Weekly Top-10

Took Xavier, Kansas and UConn out. Analytics still love Kansas and UConn but Kansas got whipped at home by a good TCU team yesterday after a loss in overtime at K-State Tuesday. UConn is currently suffocating Butler but they were run off the court by St. John’s.

10. Virginia -  The Cavs have won 5 straight and are my pick to win the ACC regular season title. 

9. Texas - Texas won at West Virginia last night in a chippy affair. Only Big XII team in this top-10, my hunch is this will change a lot between now and the conference tournament.

8. Arizona - Nice win over UCLA yesterday. Got dicey at the end. Big weekend in the Pacific Northwest this upcoming weekend. Can’t afford a letdown.

7. St. Mary’s - Starting to add offense to an elite defense. Randy Bennett would make a lot of sense at places like Notre Dame but he’s 60. This could be his best Gaels team. 

6. Marquette - I’ve been hesitant to put them here but they have the best offense in the nation. They’re tough and getting better each week. If the defense catches up, could be a special spring in Milwaukee.

5. Tennessee - Good week for the Vols after their home loss to Kentucky last week. Double-digit road wins over Mississippi State and LSU is a nice response.

4. UCLA - Never looked comfortable against Arizona yesterday until the final 3 minutes. Almost stole that one. A win may have let them coast to a regular season title. Splitting in the desert is still a good week.

3. Houston - 20 point win at Tulane and have Temple at home today. Ho-hum.

2. Purdue - It’s cute some people think the Big Ten regular season title is still in doubt. I’m sure they’ll lose a few between now and the end of the season, but this is a 1-seed and legit title contender.

1. Alabama - I’ll give them a closer look this week. Won by 12 at Vandy and then 21 on the road last night over a decent Mizzou team. Don’t hit the meat of the SEC schedule until middle of next month.