Published: January 26, 2009
Folks it’s been two full weeks since the last Power Rankings, but we appreciate your patience. A lot has changed in the landscape of college basketball, as the teams ranked #1 and #2 in the last poll have both since lost.
Without further adieu, here are the latest College Basketball Power Rankings. As always, your feedback is welcomed and encouraged.
1. Duke (18-1, 5-0): Don’t let a history fool you, this team is for real. No one had a more impressive win last week than the Blue Devils 41-point beat down of Maryland, but they must recover quickly as they head to Wake Forest for a super-showdown with the Demon Deacons Wednesday night.
2. Connecticut (18-1, 7-1): It was an unbelievable win for the Huskies Saturday night, as they ended Notre Dame’s 45 game, home court winning streak. UConn looks like a legitimate title contender, but needs to beat a pesky Providence squad at home Saturday, a team they’ve lost to the last two times the teams have met at the XL Center.
3. Pittsburgh (18-1, 6-1): The Panthers could have pouted after their loss at Louisville last Saturday, but instead responded with two convincing wins over Syracuse and at West Virginia. This group – which has never made it past the third round of the NCAA Tournament – is a National Championship contender.
4. Wake Forest (16-1, 3-1): Every team has let-down games, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that Virginia Tech came to Lawrence-Joel Coliseum and got a win. We’ve wondered how these young Demon Deacons would respond to a loss, and we’ll find out quickly when Duke comes calling Wednesday night.
5. Oklahoma (19-1, 5-0): By beating Texas and Baylor in the past two weeks, the Sooners have quieted a lot of doubters, and legitimized themselves as the team to beat in the Big XII. The “Bedlam,” series hits the hardwood Monday night, when the Sooners go to Oklahoma State, never an easy place to win.
6. North Carolina (17-2, 3-2): For the first time in weeks North Carolina looked like, well, North Carolina, in their 94-70 win against Clemson. The Tar Heels should be comfortable favorites in each of their next four games, before their trip to Duke on February 11.
7. Marquette (17-2, 6-0): Marquette hasn’t had the toughest schedule of any Big East team, but give the Golden Eagles credit, as they continue to beat every one they play. It will be a test of fortitude when they go to Notre Dame Monday night, with the Irish coming off their first home loss in almost three years.
8. Louisville (15-3, 6-0): Two weeks ago, Louisville hadn’t shown enough to warrant Power Rankings consideration. After beating Notre Dame and Pittsburgh, as well as Syracuse on the road, this may be the hottest team in college basketball.
9. Michigan State (16-3, 6-1): Every team has bad nights, and Michigan State’s loss last week to Northwestern was nothing more than a letdown game. The Spartans rebounded nicely with a win at Ohio State Sunday, and be warned, this is still hands-down the best team in the Big 10.
10. Texas (14-4, 3-1): Damion James was considered to be a potential lottery pick before the season, but didn’t play that way until Saturday, when the junior had 28 points in a win over Texas A & M. If the Longhorns can get by Baylor Tuesday night, they can go on a serious run, as their schedule lightens up significantly.
11. Syracuse (17-4, 5-3): We warned Orange fans two weeks ago that the schedule got much tougher, and it has, as Syracuse has lost three of its last four games. If this team wants to get back on track, it needs better production from Jonny Flynn, who’s a paltry 6-28 from the field in their last two games.
12. Arizona State (16-3, 5-2): After a surprising loss to USC two weeks ago, Arizona State has enjoyed back-to-back statement wins at UCLA and Arizona. Herb Sendek’s teams are never known for scoring points, but for this team to advance far in the tournament, they’ll need better offensive production from everyone in their line-up not named James Harden (22 points per game).
13. Clemson (17-2, 3-2): It’s hard to fault the Tigers for losing two of their last three games, when both were against top five teams (Wake Forest and North Carolina). After winning Sunday at Georgia Tech, the Tigers get another tough test when they go to Virginia Tech this Thursday.
14. Purdue (15-4, 4-2): Everyone knew once the Boilermakers got healthy they’d be just fine, and they have been, winning their last four games. With their next four against potential NCAA Tournament teams, Purdue, along with Michigan State, could turn the Big 10 into a two team race.
15. Butler (18-1, 9-0): No team in college basketball plays better defensively than the Bulldogs, which held Wisconsin-Milwaukee to just 24 percent shooting, in a 30 point rout Saturday. This team has won 10 straight, and doesn’t appear to have a true challenger in the Horizon League.
16. Xavier (17-2, 5-0): Although the Musketeers have won eight straight games, they really hadn’t had a signature win since the middle of December. That changed Saturday night, when Derrick Brown scored 22 points in a surprisingly comfortable victory at LSU.
17. UCLA (15-4, 5-2): Ben Howland coached teams are always known for their defense, so when the Bruins gave up 86 points on 45 percent shooting in a loss to Washington Saturday, it was more than a little alarming. At this point in the year, we know what UCLA realistically is: a good team, in a below average conference.
18. Illinois (17-3, 5-2): Don’t look now, but Bruce Weber quietly has the Illini on a roll, after beating Wisconsin and Ohio State this week. Illinois can officially quiet its doubters for good with a win at Minnesota.
19. Saint Mary’s (18-1, 5-0): Hoops Addict told you to watch out for Saint Mary’s point guard Patrick Mills this pre-season, and the sophomore hasn’t disappointed as he’s averaging 18.2 point per game. The Gaels visit Spokane on Thursday to take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs, in what may be a match-up of the West Coast’s two best teams.
20. Minnesota (17-3, 5-3): Tubby Smith’s bunch is holding on for dear life in the Big 10, as they’ve lost their last two games. With Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State up next on the schedule, no team is in more desperate need of a win.
New to the Power Rankings: Louisville, Purdue, Xavier, Illinois and Saint Mary’s
Dropping Out: Georgetown, Notre Dame, Baylor, California and Arkansas
Photo Credit: ICON Sports Media
One Comment on "College Basketball Power Rankings"
College Basketball Power Rankings « Aaron Torres Sports on Tue, 27th Jan 2009 11:05 am
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