We are now in the home stretch, of the regular season, at least. With conference tournaments right around the corner, some beginning as early as this week, teams looking to make a statement win for seeding purposes come March and others looking to ensure that their bubble doesn’t pop are running out of time. As for this week’s poll, it is status quo at the top with Kentucky and Syracuse checking in at #1 and #2, respectively. Wichita State continues to dazzle and has entered the Top 10 for the first time this year, while Indiana rejoins the Top 25 after being on the outside last week. The Quick ‘n Dirty after the jump…
QnD Analysis:
- High Risers and Big Droppers —Although Indiana had a fairly easy week as they hosted North Carolina Central in a rare non-conference game and traveled to Minnesota, the Hoosiers took care of business and bolstered their overall record to 22-7. With the two wins, coupled with losses from several teams ranked just ahead of them, Indiana is now back in the Top 25 as they jumped five spots to #21. Meanwhile, New Mexico had a week they would like to soon forget. Fresh off of consecutive wins against UNLV and San Diego State, the Lobos laid two eggs against Colorado State and TCU. The Mountain West is becoming increasingly difficult to figure out by the week. Just when New Mexico looked like the frontrunner, they have now come back to the pack. Needless to say, this will still likely be a three bid league — UNLV, San Diego State, and New Mexico — but the ups and downs of all three teams has to be of some concern.
- Where to rank Florida? — Once again, Florida is a real enigma to our eight pollsters, and the Gators did not help their cause by losing handily at a very young Georgia team, 76-62. Florida is ranked in the mid-teens (#14-#16) by five of our pollsters, but are then ranked below #20 by three others. In fact, Florida is unranked in one poll, and it is easy to see why this is the case. The Gators have a very challenging week ahead as they travel to Vanderbilt and then play host to #1 Kentucky. It is time for Billy Donovan’s squad to start living up to expectations.
- Once again, No Pac-12 — Not only is there not a soul from the Pac-12 in the Top 25, but no team garnered even a single vote. Will this be a multi-bid league? Maybe, but only because teams on the bubble seem to be weaker than prior years.
- Wichita State Enters Top 10 — The Shockers’ fine play has not gone unnoticed as they have made their way into the Top 10 for the first time all year. Having only lost one game in 2012, Wichita State is the clear frontrunner in the Missouri Valley and, assuming they run through the Valley tournament unscathed, are looking at a #3 or #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their offense is extremely balanced and potent as six players average better than eight points per game.
- One new face — Not exactly a new face, but new this week at least, is Indiana. It has been a bumpy road for Tom Crean’s bunch during conference play, but they will have an opportunity to end on a high note if they can score wins against Michigan State and Purdue to close out the regular reason.
Top 25 Games of the Week:
Major tests for Michigan State and Georgetown this week prior to conference tournament action as both teams do battle with multiple Top 25 teams. Sparty has the unenviable task of traveling to Indiana and Ohio State, while the Hoyas host Notre Dame then travel out to Marquette. If Michigan State picks up two wins — no easy task —Izzo & Co. have a very realistic shot at picking up a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
SEC
- #1 Kentucky at #17 Florida
Big East
- #22 Louisville at #2 Syracuse
- #11 Georgetown at #8 Marquette
- #18 Notre Dame at #11 Georgetown
Big Ten
- #4 Michigan State at #21 Indiana
- #4 Michigan State at #9 Ohio State
ACC
- #5 North Carolina at #7 Duke
Also Receiving Votes—A total of eight teams comprise the “ARV” category this week with Creighton and San Diego State teetering on the edge of cracking the Top 25.
Conference Call— Big East (5), Big Ten (5), ACC (3), Big 12 (3), West Coast (2), Mountain West (2), SEC (2), Missouri Valley (1), Ohio Valley (1), Atlantic 10 (1)