College Basketball Top Ten (Week of February 21st)
Things are heating up in College Basketball and there has been more talk of bubbles than at a champagne tasting. Here is this week’s Top Ten.
Top Ten (Week of February 21st)
Welcome Back: No new entrants this week; Outside Looking in: Illinois still looking to join the party.
#10. Auburn (20-6) (+1800) - The Tigers are very much in the hunt for the SEC crown and have the kind of defense that will be formidable in tournament play. Last Week’s Rank: 6th
#9. Marquette (19-6) (+2500) - Not time to panic after a beating at the hands of UConn. The Golden Eagles will get a second shot at the Huskies at home next week. Last Week’s Rank: 7th
#8. Duke (20-5) (+2500) - The Blue Devils continue a run under the radar with a matchup against a fading Miami team tonight on the road. Last Week’s Rank: 9th
#7. North Carolina (20-6) (+1800) - A huge matchup at Virginia looms for the Heels as they continue a run to a potential ACC title. Last Week’s Rank: 8th
#6. Kansas (20-6) (+2000) - The return of Kevin McCullar Jr. certainly helped the Jayhawks as they took down Oklahoma on the road last Saturday. They will be rested when they return to the floor at home vs. Texas on Saturday. Last Week’s Rank: 10th
#5. Tennessee (20-6) (+1300) - The Vols avoided what could have been a disastrous road loss to Missouri last night. They are just a ½ game out of the top spot in what has been a very tough SEC this season. Last Week’s Rank: 5th
#4. Arizona (20-5) (+1200) - The Wildcats have now won six straight games and really haven’t been challenged. Will they be hurt by playing in a very average Pac-12 come tournament time? Last Week’s Rank: 4th
#3. Purdue (23-3) (+750) - What is it about this team scares me? They just seem to let down in the strangest spots. Could they be counted on to run the table in the tournament? Last Week’s Rank: 2
#2. Houston (23-3) (+850) - The Cougars look scarier this year than last mostly because of how well they’ve played despite being in a tougher league. This team can defend and finish games as well as anyone. Last Week’s Rank: 3rd
#1. UConn (23-3) (+550) - The Huskies blasted Marquette at home but fell hard at Creighton on Tuesday night. Still looks like the class team in the country. Last Week’s Rank: 1
Game of the Weekend, Season Record 3-1: A disappointing performance by Auburn against Kentucky at home drops us out of the unbeaten ranks.
Texas at #6 Kansas: McCullar is back and the Jayhawks are well rested. I like Kansas to win going away on Saturday.
In parenthesis, the odds to win the National Title in 2024. All odds Courtesy of Draftkings.com.
By Mark Ruelle