LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Time was when the final Associated Press men’s college basketball Top 25 poll was posted the day after Selection Sunday.
Fortunately, the AP changed that policy several years ago. The final poll will be released Monday at noon
The good news: It gives me an opportunity to make more friends.
Hello, friends. Enjoy.
- Florida (36-4): Houston forced Florida to play Houston’s game Monday night and the Gators still won the national title — with a blast of defensive gusto at the finish line.
- Houston (35-5): What was that final play call Kelvin?
- Duke (35-4): The final 10 1/2 minutes of the Houston game will serve an example of how NOT to close out a game for a long time, Jon Scheyer.
- Auburn (32-6): The Tigers wobbled down the stretch and looked out of gas against Florida in the Final Four.
- Tennessee (30-8): The Vols carried the No. 1 ranking for a large chunk of the season, but had no answer for Houston’s defense. Not many teams did.
- Alabama (28-9): Nate Oats coaches tremendous offense but the Crimson Tide will need to upgrade their defense to seriously contend for a national title. Not to Houston level. But tighten up, Nate.
- Michigan State (30-7): If the transfer portal is kind to Tom Izzo, the Spartans should make a strong run toward the Final Four next season.
- Texas Tech (28-9): How respected is Red Raiders’ coach Grant McCasland? Word is that Texas A&M tried to hire him.
- St. John’s (31-5): I suspect Rick Pitino has not shaken that NCAA Tournament loss to John Calipari and Arkansas, but the Red Storm have already earned two big wins in the transfer portal.
- Michigan (27-10): Dusty May directed the Wolverines to the Big Ten Tournament title as well as second-place during the regular season : in his Year One in Ann Arbor.
- Purdue (24-12): About that defense on the Houston inbounds play under the Cougars’ basket …
- Kentucky (24-12): The Wildcats delivered a large pile of Quad I wins but need serious fine-tuning on defense to take the next step in March.
- BYU (26-10): The Cougars finished the season on a heater, winning 11 of their last 13.
- Ole Miss (24-12): People keep forecasting Chris Beard won’t be in Oxford much longer but it appears he’s a lock for Year Three after getting the Rebels to the Sweet Sixteen.
- Arizona (24-13): The Wildcats made the Sweet Sixteen and the Big 12 championship game.
- Maryland (27-9): Kevin Willard’s groaning about Maryland’s financial commitment to basketball should not overshadow that the Terps won many big games.
- Gonzaga (26-9): The Zags played Houston tough in the NCAA Tournament and somehow rank in the Top 10 in most computer rankings, even though it was Saint Mary’s that won the West Coast Conference title.
- Iowa State (25-10): The Cyclones lost 5 of their last nine. That’s why they’re not higher on my list.
- Wisconsin (27-10): The Badgers finished tied for fourth in the Big Ten and made the conference tournament title game.
- Texas A&M (23-1 1): The Aggies lost six of their last nine — and then lost their coach (Buzz Williams) to Maryland. Rebuild ahead.
- Creighton (25-11): The Bluejays finished second in the Big East during the regular season and tournament and looked dynamic in their NCAA Tournament win over Louisville.
- Louisville (27-8): The Cards were one of the nation’s top surprise teams, finishing 18-2 in the ACC before adding a second victory over Clemson in the league tournament.
- Clemson (27-7): The Tigers beat Kentucky. The Tigers beat Duke. That’s a solid season for Brad Brownell.
- St. Mary’s (29-6): The Gaels won the WCC but need to beef up their non-conference schedule the way Gonzaga does.
- Oregon (25-10): I picked the Ducks after considering UCLA, Illinois, Memphis, Marquette, UConn and a cast of thousands.
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