LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Next Monday the Associated Press men’s college basketball Top 25 will matter less than it matters today — and some people argue that it does not matter today.
Next Monday we’ll have an NCAA Tournament bracket. Next Monday we’ll have more than a No. 1 team. We’ll have four No. 1 seeds.
But until then, let’s enjoy the poll — and watch as Duke overtakes Auburn in the top spot Monday afternoon.
1. Duke (28-3) — Can you name the three teams that defeated the Blue Devils? Without looking, I guessed Kentucky, Arizona and Clemson. (Scratch Arizona. It was Kansas.) Cooper Flagg will start collecting hardware this week.
2. Auburn (27-4) — Half of the Tigers’ four losses came last week — and remember Duke beat Auburn.
3. Houston (27-4) — I realize the Big 12 was down a notch this season but Kelvin Sampson’s team won the regular season title by four games.
4. St. John’s (27-4) — I’ve covered conference tournaments from the SEC, ACC, AAC, Big Ten, Conference USA, Metro and OVC. I can’t lie. The Big East Tournament was always my favorite.
5. Florida (27-4) — The Gators have scored 89 or more in their last three games.
6. Tennessee (25-6) — A lot of wise people have always said there is a national title out there with Rick Barnes’ name on it. This might be his best chance to grab one.
7. Michigan State (26-5) — The Spartans celebrated winning the Big Ten title on Thursday and sweeping Michigan on Sunday.
8. Texas Tech (24-7) — Grant McCasland looks like a rising star in the coaching business.
9. Maryland (24-7) — I’ll say it again: Don’t sleep on Kevin Willard’s team.
10. Alabama (24-7) — The Crimson tide have lost four of their last seven — and will likely open SEC Tournament play against Kentucky.
11. BYU (23-8) — Beware the Cougars, who have won eight straight.
12. Clemson (26-5) — In case you missed it, Clemson has never won the ACC Tournament — and joined the league in 1953.
13. Saint Mary’s (27-4) — The Gaels were winless last week. They didn’t play.
14. Iowa State (23-8) — Three losses in five games dropped the Cyclones to fifth place in the Big 12.
15. Louisville (25-6) — It would be fun to watch the Cardinals play Clemson and Duke again.
16. Kentucky (21-10) — The win at Missouri Saturday was the Wildcats’ finest performance in weeks.
17. Memphis (26-5) — Nolan Smith and Mike Davis, assistants to Penny Hardaway, are going back to the NCAA Tournament.
18. Wisconsin (23-8) — Losing a Senior Day home game to Penn State will cost the Badgers on Selection Sunday.
19. Arizona (20-11) — The Wildcats have solid computer numbers but have lost five of their last eight.
20. Illinois (20-11) — The Illini got healthy and finished the regular season beating Iowa, Michigan and Purdue.
21. Texas A&M (22-9) — The Aggies ended a four-game losing streak by handling Auburn and LSU.
22. Creighton (22-9) — The Bluejays finished second in the Big East and have a win over St. John’s.
23. Purdue (21-10) — The Boilermakers’ late slump knocked them down to a 6-seed in the Big Ten Tournament.
24. Drake (30-3) — The Bulldogs became the first team to get to 30 wins by winning the Missouri Valley Conference title in Ben McCollum’s first season.
25. New Mexico (25-6) — Props to Richard Pitino for winning the Mountain West regular season title.
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