BPI: #10 – #1
UK has flexed their muscle all year as the top team in the nation
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#10 – WISCONSIN BADGERS (20-8) BIG 10 AP Poll: 16, Coaches Poll: 15
Despite a half-dozen players auditioning for a role in the upcoming 2012 movie; Rocky VI “The Return of Drago,” Wisconsin has managed to gear their secondary focus on “breaking” the Big 10. Bo Ryan is like a robot; wash, rinse, dry, repeat as he continues to recruit the same style of player and hasn’t veered away from a game plan he created pre-shot clock. Jokes aside, this Badgers team plays great team ball and is one of the top 3 defenses in the entire country. There’s no quit in this team, they’re tough, extremely physical – and that style of play translates well when you get outside the Big 10. No question the Badgers lack playmakers, but regardless of the talent deficiency Wisconsin has been in just about every big game they’ve had racking up 4 wins against my top 50 including; 2 wins against my top 25. For the players and coaches battling out on the court it’s all about wins and losses, but when sharp guys dissect teams we factor in “quality loses.” They fell short at North Carolina by 3 points, lost a heart breaker at home in overtime to Michigan State, and by two buckets to Ohio State at home before beating them on the road yesterday. At the end of the day a few bounces here or there throughout the course of a 40-minute contest could have turned the tide in Wisconsin’s favor. The Badgers follow up Sunday’s big win with tough home games versus Minnesota and Illinois, so keep an eye on those 2 games and see how this team trends heading into March.
Next Big Game: 3/4 vs Illinois Fighting Illini
#9 – DUKE BLUE DEVILS (24-4) ACC AP Poll: 5, Coaches Poll: 4
It’s unfortunate we live in a society today where everyone is so prone to hate – and in the hoops world Duke tops the hate list. The Blue Devils are the official dead horse that everyone likes to beat. Rumor has it, mascot changes are being mulled over as I type. We spoke previously about the volatility of teams with impact freshman and Duke is a perfect example. Their very best player is freshman point guard Austin Rivers, and boy did he have his fair share of mental lapses early on in the year. In fact, people “in the know” were told the coaching staff was seriously concerned about his ability to play the point and contemplated moving him to off guard. Nearly 30-games later, Austin’s the savior of the Blue Devils and the unquestioned leader. He’s improved drastically on defense, become a floor leader whose cut down the mistakes, and his range from the point guard spot makes him unguardable because of his blow-by ability. Duke’s tallied 25 wins playing top rated strength of schedule in the country, and they’ve managed to pick up 8 wins against my top 50 including; 5 wins against my top 25. The Blue Devils resume is as good as anybody in the country, and for the first time in a while they will have earned whatever seed the selection committee appoints them.
Next Big Game: 3/3 Vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
#8 – WICHITA STATE SHOCKERS (25-4) MISSOURI VALLEY AP Poll: 19, Coaches Poll: 19
Do not adjust your computer screen this is for real – and the Shockers deserve to be here! Wichita State is far and away the most underrated team in the country, and it’s not close! This might not look that dramatic compared to the AP and Coaches poll, but this is the first week all year they’ve cracked both polls top 25. Meanwhile, the Shockers have been a resident of my top 15 for the last 8 weeks. Don’t let the smaller Missouri Valley conference fool you, Wichita State has still played a top 60 schedule. They hang 78 points per game off 49% shooting, share the ball well, and for a smaller team are absolute glass eaters – they do everything extremely well. Wichita State is equally good on the road (10 wins) as they are in the comfy confines of the Charles Koch Arena – and that’s key come tournament time. The shockers have 3 big wins against my top 50, and they’ve made some really quality opponents look pathetic beating UNLV by 19, Creighton by 21, and Davidson by 17. Wichita State was snubbed from the big dance last season, and instead of sulking and getting bounced early in the NIT they decided to man up and crush the competition on their way to cutting the nets – So they’re no stranger to making a tournament run. If this team can make it to the elite 8 the sharp guys are going to yell; “Yahtzee” as we have futures on the Shockers as high as 250-1.
Next Big Game: N/A
#7 – MISSOURI TIGERS (25-3) BIG 12 AP Poll: 3, Coaches Poll: 3
I was never a fan of Frank Haith during his tenure at Miami, so to say I’m surprised at how well Missouri is doing would be an understatement. His Tigers are an offensive machine that can do it all on that end of the court – one of the best passing teams in the country and that’s led to lights out shooting with Missouri draining nearly 50% of its shots. The Tigers are far and away the most efficient offense in all of college basketball, but the question every sharp bettor has about Missouri is; “at what point does this team wear down?” They play a frenetic style of basketball on both ends of the floor and only 6-guys are seeing major minutes. Most thought the tread would wear off the tires after a loss to Oklahoma State in late January, but Missouri has rebounded winning 7 of 8 since that time including; wins against Texas, Baylor, and Kansas. I continue to look for reasons to downgrade them when talking Tigers hoops, but as you dig deeper and deeper they keep on impressing with a 4-1 record against my top 25, and 8 total victories against my top 50. Missouri is a match up nightmare as they have 4 guys on the court at all times that can dribble, drive, and shoot. You do not want to see these guys in March. Their near miss at Kansas shouldn’t be alarming but rather substantiate the talent level this team possesses as they make their push towards Match.
Next Big Game: 2/29 Iowa State
#6 – NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (24-4) ACC AP Poll: 7, Coaches Poll: 7
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for the Carolina team from the end of last season to appear before me. I originally thought this Tar Heels group was simply going through the motions knowing what the ultimate goal at the end of the road was but something’s missing. Despite my leeriness, North Carolina has made tremendous strides on the defensive end – and is one of the more balanced teams in the country ranking top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They capitalized on those accomplishments turning in 5 wins against my top 50 including; 2 big time wins against my top 10. In addition, they have a “quality loss” by 1-point against Kentucky at Rupp Arena where the Wildcats currently hold a 50-game win streak, the longest in the nation. North Carolina closes out the season at Duke, and I feel like if either of these teams can parlay an regular season ACC championship with ACC tournament championship they can land a #1 seed overall from the selection committee come March.
Next Big Game: 3/3 @ Duke Blue Devils
#5 – OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (23-6) BIG 10 AP Poll: 8, Coaches Poll: 9
Slow and steady go the Buckeyes in the Big 10, and of late it’s been more slow than steady as OSU has dropped 3 of their last 5. After a weekend loss to Wisconsin at home they travel to Northwestern to face a team hungry to have its tournament card punched, then close the season at Michigan State who’s looking to wrap up a Big 10 crown. If Ohio State drops 5 of their last 7 many of the questions I had starting the season will be answered. They aren’t deep, they struggle shooting from distance, and they have a really tough time scoring when Sully’s on the bench. With that said, I know some of the sharpest guys in the world think OSU is the best team in the country but personally, I don’t see it. Now to the positives, OSU ranks #1 in the nation in defensive efficiency, and we know defense wins championships. The Buckeyes also have 6 wins against my top 50 including; 4 wins against my top 25 so they do deserve to be in the discussion as one of the nation’s best, hence why they’re in my top 5. I will add that there isn’t much separating OSU from teams 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 on my list. As of now, O-H-I-O gets an incomplete until I see how they finish down the stretch.
Next Big Game: 3/4 @ Michigan State Spartans
#4 – SYRACUSE ORANGE (29-1) BIG EAST AP Poll: 2, Coaches Poll: 2
Syracuse has rallied around the early season allegations surrounding former assistant, Bernie Fine. They’ve used that as motivation throughout the course of their nearly perfect season adopting an “us against the world attitude.” The lone Orange loss came on the road in a hostile environment without their most valuable player, Fab Melo. Despite everyone talking about how bad the Big East conference is this season, Syracuse has faced a top 15 strength of schedule – and their record against top competition is nearly flawless. The Orange have gone 9-1 against my top 50 and a perfect 3-0 against my top 25, how’s that for handling business? The knock on Syracuse is their issues rebounding, no doubt they have to do a better job, but when you play a zone defense you leave yourself susceptible to the offensive rebound. The reality is, it’s a numbers game and a tradeoff Jim Boeheim is willing to take because opponents are only shooting 38% from the field. Syracuse is the deepest team in the country and have as many as 10 pro prospects. The Cuse’ are plenty capable of cutting the nets down come March if they can get any type of consistent outside shooting from Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine.
Next Big Game: 3/3 Vs. Louisville Cardinals
#3 – KANSAS JAYHAWKS (24-5) BIG 12 AP Poll: 4, Coaches Poll: 5
Everybody outside the state of Kansas was leery of the Jayhawks entering this season, but they’ve done nothing but impress since the start. KU is getting better than expected guard play and their bigs’ have improved throughout the course of the season specifically, Jeff Withey. Kansas is as complete a team as anybody in the country. They shoot it well, they pass it well, they score a ton of points, they rebound well, and they certainly don’t treat the defensive end of the court like a step child. The thing to focus on when talking Jayhawk basketball is the number 10: Kansas has one of the toughest schedules in the country, one that ranks top 10 nationally. Kansas is one of two teams in the entire country that ranks top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They’ve used that balanced attack to pile up the most top 50 wins in the country with 10 as well. Statistically, this Kansas team towers over just about anyone in the country, but there’s something about them that continues to make me hesitant on drinking the kool-aid. As great as Thomas Robinson is, this team will only go as far as the guards take them specifically, Tyshawn Taylor. He’s silenced critics in his senior season to this point but I can’t help but feel he will be the reason Kansas isn’t able to cut the nets down on April 2nd.
Next Big Game: 3/3 Vs. Texas Longhorns
#2 – MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (24-5) BIG 10 AP Poll: 6, Coaches Poll: 6
Death, taxes, and Izzo’s boys in March: 3 things you can always count on religiously. Typically the Spartans wait until later in the year to play their best ball but this year they’ve decided to show the country what they’re made of early. In my mind, Michigan State is the most cohesive unit in all the land and Tom Izzo claims this is the closest group of guys he’s ever coached. The Spartans dropped the first two games of the year to Carolina and Duke however I don’t put much stock in those games. Teams at that point are just seeing what they have, and aside from Draymond Green Michigan State was extremely wet behind the ears. Since then, MSU has won 24 of 27 and the 3 loses are by a combined 9 points. You’ll notice how these teams in the top 5 are extremely battled-tested and Sparty is no different. They’ve faced a top 10 schedule in the country yet that hasn’t slowed them down one bit. They’ve reeled off 9 wins against my top 50 including; 5 wins against my top 25. MSU is one of the best on the defensive end in the country and their offense ranks top 15 in efficiency as well. This team is flat out the real deal, and unquestionably the best team in the Big 10. Tom Izzo is an absolute monster bar none – and he’s been a cash cow for the sharp bettors going 18-8 against the spread.
Next Big Game: 2/28 @ Indiana Hoosiers
#1 – KENTUCKY WILDCATS (28-1) SEC AP Poll: 1, Coaches Poll: 1
The Kentucky Wildcats are the best team in College Basketball, and it’s not close. UK ranks top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, the only team in the nation that can attest to such accolades. They have 7 wins against my top 50, and have gone 5-1 against my top 25. Unquestionably, the most talented team in the nation. The questions sharp bettors have is, will this team fold down the stretch come tournament time due to inexperience and youth. It’s a great question, but they’ve proven time and time again this team is different in end of game situations. At Indiana down 10 with 9 minutes to go they fought back and lost on a miracle buzzer beater. Down to North Carolina the entire game and they out play a veteran ball club down the stretch. Hostile environment at Memorial? Not a problem as they held the Commodores scoreless the last 4 minutes. Down 13 at the break to Mississippi State? Why worry UK wins by nearly double digits! There are different types of ungodly talents when it comes to the game of basketball. You have the Kobe Bryant’s of the world, and then you have the Vince Carter’s. Point being, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall aren’t winners – never have been, never will be. They lack the “it” factor. Anthony Davis has his head on shoulders and he’s a born leader and winner. His makeup is completely different than a Demarcus Cousins or John Wall. The rest of the starting line up is made up of a senior in Miller and two sophomores who know the ropes in Lamb and Jones. This version of Kentucky is far better than any other Coach Cal has had because they defend – that’s their calling card. There is nothing sharp about trying to be the cook kid who predicts Kentucky’s demise early in the tournament, this team glides to the final four.
Next Big Game: 3/4 @ Florida Gators
