College Basketball Top Ten (Week of February 7th)
Steady as she goes at the top of the standings but there has been more maneuvering among the overall Top Ten this week. Still plenty of openings for a Top Seed come NCAA Tourney time.
Top Ten (Week of February 7th)
Welcome Back: Auburn, Arizona; New to the Party: Illinois; Outside looking in: Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Marquette
#10. Kansas (18-5) (+1800) - Kansas picked up a dominating home win over #3 Houston this weekend but followed that up with a road loss to Kansas State. The Jayhawks need to sort out their road woes sooner rather than later. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#9. Duke (16-5) (+2800) - The Blue Devils fell at UNC this weekend but the road is clear in an otherwise mild ACC this season. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#8. Arizona (17-5) (+1400) - The Wildcats jump back into the Top Ten and face a true road test on Thursday against the Utes in Utah. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#7. Illinois (17-5) (+3500) - Flying under the radar as Purdue and Wisconsin jockeyed for the top spot in the Big Ten, here come the Fighting Illini. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#6. Tennessee (16-5) (+1400) - Another SEC team moves up the rankings this week as the Vols took down Kentucky on the road this week. Last Week’s Rank: 8th
#5. Auburn (18-4) (+1800) - A critical game for the Tigers tonight at home against Alabama as they seek revenge on their only SEC loss. Last Week’s Rank: Unranked
#4. North Carolina (18-5) (+1300) - After an upset loss to Clemson, the Tar Heels took down their arch-rivals, the Duke Blue Devils, to remain the top squad in the ACC. Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#3. Houston (20-3) (+900) - Kansas took down the Cougars over the weekend but they bounced back with a win on Tuesday night and the team’s strength of schedule will serve them well late. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#2. Purdue (21-2) (+750) - The Boilermakers took a firm grasp on the Big Ten regular season crown with a win over Wisconsin this weekend. Last Week’s Rank: 2
#1. UConn (21-2) (+800) - The Huskies handled their test with St. John’s on the road and followed that up with an 11-point win over a feisty Butler team at home. Last Week’s Rank: 1
Game of the Weekend, Season Record 2-0: Kansas kept us perfect with a resounding win over Houston this past weekend.
#10 Illinois at Michigan State: Perhaps no team with as many expectations has underperformed as much as the Spartans. Tom Izzo’s teams typically start slowly but this has been a prolonged bit of inconsistency for a team far too talented to be unranked. Look for the Spartans to step up on Saturday and pick up a much-needed quality win at home.
In parenthesis, the odds to win the National Title in 2024. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle