3. Ohio State (12-1)

Craft running the point brilliantly without scoring much.

4. Kentucky (11-1)

Wildcats inside power has been impressive.

5. UNC  (11-2)

Tar Heels ease into the new year and the ACC schedule – Elon, Monmouth, BC, Miami – all at home.

6. Duke (10-1)

G Curry has hit 34 of 36 FTs (94.4 percent) tops in nation.

7. UConn (10-1)

Only loss was to Central Florida in Bahamas. Huskies now play at South Florida (Wed.).

8. Baylor (12-0)

Have shown they can win the close ones – BYU (by 3) and West Virginia (by 2 OT).

9. Missouri (12-0)

Inside banger Ratliffe leads nation in FG shooting (76.2 percent)

10.  Florida (10-2)

Impressive wins over Texas A&M (by 20) and FSU (by 17) and quality losses – Syracuse and Ohio State by single-digits.

11.  Georgetown (10-1)

Big road test at Louisville on Wednesday.

12.  Indiana (12-0)

Tough deal over the next 10 days — Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan.

13.  Marquette (11-1)

Johnson-Odom (17.9) and Crowder (17.3)

14.  Wisconsin (11-2)

Quality losses to Marquette, UNC.

15.  Mississippi State (12-1)

After Kentucky-Louisville, next best game this week: Under-the-radar Bulldogs against Baylor in Dallas on Wednesday.

16.  Michigan State (11-2)

Six Big Ten teams in my top 25, more than any conference. Big East has five after Pitt tumbles out.

17.  UNLV (13-2)

In the Rebels lone losses, Wichita State’s Joe Ragland hit eight of nine from the arc and Wisconsin’s Ben Brust went seven of seven from the arc.

18.  Kansas (8-3)

What was worse – Kansas’ loss at home to Davidson or Pittsburgh’s home loss to Danny Hurley and Wagner?

19.  Murray State (13-0)

One of six undefeated teams left. Won’t play a team outside Ohio Valley Conference until ESPN Bracketbusters in Feb.

20.  Virginia (10-1)

Scott was a monster (50 points, 27 rebounds) in two West Coast wins.

21.  Kansas State (10-1)

Handed Long Beach State its most decisive loss (17 points) this year, an impressive feat considering 49ers have played Louisville, UNC, Kansas, Xavier, and Pitt.

22.  Michigan (10-2)

New Year’s Day home game against Trevor Mbakwe and Minnesota (12-1), who have faced only two BCS conference teams.

23.  Harvard (10-1)

At BC (Thursday) and against St. Joes (Saturday)  

24.  Creighton (10-1)

Is 3-0 against BCS conference teams (Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern).

25.  Illinois (11-2)

78-74 loss at Missouri might be their best result so far.

Next five

San Diego State (11-2)

Northwestern (10-2)

St. Louis (11-1)

Gonzaga (9-2)

Seton Hall (11-1)

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