RON'S WEEKLY TOP 25 BALLOTS
(2007-08 SEASON)

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Top 25 - 07 Nov 5: PRESEASON - [] Column

Last year's Team For The Ages and not one Golden Child, but two are gone. We're left behind with more ordinary goodness. A new crop of GC's is here, some stepping into better ready-made situations than there were last year. The gap between the BCS conferences and the "mid-majors" is expanding, so don't look for as many great runs like some teams were able to make last year to happen again this time around. The Pac 10 is headed for its strongest season maybe ever. (This is what the ACC used to be before expansion/dilution.)

  1. UCLA
  2. Kansas
  3. Memphis
  4. Tennessee
  5. Georgetown
  6. North Carolina
  7. Oregon
  8. Michigan State
  9. Washington State
  10. Indiana
  11. Marquette
  12. Louisville
  13. Pittsburgh
  14. Texas
  15. Kentucky
  16. Texas A&M
  17. Duke
  18. Syracuse
  19. Southern California
  20. Ohio State
  21. Butler
  22. Gonzaga
  23. North Carolina State
  24. Clemson
  25. Davidson

Worth keeping an eye on:
Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham, Arizona, Arkansas, Bradley, Florida, George Mason, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Saint Joseph's, Southern Illinois, Stanford, Virginia Commonwealth, Washington, Xavier.

Top 25 - 07 Nov 12 - [] Column

The Atlantic Sun had its moment in the ... well ... sun with three big wins: waterbug Gardner Webb shocked Kentucky in Rupp Arena in a rout, Mercer routed USC (despite 32p from its Golden Child), and even Belmont went on the road to best Cincinnati. San Diego State claimed an Unwelcome Guest WV CLASSIC win (over host Fresno State); Stanford beat UC-Santa Barbara to take the BTI-WEST at home; and Pittsburgh won the HISPANIC FUND-EAST (over St. Louis). Illinois-Chicago beat Bradley; Weber State beat in-state rival Utah State; Ohio University beat New Mexico State; and UNC-Greensboro beat Georgia Tech on the road.

  1. UCLA (1-0)
  2. Kansas (2-0)
  3. Memphis (2-0)
  4. Tennessee (1-0)
  5. Georgetown (1-0)
  6. North Carolina
  7. Oregon (2-0)
  8. Washington State (1-0)
  9. Indiana
  10. Marquette (1-0)
  11. Louisville
  12. Pittsburgh (2-0) [3vHISP-EAST]
  13. Texas
  14. Texas A&M (1-0)
  15. Duke
  16. Syracuse
  17. Ohio State
  18. Michigan State
  19. Butler (1-0)
  20. Gonzaga (1-0)
  21. North Carolina State
  22. Clemson
  23. Davidson
  24. Gardner-Webb (2-0)
  25. Mercer (1-0)

Honorable Mention:
San Diego State (3-0) [2@WV-C], Stanford (3-0) [3vBTI-WEST], IL-Chicago (1-0), Weber State (1-0), Ohio University (1-0), UNC-Greensboro (1-0).

Top 25 - 07 Nov 19 - [] Column

The "JV" teams had a solid week, breaking through over higher profile competitors who were supposed to to win some of the preseason tournaments. Memphis wasn't overwhelming but still won COLLEGE HOOPS/CVC. Oregon finished off its home showcase WV INVITATIONAL. New look Florida won the 5-team/4-round showcase BLUE RIBBON. Miami(Florida) won the 8-team bracket in PUERTO RICO (past Arkansas, VCU and Houston). Rhode Island was undefeated in the 8-team/4-game merry-go-round GLENN WILKES (ahead of UAB). Colorado State squeaked by to win the 8-team bracket TOP OF THE WORLD. New Orleans won at the buzzer at N.C. State; Virginia won at Arizona; Siena won at home over Stanford.

  1. UCLA (2-0)
  2. Kansas (2-0)
  3. Memphis (4-0) [2v*2:COLLEGE HOOPS/CVC]
  4. Georgetown (2-0)
  5. North Carolina (2-0)
  6. Oregon (4-0) [3vWV-I]
  7. Louisville (2-0)
  8. Tennessee (2-0)
  9. Washington State (2-0)
  10. Indiana (1-0)
  11. Pittsburgh (3-0)
  12. Michigan State (2-0)
  13. Syracuse (3-0)
  14. Duke (1-0)
  15. Texas (2-0)
  16. Gonzaga (3-0)
  17. Ohio State (2-0)
  18. Marquette (1-0)
  19. Texas A&M (3-0)
  20. Butler (3-0)
  21. Clemson (3-0)
  22. Southern Illinois (1-0)
  23. Brigham Young (3-0)
  24. Kansas State (2-0)
  25. Florida (2-0) [4vBLUE RIBBON]

Honorable Mention:
New Orleans (2-0), Virginia (3-0), Miami(Florida) (4-0) [3:PUERTO RICO], Rhode Island (5-0) [v3:GLENN WILKES], Colorado State (3-1) [3:TOP WORLD], Siena (2-2).

Top 25 - 07 Nov 26 - [] Column

In a week full of quality clashes, most everyone showed their dents of vulnerability. The "Year After Rule" is in full effect for Texas, which routed Tennessee to win the LEGENDS CLASSIC. Texas A&M devastated the field in New York to take the NIT SEASON TIP-OFF over Washington and solid Ohio State. USC flashed its abundant talent in edging tough Miami(Ohio) and humbling Southern Illinois to claim the ANAHEIM CLASSIC. Xavier forced GC-led Indiana to play catch-up and cruised to victory in the CHICAGO INVITATIONAL final. North Carolina (after losing its point guard) held off a strong physical challenge from mature BYU (which had taken out Louisville) to win the LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING INVITATIONAL. UCLA (minus its point guard) closed 10-0 to comeback to win the CBE/GUARDIANS CLASSIC over game Michigan State. Duke toughed it out at the end of a tight game with Marquette to win MAUI. N.C. State edged Villanova in the OS final. Vanderbilt beat Bradley to win SOUTH PADRE. Seton Hall surprised Virginia to win in PHILLY. Butler claimed GREAT ALASKA (over Texas Tech). Baylor took the PARADISE JAM (over Winthrop). Kansas edged Arizona in OT (in the name of the BIG 12). St. Mary's shocked Oregon at home. Florida State shocked young Florida on the road.

  1. North Carolina (5-0) [2v2:LAS VEGAS-THANX]
  2. UCLA (5-0) [2v*2:CBE/GUARDIANS]
  3. Kansas (4-0)
  4. Memphis (5-0)
  5. Texas (4-0) [2v*2:LEGENDS]
  6. Texas A&M (5-0) [2v*2:NIT TIP-OFF]
  7. Duke (5-0) [3:MAUI]
  8. BYU (5-1)
  9. Georgetown (3-0)
  10. Pittsburgh (4-0)
  11. Xavier (4-1) [2v2:CHICAGO]
  12. USC (5-1) [3:ANAHEIM]
  13. Washington State (6-0) [3vHISP-WEST]
  14. Louisville (4-1)
  15. Ohio State (4-1)
  16. Vanderbilt (5-0) [2v2:SOUTH PADRE]
  17. Syracuse (4-1)
  18. Oregon (5-1)
  19. Marquette (2-1)
  20. Tennessee (4-1)
  21. Butler (6-0) [3:GREAT ALASKA]
  22. Saint Mary's (3-0)
  23. Clemson (4-0)
  24. Michigan State (4-1)
  25. Indiana (3-1)

Honorable Mention:
N.C. State (4-1) [3:OS], Seton Hall (5-0) [2v2:PHILLY], Baylor (5-0) [3:PARADISE JAM], Florida State (5-2).

Top 25 - 07 Dec 3 - [] Column

The ACC routed the BIG 10 8-3 in their annual CHALLENGE as North Carolina won at Ohio State; Duke whacked Wisconsin at home as did Michigan State to N.C. State; while home-game hustle helped Indiana get past Georgia Tech, Clemson over Purdue, Maryland over Illinois, and Penn State over Virginia Tech. Boston College won its challenge at Michigan, but lost in OT to old rival Providence at the HALL OF FAME. The BIG 12 and PAC-10 were 6-6 in 12 games (but only 11 were officially part of their HARDWOOD SERIES) as Texas got the game-winning putback dunk to win at UCLA; Arizona came back at home from 20 points down to win going away over rough Texas A&M; Oregon won in OT at young and gifted Kansas State; Washington State survived on the road at Baylor; Oklahoma State big over Washington, USC over Oklahoma, and California over Missouri all won at home. (Kansas edged young and gifted USC on the road outside the official challenge.) Butler trailed by 10 at the half, but blew out Ohio State 45-16 in the second half in front of the home folk. Dayton squeaked by at both Miami(Ohio) and Holy Cross; East Carolina shocked George Mason at BB&T; Hampton knocked off VCU at home; and North Texas was an Unwelcome Guest winner over host New Mexico State to take the LOU HENSON crown.

  1. Texas (6-0)
  2. North Carolina (7-0)
  3. Kansas (6-0)
  4. Memphis (6-0)
  5. UCLA (6-1)
  6. Duke (7-0)
  7. BYU (6-1)
  8. Georgetown (5-0)
  9. Pittsburgh (6-0)
  10. Xavier (6-1)
  11. Texas A&M (6-1)
  12. Butler (7-0)
  13. Oregon (6-1)
  14. Washington State (7-0)
  15. Vanderbilt (7-0)
  16. Louisville (5-1)
  17. St. Mary's (4-0)
  18. USC (6-2)
  19. Michigan State (6-1)
  20. Tennessee (6-1)
  21. Marquette (3-1)
  22. Gonzaga (7-1)
  23. Virginia (6-1)
  24. Arizona (4-2)
  25. Indiana (5-1)

Honorable Mention:
Dayton (5-1), East Carolina (1-4), Hampton (4-3), North Texas (3-1) [2@HENSON].

Top 25 - 07 Dec 10 - [] Column

UCLA, Kansas and Washington welcomed back key guards who've been out with old injuries (while Indiana's GC guard sat with a new one). Memphis survived its toughest obstacle on its quest for an undefeated season, escaping in OT over USC (at JIMMY V). Washington State shut down Gonzaga in its own building; Michigan State came back from an early deficit to upend BYU in Salt Lake City. The SEC had the BIG EAST down in three of four games in their inaugural INVITATIONAL, but only South Carolina was able to hold off Providence (as Georgetown came back to beat Alabama, and Villanova stormed back to edge LSU in Philadelphia); West Virginia clobbered Auburn to make it 3-1 for the Easterners (and 3-1 for the visitors as well). Notre Dame handled young Kansas State (at JIMMY V); UCLA turned it around on Davidson and St. Mary's held off San Diego State (both at the JOHN WOODEN CLASSIC). Arizona (confirmed to be without Lute Olson all season) came back again to win at Illinois; Dayton won at Louisville; Rhode Island won at Syracuse; Clemson found its shooter. Wright State beat nemesis Butler again; Kent State trounced George Mason; Charlotte knocked off Davidson and Southern Illinois; Holy Cross won at St. Joseph's; and, this week, East Carolina beat N.C. State.

  1. Texas (8-0)
  2. North Carolina (8-0)
  3. Kansas (8-0)
  4. Memphis (7-0)
  5. Duke (8-0)
  6. UCLA (7-1)
  7. Washington State (9-0)
  8. Georgetown (7-0)
  9. Pittsburgh (8-0)
  10. Michigan State (8-1)
  11. Xavier (7-1)
  12. BYU (7-2)
  13. Texas A&M (7-1)
  14. Oregon (7-1)
  15. Butler (8-1)
  16. St. Mary's (5-0)
  17. Tennessee (7-1)
  18. Indiana (7-1)
  19. Arizona (5-2)
  20. Dayton (7-1)
  21. Rhode Island (10-1)
  22. Marquette (4-1)
  23. Clemson (7-0)
  24. Vanderbilt (9-0)
  25. West Virginia (6-1)

Honorable Mention:
Wright State (3-2), Notre Dame (7-2), Kent State (7-2), Charlotte (6-2), Holy Cross (7-1), East Carolina (4-5).

Top 25 - 07 Dec 17 - [] Column

Young host Arizona State blitzed slumping Xavier. Nebraska struck an unofficial blow for the BIG 12 over the PAC-10 as it edged visiting Oregon in OT. Southern Illinois walloped visiting St. Mary's (but then fell on the road at St. Louis). With their backcourts getting healthy, Kansas (big over Ohio University) and UCLA look to have their muscle-and-flow styles firing on all cylinders, as does Pittsburgh (big over Oklahoma State) as well.

  1. Texas (9-0)
  2. North Carolina (9-0)
  3. Kansas (9-0)
  4. Memphis (8-0)
  5. Duke (8-0)
  6. UCLA (8-1)
  7. Washington State (9-0)
  8. Georgetown (8-0)
  9. Pittsburgh (9-0)
  10. Michigan State (9-1)
  11. BYU (9-2)
  12. Texas A&M (8-1)
  13. Butler (9-1)
  14. Tennessee (8-1)
  15. Indiana (8-1)
  16. Arizona (6-2)
  17. Dayton (8-1)
  18. Oregon (8-2)
  19. Rhode Island (10-1)
  20. Marquette (5-1)
  21. Clemson (7-0)
  22. Vanderbilt (10-0)
  23. West Virginia (7-1)
  24. Baylor (6-1)
  25. Gonzaga (8-2)

Honorable Mention:
Arizona State (7-2), Nebraska (8-2).

Top 25 - 07 Dec 24 - [] Column

Some big Top-10 matchups launched spores that will eventually determine top seeds come March. Michigan State beat Texas in the SPARTAN CLASH; Memphis ran past Georgetown at home; and Pittsburgh edged Duke in overtime at the AP CLASSIC in New York, NY. Stanford beat Texas Tech in Dallas in the final game of the BIG 12/PAC-10 HARDWOOD SERIES (as the PAC-10 won it 7-5). Mississippi edged Clemson to take the SAN JUAN crown; St. Mary's bested Ohio University to take the RAINBOW CLASSIC in Honolulu; Alabama won going away to take LAS VEGAS-THANKSGIVING. Oakland surprised Oregon; Oklahoma edged Gonzaga in the ALL-COLLEGE CLASSIC in Oklahoma City; and Tennessee won at Xavier.

  1. North Carolina (11-0)
  2. Kansas (11-0)
  3. Memphis (10-0)
  4. Michigan State (11-1)
  5. Texas (10-1)
  6. UCLA (10-1)
  7. Pittsburgh (10-0)
  8. Duke (9-1)
  9. Washington State (11-0)
  10. Georgetown (8-1)
  11. BYU (10-2)
  12. Texas A&M (10-1)
  13. Butler (10-1)
  14. Tennessee (10-1)
  15. Indiana (9-1)
  16. Arizona (8-2)
  17. Marquette (7-1)
  18. West Virginia (9-1)
  19. Mississippi (11-0) [3:SAN JUAN]
  20. Dayton (10-1)
  21. Stanford (10-1)
  22. Baylor (8-1)
  23. Miami(Florida) (10-0)
  24. Vanderbilt (11-0)
  25. Rhode Island (11-1)

Honorable Mention:
Oakland (6-6), Oklahoma (9-3), St. Mary's (8-1) [3:RAINBOW], Alabama (9-3) [2v2:LAS VEGAS-XMAS].

Top 25 - 07 Dec 31: PRECONFERENCE - [] Column

In the big picture, the V-taper outline of the quality teams shows how overstuffed the major conferences are this year (and how thin the mid-majors have come through the preseason). In particular, the Atlantic 10 made a major statement. The preseason tournament winners were almost all major-conference teams with only a few Unwelcome Guest wins at the expense of 1BC hosts. North Carolina, Kansas and Memphis have inside tracks on top seeds already (with the Tigers set up to make a real go at an undefeated regular season). UCLA, Michigan State, Duke and Washington State all came through with hardly a blemish on their reputations as well.

On the week, Wisconsin's buzzer-beater win at Texas finally legitimized its paper rating. Dayton blew away depleted Pittsburgh. Boise State surprised BYU. Memphis handled undermanned Arizona. Oklahoma won in double-OT at West Virginia. Visiting Winthrop handed Miami(Florida) its first loss.

  1. North Carolina (13-0) [2v2:LAS VEGAS-THANKS]
  2. Kansas (12-0)
  3. Memphis (11-0) [2v*2:COLLEGE HOOPS/CVC]
  4. UCLA (11-1) [2v*2:CBE/GUARDIANS]
  5. Michigan State (12-1)
  6. Duke (9-1) [3:MAUI]
  7. Washington State (12-0)
  8. Texas (10-2) [2v*2:LEGENDS]
  9. Pittsburgh (10-1)
  10. Marquette (8-1)
  11. Wisconsin (10-2)
  12. Texas A&M (11-1) [2v*2:NIT TIP-OFF]
  13. Tennessee (11-1)
  14. Butler (11-1) [3:GREAT ALASKA]
  15. Dayton (11-1)
  16. Georgetown (9-1)
  17. Indiana (10-1)
  18. St. Mary's (10-1) [3:RAINBOW]
  19. Mississippi (12-0) [3:SAN JUAN]
  20. Vanderbilt (12-0) [2v2:SOUTH PADRE]
  21. Xavier (9-3) [2v2:CHICAGO]
  22. Rhode Island (13-1) [2v2:GLENN WILKES], [2@ISLANDER]
  23. Baylor (9-1) [3:PARADISE JAM]
  24. Miami(Florida) (10-1) [3:PUERTO RICO]
  25. USC (9-3) [3vANAHEIM]

Honorable Mention:
Seton Hall (8-3) [2v2:PHILLY],
N.C. State (9-3) [3:OS],
Alabama (9-3) [2v2:LAS VEGAS-XMAS],
Colorado State (5-7) [3:TOP-WORLD],
Niagara (8-3) [2@CABLE CAR],
San Diego State (9-3) [3@WV-C],
Wright State (8-3) [2@DP],
North Texas (9-3) [2@LOU HENSON],
Stephen F. Austin (8-1) [2@SMU-NEW YRS],
Alabama State (1-5) [2@SMU TIP-OFF],
Colgate (7-5) [2@100-C].

Top 25 - 08 Jan 7 - [] Column

Primary results in conference play already have some teams out in front with important wins. North Carolina needed a three-point-buzzer-beater in OT to survive undefeated at tough Clemson. In the powerful Pac-10, UCLA won two big road games at Stanford and California (while USC fell twice at same), Washington State escaped at Washington, and Oregon managed a road split (losing at young Arizona State, winning at undermanned Arizona). Notre Dame had impressive home wins over West Virginia and Connecticut; and Villanova edged Pittsburgh. Cal State-Northridge won at UC-Santa Barbara to get the jump on the Big West; South Alabama edged Western Kentucky to take early control of the Sun Belt; and Akron beat Miami(Ohio) to get out front in the MAC. Drake, Illinois State and Indiana State are the new sheriffs in MVC-Town.

Out of conference, Texas pounded St. Mary's; Xavier went wild beyond the arc in three blowouts (Kansas State Virginia, and at Auburn); Arkansas beat Baylor in Dallas; and Vanderbilt rallied at home to stay undefeated against tough Massachusetts.

  1. North Carolina (15-0)
  2. Kansas (13-0)
  3. Memphis (13-0)
  4. UCLA (13-1)
  5. Michigan State (13-1)
  6. Duke (10-1)
  7. Washington State (13-0)
  8. Texas (12-2)
  9. Texas A&M (13-1)
  10. Wisconsin (12-2)
  11. Tennessee (11-1)
  12. Butler (12-1)
  13. Xavier (12-3)
  14. Vanderbilt (15-0)
  15. Dayton (12-1)
  16. Georgetown (11-1)
  17. Marquette (9-2)
  18. Pittsburgh (11-2)
  19. Oklahoma (11-3)
  20. Notre Dame (11-2)
  21. West Virginia (10-3)
  22. Indiana (11-1)
  23. Rhode Island (14-1)
  24. Mississippi (13-0)
  25. Clemson (10-2)

Honorable Mention:
Villanova (11-2), Arkansas (11-3), Stanford (12-2), California (9-3), Oregon (10-4), Arizona State (11-2), Cal State-Northridge (10-3), South Alabama (10-3), Akron (11-3), Drake (12-1), Illinois State (11-3), Indiana State (8-5).

Top 25 - 08 Jan 14 - [] Column

The potholes on the road of conference play caught several teams great and small. Three more unbeatens fell as host UCLA brought Washington State back to reality (and took control of the Pac-10 at the same time); Tennessee needed its best and a game-winning jumper to hand visiting Mississippi its first loss; and Kentucky finally made a positive impression with a double-OT win over previously unblemished Vanderbilt. Elsewhere, Michigan State (at Iowa) and Texas (at Missouri) stumbled unexpectedly away from home; Notre Dame (at Marquette) and West Virginia (at Louisville) fell more predicatbly. Dayton beat Rhode Island, GC Kansas State won at Oklahoma, young Arizona State edged undermanned Arizona in OT, Oregon beat California and Stanford, and Cincinnati beat Syracuse and Villanova in key early conference games. Charlotte won at Clemson out of conference.

  1. North Carolina (17-0)
  2. Kansas (15-0)
  3. Memphis (15-0)
  4. UCLA (15-1)
  5. Duke (12-1)
  6. Tennessee (13-1)
  7. Georgetown (13-1)
  8. Wisconsin (13-2)
  9. Texas A&M (14-1)
  10. Xavier (14-3)
  11. Dayton (14-1)
  12. Washington State (14-1)
  13. Marquette (11-2)
  14. Michigan State (14-2)
  15. Texas (12-3)
  16. Pittsburgh (13-2)
  17. Butler (15-1)
  18. Indiana (13-1)
  19. Mississippi (14-1)
  20. Arizona State (12-2)
  21. St. Mary's (12-2)
  22. Oregon (12-4)
  23. Kansas State (9-4)
  24. Vanderbilt (16-1)
  25. Drake (11-1)

Honorable Mention:
Iowa (8-9), Missouri (11-5), Kentucky (7-7), Charlotte (10-5), Cincinnati (8-8).

Top 25 - 08 Jan 21 - [] Column

Youth made notice that it shall be served as GC USC pulled a shocker thumping UCLA on the road and GC Kansas State routed tumbling Texas A&M. Maryland finally gave North Carolina the loss it's been trying to give away with a stunning endplay win in Chapel Hill. Tennessee routed Vanderbilt and held off young Ohio State, both at home. Pittsburgh-lite still beat Georgetown at home (but lost to surprising Cincinnati on the road). One-man-team Stanford beat Arizona and Arizona State at home. Massachusetts entered the mix in the Atlantic 10 with a road win at Dayton (while Temple drubbed visiting Xavier). Villanova beat DePaul and won at GC Syracuse. Cleveland State took control of the Horizon by edging Butler. VCU beat Delaware to secure the lead in the Colonial. Davidson wiped up its Southern competition. Utah State edged Boise State to lead the weak WAC. Akron remained unbeaten in the MAC. Oral Roberts squeaked by IUPUI to lead the Summit.

  1. Kansas (17-0)
  2. Memphis (17-0)
  3. Duke (14-1)
  4. Tennessee (15-1)
  5. UCLA (15-2)
  6. North Carolina (18-1)
  7. Washington State (16-1)
  8. Wisconsin (15-2)
  9. Pittsburgh (14-3)
  10. Georgetown (14-2)
  11. Michigan State (16-2)
  12. Texas (13-3)
  13. Indiana (15-1)
  14. Kansas State (10-4)
  15. Stanford (15-3)
  16. West Virginia (13-4)
  17. Mississippi (15-2)
  18. Xavier (15-4)
  19. Massachusetts (13-4)
  20. Villanova (13-3)
  21. Gonzaga (14-4)
  22. St. Mary's (13-2)
  23. Dayton (14-2)
  24. Baylor (14-2)
  25. USC (11-6)

Honorable Mention:
Maryland (12-7), Cincinnati (9-9), Temple (8-8), Cleveland State (12-5), VCU (12-4), Davidson (8-6), Utah State (11-5), Akron (12-3), Oral Roberts (9-5).

Top 25 - 08 Jan 28 - [] Column

The YounGuns continued to assert themselves as Purdue knocked Wisconsin out of first place in the Big 10, and Florida routed Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, GC Kansas State turned in two more blowouts to remain undefeated in the Big 12 while GC USC won twice on the road in the tough Pac-10. Kentucky knocked Tennessee down a peg. Lowly Rutgers beat Villanova and won at Pittsburgh as well. Gonzaga couldn't derail the Memphis juggernaut. UCLA's cKevin Love had two Player of the Year-calibre games. Xavier handled its two big Atlantic 10 rivals, routing Dayton and winning at Massachusetts. Mississippi State shut down Mississippi to stay unbeated in the SEC. Undermanned Connecticut went inside to win at Indiana. Baylor went five overtimes before winning at Texas A&M. Kent State beat Akron. Sam Houston State edged Stephen F. Austin.

  1. Kansas (19-0)
  2. Memphis (19-0)
  3. Duke (16-1)
  4. UCLA (17-2)
  5. North Carolina (19-1)
  6. Georgetown (16-2)
  7. Washington State (17-2)
  8. Michigan State (18-2)
  9. Texas (15-3)
  10. Tennessee (16-2)
  11. Xavier (17-4)
  12. Kansas State (12-4)
  13. Stanford (16-3)
  14. Wisconsin (16-3)
  15. USC (13-6)
  16. Arizona (13-6)
  17. Notre Dame (13-4)
  18. Pittsburgh (15-4)
  19. West Virginia (13-5)
  20. Mississippi State (14-5)
  21. St. Mary's (15-2)
  22. Connecticut (14-5)
  23. Indiana (16-2)
  24. Butler (18-2)
  25. Drake (15-1)

Honorable Mention:
Kentucky (9-9), Purdue (15-5), Rutgers (10-11), Florida (15-3), Kent State (15-4), Sam Houston State (11-3).

Top 25 - 08 Feb 4: MIDCONFERENCE - [] Column

Kansas State beat resistible force Kansas at home for the first time in 25 years (but then gave control of the Big 12 right back with a road loss at depleted Missouri). Memphis remained irresitible with a road win at Houston. Stanford and California both squeezed out road wins at Washington State. Michigan State managed to lose at depleted Penn State. Texas A&M routed Texas and Wisconsin handled Indiana, both at home. Arizona won at USC (but was humbled at UCLA). Woeful shooting doomed West Virginia at home against Cincinnati. St. Mary's fell at San Diego. Arkansas thumped Mississippi State and Florida at home. Butler didn't play (but picked up a two-game lead in the Horizon). Rider took over first with wins at Marist and Siena; UNC-Asheville held its lead, routing Winthrop; Maryland(Baltimore County) edged Vermont on the road; Morgan State took over first, beating Hampton; Alabama State routed Southern on the road; Cornell won at Yale and Brown to grab the early league lead. Second place George Mason knocked off league-leader VCU; as did Cal State-Fullerton over Cal State-Northridge; and American over Lafayette.

  1. Memphis (21-0)
  2. Duke (18-1)
  3. UCLA (19-2)
  4. Georgetown (18-2)
  5. Kansas (20-1)
  6. North Carolina (21-1)
  7. Stanford (18-3)
  8. Tennessee (18-2)
  9. Xavier (18-4)
  10. Wisconsin (18-3)
  11. Washington State (17-4)
  12. Kansas State (13-5)
  13. Arizona (14-7)
  14. Michigan State (19-3)
  15. Texas (16-4)
  16. USC (14-7)
  17. Notre Dame (15-4)
  18. Connecticut (16-5)
  19. Pittsburgh (16-5)
  20. Texas A&M (17-4)
  21. Butler (18-2)
  22. Drake (17-1)
  23. Purdue (17-5)
  24. Marquette (14-4)
  25. Arkansas (16-5)

Honorable Mention:
California (12-7), Penn State (11-10), Missouri (13-9), Cincinnati (10-12), San Diego (12-11), George Mason (16-6), California State(Fullerton) (14-6), Rider (16-6), UNC-Asheville (14-4), Maryland(Baltimore County) (14-7), Morgan State (10-8), American (12-10), Alabama State (8-7), Cornell (10-5).

Top 25 - 08 Feb 11 - [] Column

Conference play reached its terminus. In the last of the big first-half games, Duke handled undermanned North Carolina on the road; Tennessee routed Florida at home; Xavier held off the challenge of visiting St. Joseph's; and host St. Mary's outlasted Gonzaga in OT. In second-half action, travelling UCLA completed the sweep of Washington State (but lost at Washington); Louisville stepped up to knock off Georgetown, Purdue beat Wisconsin for the second time (this time on the road); host UNC came back to beat visiting Clemson in double-OT (extending a 53-game streak); Arizona fell at home to rival Arizona State; UNLV fell at UNLV; Pacific edged Cal State-Northridge in OT; Siena swept Marist and won at Rider; visiting Drake edged Illinois State; Belmont beat Jacksonville; Portland State edged Northern Arizona; and Cornell remained unbeaten in the Ivies.

  1. Memphis (23-0)
  2. Duke (20-1)
  3. Kansas (22-1)
  4. UCLA (20-3)
  5. Georgetown (19-3)
  6. North Carolina (22-2)
  7. Stanford (20-3)
  8. Tennessee (20-2)
  9. Xavier (20-4)
  10. Washington State (18-5)
  11. Kansas State (15-5)
  12. Louisville (18-6)
  13. Notre Dame (17-4)
  14. Connecticut (18-5)
  15. Texas A&M (19-4)
  16. Indiana (19-3)
  17. Purdue (19-5)
  18. Michigan State (20-3)
  19. Wisconsin (19-4)
  20. Texas (18-4)
  21. Pittsburgh (17-5)
  22. Butler (20-2)
  23. St. Mary's (18-3)
  24. Drake (19-1)
  25. Arkansas (17-5)

Honorable Mention:
Washington (12-11), Arizona State (14-7), Utah (12-8), Pacific (17-6), Siena (16-8), Belmont (13-8), Portland State (15-8), Cornell (12-5).

Top 25 - 08 Feb 18 - [] Column

Memphis beat Houston and escaped at U.A.B to remain undefeated. Meanwhile, Duke (at Wake Forest), Georgetown (at Syracuse), Stanford (at Arizona State), Kansas State (at Texas Tech), Texas A&M (at home to Oklahoma State) and Drake (at Southern Illinois) all fell while Georgetown (at Villanova), UNC (at Virginia), Tennessee (at Georgia) and Xavier (at Charlotte) and Connecticut (at South Florida) all survived upsets on Desperation Trail. Elsewhere, Texas edged Kansas to stay in the Big 12 race; UCLA won at USC; Tennessee clocked Arkansas; Connecticut beat Notre Dame; Michigan State fell at Purdue; Marquette routed Pittsburgh; Vanderbilt edged Florida; BYU thumped UNLV; and Mississippi State knocked off Arkansas. Indiana lost at the buzzer to Wisconsin, then whipped Michigan State (but could lose its coach before the week is out).

  1. Memphis (25-0)
  2. UCLA (21-3)
  3. Kansas (23-2)
  4. Duke (21-2)
  5. North Carolina (24-2)
  6. Tennessee (22-2)
  7. Louisville (20-6)
  8. Georgetown (20-4)
  9. Stanford (21-4)
  10. Washington State (20-5)
  11. Texas (20-4)
  12. Xavier (21-4)
  13. Connecticut (20-5)
  14. Kansas State (16-6)
  15. Purdue (21-5)
  16. Wisconsin (21-4)
  17. Indiana (20-4)
  18. Marquette (16-6)
  19. Notre Dame (18-5)
  20. Butler (23-2)
  21. Vanderbilt (22-4)
  22. BYU (20-5)
  23. St. Mary's (20-3)
  24. Drake (20-2)
  25. Mississippi State (17-7)

Honorable Mention:
Wake Forest (16-8), Syracuse (17-9), Arizona State (15-8), Texas Tech (12-11), Oklahoma State (13-12), Southern Illinois (14-12).

Top 25 - 08 Feb 25 - [] Column

Tennessee went on the road and handed Memphis its first loss in the biggest game the state has ever seen. Indiana beat Purdue, then lost its coach, but the players regrouped to stay in the hunt in the Big 10. Oklahoma State edged Kansas; and Miami(Florida) held on to edge Duke. Nebraska beat Kansas State at home and won at Texas A&M; La Salle squeaked by St. Joseph's and Dayton. Bradley won at Drake; South Alabama completed its sweep of Western Kentucky. In BRACKETBUSTERS, Drake won at Butler; Kent State won at St. Mary's; VCU won at Akron; Davidson won at Winthrop, Siena won big at Boise State; Rider squeaked by at Cal State-Northridge, Creighton escaped at Oral Roberts; and Ohio University came back at home to beat George Mason. {NJIT} completed a perfect season: 0-29.

  1. Tennessee (24-2)
  2. Memphis (26-1)
  3. UCLA (23-3)
  4. North Carolina (26-2)
  5. Duke (22-3)
  6. Texas (22-4)
  7. Kansas (23-3)
  8. Stanford (22-4)
  9. Louisville (22-6)
  10. Georgetown (22-4)
  11. Xavier (24-4)
  12. Wisconsin (23-4)
  13. Washington State (21-6)
  14. Notre Dame (20-5)
  15. Indiana (22-4)
  16. Connecticut (21-6)
  17. Purdue (21-6)
  18. Marquette (18-6)
  19. Drake (21-3)
  20. Michigan State (22-5)
  21. Vanderbilt (23-4)
  22. Kent State (22-5)
  23. BYU (21-6)
  24. Butler (24-3)
  25. Gonzaga (21-6)

Honorable Mention:
Oklahoma State (14-12), Miami(Florida) (17-7), Nebraska (16-9), La Salle (13-13), Bradley (17-12), VCU (20-6), South Alabama (20-5), Davidson (19-6), Siena (17-10), Rider (18-9), Creighton (17-8), Ohio University (18-9), {New Jersey Institute of Technology} (0-29).

Top 25 - 08 Mar 3 - [] Column

Hungover Tennessee fell at Vanderbilt and held on to beat undermanned Kentucky at home. Stanford had to rally at home to beat Washington State. Louisville held off Notre Dame in a shootout. Georgetown accepted Marquette's gift of an OT road win. Michigan State fell hard at Wisconsin but then blew out visiting Indiana. Gonzaga beat St. Mary's to lead the WCC. Davidson finished the SoCon at 20-0 (with a seven-game Gap to boot). In DT news: Texas Tech edged Texas; Missouri State edged Drake; Arkansas edged Vandy; and Bowling Green knocked off Kent State. Robert Morris won the NEC; Cornell clinched the Ivies; Portland State won the Big Sky -- all by 3-game Gaps). UNC-Asheville won at Winthrop to win the Big South.

  1. UCLA (25-3)
  2. Memphis (28-1)
  3. North Carolina (27-2)
  4. Tennessee (25-3)
  5. Duke (24-3)
  6. Kansas (25-3)
  7. Stanford (24-4)
  8. Wisconsin (24-4)
  9. Texas (23-5)
  10. Louisville (24-6)
  11. Georgetown (24-4)
  12. Xavier (25-4)
  13. Washington State (22-7)
  14. Connecticut (23-6)
  15. Notre Dame (21-6)
  16. Michigan State (23-6)
  17. Indiana (23-5)
  18. Purdue (23-6)
  19. Marquette (19-7)
  20. Vanderbilt (24-5)
  21. Gonzaga (23-6)
  22. BYU (23-6)
  23. Drake (22-4)
  24. Butler (26-3)
  25. Davidson (21-6)

Honorable Mention:
Texas Tech (15-12), Missouri State (16-15), Arkansas (19-9), Bowling Green (13-14), Robert Morris (25-6), Cornell (18-5), Portland State (18-9), UNC-Asheville (17-8).

FINAL TOP 25 - 08 Mar 10: PRETOURNAMENT - [] Column

It was "Two Dogs, One Bone" with regular season titles and NCAA bids up for grabs in one-off showdowns. North Carolina won the ACC with defense at Duke. UCLA won the Pac-10 with an OT win over Stanford. Georgetown won the Big East in a tight home win over Louisville. Drake crushed Illinois State in the MVC championship game. Winthrop turned the tables, winning in a rout at UNC-Asheville in the Big South final for a fourth straight NCAA bid. Belmont claimed its third straight NCAA bid, winning the Atlantic Sun final in a rout. Austin Peay completed its domination of the OVC, winning the final going away.

  1. Memphis (30-1)
  2. North Carolina (29-2)
  3. UCLA (27-3)
  4. Tennessee (27-3)
  5. Kansas (27-3)
  6. Duke (25-4)
  7. Wisconsin (26-4)
  8. Texas (25-5)
  9. Georgetown (25-4)
  10. Louisville (24-7)
  11. Stanford (24-6)
  12. Washington State (23-7)
  13. Xavier (26-5)
  14. Connecticut (24-7)
  15. Notre Dame (23-6)
  16. Michigan State (24-7)
  17. Purdue (24-7)
  18. Marquette (19-8)
  19. Drake (25-4)
  20. Indiana (24-6)
  21. Vanderbilt (25-6)
  22. Gonzaga (25-6)
  23. BYU (25-6)
  24. Butler (27-3)
  25. Davidson (23-6)

Honorable Mention:
USC (20-10), Pittsburgh (21-9), Clemson (20-8), Kent State (24-6), West Virginia (20-9), Mississippi State (21-9), Syracuse (19-12), Kansas State (18-10), St. Mary's (23-6), VCU (23-7), South Alabama (23-5), Stephen F. Austin (21-4), Winthrop, (19-11), Belmont (20-8), Austin Peay (23-10).
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