10. Xavier – Sean Miller will always have himself a good team. It amazes us that he hasn’t been plucked from the mid-major yet. And if UGa is smart, they will at least call him. But they aren’t, so….
Anyway, back to the team…..they aren’t playing the toughest of schedules, so its hard to really compare them. But what we CAN see is that they have a propensity for defense, and that’s going to win you a lot of ball games.
9. Clemson – Ok, Ollie. You know you’re one of our faves. But damn it, you gotta start winning some of these big games. Wake Forest….loss at home. Carolina……blitzed outta the damn gym. You have Duke tomorrow. Here’s your chance at redemption and a way to stake your claim as a player in the race for the conference championship. It’s right there in front of you. We’ll be watching. By the way….what’s up with starting Remy from Higher Learning at the two?
8. Marquette – Ok, tell the truth….how long has Dominic James been at this school? I remember him taking a young Dwayne Wade under his wing when Wade was a Sophomore. And yet, here he is, still chugging along. Their ranking is more a product of parity, rather than actual marquee wins. A double digit win over Georgetown is meaning less and less these days. But you beat the team that’s on the court…..and Marquette is doing just that.
7. Pittsburgh – Well, Pittsburgh….you found out that air is kinda thin up there at #1, huh? Not that there is any shame with losing to ‘Nova at ‘Nova but….man, it’s to be expected though. Its more than obvious to see that this team is predicated on Dejaun Blair’s presence. In both of their losses, his time on the court was limited due to foul trouble. He provides them with rebounding and general toughness that can’t be replaced.
6. Wake Forest – Told you they’d lose some games that they should win. Never thought that they’d go 0-for-Technical Schools in the first half of the conference season. And herein lies the problem with this impetuous Wake bunch. The exuberance of youth can often be undone by the uncertainty of inexperience. Regardless, this team is a BLAST to watch and truly get after it on the defensive side of the ball. Gaudio deserves a boat load of credit for keeping the ship going in the right direction following Skip Prosser’s tragic death (RIP).
5. North Carolina – We just can’t put our finger on it. But this just doesn’t look like the same team from December. Who would’ve thought, back in December, that they would need a buzzer-beater three to beat FSU? Maybe Roy Williams is tinkering. Maybe the kids are bored and waiting for March. But a lot of the Tar Heel fanbase is concerned. Games against Maryland and UVa are not to be overlooked as Duke is around the corner.
4. Louisville – What took you so long? Much like Tom Izzo, Rick Pitino’s teams may start slowly, but they are ALWAYS there at the end. The biggest factor in their recent success is the blending of the skillsets of the frontcourt. A frontcourt that may well be one of the best in the country. We would still love to see more from Edgar Sosa, but we understand that it’s more than likely a pipe dream. Connecticut is waiting tonight.
3. Duke – As expected, Wake Forest was able to use their strengths (quick guards and long frontline) and match it to Duke’s weakness (slower guards and weak frontline) and get the W. Props for making it a game at the end, as Wake tried their damndest to give it away. Kyle Singler continues to show different aspects to his game……lately its been his rebounding. And Gerald Henderson takes us back to the time when Duke kept at least one high-flying wing player capable of putting his team on his back or an opponent on a poster.
2. Oklahoma – Just think Sooners….you’ll be #1 next week. That’s IF you handle your business against Texas A&M and Colorado. Willie Warren was spectacular last week. His emergence will make this team an extremely tough out, come tourney time. Blake Griffin is gonna be Blake Griffin….games of 26/19 and 23/15 attest to that. But a marksman from three to keep the defense honest is almost unfair.
1. Connecticut – Your turn, fellas. Mark our words….mark ‘em….they lose tonight to Louisville. And that will make four straight weeks where the #1 team has lost. Although there will be no shame in losing to a surging Cardinal squad (we sound pretty confident about this prediction, don’t we?). The more we watch UConn, the more we like them. Rarely are they out of any game and that’s due to their defense.
Knocking on the Door – May be time to get rid of this one. The top 10 is almost a revolving door of teams. Parity meet the NCAA. NCAA, parity.
Line of the Week – 38 min, 9-11 FG, 8-13 FT, 26 pts, 19 boards. Oh yeah….against your in-state rival. At their crib. Nice one, Big Blake.
Player of the Year Watch – This one is over. Blake Griffin is walking the dog in this race. Looks like that decision to come back has paid off in spades.
Freshman of the Year Watch – Willie Warren is back. He averaged 20 over the last week and continues to give Griffin the room to operate that he desperately needs.
What You Should Check For – UConn v Louisville tonight. Clemson and Duke on Wednesday. Syracuse and ‘Nova on Saturday. Plus tons more.
