It’s a new week and we’re back with a new Top 25 poll. The usual analysis after the jump…
Note that this week Rob Dauster of BiaH is filling in for one or usual pollsters.
QnD Analysis.
- Kansas returns where they started as the unanimous #1 team in the nation. They’re followed by Kentucky, Villanova and a surging Purdue team. Syracuse losing in stunning fashion to Louisville at home drops the Orange from #2 to #5. Ohio State also makes their first appearance of the year in the top ten. It could be a short ride, though, with two games this week against Purdue and Michigan State.
- In n’ Out. Not much turnover this week with Richmond as the only newcomer replacing Northern Iowa. The Spiders corralled a big road win at Rhode Island last Wednesday while the Panthers fell to Bradley on Saturday. With a win over Old Dominion this upcoming weekend, UNI could be right back in the rankings.
- Variance. Two Texas schools caused some disagreement amongst the pollsters. Red hot Texas A&M came in anywhere from #13 to #23 while flailing Texas was ranked as high as #15 and as low as NR. Michigan State and Kansas State also caused marginal variance at the top with ranks ranging from #7 to #11.
- Conference Call. Big East (5), Big 12 (5), Big 10 (4), SEC (3), ACC (2), MWC (2), A10 (2), WCC (1), Horizon (1).
View Comments (3)
One person not ranking Texas is just plain silly.
I think Baylor is much better than where all you guys have them ranked.
Other than that, very good poll. One thing is clear: there are not many teams worthy of consideration for the top 25. I counted 26 this week, the 25 you have ranked + Northern Iowa. I had Richmond just out and UNI #25.
I completely agree that Baylor is a better team you have them ranked. They have all the ingredients - great length and athleticism in their frontcourt, senior/junior leadership in their backcourt and a dynamic scorer in LaceDarius Dunn.
Brian: It's amazing how after about #13 or 14, teams just seem to want to leave the poll rather than move up. Goodman from Fox said it well earlier in the year when he said that the polls this year have predominantly a race toward the bottom.
Jayhawker: I think we all see loads of talent in Baylor, and I've sort of been touting them since last year...but while they're capable of great things at times, they can lay such eggs at others. With all that experience I think most folks would expect a little more consistency; voters (in this and other polls) want to reward them for doing well in a cutthroat conference and progressing they way they have, but because they've shown a propensity to disappoint, there's some reluctance to put them too high. Fun team to watch, though, and LaceDarius has been a favorite around here for some time.
John Stevens
RTC