10. Syracuse – You guys have no intentions on making it easy on us. Seems like everyone in the bottom half of our top ten lost last week. And then most of the teams below that did, as well. The ‘Cuse bounces back from a mid-week loss to handle their business against Notre Dame, forcing NPOY-candidate Luke Harangody into one of the more horrid performances that you’re likely to see. At least Stephon Curry looks fluid when he misses a ton of shots.
9. Georgetown – Hey Greg….you’re a freshman….playing an away game at Duke….think you might want pipe down a bit? In all fairness, that Tech was BS. Especially if reports are true that it was a fan sitting behind the bench that made the offending remarks. But you had been a bit chatty all day. We know, we know…you wanted to show up the Dukies. We get it. But you have to be more cognizant of the situation. You wasted a career performance from Dajaun Summers.
8. Clemson – Don’t get used to this, Tiger’s fans. Rarely will you lose a game and move up in the rankings. But…..you lost to a very good Wake Forest team and it was competitive through out. We’ll make no secret of the fact that Oliver Purnell is one of our favorite coaches. The consensus is that he looks like our Uncle Muzz….you know….the mechanic with a pack of Kool’s or ‘Ports in his work shirt pocket. The dark blue shirt with the patch that reads “Muzz.” Anyway, Clemson has a legitimate chance to avoid that swoon that seems to hit them every year. They’ve always had talent, it’s the mental part that was always missing. It doesn’t help that their next game is in Chapel Hill….where they lost 53 straight games. How Booker, Rivers and Co respond will be a turning point to the season.
7. Michigan State – They haven’t lost since getting beat by Carolina. Think about that. From a 35 point loss at “home,” to becoming one of the hottest teams in the country. Tom Izzo never gets his due as a great coach, but year in and year out, his teams compete, PERIOD. Who knew Goran Sutan was that important to this team. Weekend match-up in Columbus is their next hurdle as T to the Izzo (unnecessarily corny) fine-tunes his club.
6. North Carolina – No one wants to talk about it, but we will…..Tyler Hansbrough is a bad team mate. Yes….THAT Tyler Hansbrough. Maybe it’s the pursuit of the ACC scoring record….we’re not sure. But he is playing the most selfish ball of his career. Just watch his body language….hell, watch the whole team’s body language….there are problems in Chapel Hill. How well Roy Williams rectifies them will determine how much success they have.
5. Oklahoma – Can we tell you how much of a joy it is to watch Blake Griffin play? No woofin. No histrionics. No crazy athleticism. Just hard work. He’s definitely a throwback player, and his ability to hit the open man out of double teams is astonishing at his age. His abuse of Texas’ Dexter Pittman was a thing of beauty and resulted in a double digit win against a damn good team.
4. Connecticut – Steady as we go. Flying a bit under the radar but continuing to play well. They haven’t been tested in a minute, but that ends on Wednesday with a visit from Villanova. That’s followed by a trip to South Bend. AJ Price had his break-out game of the season against Seton Hall. Nightly contributions such as those will guarantee success, come March.
3. Pittsburgh – You weren’t going to go through the Big East undefeated anyway. And with the resurgence of Louisville (about time they woke up), this loss is barely even a loss, if that makes any sense. Pitt’s lack of size was exploited a bit, though. DeJuan Blair…as much as we love him….is still an under-sized ‘5’ at 6’7”. Louisville used it to their advantage.
2. Duke – Oh stop whining. That “gift” of a technical wasn’t enough on Saturday? Call it a make-up call, call it home cooking….but it was utter trash. The ref should issue a public apology. But the point remains that you scored a big win against a legitimate team, so that’s all that matters. Gerald Henderson finally became the player that we watched as a receding-hairlined kid at Episcopal HS in Philly. Kyle Singler found ways to be productive even when his shot was off. We can no longer doubt that Duke is back.
1. Wake Forest – We've got to put them there….we just GOTTA!!! Not that they don’t deserve it and we’re handing out favors. This Wake team is for real. Just like we’ve been saying since November. They are blessed with incredible athleticism and ridiculous length across the frontline and off the bench. Another test aced by going to Clemson and pulling out a win. We fully expect them to lose a game or two that they should win. But that’s youth. Regardless, they are fun to watch. Congrats ‘Tie-Dye Nation’…..enjoy it.
Knocking on the Door – We really don’t think the teams in the Top 10, currently, want to be there. It seems as if teams lose just to avoid it. Don’t be scared guys.
Line of the Week – 39 minutes, 15-22 FG, 10-15 3pt FG, 14-14 FT, 8 Rebs, 54 pts. Jodie Meeks from Kentucky got his ‘Kobe’ on. 26 pts in the first half and you would think Bruce Pearl might think about a Box and One or a crowbar….anything. Nope. Second verse, just like the first. It was great to see.
Player of the Year Watch – Ladies and gentlemen….please welcome Mr. Jodie Meeks to the conversation. Also, would you join us in saying goodbye to last year’s NPOY, Tyler Hansbrough. This is interesting now.
Freshman of the Year Watch – No one is really tearing it up right now. Willie Warren has cooled. Monroe has been steady, if unspectacular. We’ll leave this blank this week.
What You Should Check For – Carolina vs Clemson will be a war!!!! Louisville’s visit to the Carrier Dome promises to be entertaining as well.
