Let’s start with my poll.
1. UCLA – I had a pretty good idea I was going to pick the Bruins here and when I saw that they’d beaten Kentucky. I was covering the UMass game so I didn’t see it live. Watching it on DVR later confirmed what I’d thought – UCLA looks Final Four good. Other than Indiana, who beat Kansas and Carolina, nobody has a better resume line than a convincing win over Kentucky at Rupp.
2. Villanova – The Wildcats could certainly be the best team in the country and I suspect they’ll be ranked No. 1, but they’re best win is a close game on the road over a good, but hardly world-beating Purdue team.
3. Baylor – I considered putting Baylor at No. 1 or 2. They have two outstanding wins over Louisville and Xavier and good wins over Michigan State, Oregon and VCU.
4. Kansas
5. Duke – When you beat Maine that automatically makes you top 5.
6. Kentucky – That Wednesday game vs. Valpo is a sneaky terrific game. I think the UCLA loss might help focus the young Wildcats, but Valpo could take advantage of UK’s potential first-loss hangover.
7. Creighton – I might have the Blue Jays a little too high, but I really like what I’ve seen from them. Their backcourt is among the best in the the sport and there’s nice balance throughout the lineup.
8. North Carolina
9. Gonzaga – Zags haven’t gotten as much buzz as they often do, but they have beaten Florida, Arizona and Iowa State already.
10. St. Mary’s – I wish the Gaels had a ranked team on their schedule. I think they’re really good, but I’d like a little affirmation.
11. Louisville
12. Indiana – Nobody affects the poll more than the Hoosiers, who own two of the three best wins all year.They’d might be a unanimous No. 1 if not for the Ft. Wayne game. Kansas would be No. 1 if not for Indiana.
13. Xavier
14. Butler
15. South Carolina – Sindarius Thornwell’s suspension makes the Gamecocks harder to evaluate. The fact that they’re idle this week makes me hope this will be a little clearer next week.
16. Wisconsin
17. West Virginia – I’m curious how good the Virginia turns out to be.
18. Virginia – I don’t have a great handle on how good the Cavaliers are, but that’ll be sorted out clearly in a loaded ACC.
19. Purdue – No bad losses. No great wins. Jury is deadlocked on how good the Boilermakers are just yet.
20. Florida – Big week for the Gators with Duke and Florida State on tap.
21. Cincinnati
At this point in the poll I’m not sure. It’s a bit of a toss-up.
22. USC – I might be overrating the Texas A&M win a bit, but the Trojans are undefeated so I’m not wrong yet.
23. Arizona
24. Syracuse The Orange are hoping the Thornwell suspension isn’t long-lasting because South Carolina beat Syracuse.
25. Iowa State
Monday
Syracuse vs. UConn, 7 p.m. ESPN at Madison Square Garden – This is more about nostalgia as the Orange is still coming together and UConn is a mess.
Tuesday
Duke vs. Florida, 9 p.m. ESPN at Madison Square Garden – Big opportunity for a Gator squad that still has plenty to prove.
Wednesday
Valparaiso at Kentucky, 8 p.m. SEC Network – This is a sneaky scary game for John Calipari’s squad. Turn on the game for Monk, Fox and Bam, stay for Alec Peters.
Thursday
Iowa State at Iowa, 8 ESPN2 – Hawkeyes are down, but this is always fun.
Friday
I got nothing.
Saturday
Michigan at UCLA, 8 p.m. ESPN2 – Lonzo Ball is on TV. You should watch.
Cincinnati at Butler,4:30 FS1 – Great game. Great location.
Sunday
Florida at Florida State, 4 p.m. ESPNU
CRC, my new favorite NAIA team, last week took notice of me mentioning their game vs. Tennessee Tech last week so I’m making it a weekly feature. Each week we’ll wonder aloud why a school you’ve never heard of is showing up on a Div. I team’s schedule.
Central Pennsylvania College at Maryland Eastern Shore – If UMes wins this game Monday, their best win will be Central Pennsylvania College. That’s a tough year.
Tougaloo at Grambling, Friday – Try saying Tougaloo out loud without smiling. You can’t do it.