RON'S WEEKLY TOP 25 BALLOTS

Top 25 - 04 Nov 8: PRESEASON - [] Column

Five teams that went deep into last year's tournament return intact enough to hit the ground running at that start of this season. The ACC adds two teams, leaving the Pac-10 as the last remaining conference playing a full home-and-home balanced schedule. A new coach (and a new floor) at Stanford headline this year's list of coaching changes. Vegas, baby, is once again where it's at in the preseason.

1. Georgia Tech
2. Oklahoma State
3. Wake Forest
4. Illinois
5. Kansas
6. Duke
7. Pittsburgh
8. Kentucky
9. Connecticut
10. North Carolina
11. Syracuse
12. Texas
13. Michigan State
14. Louisville
15. Wisconsin
16. Mississippi State
17. Gonzaga
18. Arizona
19. Florida
20. Alabama
21. North Carolina State
22. Washington
23. Memphis
24. Michigan
25. Notre Dame

Worth keeping an eye on:

Pacific, South Carolina, Charlotte, Louisiana State, Maryland, Providence, Stanford, Murray State, George Washington, Toledo.

Top 25 - 04 Nov 15 - [] Column

The first weekend of the season was only a handful of on-campus preliminary rounds in preseason tournaments. Nothing happened to affect the Top 25.

1. Georgia Tech
2. Oklahoma State
3. Wake Forest
4. Illinois
5. Kansas
6. Duke
7. Pittsburgh
8. Kentucky
9. Connecticut
10. North Carolina
11. Syracuse (1-0)
12. Texas
13. Michigan State
14. Louisville
15. Wisconsin
16. Mississippi State (2-0)
17. Gonzaga
18. Arizona
19. Florida
20. Alabama
21. North Carolina State
22. Washington
23. Memphis (2-0)
24. Michigan
25. Notre Dame

Top 25 - 04 Nov 22 - [] Column

The experienced Orange of Syracuse beat Mississippi State and Memphis in front of a home-state crowd to win the COACHES VS CANCER CLASSIC. Virginia drubbed Arizona at home. Santa Clara beat a North Carolina team playing without its point guard with help from a supportive crowd in the PETE NEWELL CHALLENGE. N.C. State (BCA INVITATIONAL), Marquette (BCA CLASSIC) and LSU (LOUISIANA CLASSIC) won showcase tournaments in front of the home folk.

1. Georgia Tech (1-0)
2. Oklahoma State (1-0)
3. Wake Forest (2-0)
4. Illinois (2-0)
5. Duke (1-0)
6. Pittsburgh (1-0)
7. Syracuse (3-0)
8. Kentucky (1-0)
9. Connecticut (1-0)
10. Texas (1-0)
11. Michigan State (1-0)
12. Louisville
13. Wisconsin (1-0)
14. Alabama (2-0)
15. Maryland (1-0)
16. North Carolina State (3-0)
17. Mississippi State (4-1)
18. North Carolina (0-1)
19. Kansas (1-0)
20. Charlotte (1-0)
21. Gonzaga (2-0)
22. Florida (1-0)
23. Washington
24. Memphis (3-1)
25. Michigan (3-0)

Honorable Mention:

Virginia (2-0), Santa Clara (2-1), Marquette (4-0), Lousiana State (2-0).

SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2004:

I have had a system crash. As a result, I don’t have access to the distribution list of e-mail addresses of the subscribers to HOOP, LINE AND SINKER.

Until I can recover from the crash, HLS will only be available on the website.

In the meantime, to make sure I have your e-mail address, please re-send it to me at usul@mindspring.com.

Sorry for the inconvenience,

--Ron

Top 25 - 04 Nov 29 - [] Column

UNC looked as good as new – better, in fact – with Raymond Felton back in the lineup, winning in MAUI. Wake Forest got it done in NYC to win the PRESEASON NIT. Washington emerged as the winner in GREAT ALASKA. Southern Illinois won the LAS VEGAS (THANKSGIVING) CLASSIC. Creighton won the GUARDIANS CLASSIC. Arkansas won the PARADISE JAM. Kent State, Old Dominion and host Texas A&M-CC split atop the CORPUS CHRISTI CHALLENGE.

1. North Carolina (4-1)
2. Wake Forest (5-0)
3. Illinois (4-0)
4. Georgia Tech (3-0)
5. Oklahoma State (3-0)
6. Pittsburgh (3-0)
7. Duke (3-0)
8. Syracuse (4-0)
9. Kentucky (3-0)
10. Connecticut (1-0)
11. Maryland (3-0)
12. Michigan State (3-0)
13. North Carolina State (4-0)
14. Iowa (3-1)
15. Washington (3-0)
16. Texas (2-1)
17. Kansas (2-0)
18. Florida (3-0)
19. Virginia (4-0)
20. Arizona (3-2)
21. Mississippi State (4-1)
22. Alabama (3-1)
23. Louisville (1-1)
24. Wisconsin (2-1)
25. Southern Illinois (3-0)

Honorable Mention:

Creighton (5-0), Arkansas (4-0), Pepperdine (4-1), Rutgers (2-0).

MONDAY 6 DECEMBER 2004:

I have been able to recover e-mail addresses from my crashed system (but not the specific distribution list for HOOP, LINE AND SINKER). You should receive this week's column by e-mail today. If you didn't get it, please contact me at usul@mindspring.com.

I'm hoping to get back to normal functionality (for HLS, anyway) by the end of this week.

Sorry for the inconvenience,

-- Ron

Top 25 - 04 Dec 6 - [] Column

The ACC won the CHALLENGE with the Big Ten 7-2, but Illinois' rout of Wake Forest was the most impressive individual result. George Washington stunned Michigan State and Maryland back-to-back to take the BB&T CHALLENGE. In the earliest conference showdown ever, Wisconsin-Milwaukee won at Illinois-Chicago to take control of the Horizon League race.

1. Illinois (6-0)
2. Oklahoma State (5-0)
3. Georgia Tech (5-0)
4. Pittsburgh (5-0)
5. North Carolina (6-1)
6. Syracuse (6-0)
7. Wake Forest (6-1)
8. Duke (5-0)
9. Kansas (4-0)
10. Kentucky (4-1)
11. Connecticut (3-0)
12. North Carolina State (6-0)
13. Iowa (6-1)
14. Texas (4-1)
15. Alabama (5-1)
16. Washington (4-1)
17. George Washington (5-1)
18. Gonzaga (5-1)
19. Virginia (6-0)
20. Arizona (5-2)
21. Wisconsin (4-1)
22. Maryland (4-2)
23. Michigan State (4-2)
24. Louisville (2-1)
25. Mississippi State (5-2)

Honorable Mention:

Miami (Florida) (3-2), Clemson (4-1), Utah State (5-1), Wisconsin-Milwaukee (3-0).

Top 25 - 04 Dec 13 - [] Column

Oklahoma State beat Syracuse in New York at the JIMMY V CLASSIC. Connecticut lost an endplay at Massachusetts in THE U-GAME. Virginia lost at the buzzer at Iowa State. Marquette beat in-state rival Wisconsin. Kent State busted Creighton's bracket on the road.

1. Illinois (9-0)
2. Oklahoma State (7-0)
3. Georgia Tech (6-0)
4. Pittsburgh (7-0)
5. North Carolina (7-1)
6. Wake Forest (6-1)
7. Duke (6-0)
8. Kansas (6-0)
9. Syracuse (7-1)
10. Kentucky (6-1)
11. North Carolina State (7-0)
12. Iowa (8-1)
13. Texas (5-1)
14. Alabama (7-1)
15. Washington (6-1)
16. George Washington (6-1)
17. Gonzaga (7-1)
18. Arizona (6-2)
19. Marquette (8-0)
20. Connecticut (4-1)
21. Maryland (5-2)
22. Louisville (3-1)
23. Michigan State (5-2)
24. Mississippi State (6-2)
25. Cincinnati (6-0)

Honorable Mention:

Massachusetts (3-3), Kent State (6-2).

Top 25 - 04 Dec 20 - [] Column

Gonzaga beat Georgia Tech in the LAS VEGAS SHOWDOWN and Washington edged N.C. State at home as part of a Western Uprising. Wake Forest survived on the road at Temple and at home against Texas. Boston University won at Michigan; Wyoming won at Creighton; New Mexico thumped Tennessee at home.

1. Illinois (10-0)
2. Oklahoma State (8-0)
3. North Carolina (8-1)
4. Wake Forest (9-1)
5. Kentucky (7-1)
6. Syracuse (8-1)
7. Pittsburgh (8-0)
8. Gonzaga (8-1)
9. Washington (7-1)
10. Duke (8-0)
11. Kansas (7-0)
12. Iowa (9-1)
13. Texas (6-2)
14. Alabama (8-1)
15. Virginia (7-1)
16. Arizona (7-2)
17. George Washington (7-1)
18. North Carolina State (8-1)
19. Georgia Tech (7-1)
20. Marquette (8-1)
21. Louisville (4-2)
22. Mississippi State (8-2)
23. Michigan State (6-2)
24. Wisconsin (6-2)
25. Cincinnati (7-0)

Honorable Mention:

Boston University (6-2), Wyoming (5-3), New Mexico (8-1).

Top 25 - 04 Dec 27 - [] Column

Illinois survived its split-crowd BRAGGIN' RIGHTS game with Missouri. Wake Forest survived The Pit in its road win at New Mexico. Pittsburgh couldn't put away Richmond at home (despite gCarl Krauser's career-high). Kansas lost fWayne Simien for 4 weeks to a thumb injury. Auburn was given the SAN JUAN SHOOTOUT crown on a technicality among a three-way tie with Middle Tennessee and Toledo. Illinois-Chicago managed to lose at home to Division II Wisconsin-Parkside.

1. Illinois (11-0)
2. Oklahoma State (8-0)
3. Wake Forest (10-1)
4. North Carolina (9-1)
5. Syracuse (10-1)
6. Kentucky (8-1)
7. Gonzaga (9-1)
8. Washington (9-1)
9. Duke (8-0)
10. Iowa (10-1)
11. Texas (7-2)
12. Alabama (9-1)
13. Georgia Tech (8-1)
14. North Carolina State (9-1)
15. Pittsburgh (9-0)
16. Arizona (8-2)
17. George Washington (8-1)
18. Louisville (6-2)
19. Mississippi State (10-2)
20. Virginia (8-1)
21. Marquette (9-1)
22. Michigan State (7-2)
23. Wisconsin (7-2)
24. Cincinnati (9-0)
25. Kansas (8-0)

Honorable Mention:

West Virginia (8-0), Wichita State (7-0), Boston College (9-0), Auburn (8-4).

Top 25 - 05 Jan 3: PRECONFERENCE - [] Column

Illinois trounced Cincinnati to take the LAS VEGAS CHRISTMAS crown. Gonzaga won on the road against Oklahoma State in the ALL-COLLEGE CLASSIC (but then stumbled at Missouri). Unbeaten West Virginia had its best week of the season, beating George Washington at home and then undermanned N.C. State on the road. Kansas (without its star player) came back from a big deficit at home to win in overtime against Georgia Tech. Wisconsin posted a solid win at home over Alabama. Pittsburgh struggled at home to beat South Carolina and then lost at home to lowly Bucknell. St. John's drubbed N.C. State in front of the home folk to win the ECAC HOLIDAY FESTIVAL.

1. Illinois (13-0)
2. Wake Forest (12-1)
3. North Carolina (12-1)
4. Gonzaga (10-2)
5. Oklahoma State (8-1)
6. Kentucky (9-1)
7. Syracuse (12-1)
8. Washington (11-1)
9. Duke (9-0)
10. Iowa (12-1)
11. West Virginia (10-0)
12. Kansas (9-0)
13. Arizona (11-2)
14. Texas (9-2)
15. Georgia Tech (9-2)
16. Louisville (9-2)
17. Marquette (11-1)
18. Wisconsin (9-2)
19. George Washington (8-2)
20. Pittsburgh (10-1)
21. Mississippi State (11-2)
22. Alabama (10-2)
23. Michigan State (8-2)
24. Maryland (8-2)
25. Connecticut (8-1)

Honorable Mention:

Missouri (6-6), Bucknell (8-4), Saint John's (6-4).

Top 25 - 05 Jan 10 - [] Column

Conference play "upsets" claimed Gonzaga (at St. Mary's), Washington (at UCLA), Iowa (vs Michigan and at Ohio State), West Virginia (at Villanova), Arizona (at Stanford), Louisville (at Houston), Wisconsin (at Indiana), Pittsburgh (vs Georgetown), Alabama (at Vanderbilt) and N.C. State (at Miami(Florida)). Kansas (still without its star player) won ugly at Kentucky. Boston College remained undefeated with wins at Connecticut and vs Providence. Southern Illinois won a big league game at Creighton to take early control of the MVC race. Murray State squeaked by Eastern Kentucky in OT to take the lead in the OVC. Meanwhile, juggernauts North Carolina, Illinois and Wake Forest continue to crush anyone put in their path.

1. Illinois (15-0)
2. North Carolina (13-1)
3. Wake Forest (13-1)
4. Kansas (11-0)
5. Duke (11-0)
6. Gonzaga (11-3)
7. Oklahoma State (10-1)
8. Syracuse (14-1)
9. Georgia Tech (11-2)
10. Kentucky (10-2)
11. Washington (12-2)
12. Texas (11-2)
13. Arizona (12-3)
14. George Washington (10-2)
15. Michigan State (10-2)
16. Cincinnati (12-1)
17. Mississippi State (13-2)
18. Marquette (12-1)
19. Boston College (13-0)
20. West Virginia (11-1)
21. Louisville (10-3)
22. Ohio State (12-3)
23. Wisconsin (10-3)
24. Maryland (9-3)
25. Southern Illinois (11-3)

Honorable Mention:

St. Mary's (12-4), UCLA (9-3), Michigan (10-5), Villanova (8-2), Stanford (6-7), Houston (9-6), Indiana (6-7), Georgetown (9-4), Vanderbilt (11-4), Miami(Florida) (10-3), Murray State (4-5).

Top 25 - 05 Jan 17 - [] Column

Wake Forest beat North Carolina in their one-and-only regular season meeting. Louisville came back from down 17 to win on the road at Cincinnati. Oklahoma beat Connecticut. N.C. State beat Georgia Tech. Massachusetts won at the buzzer in OT at George Washington. LSU whipped South Carolina and outlasted Ohio State in double-OT. Western Michigan, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Vermont also gained control at the top of their conference races.

1. Wake Forest (15-1)
2. Illinois (17-0)
3. North Carolina (14-2)
4. Kansas (13-0)
5. Duke (13-0)
6. Gonzaga (13-3)
7. Oklahoma State (12-1)
8. Syracuse (16-1)
9. Kentucky (12-2)
10. Louisville (12-3)
11. Washington (14-2)
12. Arizona (14-3)
13. Boston College (14-0)
14. Wisconsin (12-3)
15. Michigan State (10-3)
16. Cincinnati (13-2)
17. Mississippi State (14-3)
18. Georgia Tech (11-4)
19. Texas (12-3)
20. George Washington (11-3)
21. Oklahoma (12-2)
22. Florida (11-3)
23. Charlotte (12-2)
24. Alabama (12-3)
25. North Carolina State (11-5)

Honorable Mention:

Massachusetts (8-6), Louisiana State (8-5), Western Michigan (11-3), Wisconsin-Milwaukee (9-4), Vermont (11-3).

Top 25 - 05 Jan 24 - [] Column

Villanova drubbed previously unbeaten Kansas at home after nearly knocking off still undefeated Boston College days earlier on the road. Virginia Tech has sole possession of fourth place in the top-heavy ACC thanks to a couple of one-point wins. Wake Forest set an NCAA record with 50 consecutive free throws over two games (but the miss on No.51 cost them a come-from-behind win at Florida State). Gonzaga (thanks to Richmond) and George Washington (thanks to San Francisco) lost control of their conference races. Oklahoma and Utah filled the power vacuums in their leagues with big wins over depleted rivals while UTEP and Wichita State squeaked their way to semi-control atop theirs.

1. Illinois (18-0)
2. Duke (15-0)
3. Wake Forest (16-2)
4. North Carolina (16-2)
5. Syracuse (18-1)
6. Kentucky (14-2)
7. Louisville (14-3)
8. Washington (15-2)
9. Arizona (16-3)
10. Oklahoma (14-2)
11. Boston College (16-0)
12. Oklahoma State (13-2)
13. Wisconsin (13-3)
14. Kansas (14-1)
15. Alabama (14-3)
16. Michigan State (12-3)
17. Cincinnati (14-3)
18. Gonzaga (14-4)
19. Iowa (14-4)
20. Texas (13-4)
21. Utah (13-3)
22. Pittsburgh (13-3)
23. Mississippi State (15-4)
24. Texas-El Paso (14-3)
25. Wichita State (13-2)

Honorable Mention:

Florida State (10-9), Villanova (10-4), Virginia Tech (10-6), San Francisco (12-6), Richmond (7-9).

Top 25 - 05 Jan 31 - [] Column

Illinois stayed unbeaten by snapping Wisconsin's 38-game home win streak. A healthy Kansas really is better than its incomplete conference rivals. Arizona beat Washington (but then lost to Washington State). Syracuse led by 17 early but then lost at Pittsburgh. Maryland won at Duke. Villanova continued to look like the real thing. A healthy Florida just might be the real thing. Notre Dame showed some inside strength to go with the bombs-away guards.

1. Illinois (20-0)
2. North Carolina (17-2)
3. Wake Forest (17-3)
4. Duke (16-1)
5. Kansas (16-1)
6. Kentucky (16-2)
7. Louisville (16-3)
8. Syracuse (19-2)
9. Boston College (18-0)
10. Arizona (17-4)
11. Washington (16-3)
12. Alabama (16-3)
13. Oklahoma (15-3)
14. Wisconsin (14-4)
15. Maryland (13-5)
16. Michigan State (14-3)
17. Cincinnati (16-3)
18. Gonzaga (15-4)
19. Oklahoma State (14-3)
20. Pittsburgh (14-3)
21. Utah (14-3)
22. Villanova (12-4)
23. Florida (13-4)
24. Iowa (15-5)
25. Notre Dame (13-5)

Honorable Mention:

Pacific (14-2), Wisconsin-Green Bay (14-5), UNC-Greensboro (13-6), Missouri-Kansas City (10-7).

Top 25 - 05 Feb 7 - [] Column

Wake Forest stayed ahead of Duke and held on to win. Louisville took full control of Conference USA with its second win over Cincinnati and a road win at UAB. Gonzaga came back (at home) to beat St. Mary's to regain a share of the WCC lead. Texas Tech was impressive in its road win at Oklahoma. Minnesota's tVincent Grier's one-man show downed Wisconsin. U Miami(Florida) edged Maryland at home in OT. Miami U(Ohio) took control of the mess in the MAC. Meanwhile, Davidson keeps on winning inside the muddy SoCon.

1. Illinois (22-0)
2. Wake Forest (19-3)
3. North Carolina (19-2)
4. Louisville (18-3)
5. Duke (17-2)
6. Kansas (18-1)
7. Kentucky (17-2)
8. Syracuse (20-2)
9. Boston College (20-0)
10. Arizona (19-4)
11. Washington (18-3)
12. Gonzaga (17-4)
13. Oklahoma State (16-3)
14. Michigan State (15-4)
15. Wisconsin (15-5)
16. Alabama (16-4)
17. Oklahoma (16-4)
18. Cincinnati (16-5)
19. Utah (16-3)
20. Pittsburgh (15-4)
21. Connecticut (14-5)
22. Villanova (13-5)
23. Florida (14-5)
24. Charlotte (15-4)
25. Mississippi State (16-6)

Honorable Mention:

Texas Tech (14-5), Minnesota (16-6), Miami(Florida) (14-7), Miami(Ohio) (14-5), Davidson (12-7).

Top 25 - 05 Feb 14 - [] Column

Duke beat North Carolina at home (but then the Blue Devils lost for the second time to Maryland on the road while the Tar Heels bounced back with a solid road win at Connecticut). Notre Dame ended Boston College's run at an undefeated season. Earlier prenounced dead, Memphis is suddenly only one game back in Conference USA after a shocking road blowout at Louisville. George Washington paid back its one serious loss in the Atlantic 10 with a home rout of Richmond. Boston U (over Vermont), Pacific (at Utah State) and Nevada (over UTEP) all won tight conference showdowns against their top rivals.

1. Illinois (24-0)
2. Wake Forest (21-3)
3. North Carolina (20-3)
4. Duke (18-3)
5. Kansas (20-1)
6. Kentucky (19-2)
7. Syracuse (21-3)
8. Boston College (20-1)
9. Arizona (21-4)
10. Gonzaga (19-4)
11. Oklahoma State (18-3)
12. Louisville (19-4)
13. Michigan State (17-4)
14. Washington (19-4)
15. Alabama (18-4)
16. Pittsburgh (17-4)
17. Connecticut (15-6)
18. Utah (18-3)
19. Maryland (15-7)
20. Wisconsin (16-6)
21. Notre Dame (14-7)
22. Florida (15-6)
23. Charlotte (17-4)
24. George Washington (15-5)
25. Mississippi State (17-6)

Honorable Mention:

Memphis (15-10), Oregon State (14-9), DePaul (16-5), Boston University (18-5), Pacific (18-2), Nevada (18-5), Pennsylvania (14-7).

Top 25 - 05 Feb 21 - [] Column

After dropping an embarrassing road loss at Virginia Tech, Duke responded with a convincing home win over Wake Forest. Boston College won a tough game over Syracuse to solidify its lead in the Big East. Kansas dropped a couple of overtime games (on the road at Texas Tech and at home to Iowa State) to fall into a first-place tie with Oklahoma State in the Big 12 race. Villanova beat Pittsburgh; South Carolina shocked Kentucky at home (but then was rolled on the road at Alabama); LSU won at Mississippi State and then edged Florida at home. In BRACKET BUSTER games, Nevada beat Vermont (behind cNick Fazekas' great performance), Pacific beat UTEP, Miami(Ohio) beat Wichita State, Akron beat Niagara, Oral Roberts won at SW Missouri State, and Creighton buried 20 three-pointers to rout Chattanooga.

1. Illinois (26-0)
2. North Carolina (22-3)
3. Boston College (22-1)
4. Duke (19-4)
5. Wake Forest (22-4)
6. Arizona (23-4)
7. Kentucky (20-3)
8. Oklahoma State (19-3)
9. Kansas (20-3)
10. Syracuse (21-5)
11. Gonzaga (21-4)
12. Michigan State (19-4)
13. Alabama (20-4)
14. Louisville (21-4)
15. Washington (20-4)
16. Villanova (17-5)
17. Pittsburgh (18-5)
18. Connecticut (17-6)
19. Utah (20-3)
20. Notre Dame (16-7)
21. Cincinnati (19-6)
22. Pacific (20-2)
23. Charlotte (19-4)
24. George Washington (17-5)
25. Florida (16-7)

Honorable Mention:

Virginia Tech (14-10), Iowa State (15-8), South Carolina (14-9), Louisiana State (15-8), Nevada (18-5), Miami(Ohio) (16-6), Akron (16-7), Oral Roberts (16-5), Creighton (17-10).

Top 25 - 05 Feb 28 - [] Column

Kansas edged Oklahoma State at home in the Big 12 showdown. Kentucky earned the SEC title with great shooting on the road at Alabama. Washington stayed in the hunt in the Pac-10 with a home win over Arizona. Southern Illinois wrapped up the MVC title with a home win over Wichita State. Holy Cross blitzed Bucknell to take the Patriot title. Rider needed OT to pull out the home win over Niagara and claim a share of the MAAC title. The second time (and a home crowd) was the charm for Villanova over Boston College and a healthy New Mexico over Utah. UCLA went on the road and handled Notre Dame in a statement for the West Coast. Davidson finished the SoCon race undefeated.

1. Illinois (27-0)
2. North Carolina (24-3)
3. Wake Forest (23-4)
4. Kentucky (22-3)
5. Boston College (23-2)
6. Kansas (21-4)
7. Duke (21-4)
8. Gonzaga (22-4)
9. Washington (22-4)
10. Arizona (24-5)
11. Oklahoma State (19-5)
12. Syracuse (23-5)
13. Villanova (19-6)
14. Connecticut (19-6)
15. Alabama (20-6)
16. Oklahoma (20-6)
17. Michigan State (20-5)
18. Louisville (22-4)
19. Cincinnati (21-6)
20. Charlotte (21-4)
21. Pacific (21-2)
22. Pittsburgh (18-7)
23. Florida (18-7)
24. Utah (21-4)
25. Wisconsin (18-7)

Honorable Mention:

Indiana (14-11), Louisiana State (17-8), New Mexico (19-6), UCLA (16-9), Southern Illinois (23-6), Holy Cross (22-5), Davidson (17-7), Rider (17-10).

Top 25 - 05 Mar 7: PRETOURNAMENT - [] Column

Ohio State ended Illinois' undefeated run with a killer three-pointer straight out of Hoosiers. Stanford stopped Washington's bid for a share of the Pac-10 title with a big home win. North Carolina needed an 11-0 run at the end to escape with a home win over Duke. An injury caused Kansas to stumble on the road at Missouri, handing the Big 12 title to Oklahoma. Florida's seniors finally got a win over Kentucky. Preseason darlings Oklahoma State and Syracuse are moving in the wrong direction at the worst time in the season. St. Joseph's handled George Washington on the road, claiming the Atlantic 10 title in the process. Chattanooga won the Southern Conference tournament on its home floor (after UNC-Greensboro gave Davidson its first conference loss in the semifinals). Central Florida finally got things back in balance at the end of the season, claiming a share of the Atlantic Sun title and winning the conference tournament as well, both at the expense of Gardner-Webb.

1. Illinois (28-1)
2. North Carolina (26-3)
3. Wake Forest (25-4)
4. Duke (22-5)
5. Kentucky (23-4)
6. Boston College (24-3)
7. Kansas (22-5)
8. Arizona (25-5)
9. Connecticut (21-6)
10. Gonzaga (23-4)
11. Washington (23-5)
12. Oklahoma (22-6)
13. Louisville (24-4)
14. Michigan State (22-5)
15. Villanova (21-6)
16. Alabama (22-6)
17. Pittsburgh (20-7)
18. Oklahoma State (20-6)
19. Syracuse (23-6)
20. Cincinnati (23-6)
21. Florida (20-7)
22. Pacific (23-2)
23. Wisconsin (20-7)
24. Utah (22-4)
25. Charlotte (21-6)

Honorable Mention:

Ohio State (19-10), Missouri (15-15), Stanford (16-11), St. Joseph's (17-10), UNC-Greensboro (18-11), Chattanooga (17-10), Central Florida (21-8).