Buckeye Blogger Network
Slam, Bam, Thank You Ma’am!
Another amazing week of college basketball is in the books and the season just keeps getting crazier. There were a total of 18 losses among the Top 25 teams. Some teams lost multiple times this week and there were some stunning upsets. The Miami Hurricanes absolutely embarrassed top ranked Duke 90-63, VCU spent a couple of weeks in the rankings only to lose both of their games week, and Syracuse and Louisville both lost to unranked opponents. All of this and we haven’t even talked about Louisville losing three in a row and Minnesota losing 4 consecutive games. Although nothing is certain in college basketball this year, one thing is for certain…….if it’s this crazy now, just wait to see what March Madness brings. Let’s breakdown this past week and look ahead to the future.
Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review
1. Duke (17-2, 4-2) Previous Rank: 3
Past Week: 1/23 @ (25) Miami (FL), L 63-90 & 1/26 Maryland, W 84-64
Upcoming: 1/30 @ Wake Forest & 2/2 @ Florida State
Duke was handed one of its worst losses in many years by Miami (FL). It doesn’t get easier for the Blue Devils as they face two road games this in Wake Forest and Florida State.
2. Michigan (18-1, 5-1) Previous Rank: 5
Past Week: 1/24 Purdue, W 68-53
Upcoming: 1/27 @ Illinois & 1/30 Northwestern & 2/2 @ (7) Indiana
Michigan is probably the most consistent of the Top 25 teams and will probably be rewarded the top ranking on Monday. Holding on to that spot could be a different story as the travel to (7) Indiana this week.
3. Syracuse (18-2, 6-1) Previous Rank: 6
Past Week: 1/21 Cincinnati, W 57-55 & 1/26 @ Villanova, L 71-75 (OT)
Upcoming: 2/2 @ Pittsburgh
Just when Syracuse looks like they are proving they belong in the Top 5, they go and lose to Villanova. They travel to Pittsburgh in hopes of not starting a losing streak.
4. Kansas (18-1, 6-0) Previous Rank: 4
Past Week: 1/22 @ (11) Kansas State, W 59-55 & 1/26 Oklahoma, W 67-54
Upcoming: 1/28 @ West Virginia & 2/2 Oklahoma State
Kansas may be the other team in college basketball that rivals Michigan’s consistency. They have won 17 straight and looked to make 19 after this week.
5. Louisville (16-4, 4-3) Previous Rank: 1
Past Week: 1/22 @ Villanova, L 64-73 & 1/26 @ Georgetown, L 51-53
Upcoming: 1/28 Pittsburgh
After three straight losses, Louisville’s time in the Top 10 may be numbered. A tough game against Pittsburgh could make it four in a row!
6. Arizona (17-2, 5-2) Previous Rank: 7
Past Week: 1/24 UCLA, L 73-84 & 1/26 USC, W 74-50
Upcoming: 1/31 @ Washington & 2/2 @ Washington State
Arizona split their home games this week and will now take the tour of Washington when they travel to Washington and Washington State.
7. Indiana (17-2, 5-1) Previous Rank: 2
Past Week: 1/20 @ Northwestern, W 67-59 & 1/23 Penn State, W 72-49
Upcoming: 1/27 (13) Michigan State & 1/30 @ Purdue & 2/2 (2) Michigan
A couple of easy wins lead the Hoosiers into a tough week. They face both Michigan State and Michigan but at least they face them at home.
8. Florida (16-2, 6-0) Previous Rank: 10
Past Week: 1/23 @ Georgia, W 64-47 & 1/26 @ Mississippi State, W 82-47
Upcoming: 1/30 South Carolina & 2/2 (23) Mississippi
The Gators continue to play pretty solid overall. This team could surprise a lot of people down the stretch. They host Mississippi this week in a Top 25 match up.
9. Butler (17-3, 4-1) Previous Rank: 13
Past week: 1/23 @ La Salle, L 53-54 & 1/26 Temple, W 83-71
Upcoming: 1/31 @ St. Louis & 2/2 Rhode Island
Butler followed up their stunning victory over Gonzaga by laying an egg against La Salle. This week should be easier but you never know this year.
10. Gonzaga (19-2, 6-0) Previous Rank: 8
Past Week: 1/24 BYU, W 83-63 & 1/26 San Francisco, W 66-52
Upcoming: 1/31 @ Loyola Marymount & 2/2 @ San Diego
Gonzaga got back to their winning ways after losing at Butler with a couple of solid wins. This week should bring two more victories.
11. Kansas State (15-4, 4-2) Previous Rank: 16
Past Week: 1/22 (4) Kansas, L 55-59 & 1/26 @ Iowa State, L 67-73
Upcoming: 1/30 Texas & 2/2 @ Oklahoma
Kansas State march up the polls has ended after losing both of their games this week. Pollsters may have forgiven them for their loss to Kansas but the loss to Iowa State is unforgivable.
Can we get a win already?
12. Minnesota (15-5, 3-4) Previous Rank: 9
Past Week: 1/23 @ Northwestern, L 48-55 & 1/26 @ Wisconsin, L 44-45
Upcoming: 1/29 Nebraska
Minnesota was the sleeper of the Big Ten, but, after 4 losses in a row, many are rethinking that theory. They look to snap their streak when they host Nebraska.
13. Michigan State (17-3, 6-1) Previous Rank: 18
Past Week: 1/22 @ Wisconsin, W 49-47
Upcoming: 1/27 @ (7) Indiana & 1/31 Illinois
Just like every Tom Izzo team that I can remember, this team just keeps improving every week. They will have to really play well if they expect to leave Bloomington with a win.
14. Ohio State (15-4, 5-2) Previous Rank: 11
Past Week: 1/22 Iowa, W 72-63 & 1/26 @ Penn State, W 65-51
Upcoming: 1/29 Wisconsin & 2/2 @ Nebraska
The Buckeyes blew a huge lead but still knocked off Iowa before beating Penn State. Ohio State must find some consistency if they hope to go 2-0 this week!
15. New Mexico (17-3, 4-1) Previous Rank: 19
Past Week: 1/23 Colorado State, W 66-61 & 1/26 @ San Diego State, L 34-55
Upcoming: 1/30 @ Wyoming & 2/2 Nevada
New Mexico is up, and then New Mexico is down. After this week’s loss to San Diego State, the Lobo’s will be back down.
16. Oregon (18-2, 7-0) Previous Rank: 21
Past Week: 1/23 Washington State, W 68-61 & 1/26 Washington, W 81-76
Upcoming: 1/30 @ Stanford & 2/2 @ Cal
The Ducks have come out of nowhere to move up to 16th in the polls. After sweeping the Washington teams they should move up again.
17. Creighton (17-3, 6-2) Previous Rank: 12
Past Week: 1/23 @ Drake, L 69-74
Upcoming: 1/27 @ Southern Illinois & 1/30 Missouri State & 2/2 Bradley
Mid-major teams can’t afford bad losses. That’s just what Creighton did this week when they lost to Drake.
18. North Carolina State (16-4, 5-2) Previous Rank: 14
Past Week: 1/22 @ Wake Forest, L 84-86 & 1/26 North Carolina, W 91-83
Upcoming: 1/29 @ Virginia & 2/2 (25) Miami (FL)
The Wolfpack dropped a tough one at Wake Forest last week and host the Miami Hurricanes this week.
19. VCU (16-5, 4-2) Previous Rank: 22
Past Week: 1/24 @ Richmond, L 74-86 & 1/26 La Salle, L 61-69
Upcoming: 1/30 @ Rhode Island & 2/2 Fordham
VCU’s little visit to our Top 25 party is all but over. Even if they win both games this week, back to back losses last week will cost them dearly.
I’m Not Shocked, Are You?
20. Wichita St. (19-2, 8-1) Previous Rank: NR
Past Week: 1/23 @ Missouri State, W 62-52 & 1/26 Bradley, W 73-39
Upcoming: 1/29 Indiana State & 2/2 @ Northern Iowa
Wichita State jumped back in the rankings this week and this time they didn’t have any let downs.
21. Cincinnati (16-4, 4-3) Previous Rank: NR
Past Week: 1/21 @ (3) Syracuse, L 55-57
Upcoming: 1/30 Rutgers & 2/2 @ Seton Hall
You never know what the pollsters will do, but after a tough loss on the road to Syracuse combined with the performance of the other ranked teams, they should be able to hold on to a ranked spot.
22. Missouri (15-4, 4-2) Previous Rank: 17
Past Week: 1/22 South Carolina, W 71-65 & 1/26 Vanderbilt, W 81-59
Upcoming: 1/30 @ LSU & 2/2 Auburn
A Missouri team that has been all over the place won two games decisively last week. They will need to play solid again this week to come out unbeaten for the week.
23. Mississippi (17-2, 6-0) Previous Rank: NR
Past Week: 1/24 Tennessee, W 62-56 & 1/26 @ Auburn, W 63-61
Upcoming: 1/29 Kentucky & 2/2 @ (8) Florida
Ole Miss continued winning in the SEC but Kentucky and Florida look to show the Rebels who’s the boss in the SEC.
24. Notre Dame (16-4, 4-3) Previous Rank: 20
Past Week: 1/21 Georgetown, L 47-63 & 1/26 @ South Florida, W 73-65
Upcoming: 1/30 Villanova & 2/2 @ DePaul
The Irish struggled in their loss to the Hoyas last week and they better watch out for Villanova who is coming off an upset of Syracuse.
25. Miami (FL) (14-3, 5-0) Previous Rank: NR
Past Week: 1/23 (1) Duke, W 90-63
Upcoming: 1/27 Florida State & 1/30 @ Virginia Tech & 2/2 @ (18) North Carolina State
I’m going to let Miami bask in the glory of their win this week…..I just have three words……Miami Destroyed Duke!
Be sure to check back next week to see how the Top 25 fared and what’s in store for them the following week!
January 27th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
I LOVE seeing Syracuse lose! And the Ducks in the top 25 means more television exposure for DUCK CHEERLEADERS!!!
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Eric
January 27th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Cheerleaders making duck-faces? No, I do not like it, Sir.
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Ken
January 27th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
Yeah, if it looks, walks and sounds like a duck.. you need to re-think how you choose your cheerleaders.
Duck! Cheerleaders…
[Reply]
January 27th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Good stuff, G-Russ, thanks. Pretty much an exciting week in the Top Twenty-Five.
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Gary
January 28th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Thanks K-Dog!
[Reply]
January 27th, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Someday, that Wichita State fan will introduce his kids to the internet and will be soooo proud.
[Reply]
Gary
January 28th, 2013 at 9:42 pm
I know I would be proud!
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January 28th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Can you say #1 revolving door? Not a single team that is the leader right now and I won’t tip my cap to TTUN, they arent the best team, JMHO
[Reply]
Gary
January 28th, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Who do you think is the best team?
[Reply]
WVaBuckeye
January 29th, 2013 at 6:53 am
I like Arizona but think Kansas or Florida could be as well
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Gary
January 29th, 2013 at 9:10 am
Good choices. I’m not sure who the top team is but to this point….I think Michigan has played the most consistent.
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Eric
January 29th, 2013 at 11:30 am
Except for nearly a full half against the Buckeyes.
DEAL WITH IT.
[Reply]
Gary
January 29th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
I am “Dealing With It!….get off my back man!
Eric
January 29th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
That’s right you are.
…
Ok, I’m done now. =)