TOP 25
Two Big East teams drop
Defending national champion Duke remains the overwhelming choice at No. 1, and doesn’t face a challenge until conference play begins after New Year’s Day. Even then, the teams in the suddenly mediocre ACC will be hard pressed to deal with Duke, even if freshman sensation Kyrie Irving (toe) remains sidelined. Pittsburgh fell from No. 2 to No. 10 after a decisive loss at home to Tennessee. Taking a similar tumble from No. 6 to No. 11 was Georgetown, which fell at Temple. Many teams are vying to be ranked including Cleveland State (12-0) and Texas A&M (9-1).
| Team » Comment » Pvs Rank 1. Duke (10-0) » With Irving out, Dawkins, Curry will get more time » 1 2. Ohio State (8-0) » Like Oden, freshman Sullinger looks beyond his years » 3 3. Kansas (9-0) » Morris brothers got their average (30/15) vs. Memphis » 4 4. Kansas State (9-1) » Two tough pre-Christmas tests — Florida and UNLV » 5 5. Connecticut (8-0) » Lead nation in blocks pg (8.2) behind Oriakhi, Smith » 7 6. Syracuse (10-0) » Action Jackson (6-9, 240) has eight double-doubles » 11 7. Tennessee (7-0) » Dealt Pitt its first non-conference home loss since ’05 » 10 8. Baylor (6-0) Teams from Big 12 are combined 90-23 (80 percent) » 8 9. Michigan St. (7-3) » G Lucas (25 points) saved Spartans against Oakland » 9 10. Pittsburgh (10-1) » Against Tennessee, no answer for Hopson (27 points) » 2 11. Georgetown (9-1) » Biggies before Christmas (Memphis) and after (ND) » 6 12. Missouri (8-1) » Denmon’s steal, 3-point play difference vs. Vandy » 12 13. Memphis (7-1) » In loss, Tigers were outrebounded by Kansas, 39-26 » 13 14. Villanova (8-1) » Stokes was 9-of-17 on 3-pointers vs. Penn, La Salle » 14 15. Illinois (9-1) » G McCamey is fifth in the nation in assists (7.3 pg) » 15 16. San Diego St. (10-0) » The Aztecs are ninth in RPI, third in Sagarin ratings » 16 17. BYU (10-0) » On Sat., try to beat their second Pac-10 foe (UCLA) » 17 18. Kentucky (7-2) » Jones was huge (27 points, 17 rebounds) against ND » 19 19. Louisville (8-0) » With win over UNLV, time to take Cards seriously » 23 20. Texas (6-2) » 6-7 swingman Hamilton (20 ppg) making like Durant » 21 21. Notre Dame (8-0) » Abromaitis (4 points) disappeared against Kentucky » 18 22. Central Fla. (7-0) » Are 4-0 vs. in-state teams; play Miami (7-2) Saturday » 24 23. Purdue (9-1) » 5-7 G Jackson is coming up big for the Boilermakers » 25 24. Minnesota (9-1) » Mbakwe (13.8 ppg, 10.2 rpg) has been an inside force » NR 25. UNLV (9-1) » In competitive MWC, set to contend with BYU, SDS » 20 * Records through Sunday’s games |
HEATING UP
Ohio State; Also » Kansas, Syracuse
COOLING DOWN
Memphis; Also » Pittsburgh, Georgetown
GAME OF THE WEEK
Cleveland State at West Virginia, Saturday, 2 p.m. (ESPN3)
Cleveland State (12-0) has more wins than any team in the nation, but some have come against the likes of Bryant, Urbana and West Virginia Tech. So the Vikings have something to prove. Cleveland State is led by guards Norris Cole (21.3 ppg, 4.6 apg) and Trevon Harmon (14.2 ppg). West Virginia (7-2) counters with G Casey Mitchell (17.8 ppg). Last year, West Virginia needed a layup from DeSean Butler with 1.2 seconds left to win at Cleveland State, 80-78.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Marcus Jordan, Central Florida, G
The son of Michael Jordan leads the surprising No. 22 Knights against Miami (7-2) on Saturday in the opener of the Metro PCS Orange Bowl Classic. Jordan, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, leads UCF in scoring (16.3 ppg) as a slasher and outside shooting threat. Jordan has hit 48.4 of his 3-point tries. UCF, coming off a ninth-place finish in Conference USA, beat Florida for the first time in 10 tries earlier this month. They are guided by rookie coach Donnie Jones.
STORY LINES
1. Clockwork Orange » Losing three of its top four scorers, including Wes Johnson (the No. 4 overall pick in the NBA Draft), was supposed to spell trouble for Syracuse. But the Orange (10-0) have recovered nicely as holdovers Rick Jackson, Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine have stepped into larger roles, averaging a combined 40 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists. After beating up several overmatched foes, Syracuse demonstrated its power with a 72-58 victory over Michigan State as Jackson (17 points, 16 rebounds) ruled inside. Syracuse will not be challenged until after Christmas, when the Big East schedule kicks in.
2. Duke’s big toe » Through the first month, Duke point guard Kyrie Irving was the nation’s most dazzling freshman, averaging 17 points and five assists. But last week, Irving tore ligaments in the big toe of his right foot and is out “indefinitely.” While the Blue Devils are considering their options — season-ending surgery, or rest and a possible return this year — Irving is weighing his, with a major consideration being his future as a professional. Irving might be the player Duke can least afford to lose. Coach Mike Krzyzewski has no good option at the point. For the time being, shooting guard Nolan Smith has shifted to the point. The backup is freshman Tyler Thornton (Gonzaga).
3. Measuring the conferences » The Big East, Big 12 and Big Ten have performed the best, top to bottom, so far this season. While the Big East has seven ranked teams among its 16 members, the Big 12 and Big Ten have five ranked teams each. The Big East has an aggregate record of 117-31 (79 percent) compared to 90-23 (80 percent) for the Big 12 and 82-20 (80 percent) for the Big Ten. The usually strong ACC has taken a tumble this year. No. 1 Duke is the only ranked team from the conference, which has a 77-35 mark (68 percent).
AREA INTELLIGENCE
MARYLAND
In a 79-74 loss to Boston College, the Terps (7-4) wasted big work from Jordan Williams (27 points, 13 rebounds) as they missed 14-of-17 from 3-point range and allowed the Eagles to hit 13-of-29 from beyond the arc. The Terps are shooting 30 percent on 3-pointers, ranking 287th in the nation. They are off this week for exams.
Up next » NJIT, Dec. 22, 8 p.m.
GEORGETOWN
The Hoyas (9-1) rebounded from their first loss, 68-65 at Temple, with an 89-60 romp over Appalachian State as senior guard Chris Wright tied his career high with 12 assists, dealing to wings Jason Clark (15 points, five steals) and Austin Freeman (14 points). After exams, GU plays Saturday against Loyola (4-5).
Up next » Loyola, Sat., 12 p.m. (MASN)
VIRGINIA
The up-and-down Cavaliers (6-3) survived a lackluster effort in beating Radford, 54-44, as senior forward Mike Scott notched his fifth straight double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds) despite hitting just 1-of-7 shots from the floor. Virginia, in the midst of an eight-game homestand, hosts Oregon (6-3) on Friday.
Up next » vs. Oregon, Fri., 7 p.m. (CSN)
GEORGE MASON
The Patriots (8-2) continued their hot shooting in an 84-54 win Saturday at Liberty as Cam Long (16 points) and Ryan Pearson (16 points) hit a combined 14 of 20 shots from the floor. The Patriots shot 60 percent from the floor, bringing their marksmanship to 52 percent during their six-game winning streak.
Up next » at Duquesne, Dec. 22, 8 p.m.
AMERICAN
After being off last week for exams, AU (5-3) plays four games in the next nine days, all on the road, starting tonight against UMBC (0-9), where Jeff Jones’ team tries to break a three-game losing streak. The road trip includes games Thursday at Northwestern (5-0) and Wednesday at Pittsburgh (10-1).
Up next » at UMBC, Tue. 7:30 p.m.
