Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

Before we hit the predictions, here’s a quick rundown of the key news items impacting the SEC since my two-part look at the league back in June.

• Alabama: Junior college transfer Moussa Gueye tore his ACL in a pickup game over the summer.  This leaves the Tide with very little depth behind the dynamic frontcourt duo of JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell.
• Arkansas: As many people expected, freshman-to-be Aaron Ross didn’t qualify and will head to prep school.  The 6-foot-7 forward was a Top 150 recruit according to Rivals.
• Florida: Both Erik Murphy and Cody Larson have been reinstated after being suspended following their arrest for burglary.  Murphy took a plea deal and was allowed back in September, while Larson was sentenced to two additional years of probation and was reinstated in October.  Both players give the guard-heavy Gators some much-needed height.
• Georgia: The Bulldogs got some good news when their top recruit, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, was declared eligible.  He was an explosive scorer at the high school level and has a great chance to start immediately.
• Kentucky: Reserve Jon Hood tore his ACL over the summer, but with another wave of talented newcomers on the roster, the impact should be negligible in Lexington.
• LSU: Forwards Matt Derenbecker and Garrett Green both transferred out of the program in the offseason, with Derenbecker heading to Dayton and Green enrolling at San Diego State.
• Mississippi: Murphy Holloway was cleared to play this season after leaving the Rebels a couple years ago to play for South Carolina and be closer to his young daughter.  He walked on for a season for the Gamecocks before deciding to transfer back.
• Mississippi State: There’s no such thing as a quiet offseason for MSU.  First, seldom used center John Riek transferred out of the program, and then freshman D.J. Gardner got the boot for his profanity-lace tirade on Twitter related to his impending redshirt.  Of course there has been no shortage of news on Renardo Sidney, who did not accompany the team on their trip to Europe.  Instead, he continued to work on his conditioning with John Lucas and has earned praise from Coach Rick Stansbury for actually being able to finish conditioning drills.  In on-court news, UTEP transfer Arnett Moultrie played extremely well on the team’s trip to Europe, averaging a double-double in Sidney’s absence.
• South Carolina: Forward Damontre Harris sprained his toe during a conditioning session and will miss about four weeks leading up to the season.  Guard Bruce Ellington has continued to see increased playing time for the football team, so it’s unclear when he will join the squad.
• Vanderbilt: Center Festus Ezeli will miss the first six games of the season after accepting a meal and a hotel room from a Vandy alum over the summer.  Steve Tchiengang and Lance Goulbourne will be asked to pick up the slack in Ezeli’s absence.

SEC Predictions: Standings

1. Kentucky

The Wildcats are loaded once again and have been ranked second nationally in pretty much every Top 25 I’ve seen.  In addition to another crop of highly touted recruits, Kentucky returns a few other key contributors.

Terrence Jones would have been a lottery pick but surprised many by returning to Lexington for his sophomore season.  If he can maintain the level of production he showed early last year, the sky is the limit.  John Calipari has called fellow soph Doron Lamb the best player on the team; he’s certainly the best shooter.  Senior Darius Miller also returns in the backcourt and will look to build on his MVP performance in the SEC Tournament last year.

The gem of the freshman class is big man Anthony Davis who can do just about everything on the floor and was the top-rated incoming freshman according to some services.  The latest in the line of talented young point guards is Marquis Teague, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a fierce competitor who will do whatever it takes to help the team win.

While there are a number of other talented teams in the league, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Cats down win the title.

2. Vanderbilt

With virtually everyone returning from last season’s team, Vandy is a trendy pick this season despite their struggles to win in the post-season.

The trio of John Jenkins, Jeffrey Taylor, and Festus Ezeli gives the team three impact players worthy of all-conference consideration.  Jenkins scored nearly 20 points per game last season while displaying a newfound ability to get to the stripe along with his smooth jumper from the outside.  Taylor does a little bit of everything for the Commodores, and Ezeli had a breakout junior season with 13.0 points, 6.3 boards, 2.6 blocks, and a 58.8 field goal percentage.  They boast a solid point guard in Brad Tinsley and have guys like Steve Tchiengang and Rod Odom ready to contribute inside.

In short, the roster is loaded with talent and experience, and the biggest question mark is whether Vanderbilt can get over the hump in close games as well as the post-season.

3. Florida

The Gators have an impressive glut of guards, which makes the biggest concern whether there will be enough shots to go around.

Backcourt mates Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton are the only returnees who averaged over 4.3 points.  Walker led the team in assists and hit nearly 39 percent from beyond the arc, but his ability to limit turnovers and stabilize the team will be critical.  Boynton shot way too many threes for someone who hit only 31 percent from deep, but he did finish strong last year.  Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario gives them another shooter/scorer, and freshman Brad Beal is one of the top guards in his class.

Look for a breakout year from soph Patric Young inside, but he needs guys like Cody Larson, Erik Murphy, and Walter Pitchford to step up and contribute alongside him.  That, along with shot selection in the backcourt, will determine Florida’s fate this year.

4. Alabama

With JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell, Coach Anthony Grant has one of the top frontcourt duos in the nation.  Green is an absolute monster who posted 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks last season while getting to the stripe nearly 200 times.  Mitchell finished second to Green in both scoring and rebounding, and he also proved to be a terrific defender in terms of both steals and blocks, all of which led to a stellar offensive rating.

Trevor Releford had an underrated freshman year, leading the team in assists and steals, and he also tallied a pair of 20-point performances in the NIT.  Talented freshmen Trevor Lacey and Levi Randolph should factor prominently into the rotation while providing some much-needed three-point shooting for the Crimson Tide.

The team ranked seventh in overall defensive efficiency last year, and if the newcomers gel quickly, the potential is there to finish even higher than fourth.

5. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs made headlines for all the wrong reasons last year, but there is reason to believe the talent-to-drama ratio is headed in the right direction.  That all starts with returning starters Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney.

Bost can look like one of the top point guards in the country at times, but he could stand to cut down on his turnovers and ill-advised shots.  Still, he posted nearly six assists per game and is a tremendous on-ball defender.  Sidney’s trials and tribulations have been well-publicized, but he seems to have committed to his conditioning this summer.  For all the heat he took last season, Sidney actually played pretty well down the stretch, scoring at least 11 points in 13 of the final 16 games with four double-doubles.

A couple newcomers will play key roles for this team.  UTEP transfer Arnett Moultrie averaged nearly 10 points and seven boards in 2009-10 and gives them another active big man.  True freshman Rodney Hood has a nice touch from the outside, which MSU desperately needs after losing their top two three-point shooters.

Those guys will form the core of the team, but a number of other returnees and freshmen will be counted on to step up as well.  The talent is absolutely there for this team; the question is what Rick Stansbury can do with it.

6. Ole Miss

Despite the losses of Chris Warren and Zach Graham, the Rebels still have some reasons for optimism heading into the season.  The biggest of those is their returning frontline.

Terrance Henry averaged 9.7 points and 6.0 rebounds and finished the season with five straight double-digit scoring games.  Reginald Buckner provides a presence on the glass and as a shot-blocker, and Murphy Holloway posted 10.1 points and 7.6 boards in 2009-10.  In the backcourt, look for sophomore Dundrecous Nelson to pick up some of Warren’s scoring slack.  He averaged 16.0 points over a four-game stretch late in the year and is poised for a breakout season.

Memphis transfer Jelan Kendrick will be eligible after the first semester, and it will be interesting to see if he can stay out of trouble and live up to his lofty recruiting rankings.  Nick Williams also returns for the Rebels, and freshman guards Maurice Aniefiok, Jarvis Summers, and LaDarius White will also factor into the backcourt rotation.

7. Arkansas

I’m not sure Mike Anderson has the depth he needs to play his uptempo style, but there are a few interesting pieces to work with in Fayetteville.

Forward Marshawn Powell had a disappointing sophomore year, but part of that can be attributed to injury and ongoing issues with former coach Doug Pelphrey.  Julysses Nobles is back to run the point after leading the squad in assists and steals last season while showing a nice touch from beyond the arc.

Returnees like Michael Sanchez and Marvell Waithe should see expanded minutes inside along with freshman Hunter Mickelson.  In addition to Mickelson, Anderson managed to retain key members of a talented recruiting classes, most notably guards B.J. Young and Ky Madden.  Young is a combo guard who can beat defenders in a number of ways, while Madden is a terrific athlete who excels in the open floor.

With so much youth, it’s hard to know what to expect from the Hogs, but Anderson’s teams are always tough to play against.

8. Georgia

The Bulldogs lost their two best players from last year’s squad, so a return invite to the Big Dance would be shocking.  Their strength lies in the backcourt with Gerald Robinson and Dustin Ware.  They were the team’s top two assist men, and Ware hit 43.6 percent from beyond the arc.  Joining them is the aforementioned Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who has good size and a sweet stroke from the outside.

The front line is full of question marks.  Marcus Thornton came in highly regarded but barely contributed last season.  Georgia will need a lot more from him along with true freshman Tim Dixon and juco transfer John Florveus if they want to finish much higher than this.

9. LSU

On paper, the fact that LSU returns its top four scorers looks pretty good until you see that the team went 3-13 in SEC play last year, which has Coach Trent Johnson firmly on the hot seat heading into this year.

The frontcourt will be the strength with returnees Storm Warren and Malcolm White, Iowa State transfer Justin Hamilton, and McDonald’s All-American Patrick O’Bryant.  Warren is looking to bounce back after a disappointing season, but he did finish the year with five straight double-digit scoring games.  White finished second on the team in rebounding but may be relegated to a reserve role if Hamilton and O’Bryant play well.  At least in O’Bryant’s case, that seems like a given.  Ralston Turner and Andre Stringer both return in the backcourt, but they struggled with turnovers and outside shooting.

The team should be better, but the record may not reflect that at the end of the year.

10. Tennessee

I really like Cuonzo Martin’s chances to succeed long-term, but this has all the makings of a long year.  Cameron Tatum is the only returnee to average over three points, so he’ll be asked to shoulder the scoring load.  Trae Golden projects as the starting point guard, and sophomore wing Jordan McRae lit it up during summer league play, which may propel him into a starting role as well.  Renaldo Woolridge, Kenny Hall, and Jeronne Mayonne will see drastically increased minutes in the frontcourt, and Martin needs at least a couple of them to become reliable contributors.

As you might expect, there are also plenty of newcomers, with Josh Richardson and big man Yemi Makanjuola the most likely to play prominent roles in the rotation.  Martin will certainly rachet up the defensive intensity, but there are just too many question marks heading into the season.

11. Auburn

The Tigers played better down the stretch than they 4-12 conference mark would suggest, but leading scorer Earnest Ross transferred after the season.  In the backcourt, Frankie Sullivan is back after missing most of last season with a knee injury, and Texas transfer Varez Ward should also give the team some much-needed scoring.

Forward Kenny Gabriel finished second on the team with 10.3 points per game, but he needs to be a more consistent contributor.  Rob Chubb gives the team another big body inside, while former walk-on Josh Wallace led the team in assists and steals a season ago.  Clemson transfer Noel Johnson will become eligible after the fall semester, so we’ll see if he can live up to his status as a former Top 100 recruit.

The Tigers return a few other role players from last year’s team, and true freshman Willy Kouassi provides additional athleticism inside.  If everything comes together, Auburn could best last year’s win total, but the Tigers are still in rebuilding mode.

12. South Carolina

After leading the team in points and assists last season, guard Bruce Ellington has spent this fall on the gridiron and won’t be with the team to start the season.  Even though his efficiency numbers were brutal last season, it’s still a huge blow to the team.  Forwards Malik Cooke and Lakeem Jackson both do a solid job on the boards despite standing under 6-foot-7, but they need the aforementioned Damontre Harris and a number of newcomers to step up inside.

The Gamecocks don’t really have any reliable outside shooters to make up for the lack of size, so this should be a long season for Coach Darrin Horn.

SEC Predictions: POY and All-Conference Team

All-Conference

• Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky
• JaMychal Green, F, Alabama
• John Jenkins, G, Vanderbilt
• Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
• Erving Walker, G, Florida

Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky

You could argue that picking him as POY is a reach, but I can’t fathom how he wasn’t voted onto the first team during SEC Media Day.  For a 6-foot-10 player, he has an extremely versatile skill set since he was “only” 6-foot-3 as a junior and had already developed his ball-handling and other perimeter-oriented skills.  Consequently, Davis is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.  He can step out and make shots or put the ball on the floor and drive past bigger defenders, or he can take smaller players into the post.

Davis is extremely active inside as a rebounder and shot-blocker, and I have yet to hear about anyone who hasn’t walked away even more impressed with his athleticism and impact on the game after seeing him in person.

Freshman of the Year (Not Named Anthony Davis): Brad Beal, G, Florida

Obviously if Davis is the POY, he would naturally be the freshman of the year as well, but I’m not going to take the easy way out and copy my comments from above.  I think Beal is going to be phenomenal for Florida and may eventually force Bill Donovan to make some tough lineup decisions.

As Rob Dauster of Ballinisahabit pointed out, what sets Beal apart from the other Gator guards is the fact that he doesn’t dominate the ball and is effective at using screens to get open.  I would be shocked if he isn’t the team’s top three-point shooter, as well as one of the squad’s most efficient players.  The Gators are going to have to play at least three guards to get their best players on the floor, but I have a hard time believing this team can be successful playing Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario together for long periods of time, which is only good news for Beal’s playing time and potential production.

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Follow me on Twitter (@andybottoms) for more thoughts on college hoops, and check out the latest edition of the Bottoms Line podcast.

This was not supposed to be one of Jim Calhoun’s better teams.

Yet somehow, some way, John Calipari and Jim Calhoun have led their Kentucky and UCONN teams to the 2011 Final Four to play the winner of Butler and VCU.

There are plenty of pejorative statements to be made about the checkered history and reputation of both Calipari and Calhoun, but for now we’ll stick just to basketball. And one of these two embattled men will be coaching for a national championship next Monday.

As Gus Johnson might say, this is college basketball.

Here is the game info, some ticket links and discount codes, a statistical comparison, and then our prediction for who will win Saturday’s game.

Final 4: Kentucky v Connecticut Game Info

• Kentucky-UCONN Date: Saturday, April 2nd
• Kentucky-UCONN Tip Time: 8:49 ET
• Kentucky-UCONN TV: CBS
• Kentucky-UCONN Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg, and Steve Kerr
• Kentucky-UCONN Location: Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX
• Kentucky-UCONN Point Spread: Kentucky -2
• Kentucky-UCONN Over-Under: 140

Final 4: Kentucky v Connecticut Tickets

• RazorGator: Kentucky-UCONN Final Four Tickets ($30 off on orders of $300+ at Razorgator.com! Use Code RG300J to save at checkout!)
• VividSeats: Kentucky-UCONN Final Four Tickets
• TicketLiquidator: Kentucky-UCONN Final Four Tickets (CLICK FOR $20 COUPON DISCOUNT – Gift Card ID: spring11)
• TickCo: Kentucky-UCONN Final Four Tickets $20 off on orders of $200 or more at TickCo.com. Use Promo Code: ORDR20TC

Kentucky v Connecticut Statistical Analysis and Comparison

Here is a quick statistical breakdown of Butler and VCU via the ESPN Bracket Predictor:

Kentucky-Connecticut Prediction and Spread Pick

One our college basketball-obsessed writers will have a more complete analysis and prediction for this game later today or tomorrow morning (at the latest). Until then, we want to know what you think:

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Update: I’ve been hesitant to come here and offer a prediction, but the game is less than 10 hours away now, so I guess I can’t hesitate any more. The reason for my hesitation is that I really have no clue how this game will go.

UConn has the best player, Kemba Walker, which means I’ll most likely end up giving the edge to UConn, but with so much raw talent on the floor it certainly is not that easy. Brandon Knight, although certainly not as consistent, has been just as clutch at Walker in the late minutes of games during Kentucky’s tournament run, and he’ll need to do so again.

I also like UConn because of their terrific ability to crash the offensive glass. If Kentucky allows UConn to get a bunch of second shots and put-back points, it’s going to be a long day for Coach Cal’s crew. The emergence of Josh Harrellson down low, however, has helped to sure up a Kentucky rebounding front line that was already pretty solid.

I could go on and on analyzing different aspects of this game, but I’m not sure how much it ultimately matters. This game is going to be hard fought and it’s going to be close. Both teams have dynamic players who will be able to take over small portions of the game and stop runs from the opposition. And both coaches and programs have some bad karma on their side, so certainly no one has the edge there.

I’m going with UConn because of the Kemba factor, because Jim Calhoun has been there/done that before, and because UConn making it to the title game during the same season when their program was whacked for NCAA violations seems like the most appropriate possible ending to the most salacious year in college sports that I can remember.

• UConn-Kentucky Prediction: UConn 74, Kentucky 72
• UConn-Kentucky Spread Pick: UConn +2
• UConn-Kentucky Over-Under Pick: Over

Update: The predictions are in below.

Wow.

My heart is still racing from that incredible Kentucky-Ohio State game, and I didn’t even have a dog in the fight! That is what makes March Madness so incredible. Even when your team – for me it’s Indiana – doesn’t make the tournament, the games are still so dramatic that you are compelled to get into it as much as if your own team was playing.

It should not be too difficult to get college basketball fans excited about this matchup. Two of the bluest of the blue bloods (literally) will be facing off in Newark on Sunday. It’s Kentucky-North Carolina. What the hell else do I really have to say?

Elite 8: Kentucky-North Carolina Game Info

• Kentucky-North Carolina Date: Sunday, March 27th
• Kentucky-North Carolina Tip Time: 5:05 ET
• Kentucky-North Carolina TV: CBS
• Kentucky-North Carolina Announcers: Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg
• Kentucky-North Carolina Location: The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
• Kentucky-North Carolina Point Spread: Kentucky -1
• Kentucky-North Carolina Over-Under: 147

Kentucky-North Carolina Statistical Analysis

Here is a statistical breakdown of the two teams via the ESPN Bracket Predictor.

Kentucky-North Carolina Prediction

One our college basketball-obsessed writers will have a more complete analysis and prediction for this game later today or tomorrow morning (at the latest). Until then, we want to know what you think:

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Here are Twitch’s thoughts on this game. And remember, he nailed yesterday’s games.

The UNC/Kentucky game is very intriguing. Both teams ended the season playing better basketball than when they started the year.

The teams actually mirror each other quite a bit too. Both have freshmen playing major roles, and both have solid inside-outside games.

I would urge everyone to not be too swayed by Friday night’s games, and really try to look at the matchups as a whole.

Knight/Marshall, Barnes/Jones, Zeller/Harrellson. In each matchup, Kentucky has the better athlete, but UNC has more skill.

I think that will be the key to the game. There will probably be a lot of fast breaking early on. It will be exciting, and Kentucky may even have a 6-10 point lead at some point. But as the game slows down, I think UNC’s skill will be the deciding factor.

Kentucky won’t be able to keep Zeller and Henson off the offensive glass, Marshall will make every right pass, and Barnes will hit a few more key shots to put the game away for the Tar Heels.

• North Carolina-Kentucky Prediction: UNC 83 – Kentucky 77
• North Carolina-Kentucky Spread Pick: UNC +1
• North Carolina-Kentucky Over-Under: Over

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But no matchup has me more intrigued than the matchup between the #1 seed and the #4 seed in the East Region – Ohio State versus Kentucky.

That’s why I am kicking off my part of our Sweet 16 previews off with this matchup. No sense saving the best for last. The most compelling matchup comes first for me.

First, the basics.

Sweet 16 Preview: Ohio State v Kentucky Game Info

• Date: Friday, March 25th
• Tip Time: 9:45 ET
• TV: CBS
• Announcers: Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg
• Location: Newark, NJ
• Arena: The Prudential Center
• Point Spread: OSU -5
• Over-Under: 140
• RazorGator: Ohio State-Kentucky Sweet 16 Tickets – ($20 off on orders of $200 or more at RazorGator.com. Use code ORDR20RG.
• Vivid Seats: Ohio State-Kentucky Sweet 16 Tickets

If you have followed my NCAA Tournament predictions before, you know that I like to use objective data when assessing teams. This has worked out pretty well for single-game predictions, though not always when applied in a blanket way to an entire bracket. But hey – we’re past the point of predicting the whole bracket. Now it’s all single-game analysis, where we excel here at MSF.

So before we go any further, let’s quickly analyze some important metrics for this game, courtesy of the ESPN Bracket Predictor (which I am now using for the third straight year to give me an objective basis for comparing teams’ season-long body of work as a whole.)

As you can see, there are only two out of the 15 metrics measure where Kentucky has an edge: turnover % (Kentucky ranked 6th, Ohio State ranked 7th) and opponent’s effective FG percentage (Kentucky ranked 11th, Ohio State ranked 123rd). So if we are looking at this game strictly on the basis of these very predictive stats, the Buckeyes are the obvious choice.

This is an Ohio State team that scores more points per possession than any other team America, and only 11 others allow fewer points per possession to opponents. That is pretty impressive stuff. Combine it with the Buckeyes’ bevy of NBA-level talent – literally every player in their rotation is an NBA prospect – and how much they have destroyed their first two opponents (combined winning margin: 63 points) in this year’s NCAA Tournament, and it suggests to me that the common notion that “there is no dominant team this year” might just be a big bunch of malarkey.

Ohio State has lost two games all season. They lost at Wisconsin and at Purdue (back when Purdue was actually playing like a #1 seed), two of the toughest places to win in college basketball. In fact, neither team lost a home game to anyone else.

So can this dominant Thad Matta-led Ohio State team, which has not been beaten all season anywhere but in the most of hostile road environments, be beaten by a young, talented Coach Cal-led Kentucky team that was within a tiger stripe of being knocked out in the first round?

Yes.

However, this is not a game where Ohio State can play its best and Kentucky can play its best and the whims of the basketball’s bounces will decide the game. If the Buckeyes bring their A game, it’s over. Ohio State wins. Kentucky is talented, but they do not have the lethal blend of talent and experience that Ohio State has. So Kentucky needs Ohio State to be slightly of its game, and the Wildcats need to do some things to push the Buckeyes in the direction of a B, B+ performance.

If Ohio State plays at a B/B+ level and Kentucky plays up to its potential, which admittedly would not be any kind of miraculous occurrence, we’ll have a game. Here are three ways the Wildcats can do it.

1. Guard the MF’ing 3-point line!

In listening to analysis of the Buckeyes during this tournament, I have often heard that controlling Jared Sullinger is the key to stopping Ohio State. So I expected that in the rare instances this season when the Buckeyes have lost that Sullinger has been held in check. Has he?

Here are Sullinger’s numbers in Ohio State’s two losses:

• @ Wisconsin – 19 points on 7-12 shooting, 12 rebounds, 1 foul, 40 minutes played
• @ Purdue – 25 points on 9-14 shooting, 6 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, 33 minutes played

For the season, Sullinger averaged 17.1 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. In Ohio State’s two losses, he averaged 23 points and 8 rebounds. So it seems to me that even when the Buckeyes lose, Sullinger is going to get his.

In looking at the box score, however, one statistic jumped out. The Buckeyes went 3-9 from downtown against Wisconsin and 4-15 from downtown against Purdue. That’s 7-24 (29%) in the two losses for a team that averaged 8 made threes and 18.7 attempts per game (approximately 42.7%) in their 34 wins. In fact, had five more of the Buckeyes 25 field goals against Wisconsin had been three-pointers – giving them their average of 8 – they win the game 72-71 rather than lose it 71-67.

It seems pretty clear: Kentucky must defend the 3-point line, and the stats certainly seem to suggest that they can.

Look back at the stat images above. One of the most impressive numbers for Kentucky is their effective field goal percentage defense, which is a KenPom stat that gives 50% more credit for defending the three-point line as opposed to normal field goal percentage defense. This bodes well for the Wildcats if we agree that it is imperative that they must limit the number of good looks the Buckeyes get behind the line. They did it against Princeton (3-14) but not quite as well against West Virginia (7-19).

If Kentucky can hold the Buckeyes to 3-4 three point field goals made, Sullinger can put up his usual stats and the Wildcats should have a chance to win in the end.

2. Everyone else can be normal, but Brandon Knight has to be great

Again, I’m not sure I agree with the conventional wisdom. This time, it is the conventional wisdom about Kentucky big man Josh Harrellson.

I keep hearing the Harrellson is the key to Kentucky winning, but I just don’t buy it. Sure, he’s important, and he needs to make life tough on Jared Sullinger, but we have already established that Ohio State can be beaten when Sullinger gets his numbers. Here now is something else we can establish: beating Ohio State does not require a great game from the guys inside.

Here are the numbers for the big men in the two games Ohio State lost this year:

• @Wisconsin: Keaton Nankivil – 7 pts, 2 rbs; Jon Leuer – 12 pts, 6 rbs; Mike Bruesewitz – 12 pts, 2 rbs
• @Purdue: JaJuan Johnson – 13 pts, 6 rbs, 4-10 FGs

Wisconsin does not have a traditional low block center like a Harrellson or a Johnson, so the comparison there is incomplete. But it is telling that even the very good Jon Leuer had just 12 points and 6 rebounds in his team’s biggest regular season win of the year. More telling is JaJuan Johnson’s stat line. This is the Big Ten Player of the Year, so you would think he would have to be terrific to beat a team led by Jared Sullinger. He wasn’t. In fact, Sullinger almost doubled him up in points.

So how did Purdue and Wisconsin win then?

• @Wisconsin: Jordan Taylor: 27 points on 5-8 3FGs, 7 assists, 1 TO, 39 minutes
• @Purdue: E’Twaun Moore: 38 points on 13-18 FGs, 7-10 3FGs, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 38 minutes

Clearly, the Buckeyes lost because the best guard on the opposing team decided to put his team on his back and have a career day.

Brandon Knight, the floor is yours.

For Kentucky to beat Ohio State, Knight simply must be spectacular, and there does not appear to be any way around it. Sure, Harrellson needs to be solid and eat up space down low. And yes, Terrence Jones probably needs a double-double. And sure, Doron Lamb and Darius Miller are going to need to score more than the 9 combined points they scored against West Virginia. But the key is Knight.

In the Wildcats’ first tournament game, Knight infamously scored just one bucket. Luckily for he and the ‘Cats it was the most important bucket of the game and they moved on. But another 1-8 shooting night from Knight and it will be goodnight for Kentucky.

To his credit, the cerebral and mature freshman bounced back against West Virginia in the Round of 32 and poured in 30 points on 9-20 shooting. He only had four assists and he turned the ball over four times, but against the Buckeyes I don’t think that matters. Knight needs to play balls-to-wall, even if that means a few mistakes, and be the ultimate scoring catalyst for his team.

Based on how this year has gone for Ohio State, going up against such a guard is the only way they lose.

And now the final thing that needs to happen for Kentucky to beat Ohio State and advance to the Elite 8…

3. The game needs to be moved to Lexington

Uh oh. I don’t think even John Calipari, the greatest salesman in the history of college basketball, could pull this one off. (Not that I’d necessarily bet against him…)

Has Kentucky shown it can guard the three-point line well enough to contain Diebler and Co from downtown? Yes.

Has Brandon Knight shown Jordan Taylor- and E’Twaun Moore-like ability to have an out-of-this-world scoring day? Yes, he just did.

So Kentucky has a chance. They really do. But the other element of Ohio State’s losses this year is something Kentucky simply cannot recreate: home court advantage.

Not many teams go into Mackey Arena or the Kohl Center and come out alive. If those are the only two places you lose all year, you’re a pretty damn good team. Well, Ohio State is a pretty damn good team, and I think they are going to win Friday night.

Now, if this game were in Lexington, where Big Blue Nation could rowdy it up and Ashley Judd could clap-clap-clap from the stands and the ghost of Adolph Rupp could spin a few Jon Diebler threes out instead of in…well then maybe the ‘Cats could do what the Badgers and Boilermakers could do. But this game is not in Lexington; it’s in Newark. And so even if Kentucky does everything right – if they guard the 3 and Brandon Knight goes off – they won’t have the home court edge to knock Ohio State from their A- game down to a B+ or a B.

Thus, Thad Matta and the Buckeyes march on to the Elite 8 – but not easily. Every eventual national champion seems to have a dramatic, nail-biter game before they reach the Final 4. The Buckeyes haven’t had theirs yet. They will on Friday night, as both teams hit their season averages for points right on the money.

• Ohio State-Kentucky Prediction: Ohio State 77 – Kentucky 76
• Ohio State-Kentucky Spread Pick: Kentucky +5
• Ohio State-Kentucky Over/Under: 140 (keep in mind folks, for this game to go under the two teams would have to combined for 14 fewer points than their aggregate average.

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What do you think? Will the Buckeyes breeze? Will the Wildcats pull of a Sweet 16 upset? The comment section yours to agree with, disagree with, challenge, or expound on anything you just read. That’s how we do things here.

Coming fresh from the hands of Coach Calipari after leading the Kentucky Wildcats deep into the NCAA Tournament and the ripe age of 19.

Not a bad resume, eh?

John Wall at such a young age is supposedly the next best thing since LeBron James stepped out of the high school shadows. He even appeared on the cover of SLAM magazine as a high school jock.

With all the mounted pressure, Wall seemed to do his thing at the high school and the collegiate level. Heck, this kid even had a dance nicknamed after him (WARNING: CORNY):

Back to society, Wall has been doing this from the get-go, as his first week at the collegiate level he was named the ESPN National Player of the Week. So, you could say he transitions well.

I mean, coming out of high school people were already looking for the flashy moves and dazzling crossovers. Well guess what? They got it, and it didn’t take too long for the national audience to pay attention to John Wall, as he began racking up the accolades left and right.

Here are a few of Wall’s collegiate awards (1-year of college ball):

• 2010 SEC Tournament MVP
• 2009-10 SEC Player of the Year
• 2009-10 Yahoo! Sports National Player of the Year
• 2009-10 Sporting News First Team All-American
• 2009-10 Associated Press SEC Player of the Year
• 2009-10 CBS Sports SEC Player of the Year
• 2009-10 Fox Sports First Team All-American
• 2009-10 US Basketball Writers Association First Team All-America Team

And the list goes on and on and on…

Let’s also give credit to John Wall’s amazing teammates Eric Bledsoe, Demarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and the rest. These guys are almost all considered lottery picks as well, right below the consensus No.1, Wall!

But unfortunately for the East region’s #1 ranked Wildcats, they were upset in the NCAA Tournament by West Virginia in the Elite Eight, which presumably ended Wall’s career with the white and blue.

As the college season came to an end, the Wall hype began to mount, as many were praying to receive the #1 overall pick in order to land Wall. The idea was New Jersey was going to land Wall, but then things took a gigantic turn when the Wizards received the #1 pick, and things began coming back to life in DC, after then horrible and traumatic season..

How’d Wall feel about Washington?

Then things began to go nuts for Wall, as the media was covering his every move. National newspapers were talking about him, magazines had him on the cover, and people were just beginning to drink the Wall Kool-Aid!

The kid also just recently signed a ludicrous deal with Reebok, for about 5 years, and 25-million dollars. Not bad for the prodigy, whom is expected to save Reebok from it’s recent sales drought. Let’s not forget who was the former cover boy for Reebok..Allen Iverson! So, you can see the shoes which are to be filled.

He’s even been seen with the likes of stars like Drake, Jay-Z and plenty others (probably because he signed with LeBron’s agent, Leon Rose).

But back to basketball, John Wall is beginning to have it all. The money, the fame, probably the girls..everything! But when it all comes down to it, he has to be able to play ball… will this be able to transition into the limelight of the NBA? It’s only been done once for an athlete with this much hype; LeBron James.

So can Wall learn the lessons from LeBron, or will this just be another “Darko” scenario? The Wizards are soon to find out..